Getting puss to use tray inside instead of in the yard

[Wordsaremything]

Another kitty conundrum- the reverse of a previous poster's dilemma!

My youngest dc (all 3 are rescue) has turned her nose up at the litter tray she used happily when confined indoors. She now prefers to poo in the yard. My other two cats can jump out of yard at will, but she has a deformed back leg which doesn't affect her speed of movement but makes her more wary of jumping and balancing.

They can also go out at the front on demand, but she hates being out at the front.

No medical issues I'm aware of. I think she was under 12 months when I adopted her last September. Has been starved, I think in the past- utter desperation for food but that has now lessened to normal cat imperiousness, which is fine.

Update: took her to the vet yesterday as she was runny and had been sick. She has given her antibiotic injection and a kaolin type mixture to add to her food( chicken and rice diet) was ok this morning but is now very subdued and sleepy. Hasn't pooed for over24 hours :(

I wouldn't worry too much about the no poo in 24 hours thing. If she had diarrhoea and has now had ABs and kaolin, her innards are likely discombobulated. Is she eating/drinking and has she peed ?

Hurrah! Nice solid poo (in yard) this morning, weed, eaten and drunk. Vet also thinks there may be something they can do about her crooked leg.

Shame about the yard but good news about the texture. Does the vet think her leg is causing her any problems?

Not re the intestinal issues. But he may be able to operate and straighten so she can use it more naturally. Thinks it has been dislocated and healed badly. Possibly due to being pulled out at birth by someone being too rough :(

Poor girl. It's something to think about if it will be straightforward because I know with humans that compensation for gammy limbs can set up problems in later life with unnatural skeletal strains etc and I guess the same may be true of other animals. And she's only young, if I recall?

I suspect it depends, though, on whether he's talking (with a glint in his eye) about 'heroic' surgery. You really need a clinician's view on that one once/if the time comes.

Has she used her tray today?

No he's a very good vet and I would only sanction surgery if I were pretty sure it would be worth it for her sake in long term. Yes it's about skeletal/rheumatic issues in later life. Tray? Erm, no, back to square one with that. Just relieved she is well again. I think she has made her point!

Harrumph. Looks like the outdoor litter tray then - but out of interest (and forgive me if you've already said) can they get in and out easily eg by catflap? (Just in case she's being taken short.)