Set back with Sterling. I am very sad

[jenluckenbach]

First of all I'd like to admit openly that I jumped the gun and allowed Sterling access to the whole house today for a short while. He had supervision for an hour or so when we left the house for a 2 hour period. When we came home we found a pee spot on the love seat (it was covered with a blanet, so the sofa was not wet, but you can still kinda smell it). SO: since Jim was still locked up, either Sterling did it or another cat that possibly does not like Sterling, did it. We can't know for sure, but there have been no spots during the time he was locked up. So back into the cage for Sterling. I am going to get his urine sample (hopefully by tomorrow) instead of waiting until his appointment on Monday. Maybe the antibiotics aren't working and he needs something else. Or maybe he needs a higher dose of the amitriptylin.
****HEAVY SIGH****

[rg_girlca]

Oh Jen i'm so sorry that Sterling has had a setback. How discouraging it must be for you.
But maybe it was too soon to allow him access to the whole house. I know how easy it is to give in.

Please hang in there Jen. We ALL know you CAN do it and the problems you are having right now will be over before you know it.
One day at a time Jen.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Jen, I'm sorry to hear that Sterling is still having pee problems. I sure hope that his urinalysis comes back without any problems. Just try to hang in there. I'm sure that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Take care.

[jazzcat]

Looks like you are having a hard time catching a break. Hang in there. Maybe Sterling just needs a little more mellow medicine.

[gini]

Jen, I just wish you good luck and patience through all of this.

What a trooper you are! Bless you.

[Barbara]

Jen, some compassion sighs here too. Oh I had wished so much at least Sterling was ok.

Good luck again -these times too will be over one day.

[sasvermont]

Jen, I know how much cats can affect one's well being, so please do not go bonkers over this kitty. I nearly did, with Ti.

Please try and think of an alternative to keeping Sterling with you. Maybe he would thrive in another environment, maybe being the only kitty. I think trying to work out the problem at home is a great and sound idea, but please always have plan B ready for you too! If this problem does not work out soon, you may want to find that oh so perfect home for sweet Sterling!

I cannot tell you how much more relaxed and happy I am here at Camp Vermont, now that Ti has moved to CT. Robyn, Gabe's Mom would attest to that too, when she gave Gabe to me. Sometimes cats need to move, to improve!

Good luck, and keep up the spirits. Let us know if we can help you.

Love,
SAS

[jenluckenbach]

I have already contacted the shelter that I adopted Jim from to advise them of the situation and make them aware that if this does not work he may need to be returned. (his adoption agreement stated return to US ONLY). Sterling came from the local humane society (kill shelter) so he does not have that option. I will not bring him back there. I would be at a loss if I could not find an organization to take him as I don't think I'd be able to find him a home without some outside help. What could I say about him????? "Well, he pees in my house. Do you want him?"

[sasvermont]

Jen, I found a home for Ti after weeks of going on line to different rescues. You might want to try the same thing. You may be able to find a home, word to mouth..... I personally don't treasure the thought of returning a cat to a kill shelter....or any shelter for that matter. There are folks out there, looking for grown cats.....and maybe he would be better off in a single cat home.....or maybe an indoor/outdoor arrangement. Just a thought. Really. I hope I didn't offend you. You sound so stressed, that I thought an option might be in order.

[jenluckenbach]

No offense taken. Believe me, I have even walked throught the "should I put him to sleep" route in my head. How awful is that?!? I guess my main problem is that I am not good with people. I have few (to no) contacts. He would not classify for a breed rescue. All the area rescues are full (except for the kill shelter). And I'd never make a sales person. I would find it nearly impossible to "sell" someone on the idea of adopting a "flawed" product. (in this case, a known pee-er). It is my greatest weakness. The medicine just HAS TO work!

[lbaker]

Give the meds a chance Jen, but just because he's a "pee-er" in your multi-cat home doesn't mean he would have the same problems in a 1-cat home. Fortunately my 5 have worked their problems out and accept their own positions in the household. (Sometimes I wish the 2 leggers could do as well ) Keep the faith and don't give up quite yet. You have plenty of hugs and thoughts of good will coming your way from all of us. And what do you mean you're not good with people?? I've met you and felt an immediate tug in the mind & heart... how dare you
Laurie

[emily_the_spoiled]

Jen, I can truely understand what you are going through. I had a similar experience with Emily, even down to the thought of putting her down (after many months of peeing). It turned out that she had an anti-biotic resistent UTI. The standard amoxicillin didn't even begin to touch it, needless to say I continued to have the problem. Finally after two rounds on Baytril we seem to have fixed the problem. But it took a long time and along of pills to make it work. I hope that you don't have to give either cat back, but it might be worthwhile to get a different anti-biotic or even have them culture a urine sample to see what it is sensitive to.

Good luck...

[K & L]

Jen
Have they tried medications to calm him down? I can't remember the name of it, but Catsnclay was having this problem and the medication helped tremendously. It's sort of a tranquilizer I think. You might try PMing Catsnclay and ask her what the name of it is.

You know we had that problem a while back with Olive. She kept peeing in the stove burner I finally gave her own food & water dish up on a shelf, covered the burners, and gave her a lot of extra attention. So far so good.

Good luck to you! I hope this all works out.

[moosmom]

Jen,

I know how stressed out one can get in multi-cat households. If you've tried everything from ruling out a UTI, tranquilizers, herbal remedies (Nature's Remedy), then it might be best that Sterling be an only cat. Nature is a funny thing, not funny ha-ha, but funny peculiar. I think everyone at one time had the "pts" thought in their mind at one time (I admit to it as well, but never went through it).

It's not Sterling's fault. Maybe the Humane Society wasn't as honest as they should've been. Do you know if the previous owner turned him in for the same problem???

In any case, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and Sterling. If you need to talk, give me a call. I'll PM my number.

(((((((hugs))))))))

[jenluckenbach]

My sweet Sterling was adopted at the aproximate age of 6 months, 3 years ago. The fact that he was OK until now shows me that it is I who pushed him too far with the last adoption or more likly the fosters. I feel bad that I may have caused his discomfort. But, we are still not ruling out other medical problems. I could NOT get him to provide me with a urine sample (for a follow-up urinalysis) today, but he has to give SOON or he'll bust. And they said I could refridgerate it over night for delivery tommorrow morning if (when) he delivers.
Of course everyone loves their animals, but there is something special between Sterling and me. As harsh as it sounds, if Jim is incurable I think I could bear the thought of re-homing him, but not my Sterling! I'll make him wear diapers before I give up on him. (even though, I will admit to thinking about it..........and crying..........today at work, to be exact).