Luna: very bad litterbox problems now!

[Kirsten]

That would be great! I still find it odd that these accidents only happen in the room where her litter boxes are. I always thought if she had bladder problems, she would lose urine everywhere. But I'm glad we found out about her probs!

Kirsten

[emily_the_spoiled]

When I went through the same thing with Emily, she would only go outside the box in the room where the box was (except the morning she went on the goose down duvet ).

Just make sure to clean, clean, and clean some more. It takes alot to get the smell out.

If Luna develops diarrhea, give her some unflavoured yogurt to help her along.

Good luck

Cheryl

[Kirsten]

When I went through the same thing with Emily, she would only go outside the box in the room where the box was

This is exactly what Luna is doing!! Sometimes she would even start scratching in her boxes and then go somewhere else! Maybe the litter or the box are too uncomfortable for them when they are in pain and they look for a softer surface?

I also noticed that Luna uses a box only once (that's why she has three boxes meanwhile). I was thinking that maybe the bacteria are giving her urine another scent, so she doesn't like to use a box that smells like that?

However, I had a big cleaning session in her room yesterday, and it seems most of the smell is gone now!

Kirsten

[emily_the_spoiled]

I have been told that the problem is that the cat has a memory of the pain associated with using the litter box. (If you have ever had a UTI you know how painful that is.) So that is the reason that they will use a different spot each time they need to go.

Good luck with the cleaning today!!

[Kirsten]

That's an interesting theory, I was told the same by somebody else today, and I think you could be right. This also upsets me a bit 'cause that means that my Luna girl is really in pain! Hopefully these antibiotics will help her soon!

Kirsten

[pktdrgn]

My oldest cat would urinate in the sink or bathtub when she had a UTI, at least it was easy clean up for me, just not what you wanted to see first thing in the morning. It was easy to see, since she had blood in her urine. It may take retraining to get her to use the litterbox again after the UTI is gone, bad memories and such.

[emily_the_spoiled]

I guess I was lucky, once I did a thorough cleaning and moved the litter box to a different room, I never had problems with Emily again. But I am very careful to make sure to scoop every day and ensure that her drinking water is changed at least twice a day.

You should start to notice a difference with the anti-biotics within 48 hours. If there hasn't been ANY improvement within 5 days contact the vet again, you might need something else.

Good luck

[Kirsten]

Yes, I'm monitoring her very well now. Called the vet today 'cause Luna seems to avoid peeing (only went 4 times the last 24 hours, 3 times in her boxes, 1 time on the carpet. ), but the vet said that's not too dramatic. It's the third day she's on antibiotics now, and now she's getting diarrhea, which I believe comes from the pills.

I can pick up her diet food on Monday; I don't know what I'm getting but it's one that creates an acid PH value to destroy the crystals.

Kirsten

[emily_the_spoiled]

Well if sounds like she is starting to do a little better than before. Emily didn't have crystals so I have no idea what to expect with that.

If Luna likes unflavoured yogurt you can try to give her some of that for the diarrhea...

[Kirsten]

Yes, I'll try these yogurts, thanks for the advice. So far the diarrhea isn't too bad, but she pooped several times today and the stool is getting lose - I'm sure that's a side effect of the antibiotics.

I hope she's on her way to recovery now. The vet said that these struvite crystals might disappear with the diet, but her urine has to be checked regularily from now on. Don't want her to develop bladder stones.

Kirsten

[IttyBittyKitty]

I hope she gets better real soon!

There has been lots and lots of great advice so far, but I just wanted to add one thing - it may be an idea to buy her a brand new litter tray now, and another one when she gets better, so that she has a "fresh" start, and no longer associates it with pain and uncomfortable urination.

Although her little problem is annoying, it will be an excellent indicator in the future if the problem returns - as soon as she starts peeing on the couch again take her to the vet!

Lots of hugs 'n' headbumps to the Lovely Luna from the recently ill Pixel

[Kirsten]

Thanks! That's a good advice! I have just bought her two new boxes, and if the problems continue, I will get new ones after she is done with the treatment. At this point, it seems like she's doing a bit better, at least she's using her boxes for a couple of days now and did not pee on the couch again.

You're right, next time it happens I will immediately have her urine tested; at least I'll know in the future what's to do.

Hugs and headbumps back to little Pixel, how is she doing meanwhile? Is she doing better?

Kirsten

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I'm so glad to hear poor little Luna is doing better. I hope the medicine does it's trick and she's back to normal in no time. You've gotten a lot of real good advice here, so I can't really think of anything to add.

Hugs and skritchies to little Luna, she's such a sweety.

[flossielarue]

My oldest cat, Ramona, has a history of peeing in inappropriate places, usually in the corners of the room. About a year or so ago, I had all the carpet removed in my entire house, and replaced with wood flooring. She still pees outside the box, but only very rarely. The vet checked her out physically, said nothing was wrong. He prescribed an anti-anxiety medicine, but I could never get her to take it. Maybe your kitty smells other cats that used to live in the apartment? Good luck with her, she sounds sweet. I'd definitely get rid of the smell couch, I think it just encourages her to keep peeing on it!