Need help/advise

[Brigitte Cowell]

I think it concerning that you say they are going to the box and trying to pee but nothing comes out but later on it does in an inappropriate place. To me that says that they know they should be using the box...

I would try the Cat Attract litter, or get the exact same litter the breeder is using. If the breeder is close, then that litter should be easily sourced for you.

I would also be asking the vet about other causes. What tests were done? I see you mention a culture...but what other testing?

You may do better confining to a bathroom for the moment... giving less room for them to miss the litterbox at least. And then observe their behavior from there.

Just do NOT assume that this is a breed issue because you've read of one other instance of a urinary problem! This is a CAT issue not a breed specific issue... now it might be a congenital issue where the kitten was born with something funky in its "plumbing", those things can happen randomly in any cat. But if the other kitten was fine and then started doing this, I might be more inclined to suspect infection. Or a problem with the litter you are using...

 

[Wyldthingz]

Hmmm, I would say it is behavioral. For two kittens, even siblings, to both have a very strange anomaly like this would be highly unlikely. For two siblings to THINK the same- not so unlikely. Something is confusing them. I would really talk with Marlyn the Cat coach to help. In an on line forum, there are SO MANY variables that are unseen is such a case. For some reason I think you are local to her?? if not, she does a phone consultation. Definitely, confine them to a smaller room with no beds, no bedding, or anything they may be inclined to pee on. Put down lots of litter-boxes, uncovered. low, and wide, with various litter type. I had a kitten that did similarly. Part of it was environmental but I couldn't see that part. Marlyn really helped him solve the problem with the kitten. New kittens often will hold it and pee somewhere weird. I don't know why.

 

[Rafiki]

Can a kitten at that age have a blocked urethra? I tend to overreact when a male cat can't pee as it tends to be more serious than a female due to the narrowness of the urethra. It's the tries to pee and can't part that worries me. With the 2nd kitten is doing the same thing 7 days later, it sounds like it could be some kind of infection.

What are the kittens eating? Wet or dry?
Do they drink much?
Do they have any issues being picked up - is the belly normal?

 

[Patti]

My first thought was blocked urethra as well, but if the kittens are easily peeing outside of the box then this is less likely. I agree with all of the suggestions - start using the same type of litter as the breeder was, and the same type of litter boxes. You can sprinkle some Cat Attract litter, or the additive on top of the litter. Make sure the boxes are not near their food and water. And it is imperative that you confine them to a small room such as a bathroom until they are faithfully using the litterbox. Once they have accomplished that then you can slowly reintroduce them to other parts of the home.

It sounds like they came home to you at about 10 weeks of age, this is pretty young so not surprising if their litter habits have not yet been locked in.

 

[Steve]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I really appreciate it!

 

[Rafiki]

I think that I forgot to ask a most obvious question: Do they always strain to pee? Or have you only seen that behavior once or twice where they go to the litter box and don't pee and then pee like crazy several minutes later? And how often do they urinate per day?

 

[Steve]

Its hard to tell who's going when because we have 2 and we can't watch them 24/7 but I am watching this kitten right now as I type and he has been in the box for at least 20 minutes. There is kitten play going on in the room and he is just sitting there trying to go. He is obviously straining. I still haven't heard from the vet. Pissed off there. The breeder is non commital. Kinda disheartened right now.

 

[Steve]

Finally talked to the vet and I'm even more worried. We have seen the kittens squat in another area of the house and when we pick them up they pee all over as their bieng carried like they have no control. The conclusion is there is something going on with the nerves or muscles. He is prescribing a anti spasmodic med. Would love to hear anyone with this experience. Whatever the breed.

 

[Pam Flachs]

Steve, this is quite perplexing to us all. I have not heard, nor seen this. My initial thought was that the babies are still very young, and did not develop good litter habits at the breeders. Another thought I had is that if you are using clay litter or sand...I have heard/read that it can stick to a cat or kitten's bottom and create a blockage. Was the kitten you took in for an exam checked for this?

How do their poops looks and smell? Are they normal Tootsie roll shaped and firm, or do they have diarrhea or loose stools? It might be possible their diet is creating some irritant that passes with the poop...and down onto their urethras, making that area sore and so hurt to pee...again, just another thought in trying to figure this out...what are you feeding them?

I am glad you are consulting with your vet. Please keep us posted on the kittens' progress with the anti-spasmodic....fingers crossed you and your vet can soon figure out what is going on....

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I would be very concerned also, this just doesn't sound "normal"...

The only issue I've had with peeing this way was with my 12.5 year old boy at the end of his life. He was not spending that time in the litterbox though, but had some dazed and confused behavior so we took him in... when examined had a super-full bladder but didnt' seem to know it. Trouble is, this was in the middle of the messy time leading to the final diagnosis of lymphoma... so it is hard to compare to your situation. And he had other health issues leading up to this. The diagnosis for this behavior in hindsight was tumors on the brain...

BUT what I remember is that they gave him alprazolam (xanax) as a muscle relaxant. Just thought maybe that is worth trying with your kittens... maybe ask your vet?