Seagazer Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 My cat Sophie to do a wee in a litter tray! She had her thyroid blood tested again last week (she's had thyroid disease for a couple of years) and the kidney check showed that her levels are at the high end of normal?? She's nearly 15 and has lost a fair amount of weight in the last couple of months. I am worried that she may have kidney disease (had cats with this in the past). Trouble is she hasn't used a litter tray since she was a kitten so she's not impressed at a) being shut in the dining room b) not being allowed out into the garden - she's currently pacing the floor. c) the indignity of having to use a litter tray with what looks like little plastic balls! Apparently the balls are non-absorbant litter which we got from the vets. I really don't hold out much hope of getting a sample from her. I think she'll be so distressed that she'll just do it on the floor. Wish me luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Good luck I know how they hate their routine being messed about, so I can see why Sophie is a little indignant right now Hopefully you will get the sample Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Good luck - I tried this one - she crossed her legs and then weed on the carpet in defiance!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 Well she's still not gone, unless she's done it on the quiet in there. So frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 You probably won't want to hear this, but when I had to do it with Beau before Christmas and kept him in the Livingston with food, water and litter tray, he managed to hold out for nearly three days before he did the deed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Or even the living room Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 Still nothing - I feel so mean. I'm not sure what will happen if I can't get a sample. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Have you tried scratching her front paws in it to show her what it's for? I was recommended to do that to get my kittens used to cat litter. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 Yes I've done that fluffy chick. I've also placed her in the tray. I think it's probably the fact she hasn't use one for so long and that the litter is little balls. Hopefully by tomorrow morning she would have done one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Poor Sophie... she must've been crossing her paws I hope you've found some evidence this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 Nope, nothing, nada I can't smell anything suspicious in there either so she's obviously just holding tight. She has been eating and drinking so surely its got to come out at some point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Have you tried holding her over the litter tray and gently squeezing I remember a dog we had many years ago was kept at the vets for three days - they were concerned she wasn't weeing (or pooing, sorry ) turned out that they hadn't thought to take her outside - they just expected her to "go" inside Needless to say, when we picked her up, she nearly flooded the car park and I had nowhere near enough poo bags to hand - I laugh about it now, but I was flippin' cross with the nurses at the time ... No idea how she managed to hold it all in for so long, poor thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 There is another type of cat litter that is used for urine sampling that is often more sucesssful that the beads looks like this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 Bramble - I think she would break if I picked her up and squeezed her! I think I'm going to give up until I can get some other type of litter, I keep placing her in the tray each time I go in the room. It feels cruel to make her hang on. She might make herself ill by not weeing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 It is horribly easy to rupture a cat's bladder so don't be tempted to squeeze It is not good her her to hang on if she does have kidney disease. I would ask the vet how important the urine sample is versus the trauma of her hanging on. Also if they wont be processing her sample if you get it in the next 24 hours (many vets send samples off in the post and others do them in house) it might be possible to let her go normally over the weekend and try again at the beginning of the week. If they say yes to this, try to get her to get used to using the tray by putting some freshly dug soil in in. She then might be more keen to use it with the special litter next week. Have I confused you , it made sense to me when I typed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 Thank you Chucky Mama for your advice above and pm. I've spoken to our vets and told them my concern. I've got Sophie booked in for Monday morning for them to retrieve some urine (apparently they have a couple of different ways - one totally non-invasive which they will try first and the second with a fine tube). I just have to keep her locked in Sunday night. Sophie is now out in the garden with a big smile on her face (okay I imagine she's got a smile on her face) I was a bit tempted just to follow her with a bowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 That sounds like a good way forward I am sure that you are both very 'relieved' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 Okay I'm back from picking Sophie up from the vets. They successfully managed to manipulate some urine out. Poor Sophie does have kidney disease . She has to go on prescription food now, she's just eaten half a sachet. She's normally on dry food (they have to order it in) so she probably thinks its Christmas. Apparently we have to be very careful that she doesn't eat anything other than the renal food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Piper kit has early onset kidney disease too. I know how you feel trying to collect wee...piper managed to squeeze herself out of a door that I'm sure was shut She is on special food too. I mix it, she gets sachets by felix and eats hills k/d food. She loves it. Cathy X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 Ah it's such a shame isn't it. How old is your kitty Couperwife? I thought I'd stick with the dry as Sophie gets spooked really easily so would probably run off after a mouthful and then it could spoil. I'm hoping it makes a difference to her re her weight as she is so skinny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 So pleased that you've got a diagnosis after the difficulties in getting a sample! I do hope the new diet helps her. Keeping my fingers crossed for Sophie xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Good to hear that you now have a diagnosis. Shifting cats from dry to wet food helps enormously with cats with urinary and kidney issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Piper is an old lady she is 12 we think. She is a rather very spoilt rescue girly so we don't really know how old she was when we got her...about 1 we think Cathy X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 29, 2013 Author Share Posted January 29, 2013 Good to hear that you now have a diagnosis. Shifting cats from dry to wet food helps enormously with cats with urinary and kidney issues. Hmm should I just leave her on wet food then? I've just always fed dry, I can't stand the smell of wet food. She did love it though! I've only ordered a small bag on advice of vet in case she doesn't like it. I've never managed to keep a cat until old age (apart from when I was a child) so this aging process in them is all new to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
