2/14 Morgaine AMPS 203,+3 161 Advice please!

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skybar22

skybar22

Member Since 2010
yesterday

Happy Valentine's Day to all!!!

Morgaine's BG is elevated some and she returned to peeing outside the LB. I am hoping with some time the prozac will really kick in. I know it takes weeks for that and maybe she is adjusting to it. I have no clue why she does any of this except that her neuropathy has been acting up. She seems to be walking around more today but last night she was having some major issues. At this point I do not know what is going on because the Prozac is in the mix now. So, I am going to give it time to work and I have doubled her dose of the methyl b-12. I really do believe her hind paws are very painful and that is why she isn't getting in the box. The box is low in the front so it is easy for her but it must not feel good to step in the litter. Neuropathy is a very odd sensation and even sheets can irritate it in humans. Paws crossed that with this better control and more methyl b-12 my girl will heal and feel better. What is so frustrating is that she is doing so well otherwise and all her labs looked so good.

I apologize for neglecting to get to condos. I am feeling overwhelmed and am working some hours now and by the time I am able to sit down and visit with you I am just so exhausted and frustrated. I so appreciate any and all support and good wishes. Hope you all know that I am thinking of you and sending healing vines to all in need.
 
Re: 2/14 Morgaine AMPS 203

You've got enough to deal with right now, don't worry about condo visiting. I hope the med mix helps Morgaine feel better. That's the bottom line, if she feels better the other issues will clear. Hugs and healings for you and Morgaine.
 
Re: 2/14 Morgaine AMPS 203

So sorry about Morgaine and the neuropathy. Do the meds she's now taking help her pain level with the back legs? It's so hard when they can't tell us where it hurts. Sending sweet Morgaine some healing vines. I hope the Prozac will help her.
 
Re: 2/14 Morgaine AMPS 203

(((Rosalie))) you have your hands full and I know it's discouraging to see her pee outside the LB when she did well the last two days...and then to give you a yellow number. Morgaine...REALLY?

I read in someone's condo yesterday or last night that their cat won't use a LB with litter so they just put towels in the box. I know you have used pee pads right beside the box....I wonder if you try pee pads or towels IN the box it will
be softer for her and not so hard on her feet or joints. I know it's a pain to keep towels washed but better than the constant carpet cleaning you are having to do.

Hope you are safe and warm today ...chilly in Tucson!!

Happy Valentine's Day and pls call me if I can do anything for you.
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Re: 2/14 Morgaine AMPS 203

Ann, the meds she is on does not do much for her nerve pain. The treatment for neuropathy is good control of BG and methyl B-12. Her nerves are damaged and they have to heal. It takes time for that and my vet said that she may always have some neuropathy but she does think she will get some strength back.

Marje, thank you, as always, for your offer to help. I think we just have to give it all time.

As for using towels, I could never manage that since I do not have a washer in my apartment and it would be awfully messy. I have pee pads and I placed one on top of the litter so maybe that will help her paws feel better if she enters her box.

If things do not improve I will call Dr. W and see what she has to say.

I appreciate all good thoughts for me and my girl. I feel so badly for her and I get so frustrated by her actions as well. I am trying to keep the lid on my frustrations because I know she feels it all and i do not think she can help it right now. I do believe she is doing her best and the LB is just not comfortable right now.
 
Re: 2/14 Morgaine AMPS 203,+3 161

Thinking of you Rosalie. I hope the Prozac kicks in and gives Morgaine some relief. Hugs to both of you!!
 
Re: 2/14 Morgaine AMPS 203,+3 161 Advice please

I just kind of lost my cool with Morgaine. I really do not think I can take this anymore. My own well being/health is beginning to suffer. So, she is now confined to a tiny, tiny kitchen area. It is really small, maybe 8x4. I have her box in there and will get a gate but for now she would have to jump over her carrier to get out. I have no idea if i am doing the right thing but i have come close to wanting to get her out of here and I know I need to take some control over this. Any other options? I live in a small apartment with 1 bedroom and a living room/dining area. There is a small bath and a tiny kitchen. I really got upset with her again and she got upset and started to hiss. i know it is not her fault but I have never experienced anything like this before and it is now grossing me out. I also can not afford to keep buying stuff to pour on her pee at the cost of $30 a gallon. we are going through a gallon in a couple of weeks. I am just at my wits end with this. Pee pads, litter, liquid icky poo to clean the spots every time she pees, and all the other expenses are just getting to be way too much for me. Sorry to vent like this but i need some advice!
 
Aw, Rosalie...sending the strongest possible vines for this to all work out for you both!

and in my opinion...it's MUCH better to vent than to try to keep a lid on frustration...
and this is certainly the place to vent!

I sincerely hope the pee pads in the box entice her to use it!

and sending you and Morgaine Tiger Hugs

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I've never read it, but I've heard this book can really help with litter box issues:

http://www.amazon.com/Fastidious-Fe...blems/dp/1891767046?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20

ETA: You mentioned she has icky liquid poo...could she be constipated? My Frankie has some mild constipation issues, which we learned about because she was peeing outside the box. The peeing was her way of telling us something was wrong...it sure got our attention. We starting giving her a small dose of miralax every day, and she hasn't peed outside the box since. Seems odd that the two were connected, but that's our story....
 
Trixiecat, the icky poo is the name of the stuff I am using to neutralize the pee. She has no poo problems. sorry about that. I have mentioned it in my condos and should have been clearer. I use the Anti-Icky Poo brand to clean up her pee.
 
((((((rosalie))))) you have been the most faithful person ever and you give the best possible care of morgaine. i'm so sorry this is a trial right now. i don't have any ideas but will think on it.

hopefully we can collectively come up with something to help you.

uh, this is probably stupid, but diapers? could something be rigged up for her?
 
Rosalie.....I really wish I knew what to tell you or how to help. Mike and I can only imagine what you are going through but I think you have been patient and held on much longer than most people. You may have to keep her in the kitchen until the prozac has a chance to take effect. I know it's not the best situation for either of you but maybe Dr. W can tell you how long it will take. The only other thing is to try the NRT program through Dr. Burgess. Sometimes she has donated supplements from people so you wouldn't have to bear the full cost.

And I have a great animal communicator. She charges about $50/hour...she's amazing.
 
Thanks everyone! I just ordered a gate that I can use on any door and will begin by confining her to the kitchen. At least it will keep her from peeing on the rug and we shall see how that goes. Then i can move the gate to the doorway to the living room and she will be able to use the hallway and the bathroom and finally i can move it to my bedroom so I can leave that door open for circulation and to hear Morgaine if she needs me. I hate to do this but it is what it is. She will have all she needs in the kitchen and once she pees she can come out and have run of the apartment for a few hours. Perhaps over time she will learn to use her box again. I just can not be stepping in pee and cleaning it up constantly and eventually she will have covered the entire area of the apartment. It just isn't okay on so many levels including the fact that this is not my property.

I also ordered the little book Trixiecat linked to.

Marje, i may want to consult with your behaviorist if this continues. I am not going to do the program with Dr. Burgess. It is too much for me to be able to get her there and I have to draw the lines now. i need boundaries with Morgaine. She has always been my priority and right now i must stop and just follow through with what i am doing. I feel so badly for her and for me. i really want my sweet girl back and i know she is suffering and is in some discomfort/pain. But, 4 visits to the vet in 9 months with no additional diagnosis suggests to me that she is suffering from the effects of FD neuropathy due to my use of a meter that gave me incorrect info on her control. Not much I can do about that but accept where we are and hope she will heal over time. Meanwhile, she will hopefully relearn to use her box with a little help from prozac.

She has not been crying or complaining. She knows i am very upset. Symbolically the two items keeping her in the kitchen are her LB and her carrier. One is her ticket to freedom, the LB and the other says do you need to take a ride somewhere else, the carrier. Maybe she is smart enough to figure this out. Please know that I am in this for the long haul. She is my baby and I love her but sometimes you have to practice tough love. I do believe she is able to use the box but it probably isn't as comfy as the rug. I will contact the vet tomorrow and see if she has any other ideas and i will leave this question up overnight.

Thanks again. i am calming down and getting clearer and I feel like I must and can do this.
 
rosalie, just thinking more - is there something like a tray that her litter could go into? one of my friends just got a little tray that was for putting dirty/wet boots on - i think a couple of inches deep and fairly good sized. i wonder if something really shallow (rimmed cookie sheet?) would make it easier for her to get into. or . . . if an opening could be cut in the side of her litter box to make the "entryway" even shallower.
 
julie & punkin said:
rosalie, just thinking more - is there something like a tray that her litter could go into? one of my friends just got a little tray that was for putting dirty/wet boots on - i think a couple of inches deep and fairly good sized. i wonder if something really shallow (rimmed cookie sheet?) would make it easier for her to get into. or . . . if an opening could be cut in the side of her litter box to make the "entryway" even shallower.
Click to expand...
Julie, her new box has high sides but a low entrance. She had used it for the 2 days when she started prozac. I think the sand my irritate her paws. she has pee pads as well but she chooses the rug. I need to retrain her somehow.
 
((((Rosalie)))) You are totally doing the right thing. Confining her will give you some control back over your apartment and will also help her relearn to use the box. Please do not feel guilty about it! It is temporary and necessary, and she will be just fine. I am honestly more worried about you at the moment. :YMHUG:

I do think the idea of putting a pee pad in the LB has merit, it would certainly be softer on her paws and is disposable unlike a towel.

The prozac, as you know, will take time to really kick in. I think keeping her away from the carpet may help you to hold on until then.

I know Linda (& Weezer) are using gabapentin (Neurontin) for pain control, so it can be used in cats. I wonder if it would help with her neuropathy? It can have icky side effects (at least in people) though, and I understand you probably don't want to throw another med into the mix right now. Just something to consider for the future.

Lots of empathy here, as you know I have been there. The helplessness and feeling like you are at the mercy of your cat - not fun at all. I hope that you and Morgaine are able to work through this somehow. In the meantime, Miss Morgaine can stay in the kitchen and you can walk around without stepping in pee!
 
Re: 2/14 Morgaine AMPS 203

Marjorie and Gracie said:
I read in someone's condo yesterday or last night that their cat won't use a LB with litter so they just put towels in the box. I know you have used pee pads right beside the box....I wonder if you try pee pads or towels IN the box it will
be softer for her and not so hard on her feet or joints. I know it's a pain to keep towels washed but better than the constant carpet cleaning you are having to do.
Click to expand...

This was me and is actually what I do for Meg rabbit but I did suggest someone else try it for their cat who hates litter. The washing isn't as bad as you might think. I line the tray with a few sheets of newspaper and then put in two layers of towel (either a hand towel folded over or a cut up bath towel - bought from the Op Shop). Then I have a nappy bucket that I put all the soiled towels in (after removing any poo), it's stinky for a minute when I open the lid but once the lid's back on it doesn't smell and I only need to wash the towels once a week.
 
(((Rosalie)))

I think you are taking the best approach. This is an emotionally and physically challenging situation, and will not be solved overnight. Handling it in this way allows you to balance your need for some control over your physical surroundings and being able to fully interact with Morgaine at all times plus being able to cuddle with her when she is not as likely to have a full bladder. I’m sending prayers and hugs to you and your girl. :YMHUG:
 
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