Behavior and weight issues..

My cat is about 4 years old and used to be the smartest animal I've ever known. She used to be incredibly tidy and even clean up around her litter box (she'd sweep litter that had been kicked out against litter box with her paws). She once had two litter boxes and used one for urine and one for stools.

Lately she has been peeing out of her litter box (on throw carpets, a duffel bag, stack of magazines, blankets..) and I noticed that she has dropped a lot of weight in a short amount of time. She is naturally a petite cat, but she has gotten dramatically thin over a weekend (to the point where I feel afraid for her health when I look at her).

I'm planning to take her to the vet but I was wondering if anyone had the same issue or may know what may be wrong with her? She also doenst seem to be eating much at all but drinks a lot of water. She also doesnt bother to play and sleeps all day long (I know cats sleep a lot but it's more often).

Thanks for your help!

I'm sorry, I can't offer advice, except to say that you are doing the right thing, she absolutely must see a vet straight away. Can you take her today?

Please let us know how it goes.

Thanks for your reply Satai!
I'm not able to take her today, but I'm taking her as soon as possible. I also wanted to add that when she DOES use her litter box she will urinate then run like mad from the litter box. She doesnt cover it up like she used to. Just drop and go!

Please take her as soon as possible - is there an ER vet you might be able to get her to?

Please try to tempt her to eat - a cat's liver can fail extremely quickly if they are not eating (72 hours or so).

I'm so scared for you both.

ETA: litter box problems and weight loss are, each on their own, strong indicators that vet. attention is needed. All together, it's not a good picture

Good news is that I changed her food and now she's eating!! She's even eating treats again!!

I also read on this board that I shouldnt use scented deoderants for her litter box. I think that is why she doesnt like it and when she uses it she runs like mad afterward. I will change her litter completely and wont use the deoderant anymore.

Originally Posted by Squeaky

Good news is that I changed her food and now she's eating!! She's even eating treats again!!

I also read on this board that I shouldnt use scented deoderants for her litter box. I think that is why she doesnt like it and when she uses it she runs like mad afterward. I will change her litter completely and wont use the deoderant anymore.

Click to expand...

This is all very promising - but please don't change your mind about the vet visit - it's still needed.

Please keep us posted.

Good luck!

She's starting to eat more but needs to be coaxed and/or hand fed most of the time. I noticed the litter box this morning hadnt been used since lastnight and I'm worried she may have urinated else where. I saw her sniffing around the area she urinated before so I quickly brought her to her box and she did it there then of course, quickly ran out. I cleaned the area where she urinated and sprayed a citrus scent over it, so hopefully she wont want to be in that area again.

She seems better than before.. so hopefully she's on her way to recovery. I am however still bringing her to the vet to be checked out. I'm also wondering if this massive heat wave has maybe changed her diet. I know that I myself dont feel too hungry during hot days and wonder if she could be feeling the same way.

My boyfriend brought Squeaks (my kitty) to the vet this morning and is at the hospital with her now because the vet said that she needs a blood test.

I find out tomorrow morning what is wrong with her. The vet said she may have a low immune system, a problem with her liver, a problem with her red blood cels or Leukemia. She was weighed and she only weighs 5lbs.

Im so upset and afraid for her

She's back from the hospital and has bandages on her legs from the blood tests. Im so nervous for the call in the morning

Do they suspect crystals or urinary tract infection? That can often lead to peeing outside the box...Of course that would take a urine test, I guess not a blood test.

Litter box odor and texture are common reasons for cats to abandon the box too.

It's much worse than just the urinating outside of the box. She is incredibly thin and only drinks water. I read the symptoms of Feline Leukemia Disease and it sounds a lot like her

The vet made an appointment for the blood tests right away cuz she said she could be seriously ill. I wish it were just litter box issues.

my kitty may have to be put to sleep im so upset i dont know what to do

Oh, I've only just caught up on this - I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Remember that if it is Felv, you don't necessarily have to put her to sleep - there are treatment options.

Please keep us updated.

She has an immune deficiency.. her immune system is attacking her blood cells.

We have a couple options that we are going to try out but nothing is 100%. The last option is to put her to sleep but I am trying everything I can to make sure that doesnt happen.

I just dont want her to suffer...

I saw your post and my cat is 9. He had weight issues with losing quit a bit of weight in a year. He drank a lot of water so I brought him in. Found out he was a diabetic, He lost so my energy and stopped going to the bathroom all together, I figured the best thing to do for him since he wasn't getting any better was to put him down so today I will be putting my cat down. I am pretty sad about it but its the best thing to do for him

I'm SO sorry to hear your news Wendi I hope you are doing alright, even though I'm sure you're not.. I cant even imagine how you're feeling.

My kitty is acting like her old self again She is eating on her own, using the litter box, asking for treats.. everything! I cant get my hopes up until her vet check on Wednesday. That's the day we find out if her medication is working (which I think it is) and if she will be on it for life or slowly weaned off of it. If it isn't working, she has to be put down The way things look right now I dont think that will be an option.

Sounds like either UTI or diabetes (with the increase in water drinking). Have her checked out ASAP - if she is small, even a few lbs loss may be fatal!

She's been checked and she has Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia.

Please let us know on Wednesday what the vet says. Good luck, and stay strong