Kitty owners?

Strunella · May 2011

Pandora left us a nice pile of poop outside our bedroom door this morning. She has NEVER gone outside her box in the 11 years I've had her. DS is 4.5 months now, so it seems a little late for baby backlash. I even gave her extra lovies last night. Looks like kitty was trying to send us a message, and it wasn't a very nice one!

vanverth · May 2011

Is she feeling ok? Usually missing the litterbox is a sign of a health problem.

Strunella · May 2011

vanverth:
Is she feeling ok? Usually missing the litterbox is a sign of a health problem.

She appears to be ok, though we are monitoring her weight because she has gone from 16+ lbs to 13 lbs. We thought it was due to baby stress (and more exercise due to me being home during maternity leave), but the vet didn't seem to think so. All of her bloodwork came out normal, so we are basically watching her now.

Peppernut · May 2011

Hm. I've only seen that sort of thing in cats with something going on health-wise, at least in cats that are good about the litter box. Have there been any recent milestones from the baby that could freak her out, like crawling or grabbing at the cat? It seems early for that, but...

How's the cat box maintenance? When Margaux was tiny, that sometimes got left a little too long in our house.

peeper72 · May 2011

Strunella:
vanverth:
Is she feeling ok? Usually missing the litterbox is a sign of a health problem.
She appears to be ok, though we are monitoring her weight because she has gone from 16+ lbs to 13 lbs. We thought it was due to baby stress (and more exercise due to me being home during maternity leave), but the vet didn't seem to think so. All of her bloodwork came out normal, so we are basically watching her now.

It's hard to comment when she isn't my patient and I've never seen her, done my own PE, or read her history but the weight loss is a huge red flag for me. If we were sure that behavior wasn't a component I would move on to an abdominal ultrasound next.

Anything else abnormal? Vomiting/regurgitation, appetite, food change, BM quality or frequency, change in vocalization/affection/places she sleeps? Over what period of time was the weight loss? Where are the litter boxes and how many? Other cats or dogs in the house? Which labs were run (comprehensive CBC, chem, UA, T4?) Did they run a free T4 with the labs? Trouble climbing or jumping?

Strunella · May 2011

peeper72:
Strunella:

vanverth:
Is she feeling ok? Usually missing the litterbox is a sign of a health problem.

She appears to be ok, though we are monitoring her weight because she has gone from 16+ lbs to 13 lbs. We thought it was due to baby stress (and more exercise due to me being home during maternity leave), but the vet didn't seem to think so. All of her bloodwork came out normal, so we are basically watching her now.

It's hard to comment when she isn't my patient and I've never seen her, done my own PE, or read her history but the weight loss is a huge red flag for me. If we were sure that behavior wasn't a component I would move on to an abdominal ultrasound next.

Anything else abnormal? Vomiting/regurgitation, appetite, food change, BM quality or frequency, change in vocalization/affection/places she sleeps? Over what period of time was the weight loss? Where are the litter boxes and how many? Other cats or dogs in the house? Which labs were run (comprehensive CBC, chem, UA, T4?) Did they run a free T4 with the labs? Trouble climbing or jumping?

She is acting totally normal, eating and much more energetic now that she has dropped the extra weight. We have a nanny now, so again, I thought she is interacting more and not sleeping 14 hours a day. She's always vomited a lot, ever since I've had her (she's long haired). We did recently switch her food to Purina One because it seems to agree with her more than the various premium foods I've always fed her. This was about a month ago though, and she gobbles it down and has normal BMs. Behavior is totally normal and she sleeps with us in our bed. We have one litter box in the downstairs bathroom.

We noticed a decrease in appetite after the baby...not sure about the weight loss. It seemed gradual since we didn't notice it, and she was quite overweight. Though if it were due to baby stress, DS was only 3 months at the time of her vet visit, and certainly 3 lbs would be a lot to lose in 3 months. There are no other pets and she has been my baby for 11 years...we estimate her to be around 13, but she could be older.

The vet was so sure it was a thyroid issue, but apparently not. He also tested for diabetes, pancreas...not sure what else. All is normal. Testing was 2 months ago. We've been weighing her, and she's been a steady 13 lbs. Though, I just weighed her with my unscientific method of stepping on the scale and she now appears to be 12 lbs. Ugh.

Wow...this was long! Thanks for your input, Peeper! What tests should I be asking for in particular (also given her age)?

TIA!

Daisiesinmygarden · May 2011

I hope your kitty is OK. Ours used to poop in the tub when he was pissed. He did also have ongoing health issues, but the excursions into the tub only happened when he was mad. I made a big deal out of being "mad", so he got the satisfaction from his deed and didn't repeat elsewhere but really I thought it was the best possible place for him to express his irritation since it was so easily cleaned and NOT in my shoes!

stever · May 2011

We had the same issue when M was that age. I asked here and the consensus was that our girl had a UTI or was unhappy with her litter. Turns out she stopped leaving "presents" after a few weeks, so I'm fairly convinced she was just spooked by M moving around more.

MaxandRuby · May 2011

The only time my cat has peed outside the litterbox is if she has a UTI. She has never pooped outside the litter box. I'd say maybe more testing although it sounds like you've had a lot done already.

Pesky · May 2011

ditto pp. FWIW, might be worth asking around for another vet to get a 2nd opinion. I did that with mine and found that while the vet who diagnosed Max with FIV and blamed everything on that, the other vet did a more comprehensive panel and discovered a thyroid issue. Then discovered after we medicated for that, a kidney issue so we had to carefully balance the two. But one of the other things he had was his fur started to come out in tufts, which it hadn't before. No bare spots but weird shedding patterns. Turns out was caused by his illnesses.

peeper72 · May 2011

She's always vomited a lot, ever since I've had her (she's long haired). We have one litter box in the downstairs bathroom.

We noticed a decrease in appetite after the baby...

The vet was so sure it was a thyroid issue, but apparently not. He also tested for diabetes, pancreas...not sure what else. she now appears to be 12 lbs. Ugh.

What tests should I be asking for in particular (also given her age)?

Like I said, I haven't seen her or sat with you to get a complete history etc. I don't want to inspire doubt in your own vet. That much weight loss in that amount of time worries me. Cats are notoriously stubborn in this regard! Your cat is giving you a clear signal that something is up though. Cats just are too fastidious to poo outside the LB without a reason. Here's what I see in my practice:

Behavior:

When a new baby comes along is a prime time for cats to stop eating. The natural exuberance of a baby/toddler can be too much for many cats. Make sure there are no bottlenecks to the LB - two ways in and out, not covered (I love storage bins as LBs). Add an LB on the upper part of the house. Find room - currently your house is her LB so at least contain it! For older cats it can be too far to go to another floor if they're desperate. Try the Feliway diffuser. High up places to go (armarkat.com) or hide-y boxes/ holes.

Escape and affection.

Medically:

Chronic pukers make me suspicious for IBD. There are a few ways to test for "the panc" as we call it. Amylase and lipase are pretty unreliable but the spec fPL is very specific. I like to confirm with abdominal ultrasound. T4 can be tricky. Sometimes if a cat is borderline or simply clinical then I'll check free T4 (the biologically available form) and there is some recent evidence that cTSH can be more sensitive at identifying hyperthyroid cats. Once I've ruled out diabetes, renal disease (what was the urine specific gravity?), and thyroid disease I start looking for other stuff.

Often I'll start with prophylactic deworming and a diet change to a hydrolyzed diet. In the case of your cat I would reach for abdominal ultrasound next. Many practices don't do it - the equipment is expensive and it's so hard to learn - I'm currently trying as the plan is for me to be adjunct to the internist at our practice and it's tough! Expect to pay for it. At my practice the ultrasound alone is $293.

You can also contact me privately. I'll look at the labs if you want.

Strunella · May 2011

Thanks so much for your advice! I do not currently have her labs, but if/when I get a hold of them, I may take you up on your offer. I do not have a long history with this vet as I moved. MIL & SIL have taken all of their family pets to him, so I followed suit as I didn't know any vets in the area. But I feel like he should have asked the same questions you asked in your previous post, and he didn't ask me one thing! Might be time for a second opinion from someone else.

Maggee206 · May 2011

sounds to me like kitty now knows that baby is here to stay....I just brought home a second baby and now dog wil not "speak" to me. good luck

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