Changes

==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. Fluorescein dye or sweet corn may be administered, starting with the cats that are least likely to be involved in the problem.

It is very important to properly identify the culprit(s) for the indoor housesoiling, particularly when treatment with psychoactive medication is being considered. It is common for more than one cat in a multi-cat household to be involved, particularly when the problem is indoor spray marking.

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.

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. When added to the diet, crushed sweet corn or finely chopped raw carrot are both easily visible in faeces, and are unlikely to cause gastrointestinal problems.  

===Using Fluorescein to Identify Urine Marking or Soiling Cats===

===Using Fluorescein to Identify Cats Responsible for Urine Marking or Elimination===

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.  

When ingested, fluorescein dye is excreted intact in urine, and can be made to fluoresce using a woods lamp. This can be used to identify the cat responsible for leaving urine deposits.However, the fluorescence of fluorescein treated cats varies with 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.