Problems with Cleo and Marcus

[Cleopatra Beers]

Hi
I haven’t been on Lair a lot lately, primarily because both Cleo and Marcus are having some major issues in their lives. Cleopatra has very bad arthritis, and we cannot afford the injections that weren’t helping much anyway. Because of her arthritis, for quite some time she was pooping outside of the litter box. Marcus, where to start, started in with really bad diarrhea about a year ago. At that time he was pooping all over the house. Now the vet has him on steroids, and we give him kaolin if the diarrhea resurfaces, but he seems to be feeling much better. The problem we’re having now though is at least one or both of them are not using litter boxes at all. We have five litter boxes downstairs in the basement, and one of them is a special, shallow, low entry box for senior cats. We had changed their litter a while back, so just a couple of days ago we changed back to the original litter that we’ve had for years. We even bought some cat attract litter to put into all the boxes to try and get them to use the boxes. I am so tired of smelling urine and the enzyme cleaner that we’ve been using to clean up after them. The smell is permeating the entire house. Bob and our son have been wonderful about cleaning up and keeping stuff as clean as possible, but we need a much more permanent solution. We’re open to suggestions.
ETA Bob just said he has ordered 2 4-foot plastic tarps to put on the concrete floor downstairs, and he wants to put some litter on them and some cat attract so that Cleo doesn’t even have to walk into a box to see if that will work. I am close to the end of my rope, and at one point was ready to have Marcus take the long sleep. I don’t want this, but living like this is getting to be ridiculous.

 

[Yoda mom]

@Cleopatra Beers , Oh my heart, hugs , my heart goes out to you. so hard the challenges you are going through with sweet Cleo and Marcus. just brainstorming, can move a couple of litter boxes upstairs as maybe arthritis and using stairs hard with arthritis, do you keep light on in the basement?
can you move a box or two upstairs and see if improvement?
set up a kitty room just for them upstairs?

any senior vision problems with them? again brainstorming.

as for arthritis, members may have supplement recommendations. I know with my pups I use human version microlactiin double strength for my big dogs at a much more affordable cost with same ingredients as more expensive dog version. I even showed my vet and she approved it was fine to use. been using for decades with my crew. wonder if they have a cat version of duralactin dog version?\


**update!,yes, chewy carries cat version of duralactin (microlactin ingredient) 60 for $19

my vet recommends antinol plus she uses, they make kitty version too as an option, i see it on chewy too. whats good with chewy, if a product doesnt work,call them. excellent customer service.
I have personally not used antinol plus

the ingredients took about a month to see results. my rottie couldnt get up moaned etc followed instructions and was at the door wanting to go for walks again. I have used it for decades with my pups. glad to see they have a feline version,

also, you can seal concrete with" Kilz" paint which may help. I got at home depot. yrs ago I bought a house that had cat urine issue and used it. pic below. ** need to use enzyme cleaner first.

also sharing : Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda also work wonders on cat urine. You must clean with an enzyme cleaner first then spray down with hydrogen peroxide and scrub in baking soda.

for enzyme cleaners I keep on hand unscented MisterMax anti icky poo that was breeder recommend when I adopted just in case of accidents. I see it carried at my vets office too. much cheaper on chewy, I ended up using it spray on dog beds/cat blankies for regular washing to use it up. gallon sizes on chewy for about $28. the mistermax anti icky poo site has carpet injectors too can use in upholstery too, sure could improvise with an injector dyi.

Anti-Icky-Poo | mister-max

MISTERMAX Manufacturer of ANTI-ICKY-POO OFFICIAL SITE, MisterMax Quality Products, Stain Remover

www.mistermax.com

my mom adopted a kitty many years ago out of box issue. changed his litter to dr elseys unscented and no issues again, I use the largest boxes I can too


*from AI: MisterMax Anti-Icky-Poo is a powerful, veterinarian-recommended enzymatic cleaner designed to permanently eliminate organic stains and odors—like pet urine, feces, and vomit—rather than just masking them. It is safe to use on carpets, upholstery, hardwood floors, and concrete.

hugs n head smooches.all paws are family. we are here for you.

 

[Cleopatra Beers]

Hi Yoda Mom,
Thanks for the suggestions. For clarification, once we got Marcus’ diarrhea more under control, all the problems have been in the basement. We cannot move any boxes upstairs because we have no room for a cat room or cat boxes. The only space upstairs is our uninsulated mud room, and the problem there is winter cold. We can’t force Cleo and Marcus to use a box in -10 degrees F weather.
We do use supplements for arthritis for both cats, and I’ll look into the ones you use. I’m also looking into the unscented enzyme cleaner. I agree with the Kilz paint, so that will happen at some point. Thanks again.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Oh gosh I am so sorry to hear of the issues. I sure you are stressed. Another possibility is to buy a small kiddie pool and cut out sections for Cleo to walk in. You can put litter in it and easier to wash/hose clean etc.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Cleopatra Beers]

Thanks Patti. We definitely look into that too.

 

[Yoda mom]

@Cleopatra Beers , be sure to ask your vet about any of the supplements. I check just in case any contraindicated for any underlying heart conditions, btw, let me know what arthritis supplements you currently use , good for me to know with my seniors clairebare and batman.
totally understand not being able to move boxes.
I like the kitty pool idea patti mentioned. I actually have a kiddie pool for my hurricane supplies with front cut out low to walk in for my pups I put in the garage during hurricanes with a few pieces of sod for a doggie potty pool.

hugs n positive vibe head smooches, all paws are family. following for updates

 

[Cleopatra Beers]

We use Cosequin for both cats and it does help a bit with Cleo. Bob checked out the duralactin, and it’s out because the Queen is highly allergic to milk and milk products. Duralactin is derived from milk. Today, he is putting down a couple of smallish plastic tarps and put some litter on them it seems if she will use them. If so, we, find large plastic trays to try. At least we know Marcus isn’t doing this. While Bob was there this morning, Markie went to one box to pee and then to another to poop. And our furry Foxy cat is always good, like Cleo was at that age.