Incontinent-al Drift

[captainsblog]

Our oldest cat, and the only male in the house other than me, is going on 17 years of age. Most of the time, he's the same self he's always been- purring and affectionate most of the time, loud and strident when he wants to be fed, and quite, um, expressive when he's not getting his expected level of table service.

Increasingly, though, there are other times.



Tazzer's on a more-quantity and higher-quality diet than the other two cats- a full can of Fancy Feast each morning, and a bit more at night. He's commemorating his good food fortune by leaving more than his share of "presents" for us, especially right before feeding time. It's gotten regular enough (see what I did there?) that I've taken to crating him if I wake up before the hour of the noms- as I almost always do, thanks to the dog needing to go out. (We've kept Ebony's little "house" from her puppy crate-training in the living room; she goes in there occasionally, but mostly we use it to feed Zoey, the youngest cat, because otherwise she'll pillage everybody elses' food.)

The thinking was, Tazzer won't pee or poop in the crate because he can't get away from it. The thinking was wrong. I'm going to try putting an extra catbox in there just to see if that will help with that "issue."

It won't help with the other issue from this morning, though. After I feed everyone and try to get an hour or two of extra sleep, he usually comes in and snuggles up next to me- affectionate as can be, purring his brains out, and then he typically rolls into a nice morning bath. This morning, though, the bath was a lot more unpleasant than usual: right around 6 a.m., he proceeded to let a major pee bomb all over the bed. THAT's rare- this is where he sleeps (he'll typically stay there, sometimes for close to the entire day, long after we're both up and around).

I had to be up and out early anyway, so I just tossed everything in the washer and hit the shower. I tend to doubt there's anything that can be done for him as this becomes more and more common- other than by just doing a lot more cleanup. The dog, and the next-youngest cat, are also getting up there in years- and the latter, especially, is becoming more and more "expressive" herself if she thinks she's not getting enough food or attention.

We love them dearly, and most of the time the feeling is obviously mutual, but these are usually the first signs that we'll soon be within EZ-Pass range of Rainbow Bridge- and that's gonna be hard, as it's been each and every previous time.

Comments

[yesididit.livejournal.com]

it is the most difficult thing ever to make that decision. never easy. even when necessary. never easy. these pets of ours, they worm their way in our hearts. even when we dont intend it. *hugs*

[ellettra.livejournal.com]

Aw, that is hard stuff. Nothing medically wrong, you don't think? Just age-related?

[captainsblog.livejournal.com]

Eleanor's noticed that he seems almost Parkinson's like at times- and consistent with that, I sometimes see him acting a little disoriented, falling down while trying to change direction suddenly, and so forth, But he still moves fine when he wants to, can get up and down stairs and on and off furniture, and usually seems "himself." It's just a sadly changing definition of what "self" is, I think:(

[ellettra.livejournal.com]

Yes, Stripey does these same things. He twitches sometimes, and sometimes he falls. Certainly his hindquarters lack muscle so he's a bit unsteady on his feet from time to time, and he's definitely arthritic (weekly injections of B-12 and Adequan required by yours truly). His box habits are fine, though I have also noticed that he seems a little disoriented sometimes. But he is definitely still with it mentally and still himself. I too dread the day, though.

[tilia-tomentosa.livejournal.com]

Ouch, I don't know what to tell you.Wishing you fewer such "episodes" and a longer time left with him. *hugs*