What do these pictures have in common?
If you guessed cat pee, you are right.
Yesterday was a bit too hot for me ( 84 degrees) so I caved in and turned the air conditioning on. After a few minutes there was this smell. An awful smell permeating throughout the house. Anyone who has cats knows 'that' smell.
Now to find out where it was coming from. Since the air was on it made sense that it was coming from or around a vent. The vents here are in the floor. So with my trusty blacklight I checked every vent. A blacklight will illuminate urine spots.
Yup, after checking a few vents I found 'the' vent. Ugh! Okay, now to get to cleaning. Out with the vent, in went a towel down the tubing to get the pee, then soak another towel with Simple Solution, put that down the vent opening, leave it for awhile so the enzymes do their trick, pull that towel back out, another towel to finish cleaning the residue, that towel back out and time to put the air back on to see if the smell was gone.
Seemed to have done the job.
I know who the culprit is. His name is Static and he is special needs. His auto immune system does not work so once a month he gets a shot of Depo Medrol which is a steroid. If he doesn't get his shot, he scratches himself until he is bloody. No, it isn't a flea reaction. Other than his auto immune not functioning right, he is a nice, normal, happy, loving cat with no other issues.
The down side to his shot is it can cause diabetes which will cause him to drink lots of water. This isn't the first time he has peed somewhere he isn't suppose to. I am going to make an appointment with the vet to see if diabetes has set in. If it has, the decision will have to be made whether to euthanize him. I am a firm believer in quality of life rather than quantity. I will never have an animal that has their life prolonged even though they are miserable and in pain just because it is too hard to let them go. ( No, this is not what I have been diligently working on and waiting for an answer).
This is not a sad post in any way.
Oh wow - yes, I know that smell. Where in the world did you get a black light flashlight? This sounds like something I want to have just to play with! lol
ReplyDeleteLil Static is lucky to have you as his mama.
oh yes indeed I know the cat pee smell! That stuff will take the paint off the walls (don't ask me how I know!).
ReplyDeleteToo hot? We have had our a/c on for the last 6 weeks here in Texas. Glad you found the smell and got it "cleared" up. It is a caring person that knows the animals trust them in making the right decision for them...and you are definitely a caring person in every way.
ReplyDeleteYep, I figured out what you were talking about:) I know only too well... Not with my current cats but w/ a past one. Interesting that both you and I had a 'tough' last Thursday. Must have been something in the air. Congrats on 50 followers!! Yeah:) Still puttin' out prayers for you and that 'thing.' It's going to be fine:) Keep the faith, baby...
ReplyDeleteYup, know the smell, and what a smell it can be....ugggh
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 50 followers, but it's no wonder, you have a great blog.
Those three photos have--uh oh--in common. ;-) I have a little black light, but do love the idea of a flashlight better--would seem easier to pinpoint. Where did you get it? So far I haven't had any issues, but with this many cats, I try and be on my toes. When the Catalpas were at the end of their bloom cycle last week, I was smelling cat pee EVERYwhere in the house...and outside. Finally sunk in what was going on (it was the fading blossoms smelling). Sorry to hear about Static's woes. I'm sure you will be able to make the right decision when the time comes. One of the kittens has occasional seizures here, but otherwise is healthy. I have to keep an eye out for that as sometimes he urinates when they hit, and everything needs to be washed.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Tammy
Yes I totally belief in quality of life...congrats on the five O(50)!
ReplyDeleteI know how hard it is to make that decision even when you know it is the right thing. It's a lot of responsibility, and it's good that you are prepared to make that decision.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the big 5 0...
ReplyDeleteEven we know that smell and we don't have cats. :) We've lived here for three years now and still catch "the smell" once in a great while from the cats who used to live here. Couldn't agree more about quality of life.
ReplyDeleteWe know you'll do the right thing by Static. We're certainly relieved that you were able to get rid of that smell. Many of us have had a similar problem. Congrats on your followers. We check your blog every day but am not a follower. I--the DH part of the we--isn't even sure I know what it means, but it sounds good :)
ReplyDeleteCan I ask where you got the black light flashlight? I want one!
ReplyDeleteOH, I think you have more than 50 followers :)
Yes quality of life is so much better than quantity. Gotta know when to let go.
Bless your heart, you're a good one!
Congrats on the 50 that signed up -- there are so many more that come by here and enjoy visiting with your critters.
ReplyDelete