New baby cat dripping urine

seamus

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We got our new kitty from a no-kill foster about a 7 weeks ago after the loss of my kitty-soulmate. I brought him to the vet shortly after getting him because he was congested only to learn that he has herpes and now so does his sister (my 9 year old princess). Shortly after adopting, my husband and I had to go out of town for 4 days, had our usual cat-sitter take care of them and everything was fine. A month later, again, we had to go out of town but this time it was for a whole 6 days, and when we came back, he had been peeing everywhere and occasionally pooping. It was really strange, he was doing it as he was doing other things (eating, playing, walking, jumping), not like he was intentionally squatting or choosing a specific place. Back to the vet we went, and he had giardia and cystitis. Now we just finished medicating both cats for giardia, and we got him pain meds for the cystitis, but he is still leaking pee all over the place.... just drip, drip, dripping everywhere and still just poops as he's doing whatever. Now I'm worried about the giardia, because he has started eating the cat litter, so he's just going to reinfect himself!? 

I do not know what to do!? My husband and I have discussed returning him to the foster group we got him from, but this breaks my heart to even think about. Since he's not avoiding the cat box (he'll go when he's in there (although he doesn't like to get all the way, not sure when that started), it's not really box avoidance. 

Any suggestion to help this little guy find his way back to the box?
 

Ms. Freya

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Poor little guy! Sounds like he's having a rough go of it. I'm so glad to hear you're trying to work with him.

If you haven't done so, it might be worth separating him from your other cat, in his own area with his own box. Dr. Elsey's makes a attractant litter (Cat Attract & Kitten Attract) that a lot of our members have had good luck with. You could try that and see if it helps him back on the right track. Chances are he's avoiding getting all of the way into the box because it hurt him to use it while he was sick, so now he's leery. You can also try a box with lower sides until he gets back into the swing of things.

I hate to say it, but if the dribbling keeps up, you may need to speak with your vet again. If he's young, Cystitis can really do a number on his system, so he could be dripping because of that. Is he straining to pee at all, or just leaking? Straining might indicate that he needs another round of treatment. Either way, if it persists, it's worth mentioning to the vet because he may need a new medication.
 
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seamus

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Thanks Ms. Freya. My husbanda actually brought home some the very litter you're talking about, but since we have to dump all of our litter every day (giardia precaution for the days following the last dose) and it's so expensive, we have started using disposable trays until we get the all clear from the doctors.
We are thinking his CH (oh, forgot to mention he's a bit wobbly) is why he only puts his 2 front paws in (although that wasn't happening before we left) when he goes to the box, but he doesn't strain at all... He just puts his paws in and pees, but he never poops in the box.
Now, I'm super concerned because I have to keep chasing him away from his box because he's eating the litter which can kill him (it's clumping).

I just don't know how to help him get reacquainted with his box?
 

nansiludie

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Thanks Ms. Freya. My husbanda actually brought home some the very litter you're talking about, but since we have to dump all of our litter every day (giardia precaution for the days following the last dose) and it's so expensive, we have started using disposable trays until we get the all clear from the doctors.
We are thinking his CH (oh, forgot to mention he's a bit wobbly) is why he only puts his 2 front paws in (although that wasn't happening before we left) when he goes to the box, but he doesn't strain at all... He just puts his paws in and pees, but he never poops in the box.
Now, I'm super concerned because I have to keep chasing him away from his box because he's eating the litter which can kill him (it's clumping).

I just don't know how to help him get reacquainted with his box?
I strongly recommend no clumping litter. Secondly, in your title, he's supposed to be a baby kitty. How old is he really? Also has he had any PU surgery done?  Something must be causing him not to have control of his bladder. Possibly the ch? Also since he is having urinary issues, if he will have it, do feed him canned food and very limited, if any dry. The canned food has far more moisture in it which is very good for bladder health.
 

Ms. Freya

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Hmm...CH does explain the hesitance to climb in the box...stepping in can be tricky for them.

Honestly, I would go right back to potty training 101 for him - maybe a disposable baking tray or small pan, something he can easily walk in to. Some kittens also find sand easier (and safer) than clay, so you may want to try that so that he doesn't eat it. It may also be that he doesn't associate the disposable pans with being a litter tray (one of mine can't/won't use them) so you could also try just getting an inexpensive plastic box, or something a bit more similar to what he;s used to. 

Here are the links to a few articles on choosing litter and box locations that might help:

How To Solve Litterbox Problems in Cats - The Ultimate Guide

Litter Box Location Secrets

Choosing the Right Cat Litter

Litter Box Maintenance

I agree that it's probably better to wait until the Giardia is all cleared up before investing in an attractant litter...you don't want to be tossing that out too often!  I know we've run into litter box problems here before so I'm sure some of our other members will be along with suggestions that have worked for them.
 
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