I'm so sorry.

My own thought about the 2 younger cats is that *they* should be confined where they can't hurt her.

Maybe you could keep her in the kitchen to give her more room & put baby gates at the exits from the kitchen.

& I know that it can work to cut a litterbox down on one side to give a cat easier access; I've done it.

I also feel very sure that it's time for a medical evaluation:
I know your old vets were a bitter disappointment, but please try someone new, & take her in for a good evaluation.

I wish you & your kitty the best.

Yes to changing the entrance to the litterbox.
Also, when was the last time they checked her thyroid levels? The meds may need adjusting and it's also possible that she is dealing with a urinary infection, crystals, or some other problem. As sylvia said........time for a good evaluation.

No, the kitchen is out because my condo is very opened and the other two could get in there as there are no doors. At least in my master bathroom, she has some room outside of the bathroom where a small area is that is laminate flooring and I put the baby gate up there and the end where it meets the carpet. I did just keep her in my bedroom to roam freely but she started peeing on the carpet. She has dementia too as I've seen her deteriorate over the last couple of years.

When I'm home, I bring her out here in the sunroom but I have to keep an eye on her to see when she needs to potty. So, it's not like she's locked up in the bathroom all the time.

Oh, she goes to the vet a lot. In fact, the male vet acted as though if I decided it was time to put her down, he was certainly ok with that. I told him I'm not ready as I think she still has some quality life left. I know that cats can hide their pain and I'm always looking for any signs of this. She purrs a lot and I hold and love on her a lot. She used to sleep in my bed but she started peeing in my bed! She's just declining and there's not much else I can do but to make sure she's safe and content. She loves to eat-:).

Yes, I'm going to make an appointment to get her levels checked again. It's been a while since last checked. I'll keep you updated.

Any suggestions on getting the younger cats to use the upstairs litter boxes? If I start keeping them out of my bedroom, do you think this could have a negative effect instead? They keep using the one box in my master bathroom that I would prefer my senior cat to use. I even bought that Cat Attract litter to help her. I don't want to waste it on the other two-;).

Don't get me wrong, they will "occasionally" use the upstairs boxes but not sure when they do.

This is my sweet senior kitty, Ginger. ❤❤❤

Awww.......how sweet.
Just remember that any changes at her age, and with her condition, can make matters worse. Even a new cat litter may make her use a litter box less often.

It's going to be difficult to get the other 2 cats to use the boxes upstairs. They are usually going to prefer the box that is easiest to access and especially the one being used by other cats.
I would probably bring one of the other boxes to the first floor so the younger cats have one to use, especially if you need to isolate her with the 'popular' litterbox.

What a sweetie! So cute. It looks like maybe she can see a little bit? Can she follow your fingers or shadows? Blink if you bring/flick your finger close to her eyes?

Definitely cut the sides of the box down, maybe one whole side since she has vision problems.

It's sad she is confined and, of course, wants to be with you and the family. Maybe you could get a cheap area rug to throw over the floor, putting some plastic under it, to protect your good rug. Roll it up when she is not in the room with you. Take it outside to wash it.

As far as her not crouching, her muscles could be weak. She could have an age/kidney-related potassium deficiency which can cause this. Look to see if she is holds herself low on her back haunches at all. That is a symptom, caused by weakness.

Hard to see but it does look like she might have that hyperthyroid scruffy coat thing going on. Low potassium can also affect their coats.

Neither low potassium or HT are things to wait on. They are conditions that cause organ damage.

She sure looks like a happy little girl. Who loves her mama!!

This post was edited by snookums2 on Mon, Aug 26, 13 at 22:57

Actually, she has no sight at all...for years, she had minimal sight but I can tell that it's gone. She bumps into things a lot whereas before, not too much. She doesn't flinch at all when you try to make her blink.

I took her to the vets and they ran blood tests and her thyroid levels are too high. They want to increase her meds but one vet wants to confer with the other one on this given her medical history. Another reason I have to keep her separated is when I put her meds in her wet food, if she doesn't eat it right away, one of the other cats will finish off her wet food.

I spend quality time with her by keeping the other two out of my bedroom. I pick her up and just hold her in my arms and she purrs so sweetly. They also did chest x-rays because the vet thought her breathing was labored. Turns out her lungs are clear but he said it looks like her heart is enlarged. Waiting for final results on this.

When I'm home, I bring her out into the sunroom and I can monitor her but the problem is the other cats sometimes jump on her to initiate play and she will cry out, then I have to rescue her as the other cats do not realize her age and condition.

It's really a tough situation but I'm trying to work it out. I have to make sure I'm not neglecting my other 2 cats-:). Here is a pic of my other cats! They have the life-;)