17 yr old cat..decisions, decisions..

[ateepay]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and have been reading the posts about cats. Our Serena is a 17 yr old inside outside "I'll do it my way" kitty.
We have 2 dogs, peekapoo and mix havanese and ? (small).
Serena hates going in the car to the vet (howls); gotten to the age she is sometimes missing the edge of the litter box.
First time motorhome, 32' 2004 Georgetown, (hubby was a bus driver so driving not a concern)...but we are new to motorhome traveling.
Nervous about taking Serena but don't want to leave her behind. Really don't know what's best for her.
Anyone have ideas? I'm open.
PS..Have had her since she was 8 wks old...and she still won't come to either of us...(only when we go to bed does she come up on the bed with the dogs too).

[wrvond]

Take her for a short ride in the MH. Since it is bigger than a car and has furniture, she may not react the same as in a car, in which case howling issue is moot. Instead of a "purpose built" litter box, get a small tub with higher sides, will eliminate the missing issue.
Good luck.

[ateepay]

Originally Posted by wrvond

Take her for a short ride in the MH. Since it is bigger than a car and has furniture, she may not react the same as in a car, in which case howling issue is moot. Instead of a "purpose built" litter box, get a small tub with higher sides, will eliminate the missing issue.
Good luck.

Got a high sided box that fits under the dinette..(hubby isn't going to like it..)
but it fits perfect. Got a halter and she didn't fight it. Tried to walk her..what a joke. She's probably going to be inside all the time, but that's OK. She is a very clean old lady.
Thank you so much for the 'high sided' idea...
Patti

[Chuckinca]

We travel with 3 indoor cats, including a 16 YO. They all don't like it for the first few hours but then they settle in and are fine.

.

[wrvond]

Our cat wore a collar for several months with absolutely no issue. Then I put a leash on the collar, and he immediately escaped from it. I bought a harness, which he couldn't escape from, but it melted all his bones. With the halter on, he is unable to stand up, let alone walk!

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by wrvond

Our cat wore a collar for several months with absolutely no issue. Then I put a leash on the collar, and he immediately escaped from it. I bought a harness, which he couldn't escape from, but it melted all his bones. With the halter on, he is unable to stand up, let alone walk!

Psychosomaticat?

[wrvond]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Psychosomaticat?

Perhaps. In any event, he was completely catatonic!

[dbarr]

I would consult a taxidermist and solve all my problems!

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by dbarr

I would consult a taxidermist and solve all my problems!

That would be Catastrophic.

[ateepay]

A 3 day trip to the ocean answered my own question. Going to have to find a CATty shack for her. Couldn't sleep through THREE DAYS of howling, even parked. Oh well, it was worth a try.
Thanks all....(my husband likes dbarr's idea)

[rracer5]

Our poor Midnight hated the car, truck or anything to do with outside for that matter. The most she ever wandered outside the house in her long 25 year life was maybe 20 feet.

Tried to take her on trips because we refused to put her in any "kitty hotel" and it was a pain to find someone to come in to look after her if we were away for long periods. Although quiet during our attempts (except for the panting), she would "loose her mind" during the ride. We would put a fresh potty and her bed in the back seat of the TT but, she was totally confused. She would not lay still, panted, meow'd some and insisted on laying IN HER POTTY and ignoring her bed. Once we got to our destination and put her in the camper, she would be fine after a few hours although not quite the same as being "home".

Sadly, we came home one day to her laying on the floor unable to move her hindquarters. Vet said she most likely threw a blood clot which paralyzed her and she was likely to start having more. We decided that finally, at age 25, with a grim prognosis for her future quality of life, we held her while she went to her last "catnap".