Pets
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This message was self-deleted by its author (CountAllVotes) on Sat Jun 11, 2016, 04:30 PM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.
virtualobserver
(8,760 posts)CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)And yes, they were all running/hiding from "it".
However, nothing else is new around here.
HOWEVER, my cat has FAD and I did not put the toxic medication on her for two months (let it go for a month being no fleas to be found and the anti-flea medication is toxic stuff no doubt IMO). I did notice the excessive grooming thing going on and I put the Cheristin for cats on her a few days ago. It seemed to make her feel a lot better but she is still in hiding and is no longer excessively grooming herself.
Oddly, the other two cats (brothers) sit above and on the chair she is hiding behind so they are a few feet away from her at all times keeping a very close eye on her. She may have had a cold a couple of weeks ago but it was hard to tell for sure being she had herself pinned under a bed in the other room and you couldn't touch or reach her. She then relocated to the garage hiding under the car and has now found her new "home" behind the chair in the living room.
Beyond the new furnace and the possible FAD (FAD = feline allergic dermatitis) trying to come back -- nothing!
This is so strange!
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)my 14 y/o guy has...he NEVER meowed and now does it all the time in the house until I give him his food or let him outside.
Before, he would just come and sit, looking at me to get what he wants.
He is healthy, vet says.
He has been in this
Your cat....likes catnip, maybe?
Maybe if you sat near when she is hiding?
tosh
(4,422 posts)My old guy (15 1/2 y/o) silent type pricks me with his foreclaws when he wants something. My left arm at the elbow looks like I have a rash and my calves look like I've walked through a blackberry patch!
Some days, he wants something that neither of us can identify. Thankfully it's getting cooler and I can wear jeans while working at my desk.
Waddya do? I adore this old guy and so I tolerate it. But OUCH!
TygrBright
(20,753 posts)Just relax, pet the other kitties, talk softly to her if/when she's around, and do the "slow eye blink" from across the room to let her know you love her.
If your vet's ruled out organic issues, she's likely picking up on some kind of anxiety, maybe connected with the new furnace, other kitties, bogles in the night, who knows what. If she's also sensing your sadness and anxiety about her avoiding you, she can't know that's why, just that you're sad and anxious.
If you relax and give her time, she might just decide there's nothing to worry about and come back for pets & treats.
The one time we had a problem with our kitteh Fisbin, PBUH, we finally figured (rightly or wrongly... no way to really know, but it was a process of elimination) it might have been triggered by a change in a cleaning product I was using. Made things smell different, maybe? Was an allergen, irritant? Dunno. We switched to a different product. Took many months but he finally forgot about the skeery whatever-it-was and reclaimed lap territory.
Hope it works out well for you and your fur baby.
encouragingly,
Bright
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)Maybe this is part of the problem. One of the male (no longer a kitten!) cats has taken a real liking to me all of a sudden. He is in fact sleeping in my bed at the moment (where she used to be). He too marked my leg last night and she knew it too.
Perhaps this is the problem -- ??
I'll have to ride this one out and yes, you are right, I'll probably never figure it out but sheesh, I sure do miss her!
Thanks for the reply and yes, what has changed is the male cat that is suddenly all to death!
Lets hope things return to "normal" soon whatever that means!
tosh
(4,422 posts)Awww, I hope she gets her place back in the order of her world.
Sweet kitty.
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)It is a very slow process and having the two tomcats around constantly scheming against the world doesn't help a whole lot!
She's an old girl now. She's loved and she knows it. A psycho-kitty for a bit but that's ok!
Thanks for the tips!
TygrBright
(20,753 posts)CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)I think I figured out what "it" is!
A friend of mine moved away a couple of weeks ago and gave me a chair! The chair is in the bedroom!
She owned a BIG dog and gave it away to someone before she moved away!
My cat has never been around a dog before BUT I bet she can smell that dog on the chair I was given! She totally freaks out when I take her to the vet and she even sees a dog!
OMG I feel like such a fool!
What should I do w/the chair? Get rid of it or put it outside?
I feel like an idiot! I should have remembered that I got the new/old chair.
Will find another place for said chair and let ya'll know if this does the trick! YIKES!!
Thanks again!!
catbyte
(34,325 posts)Poor guy, probably thinks there's a huge scary beast just waiting to attack if he comes out of hiding. Let us know what happens. Cats are so mysterious--that's why I love them so damn much.
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)She watched like a hawk as it went out the door believe me.
Now she is rolling around and meowing and purring and playing.
I hope she'll work her way back to to room where said chair was.
Come to think of it, I bet that chair had dog piss on it.
The people I got it from basically dumped that dog as they didn't want the responsibility that went with having a dog. They'd go out for long bits at a time leaving the dog locked up inside. Poor dog!
Let's hope things get better around here real fast!
Bad vibes be gone!!!!
catbyte
(34,325 posts)I do feel sorry for that dog after hearing how he was just an expendable accessory. Some people don't deserve to have animals.
I hope he's in a better situation and not with them anymore. Let us know how she's doing!
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)I took her in there and she was looking to-wards where the chair had been. She is still highly nervous.
Thinking more about this is the fact that when animals are under stress or there is fear, the animal produces hormones, sort of like the opposite of Feliway has.
That poor dog was from a rescue and he'd had a horrible life. Being left alone like that in an apartment probably caused him even more stress/fear which is in the scent that is on that chair.
I've had many things come and go from here since I've had her but never have I seen her react to something like this.
I think the best thing to do w/the chair is put it on the sidewalk with a sign on it that says "FREE" just to be rid of it.
Will keep you posted if anything more happens re: this very strange situation.
catbyte
(34,325 posts)on the head with your stress hormones theory. That poor dog. I'm sure your kitty will return to normal--you might want to warn others about the chair--"If you have a dog or cat, avoid this chair" sign or something. Keep us posted.
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)She is no longer behind the recliner in the living room.
Now she is in front of the recliner in the living room.
The other two cats are sleeping not but three feet away from her and keeping a close eye on her at all times. They seem to want to comfort her and assure her that she is safe by staying close to her, so now they are all in on this creepy chair *thing*.
This has got to be the strangest thing I've ever run up against.
Lets hope she makes her way into the rest of the house. She does go into the other room to eat dry food but quickly returns to sit in front of the recliner.
Sheesh, at this rate she'll make it to the other room by the end of the year!
Yikes indeed and I'd sure like to know happened to that poor dog!
Will keep ya'll posted as I promised! Thanks again!
nadine_mn
(3,702 posts)Experts recommend waiting 3 months to get a new pet after a beloved pet passes away because the scent left behind confuses the new pet. They will keep looking for a pet that isn't there.
Hope you have solved it - I have a lap kitty myself and every few months he takes a break and finds a new place to park his ass (he is 16) for a few days. Apparently it is his way of saying "we need space, its not you its me". But he always comes back and cuddles.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)I haven't posted on this until today. She came back to me day before yesterday!
I finally picked her up and took her into the room where the chair was and she finally accepted being in there again and she purred a lot. I took her in again that evening and she was purring away like there was no tomorrow.
Last night she was in there (with the door closed so the other two monsters I have couldn't tackle her ... ) and she was there until about 4:00 a.m.
I woke up today to the sound of her meow. She wanted me to get up NOW.
So the great fear seems to have passed I hope.
As for the dog, I'll never know what the story was.
Thanks for the ideas btw! I might not have ever figured this one out and I got my old girl back!
shenmue
(38,506 posts)CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)WELL, I think I figured out what is wrong w/poor kitty Julie.
I think she's losing her eyesight and that is why she is so afraid.
She is a bit better now and not so very scared but my god, I'd never suspected this and the vet said nothing about it.
She's almost 10 years old and I can see a cataract on one of her eyes. I've noticed she is afraid to jump up on things as if afraid she'll fall and/or miss the target.
So very sad it is.
I suspect surgery is real expensive and likely not a great idea given her age and it would likely scare her to death.
Any tips at all? She has adjusted but I FEEL SO GUILTY!
Thanks friends.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)She's doing a lot better now and is sitting next to me.
It has been a rough couple of months for her but she is improving.
She's had a slight mental breakdown it seems but she is much happier now.
Thank for caring about my old girl! I don't know what I'd do without her as she is so very sweet!
Judi Lynn
(160,415 posts)CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)So glad to have found this old post of mine still here!
Things are not going good.
I'm going to take her back to the vet again tomorrow if I can get an appt. for her.
She is now confused and walking around in circles at times. Other times she seems to practically fall over when walking. It is like something is wrong with her legs or insides, don't know. She is very upset it seems and the other two cats are going up to her and licking her on her head a bit and they keep checking on her to see if she is better.
What is the problem? I do not know what the problem is.
Could she have had a stoke in August 2015 when this freaky behavior began thus the reason for the behavior being so odd -- a stroke?
Is this even possible?
She is eating well, sleeping a lot and not interacting with anyone/anything very much. She is soon to be 10 years old.
Have I lost my girl. God I hope not.
Will post re: this situation later because I am baffled I must admit and devastated to say the least.
phylny
(8,367 posts)It sure does sound like a neurological event. Sending caring thoughts and good vibes your way.
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)I have an appt. with the same vet that saw her before. I take her at 2:00 p.m. today.
She no longer cares for cat treats and will only eat Fancy Feast now.
She tried to bite my husband last night when he was petting her.
Neurological is a word I had not considered but yes, this is neurological. Brain tumor is my fear now.
Will update later when I know more. Thanks for your kind answer and good thoughtswords, truly appreciate it as does Ms. Julie here sitting by my side.
I have no intention of dragging this out if it is something very serious. Sad as all hell as Julie is absolutely one of the sweetest cats I've ever had the pleasure to have around for 10 years.
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)I might, if very lucky, get her back tomorrow afternoon but they do not know what is wrong with her at this point.
They demanded I pay half of the bill and were certain to collect $250 before I left.
I am distraught to say the very least.
Will update if I find out anything.
Prayers requested for poor Ms. Jules.
haele
(12,635 posts)Hopefully, it's just a bad infection and a good course of antibiotics can help. Or a small stroke.
Cuddles, head butts, and trills from our clowder...
Haele
fizzgig
(24,146 posts)shenmue
(38,506 posts)CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)Last edited Thu Mar 31, 2016, 04:41 AM - Edit history (1)
Well, got her back and no answers but fever is gone.
They ran hundreds of test on her and the only thing they found was that at some point in her life she was exposed to FIP (Feline infectious peritonitis) and the Corona Virus.
To make a long story short, the vet didn't really know what the problem is and I wish he'd just came out and said it rather that B.S. me around like than and hit me up for $500.00. Basically, to sum it up, she has had a bad virus and/or flu is what the vet thinks. (?????)
Jules is still acting odd but was very happy to get home. The vet is going to do some research and consult with a couple of other vets he knows re: this baffling case.
In my opinion, it is a neurological problem. I fear it is a brain tumor. I told him this was the SAME thing I had brought in her for in October when I began this post here. Thank god I did remember posting here about this as I have a rather detailed record of what has been going on so thank god for DU's Pets Group eh?
As for tonight, there is a lot of hissing going on between her and the other two cats (hospital odor?).
So, I have no answers and a cat with a mystery illness.
Thanks for the prayers folks. I think they help a lot and at least she no longer has the high fever is about all I can say and yep, I'm flat broke for April already which would be ok if I had an answer.
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)Well things are no better. She's hiding behind the recliner again but is still eating.
Soooo, I called the vet again and they wanted me to bring her there tomorrow to be x-rayed for $200.
I told them I didn't think this would solve the problem and that I suspect it is a brain tumor or something in the brain as she has physically nothing wrong with her.
So far I've spent hundreds of dollars have have not a clue as to what is wrong with Jules. She stares blankly into the wall and hides and doesn't purr and is not happy.
One of the other cats gave her a good licking on her face for about 5 mins. as he knows she is sick and that something is wrong. His brother Silver pops his head in and checks or her but doesn't go near her any more.
What to do? Oh what to do? So sad.
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)She cannot jump up on the bed and can barely make it to the sofa.
She is still eating and sleeping a lot.
She has also been sneezing like she has a head cold. It is a bit less now, but I'm beginning to wonder if it is a virus that caused the high fever and is still causing her problems.
I never heard a word back from that vet that promised to contact me. All they want is more $$$ and up front at that.
I'm tapped out for the month as my $900 doesn't go far esp. with $500+ vet bills and no answers.
What to do? What to do?
I just heard her sneeze again ...
Will continue to update if I find out anything about this mystery.
irisblue
(32,916 posts)for both of you.
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)I contacted a local person that I spoke with re: Jules.
She is a veterinarian and she said that ataxia is certainly not normal and that she agrees that this is a serious problem, either a brain tumor or a virus affecting the brain of some sort; doubtlessly neurologically based and incurable given its history, which began just before I started this thread last year. Fortunately, this thread documents the case quite well. Thank you, every one of you!
So, for now it is a wait and see and NO MORE TRIPS for Jules to a vet ever again.
This problem will not be going away I was told (no surprise) and nothing can be done for her.
When the time comes, I will call this god send of a person and said person will come to my house and send Jules on her way in the spirit world.
How does one prepare for this upcoming event? How long will she last and how bad will it get? I suspect this is a lesson for all of us here.
As for that vet, he is a scam artist it seems. X-rays in this case are pointless and of zero use.
Thanks for the and here's one to all that have been here for us. Prayers have indeed been heard and answered it seems!
Will let you know when the time comes ...
Judi Lynn
(160,415 posts)and not frightened in the least. You will be glad you did your best for her.
Best wishes.
Response to Judi Lynn (Reply #37)
CountAllVotes This message was self-deleted by its author.
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)One problem that is now gone is that she had a very bad virus. Where did she get this? At the hospital?
She is still eating and just lounging around for the most part. When she is up, she follows whoever is around.
She can no longer get on the sofa without assistance so you must lift her to where ever she is trying to go.
I have a picture I took of her but I need to figure out how to edit/re-size it so then I can post it here.
It might be nice for others to know who they are praying for maybe?
Anyway, she is still going and not about to die any time real soon I don't think.
I hope not anyway. My god. This really is a holy hell -- not knowing, etc.
However, you are so right, at least she is not scared to death! As for that vet, he called and dropped the phone it sounded like and never called back. Good riddance IMO.
Response to CountAllVotes (Reply #39)
CountAllVotes This message was self-deleted by its author.
Judi Lynn
(160,415 posts)He looks very contented keeping Jules company.
They are wonderful little beasties, aren't they?
She undoubtedly treasures your concern for her, even 'though she's not able to reciprocate very well right now.
Hoping the best for you.
Great picture, thanks for that. Be sure to keep it. It's really sweet.
LiberalElite
(14,691 posts)CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)I'll check into getting something like this for her. I'd thought of a foot stool actually (sloped).
I wonder if she'll use it being she seems afraid to go up on anything. She no longer claws her cat scratcher which has a small ramp on it.
Thanks again for the idea!
ginnyinWI
(17,276 posts)The nicer ones will tell you when something is likely to help, but some want to do tests that just give you information about a condition which you can do nothing about anyway--and waste your money.
My cat has a sinus condition that she's had for four years now. An infection actually erupted through the bone in her skull and created a bump on her forehead which then broke open. She had a surgery which didn't do any good (vet was sure there was a foreign body in there somewhere, he said!), and then had months of antibiotics which did no good. Finally took her to another vet clinic who proposed three kinds of tests to find out what the problem was. All very expensive, especially the CT scan!
But at the bottom of the page it stated that none of the possible causes for the problem was actually very likely, so that the three types of tests were not likely to find any answers. So what I would have gotten for my $3,500 was to have three possibilities eliminated from my list of reasons for the problem! Argh.
I opted not to do any. Am taking her to a third vet office now. This vet said that while this case is certainly interesting, and somebody might want to write up a paper on it, that there is no reason I need to find out anything more. She speculates that it is a benign nasal tumor which is causing a continual irritation. The kitty in question doesn't seem too bothered--eats, sleeps and behaves normally. She's used to having a constant stuffy sneezy nose, as are we. She still has an open wound on her forehead that oozes sometimes and I help her to keep it clean. I recently heard that age 10 is when cats commonly do get things like nasal tumors. Kitty was 9 when she started these symptoms and is 13 now. She's content enough.
A tumor in the sinus is not considered operable, anyway. Sometimes you just have to give it a rest and accept, like you are doing with your kitty. You can call it palliative care. Thank-you--you are a good kitty parent!
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)You are so right, the vets will suck you dry for an answer and there is no answer.
She is sitting right next to me at the moment and yes, she has improved!
She is no longer hiding and walks around the house and is interacting more with the other two cats and the people too.
She seems to be rid of the virus or whatever it was but she still cannot jump on anything and seems weak.
However, she is eating well, using her litter box ok and it otherwise ok except she is staggering a bit still.
I am trying to remain hopeful because she is better!
I am sorry to read about your cat and thank you too for being a good cat parent!
Many people would have walked away in situations like we are in but I'm in it until the end!
So worry not, she is safe with me!
Thanks again!!