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!
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!