I can't take much more of this......

[ligwa]

Jasper went on a peeing spree early this morning. I can't figure out why he does this when he does it. It was everywhere, in every room. On the bed, on the walls, on the doors, the furniture, just everywhere.

The past few days were not that bad. He hit the usual place a couple of times, but this morning was something else. I don't know if there was a cat in the yard or what. It all happened before I woke up. I got out of bed and stepped in a puddle of kitty pee.

It'll be one month tomorrow on the Prozac and honestly, I don't see any difference at all. I'm ready to reduce the dose and take him off of it.
I know there are other meds out there but the Prozac is suppose the be one with the fewest side effects. I don't want to have him walking around in a daze but I can't stand this anymore. It sucks up so much of my time, never mind the cat urine all over my house. My vet is at a loss as to what else to do for me other than send me to the behaviorist. I don't have $300 for that appointment. We have consulted with her once already and have done everything she told us to do.. I can't imagine what more she would have to say.

Re-homing him is out of the question. No one is going to put up with this and someone may hurt a cat for doing what he's doing. My only other option would be to let him back outside, but then there is the issue of the fighting with the cat next door. I just don't know what to do next.

 

[ligwa]

I guess I'll be moving on to a forum where I can get some support.

 

[missm]

Oh, this must be so difficult for you...my Matti went through a time when she would leave poop and pee everywhere (on the bed, in closets, on scratching boxes - you know!). I was extremely frustrated and considered getting rid of her, I was so very upset (she has gotten much better since).

You may find it best to put Jasper to sleep, if he will be only more unhappy in another home. Cats are sweet animals, but still they are just animals - and sometimes they bring more sorrow than joy.
I will be praying for you!

 

[gloriajh]

How frustrating!

I'm presuming that he has been neutered.

Personally - I'm thinking getting off the drugs might be a good thing - but, I really don't know your situation. Sometimes drugs lead to other problems after a while.

Why was he put on the Prozac in the first place - and, what precautions did the Vet tell you about the drug's possible side effects?

So, the vets are at a loss, huh - do you have other vets in your area?

Does that mean that any UTI's or crystals (stones) have been ruled out?

What is the food you are feeding - is it dry or canned? Grain or No Grain?

I'm sorry, I can't really help - as I'm not experienced enough - just hoping that if I add a post someone else - with more knowledge - will be able to see your plea and be able to offer some suggestions (?).


for both you and precious Jasper who needs help. Hugs to Jasper. You are his mommy and he's depending on you to help him through this - so Big Hugs to you too!

g

 

[gloriajh]

Ya know - I just thought I'd add this story.

We care for a total of 8 cats. Three we call our "Original Cats" because we had them before the others arrived.

The others consisted of the Gray Family - Gray was a stray that chose us - however he didn't tell us that he had a girl friend (Feral-Born) that he was bringing, too. Before I could get them both trapped they brought two kittens into this world.

I was successful in getting them trapped and altered - all four of them in 2009.
By 2010, October, I was able to bring them inside full time. Only one - the "kitten" female (both kittens were Feral Born, too) was really vocal. She cried loudly for about two weeks until she finally settled in. We built an outside enclosure for them, with a cat door in a window.

Then another cat - a stray - Buddy - chose us. Now, he is a LOUD vocal cat with so many sounds it's funny. Buddy is confined to one room in our house because he was tested positive with Leukemia. He makes all kinds of sounds at night. We're the ones who have adjusted to his situation.

My point after all that -
It takes an outside cat time to adjust to being confined - some take longer than others. Maybe that's part of what's happening with Jasper.

So, if he's still having a problem with the cats outside - I repeat my question about him being neutered - is he? If he's not - then the surgery might be very helpful.

Have you visited this link?: http://www.thecatsite.com/Cats/Cat_Behavior.html

Maybe you'll find something helpful in the information provided in that link?

Could Jasper be fearful of any humans in the house? I hope there's no hitting involved.

Of course, if you're not getting all the urine smells removed, there would probably be more peeing.

Has your other cat been checked out - maybe she's having urinary problems and Jasper is just peeing on her pee?

g

 

[parsleysage]

Originally Posted by Ligwa

I guess I'll be moving on to a forum where I can get some support.

Ligwa, I'm sorry you're frustrated when you don't get an answer.

Several of my posts have gone unanswered as well, with views up into the 40's & 50's. Sometimes people just haven't had the same experiences and can't offer any advice. I know you're frustrated over the situation with Jasper and that's completely understandable... I do hope you'll stick around!

 

[carolina]

Originally Posted by Ligwa

Jasper went on a peeing spree early this morning. I can't figure out why he does this when he does it. It was everywhere, in every room. On the bed, on the walls, on the doors, the furniture, just everywhere.

The past few days were not that bad. He hit the usual place a couple of times, but this morning was something else. I don't know if there was a cat in the yard or what. It all happened before I woke up. I got out of bed and stepped in a puddle of kitty pee.

It'll be one month tomorrow on the Prozac and honestly, I don't see any difference at all. I'm ready to reduce the dose and take him off of it.
I know there are other meds out there but the Prozac is suppose the be one with the fewest side effects. I don't want to have him walking around in a daze but I can't stand this anymore. It sucks up so much of my time, never mind the cat urine all over my house. My vet is at a loss as to what else to do for me other than send me to the behaviorist. I don't have $300 for that appointment. We have consulted with her once already and have done everything she told us to do.. I can't imagine what more she would have to say.

Re-homing him is out of the question. No one is going to put up with this and someone may hurt a cat for doing what he's doing. My only other option would be to let him back outside, but then there is the issue of the fighting with the cat next door. I just don't know what to do next.

Hi there,
I am assuming he is neutered?
Has he been checked for an UTI? if so, when, and how? Have you done a culture?
How many litter boxes do you have, are they covered or uncovered, and where are they located?
What type of litter are you using?
How are you cleaning the pee spots, and how are you looking for them? Do you have a black light?

Once we have these answers, we go from there...

Originally Posted by MissM

You may find it best to put Jasper to sleep, if he will be only more unhappy in another home. Cats are sweet animals, but still they are just animals - and sometimes they bring more sorrow than joy.
I will be praying for you!

Wow, just wow.... How sad to read this here at the catsite when I have four cats who I consider my babies.... true babies... "Just animals"? Wow....

 

[mystik spiral]

Carolina, I think sometimes people forget that we humans are "just animals" too. I consider my cat my baby as well and I wouldn't kill her for bad behavior any more than I would a human child...

Ligwa - good luck with your issues. And like others said, don't give up on this forum. There are a lot of people here like myself with little cat experience. I read a lot of posts but I rarely give advice because I just don't know. I've only got one cat and haven't had any major health or behavioral issues with her.

 

[bastetservant]

I've appreciated your posts, and I hope you'll stay. I haven't had the experience you're having with Jasper, so I have nothing to offer. Except that threads regarding similar problems are very frequent here. I think if you look on the behavior and health sections you'll find some recent ones, as well as stickies. Some very patient members like Carolina post answers to these questions over and over. And people do get help and resolve the problem, if they follow the advice. Really follow it.

Good luck to you and Jasper.

Robin

 

[bastetservant]

Originally Posted by MissM

Oh, this must be so difficult for you...my Matti went through a time when she would leave poop and pee everywhere (on the bed, in closets, on scratching boxes - you know!). I was extremely frustrated and considered getting rid of her, I was so very upset (she has gotten much better since).

You may find it best to put Jasper to sleep, if he will be only more unhappy in another home. Cats are sweet animals, but still they are just animals - and sometimes they bring more sorrow than joy.
I will be praying for you!

Oh for crying out loud! I don't know what to say. Not an appropriate comment for
THE CAT SITE!!!

Robin

 

[ligwa]

Thank you, soooo much.

Yes, Jasper has been "fixed". A long time ago. It's just that he's always been an outdoor kitty and he's pretty pissed off right now that he can't get out. Plus....there is a new cat next door that keeps coming into our yard, causing Jasper to just go crazy. I would never, ever hit an animal, of any kind. It's just my husband and I here and we both love these two cats.

Well, tonight my husband just couldn't take anymore of Jaspers' crying and begging to go out. He (husband) went next door and asked the people there to keep their cat inside for a while. They agreed. Jasper went out running around (supervised) for an hour. He has since come back in (on his own) and is pooped.

He seems very content at the moment.

I thank you kindly for your responses. Sometimes you just need to know that someone "heres" you, even if they can't help you. There is no way I would put Jasper to sleep for what he's been doing. It's not his fault. I just have to figure out a way to keep him a happy cat. If I have to go out twice a day for an hour I will. Dog people do it. I can too. Now, lets see if I feel that way at 4:30 tomorrow morning.

 

[gloriajh]

Originally Posted by Ligwa

Thank you, soooo much.

Yes, Jasper has been "fixed". A long time ago. It's just that he's always been an outdoor kitty and he's pretty pissed off right now that he can't get out. Plus....there is a new cat next door that keeps coming into our yard, causing Jasper to just go crazy. I would never, ever hit an animal, of any kind. It's just my husband and I here and we both love these two cats.

Well, tonight my husband just couldn't take anymore of Jaspers' crying and begging to go out. He (husband) went next door and asked the people there to keep their cat inside for a while. They agreed. Jasper went out running around (supervised) for an hour. He has since come back in (on his own) and is pooped.

He seems very content at the moment.

I thank you kindly for your responses. Sometimes you just need to know that someone "heres" you, even if they can't help you. There is no way I would put Jasper to sleep for what he's been doing. It's not his fault. I just have to figure out a way to keep him a happy cat. If I have to go out twice a day for an hour I will. Dog people do it. I can too. Now, lets see if I feel that way at 4:30 tomorrow morning.

It was so kind of your neighbors to cooperate - your hubby did a good thing!

Getting him to be a full-time inside kitty might take longer for Jasper - but it sounds like you'll give him the lovin' and patience he needs until he settles in.

As the saying goes - "one day at a time", and like others have said in this forum, "sometimes it's two steps forward, and one step back to achieve the goal" - so, keep up the good work.

I hope you'll be able to respond to the rest of the questions raised by Carolina - he might have developed a health issue if he's been so stressed by the new confinement (?).

Hi there,
I am assuming he is neutered?
Has he been checked for an UTI? if so, when, and how? Have you done a culture?
How many litter boxes do you have, are they covered or uncovered, and where are they located?
What type of litter are you using?
How are you cleaning the pee spots, and how are you looking for them? Do you have a black light? Once we have these answers, we go from there...

Keep up the good work - Jasper is depending on you and your hubby.

 

[minka]

Originally Posted by Ligwa

I just have to figure out a way to keep him a happy cat. If I have to go out twice a day for an hour I will. Dog people do it. I can too. Now, lets see if I feel that way at 4:30 tomorrow morning.

Maybe you could build him a kitty enclosure? One with a cat flap so he could go out whenever he wants and you won't have to sacrifice your sleep.

 

[ligwa]

He's been all checked out for any health issues. He's seen three different vets. Two at the office we usually take him to and my one old vet we used to go to. We have also had a consultation (a short one) with a behaviorist. All agree that Jasper just plain wants to go outside to "mark his territory". When he can't get out to do that he just does it in the house. All over the house.

We did build a enclosure. The first part, that can be accessed from a window at will, is 4x8x9ft high. It has two levels and many perches. From that there is a tunnel (a short one that's they can see out of) going to a larger enclosure that is down on the ground. That one is 14x20x10ft high. My other cat Tess (who is indoors only) loves it out there. Jasper just goes out there and cries when he wants out. He will sleep out there but that's it.

Jasper is content with 2 outside trips per day. Usually he's gone for around 45 minutes. I know his "route" having followed him 4 times now over these past 6 weeks. The problem is when he runs into the kitty next door, who has since been in a bad fight of his own. Meaning someone out there in the neighborhood finally got the best of him. I see him going after every cat around here. There are a few. Maybe 5 all together.

I have no intention of ever putting Jasper to sleep. He's not even 6 yet. He's a small feisty little guy who has always been allowed out. He's just having a hard time with it all.

I must say that my old vet told me she wouldn't be able to "handle" this and maybe I should consider putting him down. Now I remember why I stopped going to her. And she's a "specialist" in cats. Go figure.

As a side note; Jasper does use the litter boxes. We have 4. What he is doing is spraying not just peeing outside the box. I have to wonder how there is anything left in him to put in the litter box after he gets done spraying all over the place.

Oh, and the prozac was given for anxiety. He was worse. That has calmed him down a tad but hasn't worked on the spraying issue. I have decided to ween him off of the med now, seeing as it's not doing much good IMO and there is probably something out there "holistic" that could do the calming.

 

[ligwa]

Yikes! Sorry about the book I wrote above.

 

[farleyv]

That is a darn shame that this neighbor cat is contributing to Jaspers probs. Why can't peope keep their cats on their own property. Now you have to suffer for their being so inconsiderate.

Is the neighbors cat neutered? An intact tom is probably more threatening to Jasper.

I am so glad to hear you are committed to Jasper. No way would I put him to sleep.

I know how you feel. Support is vital when dealing with these issues.

 

[momto3boys]

Have you tried the Feliway plug ins??

They might help you also, I know alot of people swear by them...I wish there was an easy solution, you're an awesome kitty Mom and Jasper is lucky to have you

 

[ligwa]

I have a feeling that the neighbor cat is not fixed. I say that because my neighbor is not a big fan of the vets office. She's told me she doesn't trust them. She is proving that right now. Her cat (that I actually feel sorry for right now) got into a fight 4 days ago and has a hole in the top of his head which has been leaking "green stuff". Apparently she has a friend who works in a vet's office that came over with an antibiotic. He probably has never had a rabies shot either. More reasons to keep Jasper far away from him. This cat has gone after every cat he sees. Even if they are no where near his yard. I've chased him away from the cat down the street, who is old, several times.

I did let Jasper out this morning because my neighbor told me last night that she was going to keep her cat inside (which she should seeing as he's been hurt). Turned out the cat was out and we had to go rescue Jasper. Ugh.

I have tried the feliway, for several months.

 

[sneakymom]

I have a Jasper too

And mine has "issues" with spraying also. SIGH

Mine though is older than yours. And he's kind of had stress for the last few months. I got him from my neighbor who moved her sister-in-law here. She couldn't keep Jasper b/c she has an apt that has no pets. Neighbor couldn't keep him b/c she's allergic. He went from being an "only" to a house with 2 other cats. Females. Everyone's fixed though

I've been using Feliway for about 2 months now. Now that I have it in right (it was upside down for a month and did NOTHING)- I think he's better. He's still spraying (there were a few new spots from when we went away last weekend, and he was probably stressed having 2 strange teenagers coming in and out of the house) but not as bad as he was. I cleaned up a really bad spot, and I haven't seen anything now in a few days. Keeping my fingers crossed.

The feliway actually helped with my other kitty. Sneaky Pie had problems with re-directed aggression. She'd hiss at anything and everything. Sometimes went after feet if they were in the wrong place. She's calmed down a lot. She's not a lap cat- never was, but at least she doesn't hiss at everything that moves anymore

Getting "rid" of Jasper isn't an option. The lady we got him from LOVED him. She will occasionally come over here to see him. And now the kids are attached to him (even though he's a pain with spraying).
Cheryl

 

[ligwa]

So, I mentioned that we let Jasper out (supervised) last evening. I was with him, following along, when my neighbor (owner to the cat Jasper fights with) decided to join me. I couldn't figure this as we are sooooo far from friends it's not funny. I let her walk with me though. Didn't want to be rude or anything. Jasper ends up in another nieghbors yard, laying down in the driveway. My neighbor decided to, I don't know really what she was planning on, but she put her hands down to him like she was going to pick him up or something. He put his ears back right away. He doesn't know her after all. I told her "No, dont do that" but she did anyway. She got a nip from him for that.

Now, Jasper will nip. He's never drawn blood but he will nip you if he feels threatened. The girl didn't say anything but I saw her look at her hand. I said "did he get you?" and she replied "oh it's nothing".

About an hour ago animal control came knocking on my door. They got a complaint about Jasper. And the woman told me that my neighbors doctor wanted to put her in the hospital. What????? I was there. I saw that one tiny little mark that wasn't even bleeding. Animal control of course wanted Jasper's rabies info and his vet info. Of course I had it all but that's not the point. I'm now waiting for the sheriff to show up to serve me court papers. No, I don't know for sure that that will happen. I'm just expecting it.

You don't know how much I wish these people had never moved in two months ago. Don't people know better than to try to approach an animal that has his ears back and is hissing at you? As far as Jasper was concerned she meant him harm.