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The litter tray

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Original poster

Cat coming to the end - peeing in house

20 replies

Shefliesonherownwings · 21/12/2021 09:09

Hi all, just looking for a bit of advice.

Our sweet boy is coming to the end of life. He has FIV and sadly it is starting to get to him. He's not been well since the spring really but our original vet messed us around and failed to check various things. Sadly, a second opinion last week has confirmed the FIV is taking its toll. He's had some medication, and we're going down the palliative care route, at least while he's not suffering. In the last few days since getting this new medication he has seemed much better, sparkier, eating again, more like his old self which is lovely.

But he has started peeing on the bathroom mat for the first time ever. He has never, in all the years we've had him, peed anywhere except his litter box. He has always been brilliant at using it so this has surprised me. Is this a sign of things coming to the end? How can we stop it and get him back using a litter tray?

We have Feliway plugged in and have done for a while as we wondered if the problem was stress before we got the diagnosis. We now have more than one litter tray in the house, in quiet, safe places so he's not disturbed if he goes in them. We're doing our best to make sure he's happy and comfortable but i'd rather he didn't pee in the bathroom, not least because we have a toddler running around who i don't want near the pee if I can help it. Not easy when he's a speedy little maniac.

Also, any tips for cleaning the pee and getting rid of the smell. In one way, i'm glad it's the bathroom as I can wash the floor and mats easily but any cleaning tips would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
Bimblesalong · 21/12/2021 09:13

Oh bless him. We have the same issue with pee and poo. Our old girl is 19. She’s been a lot better since I changed her food to white fish only.

We crate her overnight on vet’s advice, with a litter tray, water and a cosy bed in the crate (covered in towels we can change as she has accidents). That helps limit the soiling.

Not the answer you’re asking for but another idea for the mix. Previously I’ve used simple solution liquid but it wasn’t touching the older cat pungency recently and I’ve had to have rugs professionally cleaned.

Toddlerteaplease · 21/12/2021 11:30

One of mine did this when her kidneys were failing.

Original poster
Shefliesonherownwings · 21/12/2021 11:30

Thanks @Bimblesalong. He seems to be using the mat in the mornings mainly, I was thinking of just putting a load of old towels down for him there and doing my best to keep the toddler contained upstairs. I'm not sure about crating, I think it would stress him.

Thanks for the solution tip, the bathroom is starting to smell a bit now.

We're so sad, he is only 9, we've had him since he was 3 and we always knew the FIV could take him but we thought he'd be around for longer as he's always been such a healthy, strong boy. :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Shefliesonherownwings · 21/12/2021 11:32

@Toddlerteaplease

One of mine did this when her kidneys were failing.
Oh gosh, really? Maybe I need to call the vet then. We were told he had about three months left but maybe not. My poor puss. :(
OP posts:
Bimblesalong · 21/12/2021 11:44

How about putting a toddler sleep wee mat down under some towels. Then hopefully the wee doesn’t hit the floor.
Poor lad. We lost one to fiv too - used to foster for the cpl.

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/12/2021 13:55

Mine did that when he had a uti

mewkins · 21/12/2021 13:59

My poor boy started doing that. It seemed as if he had no control. Bless you, it's a hard decision to make x

LeNil · 21/12/2021 14:00

I took our cat to the vets about 3 weeks ago. He’s 15 and had started weeing in the clean towel basket. Vet said cystitis, gave an antibiotic and anti inflammatory. Antibiotics for a week no more wee!!
Also changed his food to senior pet food as his kidneys are not brilliant.

Clarich007 · 21/12/2021 16:11

Hi op. I was about to say that puppy pads have been a godsend while my cat has been ill. They are £3 for 30, so not expensive. Hope your boy has some quality time with you. Take care

Veterinari · 21/12/2021 16:21

Is the new medication steroids?

icedcoffees · 21/12/2021 16:52

He needs to see a vet - peeing outside the litter tray can be a sign of a UTI and in males, they need urgent treatment or they can be fatal.

Original poster
Shefliesonherownwings · 21/12/2021 19:07

@Veterinari

Is the new medication steroids?
Yes @Veterinari he is on steroid tablets, 1 a day. But he was also given a 2 week antibiotic injection so any infection should be caught by that. Could the steroids be the issue? Going to ring the vet tomorrow, he asked for a mid week update anyway.
OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 21/12/2021 19:15

Not all antibiotics work on the infection, they prescribe for the most likely infection and if it’s not the right one it won’t work.

One of dhs chest infections needed a px for an antibiotic most commonly used in STI. The pharmacist was shocked his dw was picking up his prescription.

Original poster
Shefliesonherownwings · 21/12/2021 19:24

@Fluffycloudland77 sorry but I’m afraid I didn’t understood any of your second paragraph, what’s a ‘px’ and ‘STI’? Why was the pharmacist shocked??

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 21/12/2021 19:29

Px is shorthand for prescription, sti is sexually transmitted infection 😁

She assumed dh had picked up a sexually transmitted infection.

LittleMissnotLittleMrs · 21/12/2021 19:37

Roll and Stroll in carpeted areas, puppy pads everywhere he sleeps and a couple to whip on your knee if he comes for a cuddle. Tesco puppy pads are cheaper than Pets at Home too!

nonsensicalmess · 21/12/2021 19:39

Ours did this in her last year or two. She slept in the kitchen overnight and I put down a couple of puppy pads in the places she was peeing in - that mostly worked and when she didn’t use litter tray she mostly used those instead.

FlowerArranger · 21/12/2021 19:40

It's likely to be a UTI or failing kidneys. It's good that you are seeing the vet tomorrow.

If your vet recommends PTS, I would urge you to heed the advice. Cats are exceptionally clean pets, as I'm sure you know. If your boy routinely pees outside the box and it is not a UTI that responds to antibiotics, it's time to let go.

You've given him the best life he could have hoped for. He doesn't think about tomorrow and how much life he has left. Put his quality of life first, and when that is no longer possible, do what you have to do Flowers

Veterinari · 21/12/2021 20:12

@Shefliesonherownwings
Yes
Increased drinking and excessive urinating are classic with steroids - can you give him more litter tray options so he doesn't need to pee on the mat
If you put a tray nearby he'll likely use it

Original poster
Shefliesonherownwings · 21/12/2021 20:43

Thanks all. @Fluffycloudland77 that makes sense now! I was wondering what that all had to do with cats but I get it now.

Appreciate all the advice, will see what the vet says tomorrow. We have put extra litter boxes down, one in each room almost. We will certainly not prolong his life if the vet advises against it. I’d hoped we’d at least have him for Christmas but if not, we will let him go peacefully and with dignity. My poor baby x

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