- Joined
- May 22, 2005
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My 2yr old kitty is having pretty much the same problems as yours is. We noticed this problem early this year (Jan/Feb) but think it has been going on since last October when we moved into a new house. At that time we didn't realize the transition could terrify a cat until I read all the posts and articles. Anyhow, we started having this stench in the basement and just thought that it needed airing out since it's an underground basement. Until Cosi peed on my husband on a long drive (the litter box was in the back seat and within reach of her) did we realize what that smell was. To top things off, we had just gotten a puppy which probably put her in great distress.
We never took her to the vet at that time because we thought it was mostly behavioral issues. We bought enzyme cleaners for the basement, confined her to a bathroom with her toys and litter box for several weeks, changed litter brand and cleaned the litter box 2x/wk. Well, after all that, we thought things were better because we didn't notice the smell in the basement (we didn't remove the carpets but will be doing that come spring since we have plans to renovate at that time). Unfortunately, a little over 2wks ago, Cosi decided to pee on our brand new carpet in our bedroom... *sigh*.. that's when I put my foot down and took her to the vet.
So, 2wks ago we finally took her to the vet and they found large amounts of blood in the urine and some crystals. Today, we took her in for her 2nd urine sample and the antibiotics still had not cleared anything up. They took a bladder xray today and found no stones (good thing) so my husband and I are crossing our fingers in hopes that the new medication works better.
In the meantime, we keep her confined to the bathroom with all her stuff and have been letting her out into the kitchen to eat and while we are around, we keep her in sight on the main floor (fortunately enough my husband installed the laminate flooring when we moved in so we don't mind if there are accidents on that!). We have not let her into the basement nor does she go upstairs to the bedroom (esp. not after that incident because no matter how much urine/odor enzyme remover I used in that bedroom I'm terrified she'll pee there again) without our supervision. Right at this moment, she is curled up on the desk sleeping very soundly!
While at the vet this morning, I read in a cat (Cat Fancy?) magazine that Cat Attract litter is supposed to work. They also said to continue keeping her in a small area (cat crate included) with her litter box for 1 month and that should reinforce the idea of using the litter box. Lemon scented air freshner, aluminum foil on the pee areas, and even placing the food/water bowl and the litter box on the soiled areas were some suggestions in that magazine.
As for us, those are the things we're going to do... maybe you can try some of those ideas as well? Wish you luck. And if something works for Cosi, we'll let you know! But of course, if there are any other suggestions I am also up for hearing them since those vet bills are truly adding up!
We never took her to the vet at that time because we thought it was mostly behavioral issues. We bought enzyme cleaners for the basement, confined her to a bathroom with her toys and litter box for several weeks, changed litter brand and cleaned the litter box 2x/wk. Well, after all that, we thought things were better because we didn't notice the smell in the basement (we didn't remove the carpets but will be doing that come spring since we have plans to renovate at that time). Unfortunately, a little over 2wks ago, Cosi decided to pee on our brand new carpet in our bedroom... *sigh*.. that's when I put my foot down and took her to the vet.
So, 2wks ago we finally took her to the vet and they found large amounts of blood in the urine and some crystals. Today, we took her in for her 2nd urine sample and the antibiotics still had not cleared anything up. They took a bladder xray today and found no stones (good thing) so my husband and I are crossing our fingers in hopes that the new medication works better.
In the meantime, we keep her confined to the bathroom with all her stuff and have been letting her out into the kitchen to eat and while we are around, we keep her in sight on the main floor (fortunately enough my husband installed the laminate flooring when we moved in so we don't mind if there are accidents on that!). We have not let her into the basement nor does she go upstairs to the bedroom (esp. not after that incident because no matter how much urine/odor enzyme remover I used in that bedroom I'm terrified she'll pee there again) without our supervision. Right at this moment, she is curled up on the desk sleeping very soundly!
While at the vet this morning, I read in a cat (Cat Fancy?) magazine that Cat Attract litter is supposed to work. They also said to continue keeping her in a small area (cat crate included) with her litter box for 1 month and that should reinforce the idea of using the litter box. Lemon scented air freshner, aluminum foil on the pee areas, and even placing the food/water bowl and the litter box on the soiled areas were some suggestions in that magazine.
As for us, those are the things we're going to do... maybe you can try some of those ideas as well? Wish you luck. And if something works for Cosi, we'll let you know! But of course, if there are any other suggestions I am also up for hearing them since those vet bills are truly adding up!