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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:	Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:	FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:	MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO

Created:	Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:	Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	5089
Total number of notes:	60366

1870.0. "URGENT REQUEST FOR IRATE HUSBAND!" by MARRHQ::KORCHNAK () Fri Oct 14 1988 09:03

I'm going to need someone (anyone's) help QUICK!

I've written several times about Shanti, and her habit of peeing
in the dining room (opposite corners). The vet said to close
up that area, which I did. She starting pooping on the couch.
I covered the couch up, which my husband wasn't too happy with
(makes it difficult to sit down). Anyhow, she went to a cat show
(her first) this past Sunday, and some of the owners there said
that she may feel a little down, and may develop a cold in a 
few days. So, I watched - no signs. 

When I got home from class last night, my husband was furious.
Evidently, Shanti had pooped on the couch. Being upset as he
was, he put her in her carrier and didn't feed her (but fed
the other cat). Well, no telling my husband that was a mistake,
but let me continue. He went to get something to eat, and let
Shanti out without her eating. When he got back, she had peed
on the couch.

NOW, the middle section of my couch seems to be ruined. The
cloth portion will have to be dry cleaned, but the foam in the
middle is sort of saturated. Is this foam ruined, should I replace
it, or is there something I can soak it with, clean it with, to
get rid of the smell, which is horrible! (The foam is about 10-12
inches thick.

The other problem, of course, is Shanti. When I took her to the
vet with this behavior (2 separate occassions, 2 different vets)
they said that the pooping is a behavior problem, and to look for
signs of stress. Well, whatever is stressing her, she isn't telling
us. I haven't changed anything, I give her lots and lots of attention
but nothing seems to work! Now, for the peeing. Shanti is very sick.
Last night I had her sleep with me, and she wheezed and sneezed, and
I'm making an appointment at the vets for her today.

What should I do? Why is she doing this? I've done ALOT of things,
all listed in here, in books, and things by the vet. I WILL NOT get
rid of her!

The first vet suggested a sort of hormone shot that would sort of
give her a feeling of euphoria, but they have side affects. Side
affects or not, I REALLY don't want my cat on drugs! Please help!
I don't want to lose my husband OR my cat!

HELP!

Cheryl

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1870.1	emotional (stress)?	TPVAX2::ROBBINS		`Fri Oct 14 1988 09:13`	20
	This is a long shot but if I've learned anything from this notes file it seems that alot of times if it's not medical it's an emotional problem. I got from your note that your husband is not very happy at all with her accidents. I have no idea how your husband was with her before. Loving, indifferent..... Maybe Shanti senses your husbands feelings toward her and is manifesting her emotional feelings by these accidents. Lots of attention from him and cuddles and soft words from him may help. Then again like I said he may have been all of the above before she started peeing and pooping around and that may have only made him more upset. Me don't know just the first thought that popped up in my head when I read your note. I hope the vet takes care pronto of the wheezing and sneezing!!!!!! Good luck I'm sure you'll get very good advice from others.... kim
1870.2	Husband loves her too!	MARRHQ::KORCHNAK		`Fri Oct 14 1988 10:07`	12
	My husband gives her alot of attention - except last night he was a little upset with her behavior! I was reading my "Cat Care" book last night, TRYING to see what could be causing this! The last vet I talked to said that she just may be a very stressed out cat, that EVERYTHING bothers her! But she's so lovey dovey, I couldn't see her EVER being stressed! She does have an appointment tonight, but none of the vets I've called specializes in cat behavior. WHAT A PROBLEM I HAVE! I love her to DEATH, but her behavior is driving me crazy! (And I will NOT get rid of her NO- WAY!)
1870.3	Is she spayed?	ATEAM::DOIRON		`Fri Oct 14 1988 10:57`	7
	I had the same problem a few months ago, I found poop, and pee all over. The last straw was when she pee'ed into my husbands sneaker (boy was he mad!!). We had her spayed in Aug. and she's been good eversince! Corine
1870.4	Spay? Yes.	MARRHQ::KORCHNAK		`Fri Oct 14 1988 11:00`	2
	Yep, been spayed for a year and a half.
1870.5	#3 VERSUS #4	AIMHI::OFFEN		`Fri Oct 14 1988 12:12`	12
	RE .3 You mean there is hope??? Black Thunder has the same problem See note 1865 for proof. RE .4 Oh no!!!!!! I'd rather go with #3. I live on hope. Sandi (Lightning, DejaVu & Thunder's mom)
1870.6		CIRCUS::KOLLING	Karen, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.	`Fri Oct 14 1988 14:07`	9
	Try Nature's Miracle on the sofa. It worked on my mattress (sigh). Note that you will have to really saturate the sofa cushion and that it will take a long time to dry, like a week or two. Have you done the usual stuff about making sure she has an extra litter box in a quiet area, have the vets tested her for a urinary tract infection? Holly has this problem whenever she gets fed ANYTHING but CD, presumably due to allergies, so perhaps you might experiment with that.
1870.7	Don't you wish you could ask them!	ATEAM::DOIRON		`Fri Oct 14 1988 14:15`	14
	RE: 5 Oops I missed your note! It worked for my female, if yours isn't spayed its worth a try! I know I was ready to snap! Maybe Karen is right about an infection in one of them or both?? Good Luck Corine
1870.8	Yes I wish I could ask them.	MILVAX::HUDSON		`Mon Oct 17 1988 08:26`	9
	That's funny, after mine was spayed that's when she started her peeing problem. She still does it once in awhile and I have no idea what her problem is it's not medical. So I keep a supply of stuff (not sure what it's called) that I get from the vet's. One of my other cats tend to poop when she gets mad because I won't let her out. (kids, whats a mother to do). P.S. I don't tend to let my husband know about it.
1870.9	Update	MARRHQ::KORCHNAK		`Tue Oct 18 1988 09:47`	33
	Thanks for all the great advice! First of all, where can I buy Nature's Miracle? At a show? If that's the case, there won't be a cat show in this area (Washington, DC) for a while. I'd be willing to buy some if someone could pick me up some. Shanti went to the vets on Friday evening -- no urinary infection, but she did pick up a head cold from the show the previous weekend. (I LOVE giving pills to my cat...) I've been keeping her in my master bedroom bath with her own personal litter box, and she HAS been using it! The vet said to keep her isolated for about 3 to 4 weeks (so she forgets about the couch..) The vet also gave me the name of a cat behavior specialist at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, who is evidently the best in the country. Her name is Dr. Voight (she is also a vetinarian). I will possibly have to go to the Philadelphia area to do some training, so I'm thinking of taking Shanti with me. The only problem is that the vet wants all cats involved, which means me and 2 cats to Philly. I guess it could be worse, it could be me and 12 cats! Anyhow, the vet said the only other solution was to try drugs, but she really doesn't want to do that, and neither do I. Personally, I would like a house with a basement. I want to build a "play room" for the cats, so when I'm not home, they have alot to do. Thanks for all the suggestions! Cheryl and Shanti
1870.10		CIRCUS::KOLLING	Karen, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.	`Tue Oct 18 1988 14:21`	8
	Re: Nature's Miracle Try calling and seeing if a local pet store has it. Or there is (I think) a note here with the company's phone number in it -- they would probably know where it is stocked. If you can't find the phone number, send me mail off line and I'll get it from the bottle I have at home.