Hey guys... not sure if you remember my kitty Mythie, the one who had the giant abcess
http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... ght=mythie
She has started going the litter box. She started some time ago on and off. She has been to the vet twice for a check up and they can't find anything wrong with her.
She doesn't pee so much outside. It's more of a number 2 problem.
She has also developed this habit of over grooming her lower half and she has been plucking off the hair around her bum and on her lower legs and stomach.
Both times they checked the anal gland and it was not impacted.
I have 3 cats and 3 litter boxes and they each in a bathroom of their own.
She was at the vet about 24 hours ago and the vet gave her an allergy shot to stop irritation and itching and that seems to have calmed her down and she is not as agitated and seems to be grooming and licking very much less than normal....
Is this an allergy?
She doesn't have fleas....
MYTHIE - outside the box
Re: MYTHIE - outside the box
And i just noticed she has started licking her tail a lot and kicking her back legs again...
Re: MYTHIE - outside the box
Could be any number of things....see a new vet?
The trauma she suffered a few years ago could have had lasting effects, particularly pelvic area problems (including urination and elimination problems), she could be developing arthritis. She could have eosinophilic granuloma complex. She could have mites or flea allergy dermatitis or any other skin condition. She could have hyperesthesia (although the cause would need to be identified specifically). She could have a food allergy or contact dermatitis allergy. She could be hyperthyroid, can you refresh my memory, how old is she now? Just because she is eliminating outside the box, don't dismiss the possibility she could have a UTI, so get urinalysis done, and I'd suggest an xray to check for arthritic conditions, cruciate ligament problems, scar tissue, inflammation etc. The biting at fur in these areas could be indicative of pain, either externally or internally...so opt for full bloodwork to rule out organ disfunction.
The trauma she suffered a few years ago could have had lasting effects, particularly pelvic area problems (including urination and elimination problems), she could be developing arthritis. She could have eosinophilic granuloma complex. She could have mites or flea allergy dermatitis or any other skin condition. She could have hyperesthesia (although the cause would need to be identified specifically). She could have a food allergy or contact dermatitis allergy. She could be hyperthyroid, can you refresh my memory, how old is she now? Just because she is eliminating outside the box, don't dismiss the possibility she could have a UTI, so get urinalysis done, and I'd suggest an xray to check for arthritic conditions, cruciate ligament problems, scar tissue, inflammation etc. The biting at fur in these areas could be indicative of pain, either externally or internally...so opt for full bloodwork to rule out organ disfunction.
..........Traci
Re: MYTHIE - outside the box
Mythie is about 4... i hope she doesn't have arthritis or hyperthyroidism:(
Although it might have something to do with the trauma the licking has only come about in the last 6-8 months.... The vet ruled out flea allergy as she does not have fleas.
I'm not sure what hyperesthesia or eosinophilic granuloma complex but i will ask the vet next time we go.
UTI- she's is only pooping outside the box... she has done it once on the bed and twice near the front door. The time that she did it on the bed, i had put my other cats basket next to hers and they tolerate each other but they are not exactly the best of friends...
The vet did a blood panel both times we were at the vet and he didn't find anything unusual.
If it is not an allergy, then I have a feeling it may have something to do with all the changes that have been going on recently. I moved back from Dubai November 2006. Then in November 2007 I moved in with my boyfriend... and it is actually around that time that she started going outside the box. She wasn't doing it in the old place.
We are now closer to the ground. There are no other cats around anywhere... I am pretty sure that she likes him... she usually goes up to him first and she also spends the whole day asleep on his office chair...
?????
Although it might have something to do with the trauma the licking has only come about in the last 6-8 months.... The vet ruled out flea allergy as she does not have fleas.
I'm not sure what hyperesthesia or eosinophilic granuloma complex but i will ask the vet next time we go.
UTI- she's is only pooping outside the box... she has done it once on the bed and twice near the front door. The time that she did it on the bed, i had put my other cats basket next to hers and they tolerate each other but they are not exactly the best of friends...
The vet did a blood panel both times we were at the vet and he didn't find anything unusual.
If it is not an allergy, then I have a feeling it may have something to do with all the changes that have been going on recently. I moved back from Dubai November 2006. Then in November 2007 I moved in with my boyfriend... and it is actually around that time that she started going outside the box. She wasn't doing it in the old place.
We are now closer to the ground. There are no other cats around anywhere... I am pretty sure that she likes him... she usually goes up to him first and she also spends the whole day asleep on his office chair...
?????
Re: MYTHIE - outside the box
Hyperesthesia is a condition where the cat acts as if there is a compulsive disorder, usually it is biting at fur, chasing tail, ripples along the spine, chewing at fur or skin, sudden running around as if scared of something....the causes are not easily identified in some cats, but things to rule out are pain, mites/fleas, allergies (whether food or contact allergy or environmental allergy), vital organ disfunction, hyper or hypo-thyroidism, anal gland impaction/infection, UTI and of course, stress.
Eosinophilic granuloma complex is a condition that is either immunological (viral or immune problem), or due to allergies (food or fleas, etc). It manifests itself through ulcerations on the body (and oral cavity, around mouth, lips, etc), or plaque-like ulcers on the body. Fur loss can occur at the face, neck, tail, groin area, back legs etc. There can be a rash-like appearance anywhere there is fur loss, or the appearance can be like tiny little bumps, or ulcerations, or there may be fur loss without any other unusual appearance. It's usually diagnosed via exam, process of elimination in the environment, or via biopsy of a sample. Treatment usually involves a trial diet of a hypoallergenic diet, or one with one novel protein source the cat has never been exposed to. Sometimes, prednisone is prescribed to reduce inflammation.
She's too young to be hyperthyroid, that can probably be ruled out.
It very well could be stress, I suggest paying particular attention to her environment, determine what is going on, occuring, before or during times she overgrooms or excessively licks at her skin/fur, and when she eliminates outside the box. Pay attention to the routine in the home, is it different every day? If so, keep things the same as possible, don't change anything drastically.
Eosinophilic granuloma complex is a condition that is either immunological (viral or immune problem), or due to allergies (food or fleas, etc). It manifests itself through ulcerations on the body (and oral cavity, around mouth, lips, etc), or plaque-like ulcers on the body. Fur loss can occur at the face, neck, tail, groin area, back legs etc. There can be a rash-like appearance anywhere there is fur loss, or the appearance can be like tiny little bumps, or ulcerations, or there may be fur loss without any other unusual appearance. It's usually diagnosed via exam, process of elimination in the environment, or via biopsy of a sample. Treatment usually involves a trial diet of a hypoallergenic diet, or one with one novel protein source the cat has never been exposed to. Sometimes, prednisone is prescribed to reduce inflammation.
She's too young to be hyperthyroid, that can probably be ruled out.
It very well could be stress, I suggest paying particular attention to her environment, determine what is going on, occuring, before or during times she overgrooms or excessively licks at her skin/fur, and when she eliminates outside the box. Pay attention to the routine in the home, is it different every day? If so, keep things the same as possible, don't change anything drastically.
..........Traci
Re: MYTHIE - outside the box
I was reading about hyperesthesia last night and she is not chasing her tail or bolting but she does twitch her lower back a lot. I wouldn't say it was a ripple but it is definetly a twitch.
Ive also swapped to a different detergent in case that was what was causing it....
I'll have to pay close attention to her habits. I'm home all day so it should not be too hard.
I just wonder if the grooming and the pooping are connected.
Ive also swapped to a different detergent in case that was what was causing it....
I'll have to pay close attention to her habits. I'm home all day so it should not be too hard.
I just wonder if the grooming and the pooping are connected.
Re: MYTHIE - outside the box
Something odd just happened. Mythie and zooey were on a study chair next to me. Bobbie went into the toilet where the new litter box is to use it and when Mythie heard her she jumped off the chair and went to investigate. So she took a look and then when bobbie was about to leave she sat in the doorway to block her exit.
I've noticed Bobbie using this one in the study more since it has been there....
ANyway, mythie is still blocking the door and bobbie is now waiting for her to move and sitting a few paces away from the litter.
These two have never been the best of friends and i have actualy noticed that since moving to a bigger place they seem to get in each others way less.
Mythie is now "napping" on the rug in the doorway..... with her face towards bobbie sort of looking at her under the door....
???????????
I've noticed Bobbie using this one in the study more since it has been there....
ANyway, mythie is still blocking the door and bobbie is now waiting for her to move and sitting a few paces away from the litter.
These two have never been the best of friends and i have actualy noticed that since moving to a bigger place they seem to get in each others way less.
Mythie is now "napping" on the rug in the doorway..... with her face towards bobbie sort of looking at her under the door....
???????????
Re: MYTHIE - outside the box
Is Bobbie in good health? The reason I ask, is because if a cat is sick, the others might sense that and react. (think of animals preying on the weak and ill)
Don't allow Mythie to block access to/from the litterbox...you have to stop that right away....use the squirt bottle with a verbal command and teach her not to do that. I assume you have several litterboxes in different areas throughout the home? Easily accessible?
Don't allow Mythie to block access to/from the litterbox...you have to stop that right away....use the squirt bottle with a verbal command and teach her not to do that. I assume you have several litterboxes in different areas throughout the home? Easily accessible?
..........Traci
Re: MYTHIE - outside the box
As for Mythie, can you see a new vet and at least opt for a new exam, and an xray? You really need to rule out pain as a possible factor. Also, discuss the diet with the vet.
..........Traci
As for the door blocking, Mythie got up and then Bobbie left the bathroom.
Bobbie is in good health. She is fine.
We have 4 bathrooms in the apartment... there is a litter box in each of them except one.
Mythie gets extremely distressed when she goes to the vet so i might wait a while before her next vet visit. I will take her to a new vet though. Even though Dr Yeoh is extremely good and weve never found fault with him yet, a second opinion would not hurt. Will take Zooey at the same time too.
With the hyperesthesia, does that rippling skin effect look like a twitch or a ripple?
We haven't had any inappropriate pooping incidents since the day after the last vet visit. Which is also around the time i put in the 3rd box.
Bobbie is in good health. She is fine.
We have 4 bathrooms in the apartment... there is a litter box in each of them except one.
Mythie gets extremely distressed when she goes to the vet so i might wait a while before her next vet visit. I will take her to a new vet though. Even though Dr Yeoh is extremely good and weve never found fault with him yet, a second opinion would not hurt. Will take Zooey at the same time too.
With the hyperesthesia, does that rippling skin effect look like a twitch or a ripple?
We haven't had any inappropriate pooping incidents since the day after the last vet visit. Which is also around the time i put in the 3rd box.