17 YR OLD CAT POOPS OUT OF BOX

[Lynnie]

My 17 year old cat, Shena, seems very content, happy and active. She has been occasionally pooping outside of her box and her stools are hard. When she does this, she also seems to regurgitate her food. She starts to go in her box and a small portion of stool may end up there but then she runs out of the box and goes elsewhere. She doesn't always do this. Due to her age, we've stopped giving her shots, etc. (per the vet) since she is strictly an indoor cat. I did notice a bit of mucous in the stool today. When I talked to the vet, they suggested adding something to soften her stool. Any reason to be concerned with her health?

[Traci]

Any cat over the age of 7 should recieve an annual or bi-annual health checkup that includes bloodwork to monitor organ function, and thyroid testing. If you haven't had bloodwork done on her within a year, now is the time to do so.

If she is also less active, or overweight, and if you've been feeding her the same diet for some time, it could also be that the diet is not appropriate for her particular needs, in which case, your vet can suggest an appropriate diet based on exam and and any unusual bloodwork findings.

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply. I spoke with the vet as I had brought a stool sample there and it was negative. She fasted last night and will go in today for x-rays, bloodwork etc. She is simply terrified of car riding and the trip to the vet involves, puking, peeing, pooping and hyperventilating. So we only bring her when absolutely necessary (in her older years). I'm glad she's going in, though she appears to feel good and is active. She eats Hills SD exclusively since bladder stone surgery in 2000. Thanks again.

[Traci]

Do you mean Hill's Science Diet, or Hill's prescription diet S/D? If you mean the prescription S/D, this is NOT a food that should be fed long term, it is more appropriate to be managed on C/D. Please discuss this with your vet, it's important!

[Guest]

She has been on Hills Prescription Diet x/d (formerly cd/oxyl). I just talked to the vet and Shena is in the early stage of kidney disease which isn't surprising at 17. The vet is more concerned with the kidneys than the crystals at this time, so her diet will change from the above to kd. I have to talk more with the vet when we pick up Shena today. She mentioned if the stools are still dry on the new diet, to put Metamucil in. I did try that previously, but this is a cat that eats ONLY cat food and if anything "foreign" is in her dish, she simpley won't eat. I'm so glad I brought her in when I did. Thanks for your input.

[Traci]

To confirm then, it was NOT S/D, correct? It was only the X/D? If so, this would be less of a risk, but it might be suspicious for early kidney failure due to protein content, might want to ask your vet about that.

I'm not saying it was the cause, but some of the prescription diets do contain higher protein content, which can, if fed long-term, lead to early renal disfunction.

In any event, there are several treatment options for kidney disease, to slow the progression. Ask your vet for details, and ask for a client hand-out sheet you can take home to familiarize yourself with common treatment plans, diet, etc.

[Guest]

Yeah, it was the X/D.....I referred to it as SD in a previous post meaning Science Diet. Sorry for the confusion. We have great vets and they really take the time and effort to explain all treatment options, etc.