In a previous post I explained that Ritz has been doing the litter box dance:
(1) around once a week, goes in the litter box, poops a little, goes back out, repeats around three times in 30 minutes; usually nothing much more comes out; (2) three to four days later, goes in the litter box, poops a little, goes back out, repeat multiple times (11 times in 90 minutes). In other words, the cycle repeats itself every ten days. She doesn't appear to be in pain, more frustrated. One time blood was on the stool, not in. Feces tested negative for parasites.
In between these times, she poops normally. Her stools are SOFT, not hard. A bit smelly.
The vet prescribed Flagyl for a possible GI upset, perhaps brought on by stress (this initially occurred shortly after I had several repairmen at my condo over a three to four day period). Flagyl didn't help.
Then the vet suggested increasing dry/wet to 50%/50%; I normally fed her 90% and 10% dry (Nutro Max Fish + Tomato sauce, the only kind of wet food Ritz will eat). That hasn't worked. It seems to have increased her appetite/hunger even though she is eating more calories, not less. It is shocking how much food she eats. I do not want her to gain any more weight (11.5 pounds a few weeks ago).
She plays normally, too--no change.
When I mentioned yesterday to the vet that a little urine comes out as well, the vet said, well, maybe it's a urinary problem. I am in the process of collecting a urine sample per the vet's request; he wants to rule out a UTI before doing more tests or trying more drugs.
I should add that she pees just fine at all times; the amount hasn't changed And that she almost always poops a normal (for her) amount the day before and after the cycle begins.
Ritz is female, around two years old; medium build; 11.5 pounds; a rescue from the streets cat in December 2009.
It is the PATTERN that I find fascinating, perplexing; and, of course, Ritz' discomfort. Any ideas what is going on with her? Thanks.
(1) around once a week, goes in the litter box, poops a little, goes back out, repeats around three times in 30 minutes; usually nothing much more comes out; (2) three to four days later, goes in the litter box, poops a little, goes back out, repeat multiple times (11 times in 90 minutes). In other words, the cycle repeats itself every ten days. She doesn't appear to be in pain, more frustrated. One time blood was on the stool, not in. Feces tested negative for parasites.
In between these times, she poops normally. Her stools are SOFT, not hard. A bit smelly.
The vet prescribed Flagyl for a possible GI upset, perhaps brought on by stress (this initially occurred shortly after I had several repairmen at my condo over a three to four day period). Flagyl didn't help.
Then the vet suggested increasing dry/wet to 50%/50%; I normally fed her 90% and 10% dry (Nutro Max Fish + Tomato sauce, the only kind of wet food Ritz will eat). That hasn't worked. It seems to have increased her appetite/hunger even though she is eating more calories, not less. It is shocking how much food she eats. I do not want her to gain any more weight (11.5 pounds a few weeks ago).
She plays normally, too--no change.
When I mentioned yesterday to the vet that a little urine comes out as well, the vet said, well, maybe it's a urinary problem. I am in the process of collecting a urine sample per the vet's request; he wants to rule out a UTI before doing more tests or trying more drugs.
I should add that she pees just fine at all times; the amount hasn't changed And that she almost always poops a normal (for her) amount the day before and after the cycle begins.
Ritz is female, around two years old; medium build; 11.5 pounds; a rescue from the streets cat in December 2009.
It is the PATTERN that I find fascinating, perplexing; and, of course, Ritz' discomfort. Any ideas what is going on with her? Thanks.
