Conference misery::feline

    Take home Nilla and leave Kitt w/ your parents?
    
     

    
    	I have Nilla with me and Kitt is with my parents, Kitt
    	is the one causing the problems.  They can't take Nilla
    	because she is long-haired and my brother is allergic
    	to her.
    	
    	janna

    I truly feel it would be worth a try to bring Kitt home with
    you for awhile to determine if they could get along or if
    some of her litter box behaviors change.  If it doesn't work
    atleast you would buy yourself some time to find Kitt a new
    home.
    
    Do you have a spare room or cellar that Kitt could be confined in for
    awhile...so you could monitor his box behavior without Nilla
    being around.
    
    If it was me...I would try all I could before sending him
    to a shelter.  Just my opinion....but of course that is how
    I got eight cats.
    
    Sandy
                                       

    Is Kitt spayed?  Unspayed females will spray which is the reason for
    the question.
    
    She is probably under a lot of stress, first with the introduction of
    Nilla, then your leaving and being cared for my your parents in your
    absence.  Maybe she can sense that your parents aren't happy with her,
    thus the stress and indiscriminate urination.
    
    I would bring her back to live with you and see what happens.  In a
    different environment, who knows, maybe she and Nilla will get along.
    
    Hope things work out for you and Kitt!
    
    -Roberta
    

You didn't mention whether or not the areas where Kitt has peed had been 
treated with an enzyme odor remover (Nature's Mitracle, etc).  Covering areas 
with plastic may not be sufficient.  Note: it may take a couple of days for 
the odor to completely disappear.

    
    	This has been going on since about October/November and
    	the carpet has been cleaned with every kind of cleaner
    	the pet stores/rug stores had also steamed cleaned then
    	sprayed with repellent and covered.
    
    
    	Well its too late now, she is gone as of today, my parents wouldn't
    	let me take her home with me they didn't think it was
    	fair to Kitt,(I was going to confine her to the rec room
    	we have downstairs for awhile to see how she would adjust)
        They also didn't think it would be fair to Nilla.  So I
    	basically had no say in what happened.
    
    
    	Thanks for your help anyway
    
    			Janna, Nilla
    			   -Kitt

    Did they bring her to a shelter??? Is so I would call then and tell
    them you were going to pick her up... it's you cat not theirs, and it
    wasn't fair for them to decide without your consent... I'ld be wicked
    pissed off at them...
    

    Snoopy lived with my mom for the four years I was in college, and just
    before my mom re-married, either Snoopy or her cat started having
    litterbox problems (peeing sideways).  My mom was threatening to bring
    Snoopy to the pound/shelter, so believe me I know where your coming
    from.  (It turned out my mom's cat was the one spraying the cellar
    walls, so Snoopy got to stay.)  So I got lucky, and I took Snoopy with
    me less than a month after my graduation.  However, if my mom had given
    Snoopy away, I think she would have been fair enough to let me take
    her; but I wouldn't have blamed her for not wanting someone else's cat
    peeing on the walls!
    
    I'd pick Kitt up at the shelter pronto and take my chances with her. 
    Two cats aren't any more 'illegal' (by apartment rules) than one, just
    more noticeable.  Kitt might get a good home through a shelter, maybe
    even better than you can provide, but what if she gets a worse one?  Or
    never gets one?
    
    Lisa Dean and Snoopy (Doorstop Cat)

    Let me add that my mom's cat, even though he was spraying the walls,
    got to stay.  It turned out not to be such a big deal, and he's a
    mostly outdoor cat, so the spraying indoors was rare.  No one went to
    the pound.
    
    Lisa Dean and Snoopy

    Most shelters will only keep cats for a few days before they
    have to euthanize them, so if you want to get Kitt, you should go
    there as soon as possible.
    

    I hope someone out there can help....
    
    My cat (a moggy called Puss) has recently started to soil in the
    lounge.  She uses her tray no problem, but on occasion "wets" the
    carpet & worse... the problem is, it is not always in the same place.
    
    She is restricted when we are out to the hall, and the upstairs rooms,
    and is seldom left alone in the lounge.  We have tried most methods,
    but would be interested to here of any possible solutions.  
    
    Bob
    
    (I am in the middle of decorating at the moment, but there has not been
    much in the way of disturbance.  And in my previous residence, we never
    has this probem.  This problem started a few months ago, and I moved
    into my present home over 2 years.)

    Re: .11
    
    Have you taken her to the vet to see if she has a urinary tract
    infection?  In any event, you should use an enzyme product to
    neutralize the areas she's urinated on or she will return to them
    even when the infection is cured (try Nature's Miracle, or ask at a pet
    shop).  Cats get upset by what seem to be minor alternation in their
    routines, so minor redecorating could be the problem.
    

    Thnks for the help.
    
    I think I may have found the problem....
    
    On further investigation (and on the advise of a friend), I checked the
    whole floor area of the lounge, and discovered that at the precise
    locations where she has been urinating, there was a hole in the floor
    and a faint but noticeable draft coming through!
    
    Spend the weekend cleaning the areas thouroughly, and then blocked off
    every hole I could find.  I will have to replace the carpet anyway, so
    for the next few weeks, I will keep my eyes open for any recurrence,
    and if there is any more holes in the floor.
    
    Bob (I have already checked this out with the VET and he has advised
    that this could be a form of territory marking)
    

>>>     <<< Note 127.13 by NEEPS::IRVINE "Screamin' Demon from Mothercare!" >>>

>    Spend the weekend cleaning the areas thouroughly, and then blocked off
>    every hole I could find.  I will have to replace the carpet anyway, so
>    for the next few weeks, I will keep my eyes open for any recurrence,
>    and if there is any more holes in the floor.
    
make sure that you saturate the area with an enzyme cleaner designed for
the purpose.  It is the only thing that can deter a cat from smelling
the spot and returning to it....they have really good noses.  I use
Nature's Miracle, but there are several in the pet supply stores lately.    

    Although on a completely different topic, this seems like the perfect
    note. I really DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
    
    A little history. Around the beginning of the summer, my wife and I
    started taking care of a stray that showed up at our condo. She was
    pretty ragged with alot of missing fur. At first I thought she had
    mange or something. But, after we started feeding her regularly and
    giving her vitamins, all her fur grew back and she filled out nicely.
    
    The relationship was established and she would come for breakfast and
    dinner and hang out in front of the condo when she felt like it. She
    was friendly enough and had obviously been part of someone family at
    one time. When I opened the slider in the morning, she'd come running
    over, stick her head in the door for a little attention, then eat.
    We could pick her up and pet her although she made weak attempts at
    protesting the intrusion. She'd hiss once and then just enjoy the
    attention. She never ever tried to scratch or bite.
    
    Well, we just bought a house and moved out. One of the first concerns
    we had was what to do with JOJO. At least one other family in the
    complex was feeding her, but other than that, they didn't "want" her.
    With fall and winter approaching, we were going crazy worrying about
    what would happen to her. By the way, we already have 3 indoor cats
    and just can't take a fourth. Anyway, we tried to find her a home but
    were unsuccessful.
    
    Finally, last night, we decided that we'd try and transplant her to
    the new neighborhood. We'd bring her over to the new house, keep her
    in the cellar for awhile to let her settle down, and then see if we
    could get her outside like she was used to without her taking off. We
    figured we'd just let her in the garage every night and continue
    working on getting her a home.
    
    Well, I went to pick her up last night and had the most horrendous
    experience that I think I've ever had. It was really upsetting and
    still give me the shivers thinking about it.
    
    I had about 5 minutes worth of work to do to finish moving out of the
    condo. I brought JOJO'S dinner with me and the cat carrier. The plan
    was to feed her, put her in the carrier, load a couple of things in
    the car, and take her home. Everything went according to plan. She
    came over to eat. I picked her up and pet her for awhile, and then
    put her into the carrier. She was't too pleased about going into
    the carrier, but I didn't expect her to be. Once I closed the door
    she laid down so I thought I was all set. I kept talking to her while
    I was carrying the stuff out, then closed up and headed for the car,
    carrier in hand. She couldn't have been in there more than 5 minutes.
    
    Just as I reached the car, she started going nuts in the carrier.
    She was trying to get out so bad, that I was sure she was going to
    her herself so I put the carrier down and opened the door to let her
    go. That's when I discovered, to my horror that she wasn't trying to
    get out. She was having a SEIZURE. She just laid on the ground, her
    body (muscles) all stiff and her legs going a mile a minute. I thought
    sure she was having or going to have a heart attack and die. I was
    almost in tears it upset me so much. Here I am trying to take care
    of this furface and I may have just killed her. I just kept petting
    and talking to her and she finally came out of it. It must have lasted
    at least a minute. She was still breathing and her body was now
    relaxed. After another couple of minutes, she began to look around and
    then got up. After about 5 minutes, she seemed to be back to normal
    and was cleaning herself.
    
    When she first got up, she was like a different cat. It's like she was
    still not completely with it and went back to her "family" days. She
    was walking all around me, rubbing up against me and wanting to be
    petted. After another few minutes, she would sit nearby, but was pretty
    much back to normal as far as her standoffish behavior toward humans.
    
    When I think back on it, during the move (after our own cats had been
    moved) we just left the door to the condo open and she came in to
    explore. It's a tri level condo and she went all up and down. At one
    point, on the second floor, she was a little lost and even in a big
    EMPTY tri level condo, began to get very nervous. If she feels trapped
    in a big empty condo, how is she going to handle staying in a garage.
    Can she handle staying inside at all. If we just picked her up and
    put her in the car, would she freak out again being confined in the
    car.
    
    So, here I am. It's killing me to abandon her, but it appears that
    she's not capable of being confined.
    
    What do I do now ?????????????????????????????????????????
    
    
    Steve

    Steve .. it honestly doesn't sound like something that you did.  It
    sounds like a medical problem more than an emotional problem.  I'd try
    and get her to the vets as soon as possible.  Seizures can be VERY
    dangerous!
    
    She may have had them before, but nobody was around.  It just so
    happens that she had this seizure when she was in the carrier.  
    
    At least that's what it seems like.  Get her to the vet and have them
    check her out.  It sounds much more like a health problem rather than
    her just being put into the carrier.
    
    
    Good luck with her!
    
    Holly
    

    Steve-
    
    I'd bring her with you to the new place.  Of course she
    was nervous in the condo, she's used to living outdoors
    and it was a new thing to be inside.  As long as she didn't
    fly around inside, looking for a way out, I'd say she would adjust
    well to having a place in the garage.  All it takes is time!
    
    A stray I took in was petrified to be inside my barn, where I
    fed her.  Over time, she came and went as she pleased, and could
    be found curled up in the tackroom, or dozng on the hay in the
    loft.  If you can leave a window open in the garage so she doesn't
    feel trapped, there should be no problem.
    
    I do suggest you take her to the vets for a checkup in regards to
    the seizure...
    
    L

    
    
    sounds like she needs you more than ever....I'd get her to a vet and
    find out what's wrong,  it does sound more like a medical problem.
    Either she got into something, or has seizures from some disorder.  As
    mentioned, maybe no one was ever around before when it happened.
    Dont' abandon her now!  Take her with you.  I'm sure she will adjust
    once she knows what's happening.
    
    Denise

    We called the vet (actually my wife did) and the vet said she didn't
    think it was a seizure. NOT.....She (neither my wife nor the vet) were
    there and I know it was. Anyway, the vet also suggested that two
    people attempt the transfer and just wrap her in a blanket rather
    than trying to use the carrier. So, we decided to give it another
    try.
    
    We got her into the condo again and gave her some food. I picked her
    up and just held her in my lap for awhile to let her settle down a bit.
    Then I took her out to the car and handed her off to my wife. She had
    a blanket in her lap, but we didn't wrap her. Just held and patted
    her during the drive. Fortunately, it's a short drive and about 5
    minutes later we were in the garage. No problems so far.
    
    We put out a litter box, food and water, and a bed. Held her another
    few minutes out of the car and then let her loose. She went under the
    car and laid down. She did this alot back at the condo. We then left
    her alone to explore and just settle down. When I checked on her about
    an hour later, she was laying in the litter box. Again, not unusual.
    I went over to her and she didn't run. She was looking a little
    depressed so I just gave her some attention and then let her alone
    again.
    
    I basically just checked in on her through out the day and other wise
    gave her her space. One of the other times I went down, she was lying
    in the bed. Again, she didn't run when I went over to pet her. The
    best part is, she was really starting to change and become a "normal"
    cat. I havn't seen her so relaxed. When I'd pet her, she'd streach out
    in her bed and just enjoy it. She was actually purring for the first
    time too (at least it's the first time I've heard her purr all summer).
    Later on, she'd get up when I came into the garage and walk all around 
    me rubbing against my leg and asking for attention. So, as I say,
    things are looking up. My wife is on vacation this week, so she can
    check in on her during the day and she won't be totally alone.
    
    The next hurdle is to get her back outside and have her stick around.
    I'd like to be able to let her out in the morning and have her come
    in at night.
    Can't keep her cooped up in the garage forever. She seems to be
    adapting well though and is visibly much more relaxed than when she
    was outside. She'll eat her food without checking out the area between
    bites and constantly looking over her shoulder. So far, so good.
    
    
    Steve

    Steve-
    
    Might be a good time to put a collar with a "I belong to" tag
    on it, before you let her out.  Make sure it's a break-away
    type collar, tho'.
    
    Good job, BTW.  Sounds like she "knows" she has found her place!

    Steve...bless your heart for saving this little girl...
    
    I suggest leaving her in the garage for atleast one week before
    even attempting to let her outside.   Then start slowly...with
    just opening the garage doors and let her hang around with you
    in your yard.
    
    Eight of my cats are indoor/outdoor and follow my rule about
    out during the day...but in at night.  It took time to work this...
    but I found if I feed them about 5:30AM...by 6:00PM they are ready
    to come in for supper!!  I truly only have ONE cat that breaks this 
    rule on occasion!!
    
    Please keep us posted and I truly believe this cat probably did
    have a seizure and should still visit the vet!!
    
    Sandy
    
    

    I suppose you already know that when a cat rubs against your legs that
    they are actually marking their territory and making you "theirs". 
    Since this cat is doing that I think you will have no problem having
    this cat sticking around home.  I agree with the previous noters,
    gradually make her aware of her outside surroundings before you let her
    go completely on her own.  Please, take her to a vet for her seizures. 
    You truely are a hero in my book for taking this stray in!  Have a
    great day.
    
    Barb

    I think the rule of thumb to wait before letting a cat outdoors in a
    new area is two weeks.
    

    Re:  127.23  Yep, two weeks is what I've heard too.
    
    Also, you might try feeding her at night once she is able to go
    out.  This might give her extra motivation to be home at night.
    
    Jan  

    
    	I would say she definitely had a seizure - it sounded
    	EXACTLY like what Katie went through. I don't remember 
    	where the note it, but the title is 'Katie had a seizure'
    	or something like that. She has been on medication (very
    	small, very inexpensive pill) for at least six months
    	and has not had another seziure. She was having them at
    	more or less ten day intervals before the medication. I 
    	would find a different vet (mine is Dr Heller in Milford)
    	that BELIEVES YOU, and go from there. If she's going out,
    	you may not be able to give her a pill every day (crush it
    	and put it in her food), but you can probably control it
    	as well as I have been able to. Katie just sits there and
    	lets me open her mouth, I drop the pill in, and she swallows
    	it on her own. 
    
    	Feel free to send me mail if you have any questions...
    
    	Sherry

    DIR/TITLE="*SEIZURE*" brings up note 233.0 "Katie had a Seizure"
    
    Jan

    I've got a new problem for this string.  
    
    Muffin and Samantha have always been very good about their use of the
    cat box.  However, whenever they're upset by something...I go away for
    a night, we have guests overnight...one or the other of them expresses
    their displeasure by peeing on either my bed or my daughter's bed.  As
    soon as the bedclothes are washed it doesn't happen again until the
    next time one or both of them gets mad.  
    
    I know they're not sick, just pissed off.  
    
    Is there anything I can do to make them stop this?  
    
    Has anybody else run into this before?
    
    Any help would be appreciated.
    
    Nanci

    re: .27
    
    Keep the bedroom door closed when you think this is likely to happen.
    They'll probably go some place else prohibited, but almost any place is
    better than a bed.  You can buy waterproof mattress pads thru the
    Country Store mail order catalog (I can bring in the phone number if
    you want it);
    the pads have vinyl or something sandwiched between a cotton-like
    top and bottom,so it works well.  As you can probably deduce, I had a
    problem like this with my Holly for awhile.
    

    Also, pour a some Nature's Miracle on the area of the bed they pee
    on to help get rid of the smell, and pour some Nature's Miracle into
    the wash water when washing those sheets.  As Karen suggested, keep
    the door closed.  I kept the bedroom door closed for all times I 
    wasn't actually in the room for a month or two before we finally broke
    Onyx's habit of using the bed.
    
    Jan

    Thanks!  They're going in for shots today and we're moving this
    weekend.  I imagine that'll upset them enough for them to express their
    collective displeasure by leaving presents on my bed.  I'll try your 
    suggestions of keeping them out of the bedrooms and let you know how it
    goes next week.  
    
    Signing out until Monday...
    
    Nanci

    The Nature's Miracle in the wash with the bedclothes seems to have
    worked!  We went through vaccinations on all three cats and an
    extremely chaotic move over the weekend with no "presents" left on
    either of our beds!  :-)
    
    Thanks for the great advice!
    
    Nanci