Help!! Peeing Kitty

[Emily]

HELP!!! My 4 yr. old neutered male kitty, Jake, has been occasionally urinating in places he shouldn't since I adopted him at 7 mos. from a very unhappy home. For a while, my vet had him on Xanax, but after about 3 mos. he suddenly refused to take it anymore. His favorite place is urninating on the back-door rug, and after we removed it in frustration, we thought he had stopped. We just discovered yesterday he was going on the spare bed in our basement. My husband and I have chalked this up to our particularly stressful summer that Jake is reacting to, but my very patient hubby is getting fed up and has threatened to "get rid" of my baby!!!! My vet has checked Jake out; no problems health-wise, just says Jake is a sensitive cat. My husband and I want to have a baby, but I'm afraid it will push Jake over the edge! Our other kitty, Daisy, has no problems like this at all! ANY ADVICE, please!!! I'm getting desperate!

[Traci]

Could you describe this "particularly stressful summer" and just what events have transpired that are causing the stress?

I'm assuming urinalysis was done to rule out a urinary tract infection, but was any other bloodwork done to rule out other health problems?

[Emily R.]

Traci -

Thanks for replying. The stress from this summer has included lots of weekend visitors coming and going, which Jake doesn't like very much unless he knows the people really well. My husband and I aren't around much during the week because we both work Full-Time and my husband also goes to school FT. We also were pregnant with twins earlier this summer and I had a miscarriage, and then I needed 2 surgeries during my recovery. Of course, that was very hard for us and we had many visitors then, too.

I'm not sure if Jake had a blood test done; I think he did for his regular check-up last year but I don't remember. But this problem has been on-going since 1999. Any advice is most helpful.

Thank you,
Emily Rhoades

[Traci]

Well, besides bacteria, stress can play a big role in inducing frequent urinary tract infections, so I would definately get him seen and get a new urinalysis (and culture if necessary)....perhaps take him to a NEW vet who isn't going to prescribe antidepressant drugs to curb the problem.

Minimizing the stress is probably going to be your main agenda. In the environment, including providing him a safe area in which he can retreat when you have people coming and going. High traffic areas should be off-limits in such times of stress. I would also instruct your guests to be respectful of your wishes where the cats are concerned.

Try using enzymatic cleaners where he has sprayed....I like Nature's Miracle, but there are others available.

I think the most important thing is getting him re-evaluated by a new vet and get a quick urinalysis done to rule out potential bacterial infection. Have you noticed any changes in his appetite or litterbox behavior? (straining to urinate, licking his genitals excessively, etc)

[Emily]

Traci -

This "Nature's Miracle"... Is it found in pet stores, or do I have to order it online? We usually clean up his messes with standard bleach water and then go over it with PineSol or something like that.

We have noticed no changes in behavior (no licking, no straining,etc). I think our best bet may be to find a 2nd opinion of another vet. We did follow our vet's advice about having more than one litterbox; we have 3 in the house for 2 cats, at different places in the basement. We also scoop it every other day and change the litter once a week.

Another question: Is it standard to put cats on antidepressants? My professional background was in psychology, but I didn't question our vet on the effect on cats. What is your opinion?

Thanks,
Emily

[kate & kobi]

All the litter boxes are in the basement? You may want to try moving at least one, maybe two of them upstairs to where your cats spend the most time (but still out of the way for privacy). They need easy access to the boxes; otherwise it may be hard for him to make it to the box in time. You could also try scooping out the box at least once a day - lots of cats are very fastidious and won't go in the box if it has been used.

good luck...