Hi,
Well I may not have the answers but I do have a few things you could try.
I am assuming your kit has been given a clean bill of health from the vet and you know there is no medical reason for this random urinating......so Could you perhaps limit her to her own room, like the laundry room or an extra bathroom. In there make it her little space with food water and her litter box at another end of the room from the food. Cats do not want to pee where they eat, LOL ,can we blame them? A nice warm and comfy bed and her toys. Like her own Hotel room!
Keep her in that room and see how things go. The family can still visit her in her new room and play with her ,but she will not have free rein over the house. If the urination continues outside of the box , take notice when it happens. She may have separation anxiety. When you, the wife, and the kids are out of the house she feels abandoned---yes cats can be neurotic.
Now ,for this anxiety, there is medication the vet can give her, just like we humans take antidepressants, cats can to.
These would just be my suggestions, I am sure others will chime in with help also.
None of us want to see a kitty euthanized if it is a behavior you can work around or correct. If it is a medical problem (14 years ? not sure it would be medical), but I am sure she has been checked by the vet. Ya know it could be something like she never liked the litter you have used--Yes, they do have a "Catitude", especially if she is a Tortie.
I know it cannot be easy for you and your family . I can read in your post how torn you are. I am afraid I am no help when it comes to putting a cat to sleep ...I am just not going to go there unless the cat has no quality of life due to pain or illness. You have to do what you and your family need to do, though.
Praying for you in your decision,
CML
Wow, you hv all gone above an beyond for this kitty, I can tell how much she means to you but your at yr wits end, sure can't say I blame you either.
You are considering euthanasia as a last option an to me as much as I too disagree wth this in most cases, IMO it's being a much more responsible pet owner than putting her in a shelter only to live out her days in a cage or taken home by some owners that may not be nearly as patient.
CML has made some interesting alternatives like her own private room, is that an option for you?
Or medication, has that been tried? I have a male wth inappropriate elimination problems too, tho not to nearly the extent of yr kitty! I tried the amino acid l-theanine that many have had success wth, but that didn't work I was very reluctantly ready to try Prozac as a last resort. My Vet asked me to try a more natural medication first, that works in some cases. He's been on this for nearly a year now an I am very happy to say it's helped a lot, not 100%. But probably 80-85% if he messes it's usually b/c I neglected to give it to him for a day or more.
The name is Zylkene made by Vetoquinol
heres the link to the medication
http://www.drugs.com/vet/zylkene-75-mg.html
I would very much hope you would try this and if need be than prozac, I dont like the thoughts of resorting to this one either but from what I've read abt it, it can also be very successful in some cases and often doesn't even need to be used long term
we support you in whatever decision you come to and know it will be done with love for you little lady. keep us posted ok...and good luck♥
I would never kill a cat for this reason.Confining him in a separate place sounds good to me...
Good luck!
heres another alternative that I had been considering......stud pants (diapers) they use these for many dogs...and now I find cats too. watch the video:))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=056O-IJ8FqE&feature=related
Excessive urination like this is a sign of kidney disease and diabetes. Have these conditions been ruled out?
I do think that you have been very patient with your cat, but, please rule out(if you haven't already) these medical conditions first before you give your cat a death sentence.
I agree with ZQ. This cat has health issues which have probably not been ruled out yet. Please come back and tell us a bit more as to the medical history of this kitty. What is the vet's opinion?
geez.....I had ASSUMED when it was said they had tried everything and this had been going on for many years, that this kitty had at least seen a Vet...shouldn't assume anything, thanks guys for pointing that fact out, Now I wonder if a medical condition had been ruled out?...
Kitty may have crystals in his urine. My vet recommended I give him distilled water to drink. This took care of the problem and he started using his litter box. Good luck
Hi Opus,
In my comment I had also said "I assume the VET has ruled out any medical reason for this" So I also " assumed"!
Considering this has been going on for years , would that still be medical?
......AND by the way Obelisk, what is the word on your kitties situation??? Please let us know, as you can see we are also worried.
Thanks,
CML
Yes, we've taking the cat to the vet, and tried many things.. We have a final appointment with the vet on Monday. There's nothing else we can do..
Sometimes, the decision you have made, as hard as it is, is the only one.
You and your family have tried to overcome this Sisyphian task and have shown patience well beyond heroic, I think. I read your words as saying that you have tried every avenue possible with your vet.
Gods bless you and may you find it in your heart to give another kitty a chance at the life you tried to give her.
So very well said Pip!!! Wise words to share with obelix.
CML