Old Age or Illness?

Sounds like arthritis to me also. My dog had the same problem. Eventually, she got to the point where she could not even get up anymore and would use the bathroom on herself. We had to put her to sleep because we waited too long to treat the condition. Maybe see if the vet has meds for arthritis and see if it helps. As far as her not using the litterbox, it may be she is in too much pain to step into it.

I would say that you should take her to the vet. That is still a fairly young age for a housecat, and it may be an infection that is causing some incontinence and equilibrium problems. Good luck! I will think good thoughts.

I would take her to the vet just to be sure. Better to find out if it's something fixable or old age - either way, it'll be easier to cope if you know. Take care!

There are about a million things that could be causing this, but one of the more serious ones is a thrombus. Sometimes cats get what is called a "saddle thrombus" which is basically a blood clot that can cause paralysis and eventually death. Of course, it could be nothing that serious but I would have it checked for sure.

Dr. Elsy's cat litter at PetsMart kept my senior cat using the litterbox. It's called "Cat Attract"
~A.

Hi S.,

I would take your cat to the vet ASAP. She could have had a slight stroke. Also, she may have vision problems. The litter box thing is usually from another cat coming into the house. If that it not the case, you may need to change litter or move the litter box. If someone/something is bothering her when she goes. (we found out our Great Dane was trying to 'help' her .... and would knock her over or sometimes our 3 YO son would bother her - they're very private)

Most often, the vet tells me it's because of a bladder or urinary tract infection. Part of this is age, but I'm concerned that part of it may be another problem (especially with the jumping on the bed/falling thing). For your own peace of mind, I would check.

Hi S.,
I'm a vet tech. and I don't know if you have had health issues in the past with your cat, but the starting point is drawing blood and doing a CBC. I assume when your kitty is not using the litter box and it stinks so badly it's urine. This could be a sign of a urinary tract infection or renal troubles. Also the weakness (almost stroke like) can come from anemia. The lack of red blood cells suck the energy out of an animal, and can lead to strange behavior. But once again the blood work will point you in the correct direction. It will usually cost about 90-100 dollars. Sometimes at that cat's age the answer can be as simple as to swith to a prescription food. Just my thoughts.
Good Luck.
3 dogs 3 cats 2 fish 1 kid 1 hubby.

I agree with everyone else. She needs a vet check. Sounds like kidney/bladder infection. Some times older pets start going senile too. Arthritis is also a problem in older pets, but shouldn't affect her going to her box. She could also have a virus that would affect her blood count and cause anemia.

S.
Vacation Pet Nanny Inc.

Definitely take her to the vet! Not normal old or not.

A. C
Canyon, TX

I'm thinking a vet trip is in order....

S., it is best to seek out medical advice from a vet for all the symptoms your cat seems to have. With a few lab tests, you will have a better idea of what to do. The excess urination might be diabetes or a bladder infection. good luck!

she could possibly have a urinary tract infection. my cat did and she would pee just anywhere and was acting kind of strange. might check into that

I had a cat who died at age 14 from heart failure. Seems she had water all around her heart. Her symptoms were similar. She became very unbalanced, her eating and bathroom habits changed, etc.

I suggest taking your cat to the vet. It could be something as simple as a urinary tract infection or something worse. In any case, it sounds like she could be uncomfortable. Even if it is arthritis, the vet can help with that too so that she can live comfortably and have a quality life. I have always had cats and sadly lost all 3 of mine over the last year. One was diabetic and was 8, one was 13 and had an infection he couldn't kick and the oldest was 19 and a half and he finally past of old age. We have a new kitty now and absolutely adore him. I wish you luck.

She may be having seizures. Cats don't normally have seizures unless there is an underlying health problem. My 18 year old cat did the same type of thing twice. She fell against the wall and was kind of contorted and seemed like she couldn't stand. At the time she had been diabetic for 6 years and was in borderline kidney failure and was getting urinary track infections a lot. The vet tested her for Hyperthyroidism and she started taking pills for that. I think she may have been having seizures caused by her thyroid condition. She didn't have what I thought were seizures again, but she went into kidney failure a couple of months later and I had to put her to sleep.

Does she have easy access to her litterbox, meaning she doesn't have to jump or climb to get to it? If it is arthritis and it is hard for her to get to the litterbox that may be why she is going out of the box.

Is her appetite the same? Is she drinking more than usual? Has she lost weight?

You need to have her checked for a urinary track infection. They can cause a lot of problems in cats if not treated. You should also explain what happened to the vet and they may want to run other tests. The blood test my cat had that tested for hyperthyroidism and other things ran about $100.

I used Biokleen BAC-OUT stain & odor eliminator to clean the urine. It has natural enzyme-producing cultures which will help get rid of the odor. Pet products have the same ingredients, but BAC-OUT's main ingredient are the enzymes. I buy it at Kroger in the organic cleaning supply section.

Good luck with your cat! I hope it is arthritis. That is an easy fix.

S.
Kidney infections/issues are big with older cats. They can be very serious. I think a trip to the vet sounds in order.

But keep in mind....You don't have to do ALL the vet suggests. Sometimes things can get pricey. Ask the vet what the benefit of having the test will do? For example if you are going to find out you have a failing older cat.......can it be treated or would treatment just keep her alive and prolong discomfort. Why test at all if it isn't going to lead you to benefit the cat. Some vets are ready to test away when the tests are expensive and may not benefit your pet in the end. Just be prepared to ask.

I'm sorry your pet is ill. Your mom could be right or cat may have sprained a foot, but the litter box issues are something to check into.

I send you my best,
P.

Sounds like she is getting old and could use a visit to the vet for some geriatric blood work (i think that's what they call it). All of your symptoms don't add up to anything that's jumping out to me but they could be something serious. The thought that she may be suffering, like with a kidney problem, causing the incontinence, would be enough of a flag for me to take her in...plus, I'd be over having her pee on my floor! Good luck and I hope she's ok. Her age, could have been way off...Maybe she's like 16-17?

This is a vet question - I've had cats since I was an adult & have had some situations that were really scary that the vet fixed right up. For both your sakes & that of your daughter that doesn't need to see the cat in pain, I'd make an appointment right away.

Dear S.:

The litter box stuff sounds familiar. My cat was about the same age and NEVER had a litter box issue in his life, and suddenly he's going in all the other rooms. It turned out he had heart problems which were probably fueling some senility.

My first suggestion for your cat would be a trip to the vet; rule out anything medical. Your cat might have arthritis, but I'd also be afraid of a stroke.

My cat's litter box issues were all at night. We put in another litter box in our master bathroom and locked him in with us at night. Limiting his territory at night seemed to do the trick. He was my little boy, so being locked in with me away from our other cat suited him just fine.

Unfortunately, he died nine months later from heart failure. But getting him to the vet and on medication gave us time we wouldn't have had otherwise. Please, get your cat checked. I'm crossing my fingers it's nothing serious!

L. F., married 23 years, mom to a 14-year-old daughter, a 10-year-old cat and 5-year-old cat

S., i'm having the same incontinence issue. after reading these responses, i'm taking my cat to the vet, too! she's 12 yrs old. we heard to put down aluminum foil & that helps solve the "going all over the house" problem...mine didn't care about the aluminum foil & just keeps going everywhere anyways. at least it makes the clean-up a bit easier that way. we also put litter boxes all over the house, too. thanks for asking the question that i've been meaning to ask! : ) good luck!

illness... take her to the vet

When and animal starts "going" somewhere else than where they usually go, that's a big sign they don't feel well, they're sick. As everyone else said, get your kitty to the vet. I have a 16 year old cat who is also having balance problems and it's probably due to arthritis, so the vet gave him a cortisone shot, and I couldn't believe how much it helped.

S.,

I would have her seen to be sure what your cat is experiencing. At 10-12, your cat really isn't that old. I've known cats that live to 22 (fairly common)... It sounds more like an illness to me.

T.