Incontinent elderly cat - Anyone else with this problem?

blue_monkey_2

I have a diabetic cat who is quite old now, but her bed stinks of wee even though i washed it a few days back. I am finding odd patches of wet in the cat sleeping room (away from the dogs!!) so it is kind of obvious that she is now incontinent. I guess this is just something we have to live with now.

She used to be out all the time but would happily just sleep all day - I purposely put the water outside so she goes outside otherwise she would not even walk anywhere now. She is just old, is this a bad sign?

I am not sure what I should use for bedding though now. I have tried puppy pads but they get discarded.

I've got to go to the vets this week so will speak to them then about this problem but I guess they are not going to have any practical MSE tips in regard to the bedding. Can anyone advise anything?

tanith

I know its not what you want to hear but I think cats are quite fastidious creatures and I have always thought if my cat gets to this stage its time to start thinking about doing the kind thing... I'd ask my vet "what would you do if she were your cat", vets are usually quite honest about this, and I'd be guided by his answer.. I have a 20yr old cat and I will definately consider putting her to sleep if she doesn't have a nice quality of life anymore..


Sorry to be blunt and I really don't intend to upset you..

edit: I should of asked of course if you have checked with the vet that she doesn't have a simple water infection..

blue_monkey_2

Hi Tanith, no please, it is horrible as I do not want to see her suffering either - the vets make me feel that this is not suffering and she is happy and then I feel huge guilt for even condsidering it.

We had had a lot of problems over last year with her diabetes - back and forth every month as they cannot stabilise her sugar levels. In September I said next time would be the last time I put her but she has been in since then and I know I have to draw a line. I do not think that all of the tests are fair on her, but the vets say that because she likes being stroked and purrs she is clearly a happy cat and again, here comes the guilt for even considering it.

But I do not think she is 'happy', she used to lvoe people, sitting by the roadside waiting for anyone to come by and give them a fuss - all she just wants to be in her bed sleeping all the time and as far as I can see, she just sleeps, eats and goes to the loo. If I did not put the water outside she would not even go outside anymore either.

She has recently been on tablets for cystitis and she definately no longer has that and she is weing as normal now - this last year she just seems to have deteriorated but thought it was her age. I did think we was going to have to PHTS a few months ago - mentally I have prepared for doing this because of the number of problems with the diabetes.

I do know what you mean but it is always deciding whether this time is the right time.......

MrsE_2

blue_monkey wrote: »

We had had a lot of problems over last year with her diabetes - back and forth every month as they cannot stabilise her sugar levels. In September I said next time would be the last time I put her but she has been in since then and I know I have to draw a line. I do not think that all of the tests are fair on her, but the vets say that because she likes being stroked and purrs she is clearly a happy cat and again, here comes the guilt for even considering it..

I'm with you & tanith on this.

I've found out George has a heart murmour, which may or may not cause problems in the future.

If it does then long term medication isn't an option for George.

He's really happy & loving at home, but he finds trips to the vets very stressful (so much so, they have trouble checking his heart) & he hates taking tablets.