Old cat... problems... need advice

[dizneegirl]

We have an old cat... definitely over 12, probably more in the 15-17 year-old range.

For the last 2-3 weeks, she's been having trouble with loose stools, and occasionally leaving a mess on the carpet.

She had been on a course of antibiotics for respiratory problems... when this started, we took her back in to the vet. They can't find anything wrong. Her bloodwork is perfect. Nothing in the stool samples.

We had changed food (gradually mixed it in, then switched)... we've switched it back. Was hoping she was just unhappy about a whole bowl of the new stuff. Doesn't seem to have mattered (except that she's eating more again).

Last night, out of desperation, I laid down newspapers along the path she seems to be frequenting. This morning, one of the cats (we're fairly sure it was her) had wet on several of the papers.

I don't know what to do anymore... I'm at my wits end.

We moved a litter box out into the living room (where she's been going), so she wouldn't have to walk alll the way to the back of the house. It doesn't seem to have helped... the wet papers were right around the corner from the box. And I know she knows it's there... she used it last night.

I can't have a cat going all over the house. I just don't know what to do. If it's senility, it's not going to get any better. Any suggestions?

 

[DemonLlama]

My sweet Siamese, Alicia, was 19 when we finally had to put her to sleep, and for a year before that she had begun losing vast amounts of weight and having accidents.

We confined her to an area that was easily cleaned if she did not make it to the litter box and a bed that could be washed often in order to save our sanity.

In the end, the vet said it was just very old age and the body wearing out.

I hope you can find an underlying cause, but sometimes it's just old age.

 

[goofy4tink]

Nothing to add, just a Old age in our pets is hard to take.

 

[MickeysMommy]

I cringed when I read this post. My kitty had almost the same problem. He was almost 21 and would urinate in the litter box (which was in the basement) but he would "poop" all over the house. I think he just didn't have "the urge" anymore and when he finally had to go it was too late. Poor thing. I had him since I was 4 and when we finally had to put him to sleep for this he was almost 21. I still miss him to this day.

I'm so sorry that you are going through this. It's so hard when they get old

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have to put my baby "Honey" down for that reason. Although she had other issues as well, she was always "starving" & could never get enough to eat. Always throwing up everywhere. It was like living with a shark. Although it was kind of funny to see the cat wrestling you at the table for your food. She must have had a bowel disease.

She kept having accidents (very loose and alot) and then one day she jumped up on my dd's to go and I said that was it.

I miss her.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My sister jus had to put her cat down for the same reason, although Tybalt wasn't very old (6 yrs old). Her and her husband moved to a new house and Tybalt got worse...turns out his kidneys failed and he was holding on but the move put him over. It wasn't even my cat and I am still very emotional about it.

 

[cherylp3]

There is a radio show called the pet show by a behavorist Dr. warren eckstein - I recommend that you call in and ask.

the website is www.ThePetShow.com

Good luck
Cheryl

 

[wishuponastarforever]

Sometimes antibiotics can cause the runs.
Has the Vet suggested changing the prescription or dosage?

Poor kitty - they don't like to make messes or be unclean. I'm sure it's hard on her too.

PD to you for a solution.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Here's some pixie dust from me and my 17 year old cat sitting by my feet. She's pretty healthy, but I had to put one down at age 13 because she threw up every single day and lost a lot of weight. The record for my family was my siamese Suki--we got him when I was 3 and had to put him down at almost age 19 when he lost control of his bladder. I was 22! It's so hard when they are a member of the family.
Robin M.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I'm sorry you're having to go through this with your cat.

I had to deal with something similar with mine in December. She wasn't quite 10 years old yet, but all-of-a-sudden she would have an occasional urine accident, every couple of days. I took her to the vet and they did tests, thinking it was a urinary tract infection, nope that wasn't it. Said it must be "behavioral" but after dealing with her over the weekend, and urine constantly "leaking" out of her I took her back and said "do more tests, something is wrong!" They did x-rays. She had bone cancer and it had gotten into her spine. Within a week she had lost all control of her bladder and was having trouble with her back legs. Nothing could be done, so I had to let her be put to sleep. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.