At wit's end

  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #201

billchamb

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
549
Purraise
59
Location
Harrisburg, PA
There's a rough layout of our current basement plan to (hopefully) aid with understanding (not to scale).

Before today, there was only "open top tub" and "covered #1."

After this morning's clean-up, Sassy went back a little later and left a part-diarrhea/part-formed stool in the "open top."

There is still a light left on 24/7 in the "kitty bathroom & storage," whether it helps or not.

The rectangle at the top-left of the room is supposed to be labeled "covered window," while the one below it is supposed to be labeled "door to outside."
 
Last edited:

mycatwasthebest

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jan 26, 2014
Messages
400
Purraise
39
Location
mykindatown
Then why not confine her to your current bedroom? Is the money you're spending less than the amount of your security deposit? Sorry, I guess I just never lived anywhere where carpets were worth that much, had a male cat with a problem but put foil on the corner wall so when he sprayed it didn't hurt much. Trust me, I know it is hard to find a place to live with animals, I spent 1600 dollars a month rent this summer so I could have a place to stay WITH my cat...not that she didn't die anyway.
 

mservant

The Mouse servant
Veteran
Joined
Jul 8, 2013
Messages
18,064
Purraise
3,451
Location
The Mouse Pad, UK
 
Its odd because Striker has always been a pushover, despite the size difference (literally 2x Sassy's weight).  Sassy has typically been the "bully" about most things.  We are fairly certain that he has not been around or even aware of all her "accidents," so I'm not sure how convinced I am, especially since this started so infrequently.  I know its a possibility, though, and one I will keep considering.

Two things I wish we could now solve, after 12 years together with these two:

1) feeding them separately without crossover;

2) setting up a box that only Sassy could use

We just don't have a convenient way to split them up when eating, and we don't feed on a rigid schedule.
I wish I could think of some way to separate the eating arrangements without introducing other major changes that could stress our cats as I have mentioned before.  Hard when you have always fed together and free feeding (which I have also done and had similar problems - and could again).   

I hope the additional box helps, at least it is a relatively inexpensive and easy measure to try.   It is hard to set up a box only one cat can access as another cat can always block them reaching it anyway, e.g. by sitting at the door on the way there or between the door and the tray. At least the more boxes there are the more likely she it so find one that hasn't been used first either by her or by Stiker.

Fingers still crossed here and with you on the desperation stakes: you are trying so hard to help your cats and although progress has been made there is no resolution and no identifiable cause which is so difficult to cope with.  
  
 

dolface

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 11, 2012
Messages
21
Purraise
1
I have the same problem with my baby just turning a year in april being a total bully to her 15lbs 4 yr old sister......I have wondered in the last days with her health and conditions if maybe they just get a little tired of being bullied for a while and dont have any other way of dealing with it...I hope the extra box helps a little with the mess....and please keep in contact with a GOOD vet physician that you can trust....I don't see this just being enviromental issues but I do hope you the best in your babies
 

oneandahalfcats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 13, 2013
Messages
1,437
Purraise
179
 
There's a rough layout of our current basement plan to (hopefully) aid with understanding (not to scale).

Before today, there was only "open top tub" and "covered #1."

After this morning's clean-up, Sassy went back a little later and left a part-diarrhea/part-formed stool in the "open top."

There is still a light left on 24/7 in the "kitty bathroom & storage," whether it helps or not.

The rectangle at the top-left of the room is supposed to be labeled "covered window," while the one below it is supposed to be labeled "door to outside."
So, covered #2 is the new box, but Sassy chose the open-air tub and left a semi-formed stool. This is very good, in fact I think it must be a first. Hopefully of many!

It's kind of hard to tell how far apart everything is .. But now that there are 3 boxes, this might be enough to shift the dynamics, in that Striker seems to prefer the covered boxes, and Sassy may feel that the open-air tub may now be more available to her exclusively.

I would see what the next 24 hours brings. It may be that no separate area is needed. I would however, think about trying to feed them separately. Sassy in the kitchen, with Striker in another room, or vice-versa.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #207

billchamb

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
549
Purraise
59
Location
Harrisburg, PA
 
Then why not confine her to your current bedroom? Is the money you're spending less than the amount of your security deposit? Sorry, I guess I just never lived anywhere where carpets were worth that much, had a male cat with a problem but put foil on the corner wall so when he sprayed it didn't hurt much. Trust me, I know it is hard to find a place to live with animals, I spent 1600 dollars a month rent this summer so I could have a place to stay WITH my cat...not that she didn't die anyway.
I am not compelled to explain the details of current or future living arrangements any further.  I think its quite clear that I/we are trying to keep our cats WITH us, in spite of everything.  I think maybe we have a different "acceptable standard" for our living quarters, rather than accepting "it didn't hurt much."
 
Btw, I won't post on this thread anymore. I wish u and ur cats luck.
OK.  Thanks for the well wishes.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #208

billchamb

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
549
Purraise
59
Location
Harrisburg, PA
One last observation...I am beginning to wonder if the Amitritylin has FINALLY leveled off in her system, after (3) weeks.  Since going to vet #3, she seems a little more alert and engaged.  Still not the cat/personality she was before, but maybe some slight improvement.
 

mservant

The Mouse servant
Veteran
Joined
Jul 8, 2013
Messages
18,064
Purraise
3,451
Location
The Mouse Pad, UK
I hope you are right and she is starting to feel more like herself again.  Perhaps if that medication is getting out of her system you will see a more true picture of how she is now with the various changes that have gone on. Here is hoping she feels better in herself and the increased use of the litter trays continues to move forward and Sassy starts to have a little lightness to her pawsteps again.  You all need a positive break.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #210

billchamb

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
549
Purraise
59
Location
Harrisburg, PA
A clean overnight!

Woke up at 5-ish this morning.  Checked food and water; the dual feline presence was still slumbering.

When I checked boxes, there was urine from Sassy in open-top; Covered #1 was empty; Covered #2 had a clump and some small, hard, buried stool from Striker.

By the time I cleaned, both were up and about.  From my office desk, I can see the door at the top of the stairs.  I noticed Sassy hovering around, before finally descending.  When she came back up, we exchanged niceties, and she went back to her current favorite sleeping spot.

I re-checked the boxes and lo and behold, she had urinated AGAIN in the open-top!  This will indeed be good news for Mrs. when she wakes.

Also, @Therese, we will do something about getting the Feliway.  I'm not against it, just crazy-busy trying to keep up with all that is going on.

Vet #3 called yesterday just to inform us that the urine culture and sensitivity also revealed nothing as far as medical health explanations for Sassy.

OH! Almost forgot - for the first time in a LONG time (since the wave of medications), Sassy hopped up in bed with us last night!  She didn't stay the whole night, but she normally doesn't.  Mrs. & I lay in bed reading.  Sassy came up, let me pet her, then settled down near the foot of the bed, along my leg.  This is another sign to me that she is feeling a little more herself.
 
Last edited:

oneandahalfcats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 13, 2013
Messages
1,437
Purraise
179
That's wonderful news BillChamb!

Sounds like Sassy is feeling much better .. Coming to spend some time with you and wife must have been a very pleasant surprise.

Positive thoughts and prayers for continued progress ..
 

chasetheblue

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Oct 25, 2013
Messages
138
Purraise
30
I haven't commented yet because I don't have any insight to add to you but I wanted to give you major kudos for all the effort you've made for your cats. My two were very sick when I brought them home and it was beyond stressful trying to help them feel better and retain my sanity with the constant cleaning floors cleaning boxes cleaning cats (they were too young to clean themselves.... so fun haha). 

I'm thrilled to hear that things seem to be looking up and crossing my fingers that they continue to improve :)
 

amandatzl

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 2, 2013
Messages
22
Purraise
14
Location
Toronto Ontario
That is such wonderful news! I've been following this thread for quite some time and it's been do nice to see that overall there had been do much progress even though it may not seem like it. Keep up your patience and loving of your sweet babies!
 

jyoder

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 4, 2012
Messages
3
Purraise
1
Location
North Carolina
Have you had the vet check for a urinary infection?  Sometimes those can manifest with varying symptoms, like urinating or defecating outside the box.  I would be tempted to take the covers off the boxes too and try that.  Also, you may want to find another vet.  At least to get another opinion.  Get all of Sassy's records from your current vet and see if another vet has other suggestions for what could be causing this.

I feel your pain, I have a cat named Sassy as well who all of a sudden has decided to use the bathtub as her litter box.  I'm still trying to figure out the reason for it.  Cat's are wonderful pets but they sure can have some trying behavioral issues that sometime, unfortunately can't be resolved easily.

Good luck with Sassy!!  
 

paul n steve

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 8, 2014
Messages
25
Purraise
1
Location
Iowa
What if you moved the liter box to another spot in the basement? Maybe away from the areas where she has peed nearby, and even though cleaned up it may still smell like something to her. I read somewhere that some cats like to have the liter box away from a wall so they're able to walk around it completely before entering it? 
 

amandatzl

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 2, 2013
Messages
22
Purraise
14
Location
Toronto Ontario
@billchamb. I hope you don't mi d me replying to the last poster. For such a complicated air auction like this its a good idea to read through the whole thread. Sassy has been to not one, not two but three vets and has had the tests repeated to ensure there is no physical reason behind all this. He has shown so much love and patience that in this day where so many owners give up at the littlest difficulty it is heartening to see.
 

baileytc

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 30, 2013
Messages
31
Purraise
34
 
One last observation...I am beginning to wonder if the Amitritylin has FINALLY leveled off in her system, after (3) weeks.  Since going to vet #3, she seems a little more alert and engaged.  Still not the cat/personality she was before, but maybe some slight improvement.
Yes, it takes most if not all of the anti-anxiety drugs 2-3 weeks to reach full concentration in the system and for the cats to adjust to them. Likewise, if you were to take Sassy off of the drug, it would take several weeks to completely exit her system. I'm glad to hear she seems to be adjusting well to the med and it's showing some positive results.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #219

billchamb

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
549
Purraise
59
Location
Harrisburg, PA
Today just seems to keep getting better!

I just got up after having Sassy spend a 2.5 hour nap ON MY LAP while I had lunch, watched some television and even napped myself a bit.  When she finally woke, she stretched and stepped off to lay next to me.

Vet #2 who put her on the Amitriptylin had indicated we should see an effect within a few days.

Thanks for those who have followed for so long that you can provide feedback to others.

I seriously do not think we are out of the woods, yet, but this just feels like a brand new day.
 

mservant

The Mouse servant
Veteran
Joined
Jul 8, 2013
Messages
18,064
Purraise
3,451
Location
The Mouse Pad, UK
@billchamb, it is so lovely to hear that you have had some relaxing snuggle time with Sassy.  Good therapy for all of you I am sure; even if things are not yet resolved this is a beautiful reminder of the relationship you have with Sassy and why you have been so dedicated in trying to get her well.  A little rest and relaxation can be very healing.  May this indeed be the start of a new day and further progress towards a 'dry floor'. 
 
Top