[MinkyMonkey]

I have a gorgeous 7 year old foreign white who for the last three year has been incontinent. After thousands of dollars in vet bills in the past two years from two vets (one consulting with a specialist in Sydney) and trying several medications the vet has decided she has primary incontinence. As far as I can tell it's basically a 'have exhausted all options and found nothing' diagnosis.

It is definitely not behavioral as it is just a very small amount (usually) of urine that leaks whenever she sleeps, the issue hasn't gotten better or worse since it started. After three years though our house smells like a litter tray and DH has cracked it (and TBH I'm not far off). I have been puting down cloth nappies in places she sleeps in a vein attempt to save the furniture but it just takes one bedroom door left open and I am going to need to wash the doona/pillow or whatever she naps on. Often because it's just a few drops I don't notice it immediately the other day I was unwell and lay down on the carpet in my DD toy room to discover it stank of cat pee in multiple places I am horrified to think of what a visitor might think out house smells like as I'm sure we have lived with it so long there we can't smell it as bad as it is. I spend my day crazily sniffing every surface she touches

We have had to throw out leather lounges and as of the other night our last dining chair because sometimes it's impossible to get rid of the smell. DH has decided he doesn't want to spend another dollar on her unless it's to PTS I just can't bear the thought as she is healthy in every other way, she is such a sweetheart, great with DD and even sleeps with our dog. We had thought about an outside cat run but I am sure it would break her spirit, she follows is all day and cries if we shut a door and she can't be with us, not sure how I would get this idea past DH now that he has decided he doesn't want to spend anymore money on her now anyway. I feel like such a failure because I just can't think of any viable long term solutions.

[MinkyMonkey]

Just to add besides half a dozen medications we have tried limiting her to the laundry/bathroom but she cries/howls constantly. Have even tried nappies but was next to impossible to get on her and actually impossible to keep on her. My only other thought is that all this started when DD was born and it could possibly be because of the stress of not being centre of attention? I have considered rehoming to someone who has no children but deep down I just feel like I would be passing the buck because I'm sure it's not behavioral (have tried sedatives and anti anxiety meds).

One vet said PTS (very blunt no fuss country vet) the other has just said we have exhausted all avenues and doesn't know where to go.

[Kabu84]

Hi,

Sounds like a very difficult and upsetting issue. I have never dealt with this kind of issue, but I do have a beautiful indoor cat who I love very much and I can see how upsetting it would be to have a problem like this. I just wanted to let you know I have read several books by a cat specialist from the UK called Vicki Halls. She's done some truly amazing work with people who have very difficult issues with their cats, including incontinence, and occasionally with cats who the vets could not help. I was just looking at her website and you can get a phone consultation with her, although you do have to pay. Her website is: http://www.vickyhalls.net/#/consultations/4566063451 Or you could just try e-mailing her and asking for her help/advice. She is truly one of the best. Not sure if it's any help but just thought I would mention it to you. Good luck, I hope you find a happy solution.

[Apageintime]

Thats really really hard. I feel for you.

I would just be putting down plastic sheets on everything, airing out the house lots, getting some biozet in bulk, getting the lounges and carpets shampood reguarly and trying to keep her out of the bedrooms. But I understand that kind of effort is not for everyone and would get really frustrating.

Is she allowed outside in a cat run or something? at least thats some accidents contained to outside the house. My cat sleeps outside in his cat run all day (often even through rain drizzle) when he has the choice.

[MinkyMonkey]

Thank you Kabu84, I am checking her website out now.

Apageintime my only concern is that I highly doubt she will use it, she spends the whole day underfoot. I think that's what is making me consider all options, she possibly has 10+ years left, I'm not sure we can cope with this issue that long

[Kabu84]

Hi OP, I just thought of something else that you may find helpful. I've read that fluorescent black lights/UV lights can show up where cats have peed. This could be useful if you want to clean your house of any cat pee smell. I just found this website that gives really good pictures on how it works:

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Cat-Urine-With-a-UV-Light

[MinkyMonkey]

Hi OP, I just thought of something else that you may find helpful. I've read that fluorescent black lights/UV lights can show up where cats have peed. This could be useful if you want to clean your house of any cat pee smell. I just found this website that gives really good pictures on how it works:

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Cat-Urine-With-a-UV-Light

Thank you I have tried this without much success unfortunately, I think because it's a small amount at a time it must dry and look like old cat pee quickly.

[Mousky]

Not sure if its the same in cats, but my dog had the same issue. It's caused by a hormone imballance (estrogen I think) after (sometimes years) de-sexing in females. She has a hormone implant to correct the deficiency. I really hope it's this as it is so easy to fix.

[la di dah]

Is she desexed? I'm assuming they did a check for bladder/urethra issues?

Is she diabetic?

I'm so sorry OP. I can both see why you're at the end of your rope, and why you'd feel terrible about as she does sound like she has a lovely nature.

[MinkyMonkey]

Not sure if its the same in cats, but my dog had the same issue. It's caused by a hormone imballance (estrogen I think) after (sometimes years) de-sexing in females. She has a hormone implant to correct the deficiency. I really hope it's this as it is so easy to fix.

One of the medications the specialist suggested was something usually given to dogs for this reason, unfortunately we trailed it for three months with no improvement. I'm sure her hormone levels have come back normal in seveal blood tests too (had so many of them that now I wish I wrote down what they were all for).

Is she desexed? I'm assuming they did a check for bladder/urethra issues?

Is she diabetic?

I'm so sorry OP. I can both see why you're at the end of your rope, and why you'd feel terrible about as she does sound like she has a lovely nature.

Not diabetic that was one of the first things we tested. And no physical abnormalities in US. She is desexed and thats why we have also checked the hormone issues too but everything comes back normal.