I have a 13 yr old Pomeranian. She is potty trained BUT...When my husband and I moved in together (he has 2 cats) she started marking different spots in the house. I have a small child and cannot tollerate urine in the house. It is driving me crazy. I have even considered having her put to sleep because she is old anyway and has a bad heart.
How do I get her to stop this???
Thanks, Felice
Marking
Re: Marking
Please see your post and reply in Feline Health. I suspect much of the same problem may be related.
Since your pom is 13 years of age, it's important she is fully examined by your vet, and bloodwork done (including urinalysis and thyroid function testing) to rule out potential underlying heath conditions. You said she has a heart condition, so it's crucial you are monitoring it with your vet.
Pets cannot tolerate stress as a human can. She is probably stressed from the move, and the new adjustments to your husband and the cats. It's common behavior that a pet will mark during times of stress, but it can also indicate a health problem that needs to be ruled out first and foremost. Could be as simple as a urinary tract infection, but could also be something deeper and more involved. You can't risk it with a combined heart condition.
Please don't consider putting her to sleep. She's given you 13 years of unconditional love....our senior pets deserve the very best we can give them. Remain patient with her, get her seen by your vet ASAP, and let your vet guide you through your treatment options.
Since your pom is 13 years of age, it's important she is fully examined by your vet, and bloodwork done (including urinalysis and thyroid function testing) to rule out potential underlying heath conditions. You said she has a heart condition, so it's crucial you are monitoring it with your vet.
Pets cannot tolerate stress as a human can. She is probably stressed from the move, and the new adjustments to your husband and the cats. It's common behavior that a pet will mark during times of stress, but it can also indicate a health problem that needs to be ruled out first and foremost. Could be as simple as a urinary tract infection, but could also be something deeper and more involved. You can't risk it with a combined heart condition.
Please don't consider putting her to sleep. She's given you 13 years of unconditional love....our senior pets deserve the very best we can give them. Remain patient with her, get her seen by your vet ASAP, and let your vet guide you through your treatment options.
..........Traci
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Felice
Re: Marking
Traci,
She has been to the vet and other than the heart condition, she has no other problems. She had a complete work-up. I said that she has been marking since we moved in with the cats..which was 4 years ago. This is not a new thing that will pass. I do not yell at my animals and I am not mean to them in any way. My baby is only 20 months old so I am watching her constantly. There is no way she is tormenting the animals because I am with her always. I would never leave a small child alone with an animal. She marks mostly in the kitchen ( the cats litter box is in the laundry room...gated off) by the cats litter box and in our bathroom by the toilet. I am worried about my babys health with all that is going on between the dogs and cats.
Thanks, Felice
She has been to the vet and other than the heart condition, she has no other problems. She had a complete work-up. I said that she has been marking since we moved in with the cats..which was 4 years ago. This is not a new thing that will pass. I do not yell at my animals and I am not mean to them in any way. My baby is only 20 months old so I am watching her constantly. There is no way she is tormenting the animals because I am with her always. I would never leave a small child alone with an animal. She marks mostly in the kitchen ( the cats litter box is in the laundry room...gated off) by the cats litter box and in our bathroom by the toilet. I am worried about my babys health with all that is going on between the dogs and cats.
Thanks, Felice
Re: Marking
Well, you never mentioned this has been going on for 4 years. In that case, there are several things you need to investigate, and I suggest you do so with your vet.
Senior pets can develop secondary health problems at any time. Heart conditions are commonly associated with kidney problems, which in turn, are most often associated with urinary problems....whether this is a urinary tract infection, loss of bladder control, or a behavior due to stress or aging, only your vet can determine. He would base that on bloodwork, urinalysis, x-rays where necessary. Please understand that an annual blood profile is oftentimes not enough, some pets require a blood panel twice yearly or even more often to determine if other organ functions are being compromised due to a primary illness (i.e., the heart condition). It is for this reason, you may need to follow up with another blood profile and urinalysis. Again, don't dismiss the possibility of loss of bladder control, inflammation, other problems due to aging, etc. If your vet determines a problem as such, there are medications that can help control the condition.
Senior pets can develop secondary health problems at any time. Heart conditions are commonly associated with kidney problems, which in turn, are most often associated with urinary problems....whether this is a urinary tract infection, loss of bladder control, or a behavior due to stress or aging, only your vet can determine. He would base that on bloodwork, urinalysis, x-rays where necessary. Please understand that an annual blood profile is oftentimes not enough, some pets require a blood panel twice yearly or even more often to determine if other organ functions are being compromised due to a primary illness (i.e., the heart condition). It is for this reason, you may need to follow up with another blood profile and urinalysis. Again, don't dismiss the possibility of loss of bladder control, inflammation, other problems due to aging, etc. If your vet determines a problem as such, there are medications that can help control the condition.
..........Traci