Cat leaking urine after surgery

marianb

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I'm at my wit's end with this.  My cat Mickey is overweight and has had surgery to widen his ureter when he had bladder stones removed a couple of years ago.  Before that, he would occasionally get a dirty butt, and all I had to say was, "Jump up here so I can clean your butt" and he would comply. Seriously! It was the greatest thing ever--no chasing, no hissing.  

Well, these days, the problem is more with urine than poop. He reeks and I'm getting very weary of having him sit on my bed and on my couch and leaving little urine spots all over everything.  Sometimes I don't notice until I lay down to go to sleep that he has been sitting on the pillow. It's so gross. And when he climbs up on the bed in the morning, I wake up to the smell of urine.  

I started keeping an old bedspread on my bed to keep my duvet clean and I bought washable covers for the pillows I keep on the sofa.

We also don't snuggle like we used to because of this.  I have tried shaving the fur off his rear end with the electric clippers (which he let me do), but it didn't help. I mean, it keeps the problem with poop at bay, but the urine problem persists.  

If I could wipe him every time he uses the litter box, it might not be so bad, but I work full time and I have to sleep, so that's not a workable solution. I've tried to help him lose weight, but it hasn't been 100% successful. I feed him Wellness canned food twice a day (I split a 5 oz can between him and my other cat), but I have to leave dry food (grain free) down for him between meals. If I don't, when he gets hungry he throws up. It's mostly yellowish bile looking liquid, and I have spots of that all over my rugs (and occasionally I find them on the couch or the bed).  The old bedspread helps with that too.

I just needed to vent. I don't expect anyone to suggest anything that I haven't already thought of, read about or tried, but just having others who know what I'm going through helps a little.  I love my cat, but honestly, I'm looking forward to the day I don't have to smell cat urine in my house.  Sometimes I'm so overwhelmed by it, all I can do is cry. I wish I hadn't let the vet talk me into doing that procedure. He hasn't had a recurrence of bladder stones since, but I think that's more to do with what he's eating than the widened ureter. 

If you've read this far, thanks.
 
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laralove

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Hi MarianB, welcome to TCS.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this frustration. I wish I had some novel idea to potentially help you, but I've no experience with that. Has the vet given you any suggestions?
 
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marianb

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Thank you, LaraLove.  Basically, the vet said (very matter-of-factly) that it's just something I have to deal with.  He didn't even try to offer any emotional support--not that that's what he is paid to do, but a good bedside manner is always appreciated, especially during stressful times.
 

catwoman707

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MarionB, your post made me feel very sad.

It's not his fault, he had no choice in having stones, or in having the surgery.

I completely understand/sympathize, I would not be 'good' with a pee smelling house either.

But when you said ", I'm looking forward to the day I don't have to smell cat urine in my house" it hurt my heart for your cat.

Why did the vet recommend that anyway? I mean, did he have recurring issues or just a one time thing?

I wonder if there is anything that can be done to undo what's been done. A stitch maybe??! No idea there.

Poor Mickey, you're just venting and frustrated, but try to remember, it's not his fault. He actually sounds like a sweet guy who lets you use clippers on his butt??!!!! Wow, nice cat :)) A true sport!
 
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marianb

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catwoman707 - Believe me, I feel like I'm the worst human being on earth when I have those thoughts. I love my cat. He's a very sweet cat and I've had him since he was 2 months old.  He's 11 now.  Human beings have limits to what they can tolerate before they break.  Venting is one way of dealing with that.  I appreciate that you felt bad for Mickey, but honestly, it's not my fault either.  Mickey has a good life and all of his needs are being met, and that includes the need for affection.   "Looking forward to the day" is not the same as "I'm having him put down".  I would never do that.

The vet recommended the procedure because he said often times male cats have narrow openings, which can prevent small stones from passing. Then they accumulate in the bladder and have to be surgically removed.  Mickey has only had the problem with bladder stones once in his life and hasn't had any problems since.  I don't believe it can be undone, but even if it could be, I would be hesitant to put him through that.  He absolutely HATES going to the vet.  They have to sedate him every time, even just to do simple things like weighing him and listening to his heartbeat.  I once gave him enough acepromazine to knock out a horse and it only made him crazier.  So I'm not saying he simply dislikes going to the vet.  

Thanks for the reply.  
 

happybird

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Have you tried puppy training pads? Maybe if you didn't have to keep washing the bed/couch covers, it would mean little less stress for you. I had an older dog who leaked a bit in her sleep and found the puppy pads to be a huge help. I just spread them on the couch and bed when I was at work and tossed any wet ones when I came home.
 

petcrazy76

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I would really consider looking for a new vet. It sounds like he may be leaking instead of not cleaning himself. If it was a cleaning issue he should lay down once and be dry, I wouldn't think it would be so bad. I don't know anything about that surgery but I know there are meds that can help with leaking problems. I think it would be worth asking another vet about. Neither of you can be happy with this. Maybe another vet can help him before you get any more frustrated.
 
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blackcat416

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I have two chubby cats out 8. Virgil Cain and Sally Ann. Neither can reach there butt no matter how they strain and contort themselves so since we made them nice and chubby we clean butts daily. It's been so long they really don't mind anymore. Get out the plastic gloves!!! I always seem to get the wrong end of the deal.
 
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marianb

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Thanks, happybird.  I could use them on some places, but I would need several to cover the bed.  I can see the spots on the bedspread and they're all over it.   I have a leather sofa, which helps a lot, because I can just wipe it off, and I keep the throw pillows stacked up on one end when I'm not sitting on it.  That has helped a lot.  Before that, I had a fabric-covered sofa that also collected cat hair.

Since I started feeding them better food, they aren't shedding nearly as much, so I really don't have a problem with that.  It's just the urine stains.  
 
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marianb

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I would really consider looking for a new vet. It sounds like he may be leaking instead of not cleaning himself. If it was a cleaning issue he should lay down once and be dry, I wouldn't think it would be so bad. I don't know anything about that surgery but I know there are meds that can help with leaking problems. I think it would be worth asking another vet about. Neither of you can be happy with this. Maybe another vet can help him before you get any more frustrated.
Thanks.  I have found a new vet and I've taken my dog and my other cat to him for their check ups. I like him a lot.  I told him about Mickey's little issue with going to the vet and he said they make house calls, so I'm trying to schedule something with them for Mickey.  It never occurred to me that it might be leakage, but that makes perfect sense.  I will ask the new vet what he thinks.

Thanks again.  
 
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georobyn

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Hi MarianB, I just read your post after a search regarding the same problem.. I too am at my wits end. I don't know what else to do, it's been years since my cats PU surgery because of reoccurring crystals in the kidney causing blockage. My cat will clean himself and start leaking urine in a puddle..it's disgusting and my vet will put him on antibiotics, making him very sick.. The problem goes away for a short time then starts leaking again.. :(
 
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