Old, old cat and incontinence

I lost my 17 year old cat three Christmas Eve's ago; and now his brother (who is now 23 years old) has become completely incontinent. I've had him so long and even though he has some arthritis, he still eats good, purrs good and still weighs about 19 pounds. He has been kind of leaky for a while and I have been dealing with it with puddle pads and washing blankets a lot; but now, even though he still tries to go to his box, he just can't control his bladder any longer.

I locked him in the laundry room today with nice warm blankets and a way to get to the garage where his kitty litter box is; but my husband says that he is just confused and unhappy about this change. Hubby was home for a while between a PT visit and going back to work to check on the kitty.

I am having a hard time coming to terms with taking kitty in and putting him to sleep especially since my two brother-in-laws passed away this year within 3 months of each other; and my other cat passed away on Christmas Eve. I just can't deal with putting Big Kitty down on Thanksgiving! But, I'm also about at the end of my rope dealing with the incontinence issue too.

Should I just bite the bullet and take him in to the vet?

Kitty Diapers?

:o

So sorry to hear about your kitty. I'm probably not the right person to answer because I don't have any pets. But I'll give you my uninformed take on things.

There's life and there's life worth living. Only you can make the call. It's hard to separate what's best for our fuzzy friend and what's best for us. Who knows, but 23 is a good life lived up to now.

I had a cat, Fudge, that I got when I was in the 5th grade. I was 10. She died when I was 30. That's not as old as your cat, but that was most of my life at that point. My brother and father were going to take her to the vet that morning to put her down because she had stopped eating and was no longer functioning properly. When my little brother went to put her in the box, she was gone. Unfortunately, things don't always work out so neatly.

Hugs to you and Big Kitty!

I had a wonderful cat who became incontinent in his old age. he was miserable. I took him to the vet and we gave him medicines, fattened him up but the problem continued. I did have him put to sleep. He would have hated diapers and he found it very frustrated that he couldn't hold his bowels. He was one of the coolest cats I've ever had, but like tulip said, there's life and there's life worth living. I think your cat would feel punished locked up out there. a horrible way to spend his last days on earth.
Lucky for your cat, you have a choice.
good luck.
wow, 23 is OLD!

I am completely against putting animals down, and would never do it myself.

That said, I agree that spending his last days locked in a laundry room, no matter how many cozy blankets he has, is no way to live. I'm sure that he wants to be with you and he's probably completely embarrassed about his incontinence (most cats would be). If your only two options are putting him down or locking him away, putting him down seems more humane to me.

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Originally Posted by Flur

I am completely against putting animals down, and would never do it myself.

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I really hope that you're never in some of the situations I've been in. I wish I could have spared my pup, Cricket, the last few horrific hours of his life. I'll spare everyone the graphic details, but "natural causes" were extremely bloody and painful.

CA

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Originally Posted by CA_in_NC

I really hope that you're never in some of the situations I've been in. I wish I could have spared my pup, Cricket, the last few horrific hours of his life. I'll spare everyone the graphic details, but "natural causes" were extremely bloody and painful.

CA

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I'm with CA here. Thanks.

(((sw)))

I totally understand. I'm in the middle of making the same decision. I spoke to my vet today about euthanasia (we're getting close to the end). It's a really hard decision, one you will never be satisfied with, but sometimes, it's the right one.

For dealing with cat urine odor, hydrogen peroxide works great. I'm sure you know this, but I only just figured it out. Also, I have thick, cheap, absorbent bathroom rugs, and a quilt I don't care about, over the sofa for protection. So far, it's worked well.

Good luck. You're lucky to have had him for so long! Trixie is only 16.

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

I totally understand. I'm in the middle of making the same decision. I spoke to my vet today about euthanasia (we're getting close to the end). It's a really hard decision, one you will never be satisfied with, but sometimes, it's the right one.

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I'm so sad to read this! I was so hoping things were starting to look better! I'm thinking of you and Trixie and hoping for the best!

My Buff was only 11:( She died way before her time:(

I've been lucky with the animals I've put down (1 cat, 1 ferret), that my vets were wonderful about guiding me when the time was right. And they were right - I just knew looking at my animals on the day it was time. Hard as it is, I'm absolutely positive I made the right decision for both. Gut wrenching, yes. But right. Your animals will tell you.

(((((((redrhodie)))))) (((((((spokewench)))))))

CA

It is a hard and difficult decision to make. I agree with red you will never be satisfied with, but it will be the right one. We've lost 4 cats over the last 8 years - 2 had to be put down and 2 died in their sleep. Right now my dog(lab mix) is 15 and she's a little shakey on her feet, stumbles and will fall sometimes, her appetite isn't good, I started mixing hot dogs in her dog food. I know the day is coming. We have 7 cats - 18, 16, 8, 8, 8, 3, and 3. Keep us posted.

my neighbour's 18 year old cat is in her final hours/days of her life, and looking at it from a person who doesn't know the cat, I would say she should have been euthanized several days ago.

She's had renal and probably liver failure for some time now. About a week ago she stopped eating, and her limbs aren't functioning anymore. She just wets herself because she can't get up anymore.

But euthanasia is a personal choice; my neighbour is in denial and thinks that her purring is a sign she's "happy". Cats purr when they're in pain or anxious, too.

I'm not sure I believe in knowing the "right time". I struggled a lot with that one with my aged dog. I know that in the end I would never have been able to just drive him to the vet and had him put down. He had a stroke and HAD to be put down, so that decision was made for me. But I don't think I could have said "ok, tomorrow at 11am I'll drive him to the vet to be put down".

So, as much as I can say as an impartial third party, I know when it's your beloved baby, you sometimes can't see the "right time".

As corny as it sounds, you should do what you feel is right. There is truth to "life and life worth living", there isn't much joy or dignity in living a life of pain or failure of bodily functions.

I wish you peace in whatever you decide. Know that you gave kitty a very long life full of love - something so many animals are denied.

((((((((((SP & Big Kitty))))))))))

it's a hard choice, and you need to talk to your vet. If medication can't help, living locked away isn't much of a life either. There are no easy choices. :(

You might ask your vet about using medications to control this. It has been a year since I worked in a clinic but I recall a drug (Proin) that was often prescribed for this problem and many owners reported good results.

well, here is an update. Big Kitty has settled down with his new circumstances and seems to be doing okay. I am only locking him up while I am away from home and at night. And, he has a kitty door from the laundry room to the garage (where his cat box is) so he can go wander in the garage and there is a window in the garage with a large benchlike area in front of it where he can perch and watch. We have closed the doors to the bedrooms so he cannot get on the beds, but he was quite content to lay in front of the fireplace last night on top of a puddle pad and also on the couch.

Not, such a bad life especially for a cat who just sleeps all day long anyway. So, we will see how things go, but I don't think he feels punished and he seems to be fine. I think he is adapting pretty well; as he used to be a garage kitty for the first 12 years of his life anyway. And, up until three years ago, he was not allowed to get on furniture at all. Yes, he is a very smart trainable cat and never got on furniture when he was not supposed to.

So, I am in a holding pattern to see how things go. If he is in pain or not doing well in other areas, quits eating, etc., this will probably change; but right now, he is doing okay with his change in circumstances.

Thanks everyone for your input. It was nice to hear other people's opinions. I'll keep you posted.

Glad to hear he's settled in! Cats can be such amazing animals.

Here's hoping he stays happy and as healthy as possible!

CA

Spokewrench, that's great! and give him lots of extra treats and TLC in his waning years.

((((((Spokewench & kitty)))))

That's so tough. Glad she's feeling somewhat better.

Our Measle had fecal incontinence for about his last year and a half, but he could control his bladder most of the time. It obviously upset him but on balance it didn't seem like it was making his life unlivable.

Flur, I'm with the others in hoping that you never have to make that decision. We could have let our Taz starve to death because he couldn't eat, in terrible cancer pain, or let him go peacefully and painlessly. We chose the latter when his pain became so great that he couldn't rest.

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Originally Posted by spokewench

well, here is an update... So, I am in a holding pattern to see how things go. If he is in pain or not doing well in other areas, quits eating, etc., this will probably change; but right now, he is doing okay with his change in circumstances.

Thanks everyone for your input. It was nice to hear other people's opinions. I'll keep you posted.

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I'm glad to hear Big Kitty is doing better now. My oldest dog, Harley (a 15-yr-old pomeranian) is having problems with incontinence as well as other age-related issues, but he's still happy and enjoys his life, so we're enjoying each and every day we have left with him. I personally believe euthanasia is a gift we can give our beloved pets if they don't die a peaceful natural death. When they're in so much pain that there's no pleasure left in life, it's the last gift of love we can give them. We had to have our oldest dog, Rocky, put to sleep last year and it was no easy decision, but we did it for his sake, not ours. The vet came to our house and he was surrounded by everyone who loved him. I wish I could have that choice when the time comes!

Big hugs to Big Kitty and you!

Spoke: If all else seems to be going well, I'd suggest a check at the vet's. He could have a urinary tract infection, and likely has kidney disease by this point (all cats this age have some degree of kidney dysfunction), and there are some things that may be helpful.

Otherwise, you are right in that it doesn't sound like a "bad" life for him. He likely likes to sleep by the warmth above anything else at this age anyway. You are obviously taking very good care of him and love him very much -- keep it up. You'll know when he is ready, and it sounds to me like he's still a happy kitty. 23 is an amazing age and a great life for a kitty. You've done well by him.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and give thanks for the 23 years you've been able to enjoy him. Take care and I wish you both the best.

Glad to hear that your cat is adapting to his new situation - I would, first of all, have your vet check for a UTI - I have a disabled dog who is 8, and from time to time she gets a UTI and will have accidents on her bedding and the carpet. We put her on antibiotics and it clears up and she can control her bladder again. If it is not a UTI, you can try what a friend of mine did once with her kitty: she got some infant onesies, cut a hole out the back for her kitty’s tail and lined them with pet diapers. At first the cat did not like them, but after awhile he actually enjoyed wearing his “clothes” and adapted to the diapers just fine. He lived to a ripe old age (18) and was very loved. He would actually let her know when he needed a diaper change! Purring can be either content or uncomfortable signs. Our oldest kitty Majic died this past year - we tore the house apart looking for her and found her lying on a towel in the bottom of a never used closet. She was cool to the touch and when we picked her up she was purring. We rushed her to our vet, but by the time we got there, she was almost gone. We got to say our goodbyes and she purred to the last breath. I wish you lots of hugs and love for your big kitty whatever comes, he is a lucky kitty to be loved so much for so many years!!

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Originally Posted by jesvetmed

Spoke: If all else seems to be going well, I'd suggest a check at the vet's. He could have a urinary tract infection, and likely has kidney disease by this point (all cats this age have some degree of kidney dysfunction), and there are some things that may be helpful.

Otherwise, you are right in that it doesn't sound like a "bad" life for him. He likely likes to sleep by the warmth above anything else at this age anyway. You are obviously taking very good care of him and love him very much -- keep it up. You'll know when he is ready, and it sounds to me like he's still a happy kitty. 23 is an amazing age and a great life for a kitty. You've done well by him.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and give thanks for the 23 years you've been able to enjoy him. Take care and I wish you both the best.

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Oh, yes, he has been checked for urinary tract infections, etc. He has had bladder issues all his life; he had the surgery where they basically turn the cat into a female cat, that is to pee; and he has had the crystalization in his system for many, many years. This has, over the years, made the walls of his bladder very thick and i'm sure has caused the urinary incontinence. Tthe only problem with antibiotics now with him is that when you give them orally, he just throws them up and the last time I gave it to him with shots, he reacted quite badly to the shots and got huge sores where he was given the shots. He also has diminished kidney function, but the last time he was checked, the numbers had stabilized and he was doing okay.

We do the best we can at his age!

spoke