Hi. I'm Dr. Gotthelf. I have been a vet for 33 years and I would like to use my experience to help you with your pet's medical problem.

When I hear this type of history, I think of 2 common possibilities. First, the cat may have some arthritis, which at certain times may be painful and it would hurt to get into the litter box. Second, have you done any thing with the litter box or the litter like changing the brand or moving the box? Cats are very strange when they get used to eliminating in one spot with a certain textured litter.

Some cats will also react to certain stressors in the house, like havin guests, or a new pet. Even changing the location of furniture can make a cat show inappropriate elimination.

OK, running and jumping helps to eliminate arthritis. It is probably stress from the new Akita or locking her in the basement. When she comes up does she have litter boxes in several locations upstairs? There is a very inexpensive drug that your vet may have or will be able to call in to a pharmacist to decrease the cat's stress level. It is called Elavil (amitryptyline) and it is usually helpful for this type of behavior in a cat. We usually give it at 1 mg per pound of body weight twice daily.