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- Oct 6, 2018
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I don't even know if this is the right place to post this and sorry this is so long, but I'm not sure what is important...I feel like I need an outside perspective.
18 months ago, a friend needed to rehome her 1.5yo male kitty due to allergies. It took time (and tears on my part), but I feel like my 11.5yo male resident kitty (Baxter) and the "new" kitty (Jordy) finally decided to co-habitate after about 2 months of both being in the house. They aren't snuggle buddies, but they have appeared to share resources (litter boxes, toys, & me) without prejudice. They have each had their own feeding spaces in separate rooms with microchip feeders so each only has access to their own food. Once the initial introduction was completed, they have been play wrestling (at least that is what Google tells me it is -- ears erect, little to no noise such as growling or hissing, when one gets tired he just walks away with no retribution from the other).
Approx 4 months after Jordy moved in, Baxter had a bout of pancreatitis, but it resolved with no hospitalization - only a couple of B12 injections and a maintenance dose of Famotidine every other day (whew!) We went on with our normal lives.....
However, approximately 1 month ago, now 13yo Baxter started urinating outside the litter box in what I call his "stress reliever spot" multiple times per day, not eating as well, and generally not acting "himelf". (Whenever he is stressed he goes to this same spot -- he did this very briefly with the introduction of each of our 2 dogs and also briefly when Jordy came into the house). I took him to the vet for a complete workup and the only thing that was found were the levels from his Spec fPL test came back elevated -- his pancreatitis is back
. At the vets recommendation, we put him on Hills Rx I/D diet, upped the Famotidine to every day and added Cerenia on a daily basis to alleviate his nausea and correct his inappetence. With this new regimen, his appetite got better and he behaved more like himself, but his urinating outside the box has continued -- but only once every couple of days. For the most part he is using the box.
I had him back at the vet today for a follow up because of the non-litter box use and, according to the vet, on physical exam Baxter is not acting as if his abdomen is painful. The vet feels that if he was in pain, he would be urinating outside the box more frequently than every couple of days -- it would be all or nothing. Additionally, he cited that studies have shown the Cernia has a mild pain relief/anti inflammatory effect in addition to the anti-nausea properties it is prescribed for. The vet is leaning towards a behavioral cause for the litter box avoidance. Baxter has an appointment to have his bloodwork redone 3 weeks from today to see what his Spec fPL says based on his diet change and medication. All of this sounds logical to me.
I have been using litter attractant and keeping the boxes meticulously clean. No changes to litter or in the household.
Am I missing something? What am I looking for in subtle aggression between the boys?
18 months ago, a friend needed to rehome her 1.5yo male kitty due to allergies. It took time (and tears on my part), but I feel like my 11.5yo male resident kitty (Baxter) and the "new" kitty (Jordy) finally decided to co-habitate after about 2 months of both being in the house. They aren't snuggle buddies, but they have appeared to share resources (litter boxes, toys, & me) without prejudice. They have each had their own feeding spaces in separate rooms with microchip feeders so each only has access to their own food. Once the initial introduction was completed, they have been play wrestling (at least that is what Google tells me it is -- ears erect, little to no noise such as growling or hissing, when one gets tired he just walks away with no retribution from the other).
Approx 4 months after Jordy moved in, Baxter had a bout of pancreatitis, but it resolved with no hospitalization - only a couple of B12 injections and a maintenance dose of Famotidine every other day (whew!) We went on with our normal lives.....
However, approximately 1 month ago, now 13yo Baxter started urinating outside the litter box in what I call his "stress reliever spot" multiple times per day, not eating as well, and generally not acting "himelf". (Whenever he is stressed he goes to this same spot -- he did this very briefly with the introduction of each of our 2 dogs and also briefly when Jordy came into the house). I took him to the vet for a complete workup and the only thing that was found were the levels from his Spec fPL test came back elevated -- his pancreatitis is back
. At the vets recommendation, we put him on Hills Rx I/D diet, upped the Famotidine to every day and added Cerenia on a daily basis to alleviate his nausea and correct his inappetence. With this new regimen, his appetite got better and he behaved more like himself, but his urinating outside the box has continued -- but only once every couple of days. For the most part he is using the box.I had him back at the vet today for a follow up because of the non-litter box use and, according to the vet, on physical exam Baxter is not acting as if his abdomen is painful. The vet feels that if he was in pain, he would be urinating outside the box more frequently than every couple of days -- it would be all or nothing. Additionally, he cited that studies have shown the Cernia has a mild pain relief/anti inflammatory effect in addition to the anti-nausea properties it is prescribed for. The vet is leaning towards a behavioral cause for the litter box avoidance. Baxter has an appointment to have his bloodwork redone 3 weeks from today to see what his Spec fPL says based on his diet change and medication. All of this sounds logical to me.
I have been using litter attractant and keeping the boxes meticulously clean. No changes to litter or in the household.
Am I missing something? What am I looking for in subtle aggression between the boys?
