Seeking Alternate Treatments for Incontinence

CatBabies

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In early October 2021, my still active 14-year old kitty, Blankie, developed a slight limp. After a few days the limp worsened so we took him to the vet for an x-ray and blood tests.

The test results came back normal and nothing unusual showed up on the x-ray. We were sent home with mild meds.

At first, he seemed to improve slightly but took a bad turn after about a week and started peeing and pooping outside his litterbox. Blankie was prescribed another round of meds at a higher dosage. When this didn't work, he was sent to a neurologist who ordered an MRI. After this result and numerous additional tests, he was diagnosed with possible meningitis and prescribed 8 weeks of prednicortone (prednisolone) at 10 mgs per day. The vet said the incontinence would likely sort itself out.

Blankie seemed back to his old peppy self after about week with the exception of the incontinence. A second-opinion vet was also baffled by this problem.

After the 8 weeks, his neurologist thinks he is doing great including his reflexes (no sphincter issues) and cannot understand why Blankie is still incontinent. She lowered the prednisolone to 5mgs a day for another 8 weeks and added a 10-day antibiotic cure for the sores he developed from the constant pissing on himself during his sleep. After 4 months her only suggestion is that we continue to be patient.

We work from home so luckily we can clean him up during the day but as excessive drinking is a side effect of his meds, it's impossible at night. Not to mention the stress it causes our poor kitty.

We've tried everything from putting litter boxes all over the house to changing his diet to keeping him as calm as possible.

We've come to terms that this might be permanent, but we aren't willing to give up before trying everything. Open to any and all suggestions!
 

FeebysOwner

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Hi. My only guess would be that the sores may now be the primary source of the problem, and it might be enough to cause him to continue to avoid using the litter box and hold his pee until he is relaxed while sleeping? Regardless, there are belly bands - and also diapers that catch urine but allow a cat to still defecate in a litter box - that might be something you could try. Maybe one or the other could be an option for overnight and while you try to finish clearing up the sores? If you have some success with either of them, they could be used for a longer-term solution if need be.
Sadly, most belly bands are for dogs, but perhaps the small ones might work on a cat? The other 'diaper' option is:
Cat Diaper Pull-ups Allow for Defecating in Litterbox (barkertime.com). If this involves both pee and poop - you might have to consider actual cat diapers.

Is it possible that the other 'mild meds' he was given are the source of the problem?
 

fionasmom

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I am going to agree completely. Cat will avoid any source of perceived pain including the litter box and feeding areas. I had great success with an incontinent dog, who was never going to become continent again, with a belly band and topical medication to control the contact of the skin with the urine. Once you are sure that they cat will not be able to lick the sores because you are using a belly band, you can also consider products like Aquaphor. It becomes like treating a baby with diaper rash.
 
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CatBabies

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Hi. My only guess would be that the sores may now be the primary source of the problem, and it might be enough to cause him to continue to avoid using the litter box and hold his pee until he is relaxed while sleeping? Regardless, there are belly bands - and also diapers that catch urine but allow a cat to still defecate in a litter box - that might be something you could try. Maybe one or the other could be an option for overnight and while you try to finish clearing up the sores? If you have some success with either of them, they could be used for a longer-term solution if need be.
Sadly, most belly bands are for dogs, but perhaps the small ones might work on a cat? The other 'diaper' option is:
Cat Diaper Pull-ups Allow for Defecating in Litterbox (barkertime.com). If this involves both pee and poop - you might have to consider actual cat diapers.

Is it possible that the other 'mild meds' he was given are the source of the problem?
Thank you! We'll look into the belly bands and diapers. As for the meds, we're certain they were not the cause of the incontinence because we thorougly research anything we give Blankie and little "accidents" started before he took any meds. His incontinence turned full-blown as his limp worsened.
 
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CatBabies

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I am going to agree completely. Cat will avoid any source of perceived pain including the litter box and feeding areas. I had great success with an incontinent dog, who was never going to become continent again, with a belly band and topical medication to control the contact of the skin with the urine. Once you are sure that they cat will not be able to lick the sores because you are using a belly band, you can also consider products like Aquaphor. It becomes like treating a baby with diaper rash.
Thank you! Good to hear you've had success managing your incontinent dog's issues.
 
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