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→Identifying the Culprit
==Identifying the Culprit==
==Identifying the Culprit==
It is very important to properly identify the culprit[s] for the indoor housesoiling. Clients frequently blame a particular animal, usually because they have seen it eliminating in the house. However, other cats may also be involved. It is possible to use fluorescein dye to identify the urine of each cat in the household so that the identity of the soiling cat can be confirmed ''[see box below]''. ''Recent research has shown that the fluorescence of urine spots from fluorescein treated cats may vary with urine pH. The fluorescence of fluorescein varies with pH, such that it only strongly emits light under UV illumination when it is in a neutral or alkaline solution. In acidic solution it may hardly glow green at all. Spots should therefore be sprayed with a buffer solution of sodium bicarbonate [baking soda], which will produce a pH of around 8, before testing with a UV lamp. ''If faecal soiling is involved, then a small amount of indigestible material is added to each cat’s food for several
It is very important to properly identify the culprit[s] for the indoor housesoiling. Clients frequently blame a particular animal, usually because they have seen it eliminating in the house. However, other cats may also be involved. Fluorescein dye or sweet corn may be administered, starting with the cats that are least likely to be involved in the problem.
days and the faeces are inspected. Crushed sweet corn works very well because
it is easy to identify in the faeces and does not upset digestion.
If faecal soiling is involved, then a small amount of indigestible material is added to each cat’s food for several days and the faeces are inspected. Crushed sweet corn works very well because it is easy to identify in the faeces and does not upset digestion.
===Using Fluorescein to Identify Urine Marking or Soiling Cats===
===Using Fluorescein to Identify Urine Marking or Soiling Cats===
It is possible to use fluorescein dye to identify the urine of each cat in the household so that the identity of the soiling cat can be confirmed. Recent research has shown that the fluorescence of urine spots from fluorescein treated cats may vary with urine pH. The fluorescence of fluorescein varies with pH, such that it only strongly emits light under UV illumination when it is in a neutral or alkaline solution. In acidic solution it may hardly glow green at all. Spots should therefore be sprayed with a buffer solution of sodium bicarbonate [baking soda], which will produce a pH of around 8, before testing with a UV lamp.
* Fluorescein is available as sterile paper strips, for ophthalmic examination. These contain approximately 1 mg of fluorescein per tip, but this should be checked with the manufacturer.
* Fluorescein is available as sterile paper strips, for ophthalmic examination. These contain approximately 1 mg of fluorescein per tip, but this should be checked with the manufacturer.
* A 5-day washout is left between testing of each cat, to make sure that each individual has excreted all of the dye before testing the next.
* A 5-day washout is left between testing of each cat, to make sure that each individual has excreted all of the dye before testing the next.
* Although fluorescein is water-soluble and can usually be removed with normal cleaning, this testing method may leave stains on fabric, carpets or wall paper and owners must be warned of this.
* Although fluorescein is water-soluble and can usually be removed with normal cleaning, this testing method may leave stains on fabric, carpets or wall paper and owners must be warned of this.