severe head cold

[Traci]

Phil, Gabbie's sleeping in the litterbox could indicate a health problem, such as lethargy or weakness associated with a primary health condition. You really should get her checked by your vet.

[phil]

Traci:
Winnie is feeling a lot better today. She is improving every day. She ate almost a whole can of food today, by herself. I am going to call the vet tomorrow and let her see Winnie's eye to see how its doing. I will also mention the problems that I am having with Gabbie. I didn't think that the vet could help with the litterbox problem too. These two cats have been a couple of problems but they have been keeping my mind off of mine. We are all getting ourselves back together.
Phil

[PepperD]

I'm glad she is beginning to feel better. I hope she continues to improve. How old is the other cat? I've never had a cat who slept in the litter box, but I did have a cat, who when he wasn't feeling good, would urinate in his food bowl. Has she always slept in the litterbox? Have you tried putting another box nearby, that looks similar to the litter box, but without the litter? Or maybe have 2 litterboxes, maybe they will use one and sleep in the other? I don't really know what to suggest on this problem. Good Luck!

[phil]

I just got back from the vet. Winnie is doing a lot better now. The antibiotics are doing a fine job and her head cold is just about gone. The vet said I needed to make an apointment to the animal eye clinic because Winnie's eye is not looking good. She said I need to start giving her some lycine, its supposed to fight the virus thats in her eye.
I will try to put more litter boxes down in the basement and maybe some cardboard boxes too. I talked to the vet about the problem and she didn't have any tried and true suggestions. She did mention trying an automatic litter pan. She says that every 5 minutes or so it will clean itself out. Maybe Gabbie will get freeked when it turns on and stay out of it. I will let you know. Gabbie is really a neat cat otherwise.

Phil

[Traci]

I just want to caution you that if Gabbie hasn't had a full exam and bloodwork done, she could be suffering a hidden health problem that is going undetected, hence the sleeping in the litterbox. Since both cats have undergone a great deal of stress in recent months, it's important to realize that cats do not handle stress as we humans do...stress is the number one cause of developing health conditions in cats and they usually hide the obvious symptoms......the sleeping in the litterbox is a red flag that something underlying may be going undetected.

[phil]

Thanks Traci, I will get her to the vet soon. She has been drinking excessive amounts of water, so something must be wrong with her.

Phil

[Traci]

Excessive intake of water could indicate renal disease or diabetes (or any other primary organ impairment)....don't wait on this, get her in promptly for bloodwork, urinalysis, and preferrably a thyroid function panel.

[phil]

Traci:
I will take her into the vet next week. Her ears are also bothering her.

Phil