Elderly cat with hip and toilet problems

[emmajacob]

I have an elderly cat (not sure what her actual age is as she was an adult stray when we got her), but I've had her for about 12 years now.

She has a few problems that I would like some advice on, if at all possible...

Problem 1:
Her back hips have always had some problems, but I've found that she's now having trouble jumping onto my bed i.e. when landing onto the bed she will lift her back left leg up for a while and this can cause her to fall over.  The only way to remedy this problem has been by training her to jump onto a box and then get onto the bed which she learned quickly.  But this isn't solving the overall issue.

Problem 2:
She has also started to get fussy about using the litter tray.  Sometimes she'll poop outside the closet where it's kept.  I got a second tray that I have to leave outside the closet (as there just isn't enough room for both) which she will use sometimes. The other day though I saw her using the outside tray and there was a lot of straining even though she did a very soft stool.  I've also noticed her peeing and when her backside is facing the wall she raises up and ends up peeing up against the wall. Her back legs also wobble a lot when she's trying to go to the toilet and looks very painful.

I've booked her in for a vet appointment next week but any insights into what the possible problems/treatments could be would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the long post!

[emmajacob]

Hi Mrs_Savas,

I just wanted to let you know how it went at the vets...well the vet checked my kittie's back legs out and has found that her left knee is popping out of the joint, which would be very painful (shes also got bowed legs too) :(  So I need to bring her back for some x-rays.  She's also been put on antibiotics just incase she's got a tummy bug, but if that turns out to be more serious the vet will have to deal with it before we can give her any real treatment for the her back legs.

The only plus for my cat is that the vet has told me to feed her chicken and white fish for the next few days which she's already enjoying!

Thanks,

Em

[Mrs_Savas]

You're welcome.  I'll watch for your update.

[emmajacob]

Thanks for your advice Mrs_Savas!  

I've been very worried about my little one and she did another poop outside the litter tray this morning (I'm thinking she must be in pain and is associating the pain with the litter tray).

I'll let you know how it goes at the vets.

Thanks again for your help, I really do appreciate it.

Em

[Mrs_Savas]

Well, first of all congrats for taking in and caring for your friend all these years.  I have several ex-strays and I know how great they are!

Off the top of my head I would suggest that the first issue could be the beginnings of arthritis, which is very common in elderly cats.  Sometimes they just sort of slow down.  There is also a lesser possiblility of osteoporosis.  Your vet should at least be able to treat the symptoms, to some degree.  And you may have to cater to her a little bit, lift her up to where she wants to go, that sort of thing.

This sounds like you could be dealing with a bladder/ urinary tract infection.  This is very common and should be easily treatable with antibiotics.  Less likely but also possible is a kidney condition or infection.  Taking her to the vet for this is absolutely the best possible idea.  Aside from her being so uncomfortable, these things can be serious if left untreated and, with elderly cats, we don't like to take chances.

Let us know how it goes and if you have any other questions or concerns.