He doesn't land on his feet
July 27, 2010 10:27 AM Subscribe
Can you help me figure out what's wrong with my dear cat? These symptoms seem to have presented abruptly: We spent a three-day weekend away, leaving plenty of food and water (and the (clean) toilet open). Came home, there were a few scraps in the food dish and the water bowls were halfway down. The other two cats were fine (irritable, but fine).
Fat Boy, my 16-y/o tabby, was having trouble keeping his balance.
Here's a picture of my baby.
Also, shown (on left) with his sister, the One Cat Demolition Team.
I watched him throughout the evening:
The Bad:
- ataxia (walks fine for a minute, then staggers. Startling or abruptly changing direction makes him fall. He is walking with his rear legs wide apart)
- Frequent looking over his shoulder, which makes him lose his balance. To be fair, he is probably looking to see if the 2 y/o ninja cat is stalking him, since he is her favorite toy.
- He vomited once or twice after we got home, but not since.
The Good:
- appetite - I've seen him eat a couple times already
- good spirits. Tail up, sociable
- mobility otherwise good. can still get up and down the bed, to the sandbox, etc.
- coat clean/groomed, eyes clear, breath not gross
We have venomous spiders in here, but symptoms don't match. We have lots of lizards in the house - anoles, geckos and skinks - and locals say that eating some of them can cause neurological symptoms in cats, though I can't find anything to back that up.
Medically, he had a rabies shot about three weeks ago, after presumed exposure to a possibly sick bat.
I am holding off on going to the vet for now because:
A) He's eating and seems otherwise healthy.
B) We live in a poor rural area and our experience with vets has been spotty (with 5-6 different tries), to say the least.
C) Clinically troubleshooting this looks like a multi-thousand dollar project, which I don't have.
Any ideas? I want to know if there's a critical event/crisis here that I'm missing, or if you have had such an experience and what the outcome was.
Here's a picture of my baby.
Also, shown (on left) with his sister, the One Cat Demolition Team.
I watched him throughout the evening:
The Bad:
- ataxia (walks fine for a minute, then staggers. Startling or abruptly changing direction makes him fall. He is walking with his rear legs wide apart)
- Frequent looking over his shoulder, which makes him lose his balance. To be fair, he is probably looking to see if the 2 y/o ninja cat is stalking him, since he is her favorite toy.
- He vomited once or twice after we got home, but not since.
The Good:
- appetite - I've seen him eat a couple times already
- good spirits. Tail up, sociable
- mobility otherwise good. can still get up and down the bed, to the sandbox, etc.
- coat clean/groomed, eyes clear, breath not gross
We have venomous spiders in here, but symptoms don't match. We have lots of lizards in the house - anoles, geckos and skinks - and locals say that eating some of them can cause neurological symptoms in cats, though I can't find anything to back that up.
Medically, he had a rabies shot about three weeks ago, after presumed exposure to a possibly sick bat.
I am holding off on going to the vet for now because:
A) He's eating and seems otherwise healthy.
B) We live in a poor rural area and our experience with vets has been spotty (with 5-6 different tries), to say the least.
C) Clinically troubleshooting this looks like a multi-thousand dollar project, which I don't have.
Any ideas? I want to know if there's a critical event/crisis here that I'm missing, or if you have had such an experience and what the outcome was.
Response by poster: bearwife: Not saying there isn't, just saying that since the one I'd trust with my cats retired, everybody else has been really not great. I'm afraid I'd have to take him back to his old vet in Tampa, and that's a long drive I'd rather not take.
Did Contessa receive any treatment, and did her condition change? How old was she?
Thanks
posted by toodleydoodley at 10:35 AM on July 27, 2010
Did Contessa receive any treatment, and did her condition change? How old was she?
Thanks
posted by toodleydoodley at 10:35 AM on July 27, 2010
Best answer: Ear infection? That can sometimes screw with their equilibrium. Do you have a sense that he hears you OK?
posted by dlugoczaj at 10:36 AM on July 27, 2010
posted by dlugoczaj at 10:36 AM on July 27, 2010
Our cat has something slightly similar and it was a result of a ruptured disc in his spine. We treat it with steroids (a lot at first now just a little bit every now and then) but he would have a hard time moving his back legs and drag them a little bit. He wasn't able to jump up on things like he used to be able to. I'd say this merits finding a vet, though. Depending on the condition, it could be stable or it could get much worse.
posted by proj at 10:39 AM on July 27, 2010
posted by proj at 10:39 AM on July 27, 2010
IANAV (I am not a vet) but I think that you should take your cat in to one to be checked. Just my opinion.
posted by Hanuman1960 at 10:40 AM on July 27, 2010
posted by Hanuman1960 at 10:40 AM on July 27, 2010
Response by poster: I noticed he didn't turn his head when I called him, but then, he's a cat. He doesn't always look when he's not sick. Also, though, he's not shaking his head or pawing at his ears.
posted by toodleydoodley at 10:43 AM on July 27, 2010
posted by toodleydoodley at 10:43 AM on July 27, 2010
Best answer: I'm not your vet. When you look at his eyes, do they hold steady? Is his head tilted, or is he looking over his shoulder? Are all his paws warm? Is he licking his chops more often than normal? Do you get the sense that he is mentally present?
It is going to be impossible for anyone, no matter how great a vet they are, to work up your cat via text or the phone. He needs a good neuro exam, which shouldn't be too costly.
If your profile is correct, and you're in St Petersburg, I might have a contact for you, if you're interested.
posted by Nickel Pickle at 10:49 AM on July 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
It is going to be impossible for anyone, no matter how great a vet they are, to work up your cat via text or the phone. He needs a good neuro exam, which shouldn't be too costly.
If your profile is correct, and you're in St Petersburg, I might have a contact for you, if you're interested.
posted by Nickel Pickle at 10:49 AM on July 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Every vet has some kind of payment plan available.
don't hesitate because of money. I think this one is too tricky to diagnose on the internetz.
posted by micawber at 10:52 AM on July 27, 2010
don't hesitate because of money. I think this one is too tricky to diagnose on the internetz.
posted by micawber at 10:52 AM on July 27, 2010
Long shot, but what have you been cleaning the toilet with? We had a cat (younger, but with many of the same symptoms, like the balance issue) who it turned out was drinking out of the toilet, and my mom didn't think about the bleach tabs she cleaned the toilet with. Stopped using the tabs, kept the toilet seat closed, and the cat was back to normal in a few weeks.
posted by fiercecupcake at 10:55 AM on July 27, 2010
posted by fiercecupcake at 10:55 AM on July 27, 2010
Best answer: Stuff like this is usually pretty serious and, in my non-vet opinion (but as a cat owner), points to a neurological problem and/or a heart problem. But without knowing what's caused this problem, it's impossible for us to make any suggestions for treatment.
posted by wondermouse at 10:57 AM on July 27, 2010
posted by wondermouse at 10:57 AM on July 27, 2010
Best answer: Ear infections can cause loss of balance. Have him checked.
posted by watercarrier at 11:12 AM on July 27, 2010
posted by watercarrier at 11:12 AM on July 27, 2010
Best answer: Was Fat Boy dehydrated when you got home?
Is he running a fever?
Is there nystagmus? (Idiopathic Vestibular Disorder, perhaps?)
posted by the Real Dan at 11:25 AM on July 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Is he running a fever?
Is there nystagmus? (Idiopathic Vestibular Disorder, perhaps?)
posted by the Real Dan at 11:25 AM on July 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
So your cat is neurologic and you aren't going to take him to the vet? Wow. Fantastic.
If you are worried about the day practice vets, which you rightly should be, take him in to an emergency vet clinic or go to see a specialist.
You didn't give a very detailed description, and it's from someone who knows nothing about veterinary medicine, so trying to give you any sort of diagnosis is going to be IMPOSSIBLE over the internetz.
My wife IS a veterinarian, and is an internal medicine resident. If you are near us, bring your cat on in to be looked at (we are in the PNW).
You will not know what it is going to cost until you take your cat in and ask. The vet should always give you a list of tests they want to run and what the cost will be. If you are worried about money, which it sounds like you are, there is care credit and usually vets have a discretionary spending fund they can use towards cases (at least the clinics my wife has worked in have such).
Just because your cat is eating alright, doesn't mean that there hasn't been some major malfunction somewhere, like the brain.
posted by TheBones at 12:15 PM on July 27, 2010
If you are worried about the day practice vets, which you rightly should be, take him in to an emergency vet clinic or go to see a specialist.
You didn't give a very detailed description, and it's from someone who knows nothing about veterinary medicine, so trying to give you any sort of diagnosis is going to be IMPOSSIBLE over the internetz.
My wife IS a veterinarian, and is an internal medicine resident. If you are near us, bring your cat on in to be looked at (we are in the PNW).
You will not know what it is going to cost until you take your cat in and ask. The vet should always give you a list of tests they want to run and what the cost will be. If you are worried about money, which it sounds like you are, there is care credit and usually vets have a discretionary spending fund they can use towards cases (at least the clinics my wife has worked in have such).
Just because your cat is eating alright, doesn't mean that there hasn't been some major malfunction somewhere, like the brain.
posted by TheBones at 12:15 PM on July 27, 2010
If you are in the st. petersburg area, there's a vet school at the university in gainesville. I don't know how far away that is for you, but I can promise you that your cat will have the best treatment/most knowledgeable doctors there. Then it comes down to how much money/time/energy you want to spend on the cat.
posted by TheBones at 12:21 PM on July 27, 2010
posted by TheBones at 12:21 PM on July 27, 2010
Response by poster: thanks all for your great suggestions so far: I'm not stonewalling the vet, I'm avoiding because I haven't found a good one here in multiple tries
Nickel Pickel, he used to go to Carrollwood Cats on Dale Mabry when we lived in Tpa/St Pete, but now we don't. I didn't change my profile loc, but I'm near Gainesville. know anybody there?
In response to your questions:
- eyes look steady at me. I looked in his eyes for about 15-20 sec as we were nose to nose and his eyes didn't flicker or twitch.
- his head attitude doesn't look different from usual. sometimes he tilts it, but it's mainly straight up
- he doesn't seem to be looking behind him when he walks, except when he hears Ninja
- all four paws are warm
- no weird chop-licking, although he is an irritable chop-licker (when you really hassle him, he licks)
- when I call him by name, he comes to me, from any room. he's definitely all here
also - he's a vocal cat and prone to complaining about discomfort/pain. he's not yelping or moping, and I've poked him all over, with no complaint. there's just that *falling over* thing.
the Real Dan, I considered dehydration, even though there was still plenty of water. his skin was a little less snap-back than I'd like it last night, but today it's fine. so maybe a little, but not much.
fiercecupcake, I clean toilets with Ajax and a brush, then flush multiple times. the toilet was clean, but not freshly bleached. I've never seen Fat Boy drink from the toilet; it was mainly in case we got hit by a truck and didn't come home.
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:24 PM on July 27, 2010
Nickel Pickel, he used to go to Carrollwood Cats on Dale Mabry when we lived in Tpa/St Pete, but now we don't. I didn't change my profile loc, but I'm near Gainesville. know anybody there?
In response to your questions:
- eyes look steady at me. I looked in his eyes for about 15-20 sec as we were nose to nose and his eyes didn't flicker or twitch.
- his head attitude doesn't look different from usual. sometimes he tilts it, but it's mainly straight up
- he doesn't seem to be looking behind him when he walks, except when he hears Ninja
- all four paws are warm
- no weird chop-licking, although he is an irritable chop-licker (when you really hassle him, he licks)
- when I call him by name, he comes to me, from any room. he's definitely all here
also - he's a vocal cat and prone to complaining about discomfort/pain. he's not yelping or moping, and I've poked him all over, with no complaint. there's just that *falling over* thing.
the Real Dan, I considered dehydration, even though there was still plenty of water. his skin was a little less snap-back than I'd like it last night, but today it's fine. so maybe a little, but not much.
fiercecupcake, I clean toilets with Ajax and a brush, then flush multiple times. the toilet was clean, but not freshly bleached. I've never seen Fat Boy drink from the toilet; it was mainly in case we got hit by a truck and didn't come home.
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:24 PM on July 27, 2010
If you are in Gainesville, take the cat into the vet service at the university.
As these could be something that could be not very serious to LIFE THREATENING, I would take the cat into the emergency clinic today, unless you can get an appointment at their primary care facility.
Here's their web page.
They are going to have the best resources for diagnosing/treating your cat.
posted by TheBones at 12:33 PM on July 27, 2010
As these could be something that could be not very serious to LIFE THREATENING, I would take the cat into the emergency clinic today, unless you can get an appointment at their primary care facility.
Here's their web page.
They are going to have the best resources for diagnosing/treating your cat.
posted by TheBones at 12:33 PM on July 27, 2010
Response by poster: TheBones, thank you for your insight and resources, although I am not loving your sarcasm.
Are you aware that most people don't provide any care at all for their pets, not even vaccination? The reason we have any cats in the first place is that other people let their animals breed incontinently, and they find their way to our place. We get them vaccinated and neutered, feed them well and take them to the vet when their condition warrants and our finances permit.
I'm sorry if you found my description of symptoms too vague, but I'm happy to answer questions. I'm not happy to take Fat to the vet and get charged hundreds of dollars for an overnight, a prophylactic antibiotic drip and some inconclusive tests (yes, that happened. The solution was a couple doses of mineral oil).
The point of my Ask was to check what I can see against what more experienced people know, to find out if there would be some point in taking him to the vet in the first place. It seems that there may be, so I will look into what you have sent me, and thanks.
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:39 PM on July 27, 2010
Are you aware that most people don't provide any care at all for their pets, not even vaccination? The reason we have any cats in the first place is that other people let their animals breed incontinently, and they find their way to our place. We get them vaccinated and neutered, feed them well and take them to the vet when their condition warrants and our finances permit.
I'm sorry if you found my description of symptoms too vague, but I'm happy to answer questions. I'm not happy to take Fat to the vet and get charged hundreds of dollars for an overnight, a prophylactic antibiotic drip and some inconclusive tests (yes, that happened. The solution was a couple doses of mineral oil).
The point of my Ask was to check what I can see against what more experienced people know, to find out if there would be some point in taking him to the vet in the first place. It seems that there may be, so I will look into what you have sent me, and thanks.
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:39 PM on July 27, 2010
Without diverting from the most important thing here, the treatment of your cat, you did ask the question. I gave you an answer. If you didn't want to do anything about the cat, or were not worried, you would not have asked.
I apologize if I came across as snarky, yes it was, but if you care about your cat and want to get it treated, over the internet is not the best place. However, it is the best place to find a better vet clinic and recommendations on what to do.
I just want to stress that this could be life threatening.
Once again, the most important thing here is to make sure your cat is taken care of.
posted by TheBones at 12:44 PM on July 27, 2010
I apologize if I came across as snarky, yes it was, but if you care about your cat and want to get it treated, over the internet is not the best place. However, it is the best place to find a better vet clinic and recommendations on what to do.
I just want to stress that this could be life threatening.
Once again, the most important thing here is to make sure your cat is taken care of.
posted by TheBones at 12:44 PM on July 27, 2010
Response by poster: thanks TheBones. I will call.
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:47 PM on July 27, 2010
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:47 PM on July 27, 2010
Best answer: If this were my cat, I'd take him in, but then we have spent quite a bit on vets over the years for our cats. At your cat's age, the symptoms you cite could be a lot of things, but the ataxia would make me very concerned.
Also, be forewarned if you go with a vet school service, if it's anything like the Cornell Univ. Vet School Community practice in our town, it's great, comprehensive, super-professional -- but expensive. They'll want to do a wide array of diagnostic tests and procedures, probably. Do not feel shy about asking the cost of things beforehand - the vets and students might forget that aspect in their understandable focus on figuring out what's wrong with the cat.
Providing intensive veterinary care for pets is a tough call; I understand this well from firsthand experience. You'll have to think carefully about what you can afford versus what you can live with (that is, possible guilt and self-recrimination if you decide to forgo expensive exams / treatments). A lot of people have to make this sort of call with their pets when they have limited means, and it's always difficult. Good luck to you and your cat.
posted by aught at 1:10 PM on July 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, be forewarned if you go with a vet school service, if it's anything like the Cornell Univ. Vet School Community practice in our town, it's great, comprehensive, super-professional -- but expensive. They'll want to do a wide array of diagnostic tests and procedures, probably. Do not feel shy about asking the cost of things beforehand - the vets and students might forget that aspect in their understandable focus on figuring out what's wrong with the cat.
Providing intensive veterinary care for pets is a tough call; I understand this well from firsthand experience. You'll have to think carefully about what you can afford versus what you can live with (that is, possible guilt and self-recrimination if you decide to forgo expensive exams / treatments). A lot of people have to make this sort of call with their pets when they have limited means, and it's always difficult. Good luck to you and your cat.
posted by aught at 1:10 PM on July 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
How overweight is he? Our fat cat really chugged the water right before she was diagnosed with diabetes.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 1:23 PM on July 27, 2010
posted by ZenMasterThis at 1:23 PM on July 27, 2010
I second all these folks telling you to get your cat to a vet ASAP. My beloved Ozzy suffered something similar around Christmas of 2009. He was eating fine, drinking fine, still vocal as ever, but some strange symptoms started showing up: inability or refusal to get on the bed, seeming a little tipsy at times, constant pacing. Being the diligent momma that I am, I took him to the vet no less than 3 times during two weeks. They diagnosed him with constipation 1st time out. Everything looked good. 2nd time they said he had a fever. No problem, we gave him his meds. And when...when it looked like he was on the mend, I was home one day and he just collapsed. I called my husband, who in turn called our neighbor (she is a former vet assistant) to stay with me until he could get home. From her own diagnosis, she suspected that he was suffering from a brain tumor. It was pressing down on the back of his brain and finally incapacitated him. An emergency vet visit confirmed that this was more than likely the case and he was also suffering from kidney failure. I think you can guess what I had to do next, which was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Nearly 8 months later and I still feel empty. I am angry still at the two vets who didn't catch it or take me seriously when I suspected something was really wrong.
So: take your kitty to the vet STAT! And take him to a good one.
posted by Kitteh at 2:46 PM on July 27, 2010
So: take your kitty to the vet STAT! And take him to a good one.
posted by Kitteh at 2:46 PM on July 27, 2010
Best answer: Sorry to be belated in responding to your followup question, toodley.
Contessa was an old cat, 15 when this happened, and we decided to put her to sleep. But our (excellent) vet indicated they could and would have acted to treat the stroke if she were a younger cat. We decided with our vet that the risk/reward ratio wasn't right for Contessa given her age.
Whatever is going on here is serious, is what I was trying to say. I am glad you are a loving pet owner for your beloved kitties, but you do need to talk to a vet. And any decent vet is going to want to see your kitty and probably do some tests, to figure out what is going on here.
posted by bearwife at 3:11 PM on July 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Contessa was an old cat, 15 when this happened, and we decided to put her to sleep. But our (excellent) vet indicated they could and would have acted to treat the stroke if she were a younger cat. We decided with our vet that the risk/reward ratio wasn't right for Contessa given her age.
Whatever is going on here is serious, is what I was trying to say. I am glad you are a loving pet owner for your beloved kitties, but you do need to talk to a vet. And any decent vet is going to want to see your kitty and probably do some tests, to figure out what is going on here.
posted by bearwife at 3:11 PM on July 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Is he drinking water? I'd be worried about the exposure to Rabies if not. Dehydration can also cause them to stumble around - to check for dehydration grab a handful of skin gently on the back of his neck and see how long it takes to settle back - if a long time then he is dehydrated and should go to the vet and get on a drip ASAP.
posted by meepmeow at 3:17 PM on July 27, 2010
posted by meepmeow at 3:17 PM on July 27, 2010
Best answer: Going against the grain here. Like my own personal overlord, Fat is 16yrs old. That's pretty good going for a cat.
If it was my old cat I would wait, watch and care as per usual. I would not take her to the vet for invasive and discomforting investigations and treatments unless she was in distress. And if the vet said something was seriously wrong and detrimental to her quality of life, I would hold her close, tell her I love her, pet her quiet and let the vet present their sad gift. I did this with my last cat who lived for a very happy 17yrs before quick obvious deterioration (kidney failure).
TL;DR Don't be pressured into rushing to a vet you don't know and spending money, emotional energy and your cat's comfort. You are not a bad person if you let your cat enjoy an old age with a few glitches as long as he's not in pain and can still get pleasure from life.
posted by Kerasia at 3:27 PM on July 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
If it was my old cat I would wait, watch and care as per usual. I would not take her to the vet for invasive and discomforting investigations and treatments unless she was in distress. And if the vet said something was seriously wrong and detrimental to her quality of life, I would hold her close, tell her I love her, pet her quiet and let the vet present their sad gift. I did this with my last cat who lived for a very happy 17yrs before quick obvious deterioration (kidney failure).
TL;DR Don't be pressured into rushing to a vet you don't know and spending money, emotional energy and your cat's comfort. You are not a bad person if you let your cat enjoy an old age with a few glitches as long as he's not in pain and can still get pleasure from life.
posted by Kerasia at 3:27 PM on July 27, 2010 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I'd like to add my support to you toodleydoodley, so that you don't feel you are being judged for not rushing to pay thousands for vet care that you have tried and found inadequate and possibly exploitative in the past.
You obviously care for your cat and are trying to determine the best way to proceed. I also live in a place where it's difficult to find really good veterinarian care (for other reasons than being rural), and having had an incredibly frustrating experience myself where I was virtually bringing my dog to the vet every day to treat/monitor what seemed like should be a fairly straightforward ailment -- and having to watch her get worse, worse, worse, day by day, and weeks passing, after I had brought her in super early for treatment (since I knew what was normal and what wasn't for her), I completely understand where you are coming from. (She was cured with one good shot of penicillin in the end, from another Vet -- inexpensive and it completely and rapidly cleared up the problem.)
In your situation, I would call the rescue organizations in your area and ask for their recommendations for cat veterinary care and emergency care, and describe your situation. Active, established rescue groups seem to me to usually be quite plugged in to the scene and aware of who is good/bad/trustworthy, as well as always helpful. Also, if you need another Ask Me question, I'd be happy to ask for you — for instance if you want to ask for vet recommendations in your area, or anything else. If so, memail me.
posted by taz at 2:21 AM on July 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
You obviously care for your cat and are trying to determine the best way to proceed. I also live in a place where it's difficult to find really good veterinarian care (for other reasons than being rural), and having had an incredibly frustrating experience myself where I was virtually bringing my dog to the vet every day to treat/monitor what seemed like should be a fairly straightforward ailment -- and having to watch her get worse, worse, worse, day by day, and weeks passing, after I had brought her in super early for treatment (since I knew what was normal and what wasn't for her), I completely understand where you are coming from. (She was cured with one good shot of penicillin in the end, from another Vet -- inexpensive and it completely and rapidly cleared up the problem.)
In your situation, I would call the rescue organizations in your area and ask for their recommendations for cat veterinary care and emergency care, and describe your situation. Active, established rescue groups seem to me to usually be quite plugged in to the scene and aware of who is good/bad/trustworthy, as well as always helpful. Also, if you need another Ask Me question, I'd be happy to ask for you — for instance if you want to ask for vet recommendations in your area, or anything else. If so, memail me.
posted by taz at 2:21 AM on July 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also... just thinking... possible heat stroke/exhaustion/stress? Older cats are especially prone, and even if you had the AC running it's possible he found a spot of hot sunshine and overdid the basking. (Apparently, cats are not necessarily very wise about how much sun/heat they are absorbing. Like many of us humans.) Purely a guess.
posted by taz at 2:42 AM on July 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by taz at 2:42 AM on July 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: It does sound like an inner-ear/balance problem, perhaps one that's not causing pain (hence no batting at his own ears).
However, another though might be pain or a loss of feeling in all or part of his affected extremities. The reason that older humans lose their balance is related to a lose of sensitivity in the foot (lack of feedback, therefore can't tell when foot is properly placed) and my Aunt's dog displayed weird gait and an unwillingness to walk certain places in the house but no other symptoms, and turned out to have arthritis in his hips. Please let us know how he's doing!
posted by sarahkeebs at 6:37 AM on July 28, 2010
However, another though might be pain or a loss of feeling in all or part of his affected extremities. The reason that older humans lose their balance is related to a lose of sensitivity in the foot (lack of feedback, therefore can't tell when foot is properly placed) and my Aunt's dog displayed weird gait and an unwillingness to walk certain places in the house but no other symptoms, and turned out to have arthritis in his hips. Please let us know how he's doing!
posted by sarahkeebs at 6:37 AM on July 28, 2010
Response by poster: preliminary update: The Fat has an appointment this afternoon at a nearby animal hospital, on a helpful recommendation.
condition notes:
Nickel Pickle and others who asked: He is acting funny about drinking water - he has been drinking, but scantly, as though the water smells or tastes bad, or he's nervous about it. He sits and contemplates the bowl and sniffs the water before drinking with only the tip of his tongue. I've cleaned the bowl and replaced the water several times. Sometimes he considers the water for a while, then walks away licking his chops.
taz:
Heat could be the problem. It is stupid hot in here - we don't have a/c, and though we leave out tons of water and change it regularly, sometimes the cats just go sleep under the bed, where it's a good 10 degrees cooler. Fat has always loved hot weather and he may have overdone it.
posted by toodleydoodley at 9:45 AM on July 28, 2010
condition notes:
Nickel Pickle and others who asked: He is acting funny about drinking water - he has been drinking, but scantly, as though the water smells or tastes bad, or he's nervous about it. He sits and contemplates the bowl and sniffs the water before drinking with only the tip of his tongue. I've cleaned the bowl and replaced the water several times. Sometimes he considers the water for a while, then walks away licking his chops.
taz:
Heat could be the problem. It is stupid hot in here - we don't have a/c, and though we leave out tons of water and change it regularly, sometimes the cats just go sleep under the bed, where it's a good 10 degrees cooler. Fat has always loved hot weather and he may have overdone it.
posted by toodleydoodley at 9:45 AM on July 28, 2010
Let us know how The Fat's appointment turns out, and how you and your kitteh are doing. Thinking of you and sending best wishes.
posted by bearwife at 10:13 AM on July 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by bearwife at 10:13 AM on July 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Hi all, and thanks again! The Fat Man and I are back from the vet.
He has a working diagnosis of idiopathic vestibular disease, which basically means he gets dizzy for no apparent reason. It seems to be a moderately common Old Cat Thing, and he may spontaneously get better, or at least fail to get worse. It could be caused by an ear (or other) infection, or head injury, or maybe not.
He did have some nystagmus, so slight that I missed it. He looks slowly to the left, at fairly slow intervals. The vet suggested that could indicate a brain lesion/tumor, or maybe not. If it's a brain tumor, there's not much for treatment even if I could afford it.
Finally, there was the possibility of an underlying metabolic disorder, such as diabetes or renal disease. I rejected bloodwork for now, and will return him (for those tests) if his condition worsens.
Today's outcome: Vet concluded his vertigo/nausea was causing him to hesitate about food and water, and he was slightly dehydrated. He got some subcutaneous fluids, an anti-nausea drug and some antibiotics in case he has an infection. Also some yummy treats and a can of delicious supplement.
Vet was pleasantly surprised at his overall condition - evidently was expecting a pitiful scarecrow for 16 y/o cat. She said he should be ok provided he doesn't have something intractable (like a brain tumor, obv)
So thanks all, for your excellent suggestions, comments, advice and support. This has been our experience (so far) with drunk-walking cat. Please let me know if you have questions.
posted by toodleydoodley at 2:43 PM on July 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
He has a working diagnosis of idiopathic vestibular disease, which basically means he gets dizzy for no apparent reason. It seems to be a moderately common Old Cat Thing, and he may spontaneously get better, or at least fail to get worse. It could be caused by an ear (or other) infection, or head injury, or maybe not.
He did have some nystagmus, so slight that I missed it. He looks slowly to the left, at fairly slow intervals. The vet suggested that could indicate a brain lesion/tumor, or maybe not. If it's a brain tumor, there's not much for treatment even if I could afford it.
Finally, there was the possibility of an underlying metabolic disorder, such as diabetes or renal disease. I rejected bloodwork for now, and will return him (for those tests) if his condition worsens.
Today's outcome: Vet concluded his vertigo/nausea was causing him to hesitate about food and water, and he was slightly dehydrated. He got some subcutaneous fluids, an anti-nausea drug and some antibiotics in case he has an infection. Also some yummy treats and a can of delicious supplement.
Vet was pleasantly surprised at his overall condition - evidently was expecting a pitiful scarecrow for 16 y/o cat. She said he should be ok provided he doesn't have something intractable (like a brain tumor, obv)
So thanks all, for your excellent suggestions, comments, advice and support. This has been our experience (so far) with drunk-walking cat. Please let me know if you have questions.
posted by toodleydoodley at 2:43 PM on July 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Good to hear things are cautiously optimistic--or at least, not horribly neurological and thousands of dollars in diagnosis.
Vestibular issues suck big time (it's one of my problems) so I feel *lots* of sympathy for your Fat Man. I often wonder if people think I am drunk, as a matter of fact. But the motion sickness is the worst part, so if the meds can help with that, then maybe he'll feel much better. Fingers crossed the anti-nausea drugs make for huge improvements.
posted by galadriel at 3:07 PM on July 28, 2010
Vestibular issues suck big time (it's one of my problems) so I feel *lots* of sympathy for your Fat Man. I often wonder if people think I am drunk, as a matter of fact. But the motion sickness is the worst part, so if the meds can help with that, then maybe he'll feel much better. Fingers crossed the anti-nausea drugs make for huge improvements.
posted by galadriel at 3:07 PM on July 28, 2010
Thank you for the update! So glad he got rehydrated . . . that can turn into a vicious circle in a big hurry. Our very elderly female, Gigi, who is a kitteh kick in the pants, has the vet to thank for living through a few of those episodes. Good thing she still has 3 or 4 of her nine lives left.
FYI it sometimes helps to keep cats hydrated to feed wet food, which most cats adore.
posted by bearwife at 3:18 PM on July 28, 2010
FYI it sometimes helps to keep cats hydrated to feed wet food, which most cats adore.
posted by bearwife at 3:18 PM on July 28, 2010
Response by poster: I wish they'd eat wet food. A vet gave us Science Diet kibble when they were tiny, and now they won't eat anything else. Hunger strikes if we try anything else.
I feel for him, nausea-wise, too. I don't have vestibular problems myself, but I'm currently on a brutal course of antibiotics that makes me want to hork. I can't eat when I want to hork, but if I don't eat, the drugs will make me hork. So I understand his vicious cycle.
He's lying between us now, sucking his left arm (habit since kittenhood), as we do our homework.
posted by toodleydoodley at 4:21 PM on July 28, 2010
I feel for him, nausea-wise, too. I don't have vestibular problems myself, but I'm currently on a brutal course of antibiotics that makes me want to hork. I can't eat when I want to hork, but if I don't eat, the drugs will make me hork. So I understand his vicious cycle.
He's lying between us now, sucking his left arm (habit since kittenhood), as we do our homework.
posted by toodleydoodley at 4:21 PM on July 28, 2010
Best wishes to you and your Fat Man.
posted by Jezebella at 7:45 PM on July 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Jezebella at 7:45 PM on July 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Surely there is a competent small animal vet somewhere in your area where you can take your kitty?
posted by bearwife at 10:31 AM on July 27, 2010