Lewis Update

[ithildin]

Or 'the things we do for our furballs'.

He went back to the vet for tests and was there over night. The verdict: nothing physically wrong with him and his constant wetting over everything is behavioral. Our choices, limited. We can't go on like this. I discovered he'd been wetting against my new mattress/box spring, in addition to all the other places. Hate the idea of making him an outdoor cat around here, but maybe we could find him a home as a barn cat out in the country, I don't know. So after hundreds of dollars in vet bills, from getting him fixed, to having the surgery done he needed, to this last visit, he's been a very expensive stray. So there was much angst yesterday on what to do. Finally we decided on a middle measure, something I'd suggested a few years back that I could never get my mum to go along with, but this time, my brother was backing me, so then it was a good idea. Basically, I'd had the idea that the downstairs/family room area be turned into a place for our piddling inclined kitties, while the non piddling cats stay upstairs. We'd put a nice screen door, the kind with the windows, at the bottom of the stairwell, to separate the groups. We were going to do the downstairs floor as a stained cement one anyways, and the carpet's getting torn off, since it's disgusting, and the furniture down there is old. So Lewis, we can keep an eye on for a few more months and see if the situation improves, and if not, more time to try and come up with alternatives. So keep your fingers crossed t6hat this works.

Comments

[easilymused1956.livejournal.com]

Ah, I was going to share my experience when you first mentioned the problem. But I wanted to be hopeful.

I had an altered tom. Was neutered at 10 weeks. He still sprayed.

I had his older brother (a former breeding tom) who had been neutered at 3 years. He never sprayed. Not even when he WAS breeding.

Everything depends on the cat. And a sprayer will usually continue to mark territory no matter what.

The same holds true for a cat that pees in inappropriate places. Once they start, it's near impossible to break them of it.

The idea of having a cat room is sound. Many breeders do the same. It makes life a lot easier, I can tell you that for certain.

My cats could go outside into a fenced, roofed enclosure built on a 'mobile' carport. It was wonderful.

Good luck with the kitties.

Renee

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was trying to be hopeful too :(

We hope one day to build an enclosed outdoor are for the kitties. I think they'd really enjoy it.

[easilymused1956.livejournal.com]

Depending on funding, and the outside space you have, you could always buy an enclosed gazebo. They usually have them available at CostCo, Sam's Club type places.

Just a thought.

Renee

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

We were looking at some nice sheds, the wooden kind with windows and such. A gazebo would work too, though how do you get the cats from house to gazebo? An enclosed walkway? I was pondering building something along the lines of an enclosed porch out the back door, then could put a cat door in.

[easilymused1956.livejournal.com]

A porch is a really good idea. Or a Florida Room. With unupholstered furniture, you could spend time in it also.

Renee

[pat-t.livejournal.com]

And a sprayer will usually continue to mark territory no matter what.

Yeah, kind of like men *grins*

[easilymused1956.livejournal.com]

Yes. And unfortunately, some will continue to breed every female in sight. ::sigh::

Just like some men. Lalala

Renee