Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Incontinent elderly mog

17 replies

PenguindreamsofDraco · 30/08/2016 09:31

Does anyone have any advice?

Dcat is 20, long standing kidney issues etc etc. About 10 days ago she started showing the signs of a UTI. Sometimes that gets averted with Cystophan, but after 3 days of no improvement she got a 2 weeks AB shot and a steroid jab. That was 8 days ago, and she is due for her follow up next Mon.

She is happy, eating loads, drinking etc. BUT she is leaking in her sleep (her tummy is soaked whenever she wakes up, and she's not grooming at all) and she makes it to her litter tray about 1/10.

I took her back last Sat because I was worried that she wasn't showing improvement and one eye had started discharging and the (different) vet just shrugged and said, she's 20 .

Does this sound right? Should she be closer to recovered after 8 days, or is this it now, she's going to wee wherever she chooses? I feel like I'm on tenterhooks checking the house to see where she's gone now.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

OP posts:

Report

Wolfiefan · 30/08/2016 09:33

Is the leaking a symptom of the kidney problem rather than a UTI now?
Poor cat. I'm afraid it doesn't sound good.

PenguindreamsofDraco · 30/08/2016 09:50

Well I don't know - she started showing UTI symptoms (walking on tip toes, stopping and straining every few paces, drops of urine only) and then a day or so later the leaking started. Now she seems comfortable, no distress, but the leaking has carried on.

When she wees now, it's more than a couple of drops, but the urgency is there if you know what I mean? She will wake up and wee within a minute or so, and invariably she won't make it to the tray.

OP posts:

isamonster · 30/08/2016 10:02

There comes a time when it is all about quality of life, doesn't there? I'm sorry for her and for you. It is very tough sometimes dealing with the realities for them. I can't predict if she'll regain her bladder control but I think next Monday you'll need to talk to the vet about her general outlook. Cats don't show pain until it is really bad and she may be suffering. When my old boy cant groom himself I know he's really struggling.

How long have you had her? She's clearly very loved and cared for.

MrsPigling · 30/08/2016 10:06

I think I'd either have a follow up appointment or a phone consultation with the vet to find out if this is as good as it gets now. :(

For me, if the leaking is not fixable, this would be the end. I'm saying that as an owner of a 20 year old cat who is also not in the best of health. At some point you have to make that final decision.'s often said on here that it's better to be a week early and a day too late... :( :(

isamonster · 30/08/2016 10:10

Hi - I came back cos i kept thinking about you/her. I agree with Pigling. Maybe try and go back sooner or speak to your regular vet. Good luck!

PenguindreamsofDraco · 30/08/2016 10:13

Thank you all. I know . I have had her 18 years and she is adored. Her sister went a couple of years ago, and then I absolutely knew it was the right time.

With this I just don't know - she seems absolutely fine except for this, but it's such a big 'except'.

OP posts:

MrsPigling · 30/08/2016 10:14

and I came back as there was a new post in the thread and spotted the terrible typos in my last sentence (eyes were leaking sorry!)

should have read - It's often said on here that it's better to be a week too early than a day too late..

PenguindreamsofDraco · 31/08/2016 10:00

Sooo... cat nappies? On the plus side, it seems she still has an absolutely killer right hook On the down side she will clearly kill me while I sleep.

I appreciate this is not a long term solution but she is fine - eating loads, drinking, lots of interest, perky as can be. It just doesn't feel like I'd be making the call right now for any reason other than me not wanting to clear up after her. She just isn't ready yet. Or am I deluding myself?

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 31/08/2016 12:51

My own practice are very strong for older animals - Seniorboy's vet said, in passing, that they rarely have 'leaking' issues with elderly cats (as compared to dogs) but that doesn't mean they don't ever happen.

I'd be taking into account all her other issues as well. (The lack of grooming, use of tray, eye issues etc etc) and would be having her to the vet earlier than next Monday, I think. Can you see your original vet? (If a vet shrugged at me and said 'She's 20', baldly, I'd likely have words with them. If they dared.)

PenguindreamsofDraco · 31/08/2016 12:58

I hope so. I am going to check who is around when. He was Polish, and it is possible that something got lost in translation. Or he may just not be very empathetic.
I will see if I can get her in on Friday, if the usual vet is back then.
I am not going to put her through too much, and I absolutely agree about a day too early being better than a day too late. But whilst she seems to be enjoying her life, I don't feel like I have the right to decide until she does, if that makes sense?

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 31/08/2016 13:08

It makes complete sense to me. Remember, though, how clean cats are - she'll know that she's not using her tray properly and is leaking (she'll smell the latter if nothing else). Just because she's making the best of the rest of things doesn't necessarily mean she's truly happy.

It's all about her now, I think.

PenguindreamsofDraco · 31/08/2016 13:15

Thank you. I have made her an appointment (different vet!) for Friday. I am obviously hoping they have some non-invasive suggestions.

With her sister it was obvious - one morning her back legs just went - turned out to be blood clots, no question marks at all. She went beautifully peacefully lying in my lap in a patch of sunlight the next day and I absolutely knew I had done the right thing at the right time.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 31/08/2016 13:20

My own lad is older than her so I know whereof you speak.

Good luck to you all and let us know how it goes.

isamonster · 31/08/2016 14:43

Glad to hear you have another vet apt booked. I know it is hard but as cozie says this has to be about her. I can't imagine any cat being happy and incontinent. You've obviously looked after her wonderfully that she's reached such a marvellous age. The end game is the saddest time but I'm sure you'll do what's right for her. Good luck

PenguindreamsofDraco · 05/09/2016 10:06

Update for you kind posters who responded last week. DCat improved a bit more and I took her in on Friday. Vet said she didn't seem ready but assumed no infection so this would probably be how she's remain.

I took her home and told my husband I wasn't going to do that to her and I'd sort it out this week.

Anyway, Sat, Sun and this morning Lazarus-Cat seems to have recovered! Peeing in her tray and only in her tray, no wet fur in the mornings, jumping up on to the bed with no leaking, even cleaning herself a bit.

So I am wondering if it was an infection and the ABs just took a lot longer to kick in for her.

Anyway, as at this morning DCat is off Death Row!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 05/09/2016 10:18

Maybe it was. Infections, immune systems, ABs - they're all a bit of a mystery at times.

Good news and good luck to you all, though.

isamonster · 05/09/2016 11:09

Good for her. Enjoy her - good luck.

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.