We have had a stray cat for over eight years, over the last 2 years
hes started to walk very slowly , stretching his legs as he goes, Ive
noticed some lumps on his back , kind of within his fur. He eats well,
purs alot and seems generally happy.
However over the last three months he keeps fouling on the garden on the path
and inside our home, why is this? And, what can we either give him to stop
this or help him to stop deficating in the wrong places
Jacquie Francis
Cats that change their pattern of defacation may be doing so for several
reasons. With your cat. one reason may be connected to his back. You are
describing that he is not cleaning himself properly hence is becoming very
knotted in his fur and is stretching his legs out. If he has spinal problems,
especially spondylosis, it may be that he does not have the flexibility to groom
properly or that he is in pain when he attempts to do so. The prescence of
spondylosis can sometimes affect nervous control of faecal function meaning
that he can be suddenly caught short. The other reasons for a cat suddenly
behaving differently like this are usually related to central nervous
function and can be sometimes affected by underlying disease problems
affecting the thyroid or liver in particular. I would have him examined to
make certain there are no medical reasons as to why he has been having this
problem.
Paul Wilson
