Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   Hello again,

   I briefly mentioned this topic in my last posting, but I was advised to make a separate topic just for Mischief.Okay Okay!

   So here is the deal...

   Mischief is a 1.5 years and just this past month he was evaluated with having an anal gland infection. After rushing him to the doctors with a 105.1 temp and several hundreds of dollars later he was send home with a bunch of medications to take. Well everything is all good and dandy for the most part being 2 weeks later, but I now have a litter box issue....

   Because it was a painful experience and also full of the runs, he no longer trust the litter box and will hold everything in until it just Gos.
   It was pretty bad last week, there would be diarrhea all over the place a long with the urine. So, what I have attempted, was I bought an ALL new litter box and some cat attract cat litter to attempt to get him interested in the box... he is indeed interested and looks at the box wanting to go, but he will walk away and just hold it. SO what I have done for the past few days is that I will catch him and forcible put him in the box and hold the door shut until he goes potty. And he does go, then while he is going potty I back away, giving him the chance to walk/run out when finished. Then I chase him down giving him treats and love.... still it has now been 3 days and I have yet to see him enter on his own. I am putting him in just to avoid the mess elsewhere..

   Any ideas, or tips???

   Posted 8 months ago by KT #

2. 

   wherever he has peed , you need to clean with an enzyme cleaner. urine gone is pretty good, it should come with a black light because cat pee will show up with it, no fooling !!!

   Posted 8 months ago by CSBM #

3. 

   You could call the vet and ask if 2 weeks is long enough so that he no longer is in pain. Also ask if there's the possibility of any scar tissue remaining in the area.

   If neither of those things are the problem, I would just keep doing what you are doing. It might help to have several boxes spread around the house (all with Cat Attract) for a little while. There are many resources on the internet for box training your kitty - start with Messybeast (http://messybeast.com/toileting-problem.htm) but there are many other good sites.

   Posted 8 months ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

4. 

   I have heard changing the type of litter may help. If you have always used clay switch to the corn, wheat or paper kind.

   Posted 8 months ago by TrufflesMom #

5. 

   All of the above and maybe start all over again with the litterbox training, putting him in a small area (bathroom, separate room, laundry room, etc) until he trusts the box, litter and himself again. Patience is a must right now, he is probably not really understanding why it was hurting him, why you are chasing him to have him use the litterbox, just a few things...just my opinion of course.

   Posted 8 months ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

6. 

   Well we were just at the vet the other day, she says it is most likely behavior at this point. I am not sure really. I have 3 litter boxes set up and one has the cat attract. I have yet to try a completely different litter yet.

   I can see he will look at the box, but will avoid it. That is when I pick him up and place him in the box where he then goes potty.

   All the spots are cleaned up, he has not pottied anywhere in the past 3 days, because I have been putting him in box.

   Posted 8 months ago by KT #

7. 

   Add tons of praise and treats when the box is used. Also, as difficult as it may be, ignore any accidents you witness. Be as matter of fact in cleaning those up and in silence so he doesn't confuse the activity with his boo-boo.

   Posted 8 months ago by ailuromaniac #

8. 

   I second the idea to provide entirely different looking litter boxes and litter. For example, use a hooded one if you had an open one, or vice versa.

   Is his stool now solid? If so, you might consider giving him a spoonful of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix!) for the fiber to make the stool easier to pass so he doesn't have to strain and be uncomfortable.

   Posted 8 months ago by Kiplings_cat #

9. 

   Alright everyone... today we had a break through he used the box all on his own and did not run out... unfortunately he is now at the vet, because I noticed him straining to pee with nothing coming out he was drooling... :( fingers crossed it is nothing more than a UTI even though those are bad as well... I will find out later this afternoon.

   Posted 8 months ago by KT #

10. 

    Poor sweet Mischief. I hope all his potty trouble clears up soon.

    Posted 8 months ago by ecbrown #

11. 

    Mee too!!! This past month he has almost racked up his bill to being a total of 1,000$$ :/

    But all I can think of is how people just abandon their animals, because they cannot afford them or the price is not worth it. I cannot do that, so now I have 4 kitties and that is my limit for sure, but at least they are one less animal struggling to get a home. The shelters in my area are so full they cannot take anymore cats.

    Posted 8 months ago by KT #

12. 

    The vet just contacted me... they have had a chance to look at Mischief. From what the doctor has seen and been able to look at he has a bladder obstruction. So they are going to put a cathider and drain his bladder and test the urine along with some x-rays... ;< they said he will need to be there for a few days.

    Posted 8 months ago by KT #

13. 

    Everyone I have horrible news and I need your moral support. So Mischief was having difficulty urinating and I took him to the vet where he was diagnosed with a crystal in his urethra. So they placed a catheter and helped it pass and the next day they allowed me to take him home... that day is today, but hours after I took him home he looked to be in real pain and I took him to the ER where he was again diagnosed with a blockage and the treatment was repeated.... BUT now they say the catheter is stuck... and could be fatal they are going to try their best to remove it by reducing inflammation, other option is to reroute his urethra in which he will no longer be a male... but in my heart always a male and the last option is to euthanize...

    My boyfriend and I are so emotionally torn apart. Our baby is only a year and a half and I love him so much. I hope option one works... this is costing us thousands. Please pray for his life. I want his to come home and roll around and be the handsome lover he was... I never have been so attached to a cat like this one... not even my cat I have had for 15 years.

    Posted 8 months ago by KT #

14. 

    :(

    Has anyone experienced urethra rerouting?? I want to know the success rate. I am willing at any cost save his life... we are already in the thousands...

    Posted 8 months ago by KT #

15. 

    Wow KT...I'm so sorry for the newest complications poor Mischief is going thru. I know nothing about urethra rerouting. It does sound very painful. Has the vet provided Mischief w/pain meds so he's not hurting? I wish I knew something on the problem.
    I can only offer some Prayers that the vet is able to help your little guy & It won't cost you a fortune. Also sending some Healing Light that could help wonders for Mischief.
    Please give Mischief some chin scritches from me & a big Hug for you. {{{Mischief & KT}}}

    Posted 8 months ago by feral #

16. 

    I'm so sorry! Prayers for you and Mischief and the vet. Please keep us updated on what you decide and how Mischief is doing.

    Posted 8 months ago by ecbrown #

17. 

    I would ask the vet regarding success rate. Not too long ago, my cat Polly had resection of what thankfully turned out to be a benign liver tumor. (Thread: A tough decision) Anyway, the vet gave me some numbers which I was able to factor into my decision. I am thankful that I have the money to spend on my cats and I was quite upset that my husband felt that perhaps she was not worth the surgery.

    I can provide links to some info on the procedure however, although I have no personal experience.
    This is quite detailed and lists complications, but not success rate: http://www.michvet.com/Client%20Education%20Handouts/Surgery%20handouts/Feline%20perineal%20urethrostomy.pdf
    This link is much the same: http://www.onsitevss.com/PDF/Perineal_Urethrostomy.pdf
    More info: http://www.web-dvm.net/urinaryblockage.html
    This is someone's personal experience: http://melbel.hubpages.com/hub/Perineal-Urethrostomy

    I hope that you find this helpful. I would suggest making a list of questions after reading them, and then asking those questions of the vet.
    {{{KT & Mischief}}}

    Posted 8 months ago by Kiplings_cat #

18. 

    Thanks so much, well the vet called me at 7:30 this morning and with good news!!! What they ended up doing was just heavily sedating him and it allowed his body to completely relax and they were able to remove the catheter. So what they told me is they placed the smaller one in, and because there was a grainy texture in his urethra it was causing the struggle to get it out. SO they placed him on some antibiotics and pain medication and will closely monitor him. I am going to go visit him tonight after work.
    I am relieved that they did not have to reroute anything and he will be able to remain a boy. He is a very expensive kitty that is for sure... I think he has racked up almost $2,000 this past month.
    I cannot wait for him to come home. A home is not a home without all the loved ones in it.

    Posted 8 months ago by KT #

19. 

    Awww...that's so sweet about your home not being the same without him. So glad you got some good news.

    Posted 8 months ago by ecbrown #

20. 

    It really isn't we are all sick and worried and his partner Troubles has been running around the house not knowing what to do, because she has no one to play with.

    I think naming the cats Troubles & Mischief was a bad idea... and they want to name the newest kitten Mayhem... I DONT think so...

    Posted 8 months ago by KT #

21. 

    I'm so sorry to see this, KT, but really glad that sweet Mischief has been responding to the vet's TLC, sending all good energies for Mischief to recover fully and come home soon. {{{KT and Mischief}}}

    Posted 8 months ago by jcat #

22. 

    WELL!!! This afternoon was another turn of events... he was not responding to the catheter and developed more stones, so the option was the surgery. I know it was very very VERY expensive, but I found no need or a will to end his life. So he had the operation and around 6:30pm they called and said it was successful and that hopefully he has good signs of recovery.

    Posted 8 months ago by KT #

23. 

    I wanted to update everyone on Mischiefs condition.
    He came home yesterday from the vet hospital. He has PU sugery and it went pretty well. So basically he is a no gender cat. But he is home, stuck with the cone for 10 days and then stitches remove on the 10th day. He is very sleepy, but I could only imgaine how much sleep her got the 4 days at the hospital. But I am glad that he is home and so far doing good. He does not have much control over his new part but with time he will.

    Posted 8 months ago by KT #

24. 

    KT, bless you and Mischief. How heartbreaking to go through all this. Hope Mischief heals quickly and is healthy, comfortable and happy. Hope too that he will stop being afraid of the litter tray.

    One suggestion; I have experience with a cat who sometimes has litter tray avoidance issues. Don't chase Mischief down to take him to the tray. Instead, start out by taking him every one or two hours when you can pick him up without having to chase. It's okay even to wake him up for this. Or when he first wakes up and starts moving around, pick him up and take him. Give him lots of praise and petting. Don't chase him down afterwards to give treats but just sweet talk him gently, go about normal routine and let him come to you. Keep up the sweet talk and when he comes around, give him a treat telling him what a good boy he is. The key is that he doesn't feel chased but instead that being taken to the tray is something non-confrontational and loving. Easier said than done in practice I all too well know, but if you work at it with patience you eventually do get positive results.

    Posted 8 months ago by Marnet #

25. 

    Thanks for the update. You have been through so much with Mischief. Here's hoping he heals quickly. And we know you are still all boy, Mischief.

    Posted 8 months ago by ecbrown #

26. 

    http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk114/Katenugget/ouch.jpg

    He is glad to be home, he is acting tons better. I cannot wait for him to regain his bladder muscles... because when he starts peeing he just goes and goes and ends up soaked in his own urine. I have not started the box training back up yet, I was waiting a few days to limit his stress.

    Posted 8 months ago by KT #

27. 

    Bless his heart!

    Posted 8 months ago by ecbrown #

28. 

    OMG!! I am going to go crazy!!!!

    So he has recovered very well from his sugery and when he had his stitches removed he used the litter box all on his own. BUT this week starting this weekend at 5 am he peed on top of me as I was sleeping and on the floor under the bed and pooped on the couch!! What is with that! I am thinking they are upset with me, because I removed the auto feeders to moderate their food intake.

    Sigh... when I have a moment I am going to get a new type of litter. What would be the best kind? I am thinking about trying to crystal litter.

    I want to pull my hair out

    Posted 7 months ago by KT #

29. 

    Its okay he still might be gaining control of everything. He also might not be able to hold it as long as he used to. I would do for him what you do for a kitten. Just keep putting him in the litter box and try not to change too too much. Most cats don't do well with change.

    Posted 7 months ago by Rea5 #

30. 

    Thanks, I just put fresh litter in the box and he goes when I place him in the box. He has been holding it until the last moment possible and I think that explains the accidents. It was just strange because as soon as the stitches were out he used the box as normal until a few days ago.

    Posted 7 months ago by KT #

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