Cat Just Diagnosed as Incontinent

[PinkSox]

Hello everyone,

It has been some time since I have posted here but I decided to today because I am looking for some guidance/support. For quite some time (Since getting my first cat), I have noticed urinary issues with him - these issues were never constant or consistent but he would have bouts of wetting himself in his sleep or having some dribbling urine after using the litter box. After trying every suggestion imaginable I received an unfortunate diagnosis - apparently the vet I took him to (The 5th vet he has seen) decided he wanted to do an X-Ray. My kitty apparently had suffered a spinal injury (Likely before I got him as he's been having these issues since then) that puts pressure on nerves in the spine that control the bladder. The vet suggested he still has sensation - just less than what a cat his age should have which is why he primarily leaks at night. Ever since finding this information out I've kind of been devastated and relieved at the same time. On one hand I finally know it's not me - after years of thinking I was "doing something wrong", it turned out to be a physical problem. The part that has kind of devastated me is the vet said there's no surgical options for this and the only treatment he can offer (Which I told him has helped) is cortisone injections every couple of months... I don't know how I feel about this as I'm worried about the side effects. I thought about diapering him at night, but I read too many accounts on diaper rash being an issue so I don't think I want to do that. I'm currently toying with the idea of allowing him to sleep outside at night - I have a fully enclosed area outside my house so that he can safely roam around and can leak without issue and is safe from predators. I guess I'm just lost/confused on this. I never really expected to be given a diagnosis like this as in - there is no solution and you're going to have to deal with it.

Does anyone else out there have an incontinent kitty? I know I'm lucky in that his case is mild - but I still feel a little disappointed that there's nothing to be done. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I take him to a specialist? Is physical therapy a thing for cats?

For reference I don't think he's in an incredible amount of pain though I have wondered if he does feel some discomfort from this. Ever since I got my second cat he would go ballistic whenever he would pounce on his back and I guess I always assumed it was him being moody but I think now it is simply because his back hurts!

Any thoughts and or suggestions would be helpful!

 

[daftcat75]

If you're on Instagram, there's an account Login • Instagram that might interest you. Cappy has partial paralysis and he also leaks when he's relaxed. His guardian uses trimmers to clip his back region short. She uses a diaper and diaper cover (so the diaper stays in place.) And, I'm not sure how frequent this is, she will wash his back side down in the sink, purrito the boy in a towel, and gently blow dry plus towel dry his back side to keep him clean. I suppose when he smells like cat pee, that's when he gets a shower rinse. I'm sure his guardian would answer any care questions you might have, and give you pointers too.

Instead of putting him out at night, perhaps you can crate train him instead. I'm sure he'd be happier to be inside even if it's in a large dog crate than sleeping outdoors (even if that's in an enclosure.)

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I'm kinda in favor of crate-training at night rather than outside. There's a rather disturbing video making the rounds right now of a decent sized hawk taking off with a dead fox in his talons. A cat would have no chance with a larger hawk, or a big owl, for that matter. However, a crate would answer, and you could line the bottom with puppy pads.

I don't know that he would have an issue with a rash, if you put the diaper on when you headed to bed, and took it off in the morning.

 

[PinkSox]

If you're on Instagram, there's an account Login • Instagram that might interest you. Cappy has partial paralysis and he also leaks when he's relaxed. His guardian uses trimmers to clip his back region short. She uses a diaper and diaper cover (so the diaper stays in place.) And, I'm not sure how frequent this is, she will wash his back side down in the sink, purrito the boy in a towel, and gently blow dry plus towel dry his back side to keep him clean. I suppose when he smells like cat pee, that's when he gets a shower rinse. I'm sure his guardian would answer any care questions you might have, and give you pointers too.

Thank you for the suggestion - I will try and contact Cappy's guardian for some assistance on this!

Instead of putting him out at night, perhaps you can crate train him instead. I'm sure he'd be happier to be inside even if it's in a large dog crate than sleeping outdoors (even if that's in an enclosure.)

I'm kinda in favor of crate-training at night rather than outside. There's a rather disturbing video making the rounds right now of a decent sized hawk taking off with a dead fox in his talons. A cat would have no chance with a larger hawk, or a big owl, for that matter. However, a crate would answer, and you could line the bottom with puppy pads.

The thing is he is claustrophobic and hates being in a crate - when I initially adopted him he was indoor/outdoor and kind of ran with a feral colony (An elderly gentleman cared for him and allowed him outside/inside) so he actually likes being outdoors. The enclosure I have has a roof. For reference I purchased this enclosure for him -> Catio Outdoor Cat Enclosure | Large Secure Enclosure For Cats

The enclosure above (I expanded it too so it's larger than the regular size) is attached to my house via a window and cat door so he has access inside/outside during the day. I did this in hopes it would help with the urinary issues - of course now I know it is a physical problem so it did not cure his urinary problems but it has helped with his overall happiness level, at least I think it did.

And the thing is... he wants to be outside - he spends most of his time during the day out there as it stands. I've always made him come in at night because I can't help but think in my head he should want to be inside now that he has a comfortable home, but of course he is a tomcat at heart. Although I would be more comfortable with him indoors in a crate I don't think that would make him very happy at all. My other cat (Who I have had since he was a kitten) would rather die than spend more than an hour or two out there though of course! lol

Of course I would allow him inside/outside access so he would have the option to come in at night, it's just I don't think he would willingly do so which would likely ease my issues of cleaning up urine and also make him happy as well.

I don't know that he would have an issue with a rash, if you put the diaper on when you headed to bed, and took it off in the morning.

I read online that diapering at night isn't suggested because of a rash. I assume it's because unlike human babies, I think cat urine is more acidic meaning if I chose to diaper him I would have to change him right after her urinates which I think leaving a diaper on for 7 hours might be too much.

The thing is he had an accident last night after having the cortisone injection two days ago so I'm not sure if that helped all that much. I guess I don't know maybe I will look into getting a second opinion on him to see if there are any other options for him. The vet said his urinary issues won't worsen but I'm not so sure about this because I think they have worsened since he was younger. I think there might be a bit more to his spinal issue too then what the vet indicated because since I first got him he has had a leg tremor on his right side. He was my first indoor cat so I assumed maybe it was just a tick or something and nothing serious, but I think his tick might be related to the spinal injury now. His tick seems to have lessened though with time whereas his urinary issues have gotten worse. I'm wondering if there is neurological involvement now that I know the nature of these behaviors.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Ah...a catio! Then he can be outside safely! Wonderful! Well, keep us posted, please. If I have any other thoughts, you'll be the first to know!