How to handle poop and pee on disabled cat

[Clare Pachuau]

Hi everyone,

I have a rescue kitten brought to me by a friend who is now about 4 months old on the 20th May 2015. Named him Howard. He was found literally inside a dogs mouth. clean him up and notice he aint moving his back hinds at all. Took him to the vet and was expressed to pee, the vet said it looks like he hasnt pee for the past couple of days. So we assume the back hind problem was before the dog bite. X ray shows no issues with the spine or never or bone or whatever you call. After about a week, he started pooping and peeing on his own. Which is good.

Now the issue I have is how to handle the poop and pee. I live alone, i have 2 other adult cats (they dont have issues with the new kitty). My cats are at home alone everyday for around 10 to 11 hours. So since Howard cant walk, he drag his poop and pee wherever he crawl. So all my cats have to stay inaside with the pee and poop until i come home everyday.

Can anyone help in how I can manage this? is a diaper recommended or anything else. I really need an advice

[Sasha's Mom]

Hello Clare,

Last question answered first.

Yes, a diaper is definitely the way to go. This is a link to the video that helped me when I needed to diaper my Sasha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnVCtifcAnc
In the beginning, we also found it helpful to shave the rear portion of Sasha, because of his long white fur and the difficulty in keeping him clean.

Links to how to express (in case you need it in the future): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVdJI-qsOus and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIFTKuR9-uc

Here are some photos of Sasha when he was shaved and wearing a diaper: http://sashaofvinitsa.weebly.com/just-f ... hotos.html

Will post back in a little while.

Leah

[critters]

My vote is for expressing, because if they're empty they can't leak. Some are leakers in between, but a diaper can help with that. Being home alone without expressing would lead to leaks regardless, but another possibility is to crate the baby. Most cats don't like being caged, but it would keep mess minimized. The problem with diapers is that being wet or poopy for a long time can lead to skin problems or even a urinary tract infection.

[critters]

PS--Make sure you look at the Incontinence board at http://handicappedpet.net/helppets/viewforum.php?f=5 . It's just for questions like this.

[Sasha's Mom]

My vote is for expressing, because if they're empty they can't leak. Some are leakers in between, but a diaper can help with that. Being home alone without expressing would lead to leaks regardless, but another possibility is to crate the baby. Most cats don't like being caged, but it would keep mess minimized. The problem with diapers is that being wet or poopy for a long time can lead to skin problems or even a urinary tract infection.

Hi Critters! Didn't think about diaper rash or a UTI, since I was home most of the day with Sasha, but yes, that could be a problem if Clare is out of the house most of the day.

Another option would be to put Howard in the bathroom with a gate or other see-through barricade, where there are tiled floors which would at least contain any accidents. Since Howard can't leap, it would allow interaction with the other two cats and not isolate him completely and less confining than a crate.

[Clare Pachuau]

Thank you so much to Sasha's mom and critters. I realized when i post this question my Howard had diarrhea and was dragging the poop everywhere. he is on medication now. If he has a healthy poop it aint a big mess. and i think i'm okay with that. I just have to make sure, i hunt down all the poops when i get back home . But at the same time, the big crate idea is also really good. I can have a big dog size crate and make it comfortable. Sasha looks so handsome.