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#11
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More INFO: dementia in cats
Anyone here got any experience with senile dementia in a cat?
Our Ishtar seems to have it. In the last few months, she's started having spells of meowing at nothing in the middle of the night - it's not about food and she's not in pain, stroking her will settle her but she'll just start up again a bit later. She's frequently been using the hallway floor instead of her litter tray, but in the last two days it's been *anywhere* - I knew I'd read an article about this recently! [...] the litter issues could still be a UTI or something, ask her vet about feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). It affects older cats. The meowing at nothing in the middle of the night (often loud and all night long) is definitely one of the symptoms. So is staring at walls. Thanks, googling for that leads to a lot of useful information. The litter tray problem is a lot better now - we'd had a lot of things happening lately and had forgotten to change it. With a clean tray she's back to using it. Some of the relevant pages mention fussiness about the litter tray as part of the syndrome. She has very mild arthritis but it took a vet to spot it (no visible signs) and she's not getting treatment for it. Otherwise nothing showed up the last time we took her for a checkup. She surprised me last night. I picked her up for a cuddle and she suddenly climbed on my shoulders and sat up there for a while. She's never done that before, though her brother Ishmael and son Mingus liked being shoulder cats. For a thin old frail cat it was amazingly athletic. It's as if part of the syndrome involves forgetting what she thinks she can't do. She was a great climber as a kitten. I think we'll try adding a bit of vitamin E to her food or get some of that Hills j/d food from the vet as one of those links suggests. ==== j a c k at c a m p i n . m e . u k === http://www.campin.me.uk ==== Jack Campin, 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland == mob 07800 739 557 CD-ROMs and free stuff: Scottish music, food intolerance, and Mac logic fonts |
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dementia in cats
"Yowie" wrote in message ... Sherry wrote: On Nov 6, 4:47 am, Jack Campin - bogus address wrote: Anyone here got any experience with senile dementia in a cat? Our Ishtar seems to have it. In the last few months, she's started having spells of meowing at nothing in the middle of the night - it's not about food and she's not in pain, stroking her will settle her but she'll just start up again a bit later. She's frequently been using the hallway floor instead of her litter tray, but in the last two days it's been *anywhere* - yesterday morning it was all over my clothes on the floor in the bedroom, and I woke up this morning with my feet in a wet patch at the foot of the bed and a collection of turds beside me. She still manages to keep herself clean and is reasonably mobile though quite thin. She's 16. Doesn't go outside any more and spends most of the day sleeping. I really hate to mention this to you, but Cherokee did the meowing in the middle of the night at nothing *and* peeing inappropriately when his kidneys started to fail at age 17. He also started to hide, like go into closets or under the bed in the daytime. The vet said all the meowing was just his way of "communicating" that he didn't feel well. So did Shmogg when his kidneys were packing up. Please take Ishtar to the vet ASAP and have her kidneys and thyroid checked, and have a diabetes test. If nothing comes of it, then at least you'll be reassured that her health is good. Yowie I nearly posted about thyroid problems as I understand it can make them cry out at night and get thin. It could fit the symptoms, although it could be other things. A visit to the vet would definitely be in order here as it might be something that can be treated. Elderly cats can be expensive at the vets. KFC has cost me a fortune in the last couple of years, but while she can be kept going along and she is cheerful and bright I'm (sort of) happy to pay what seems a good proportion of my salary into my vet's bank account. I could not live with myself if I didn't do *everything* medically for her now she is so old and has health problems that can be sorted. On December 1 (our joint birthday I decided) she will be 23. I think. Maybe 22, I've lost track. She's an old lady anyway and I have addressed her old age health problems by taking her to TED, and I suggest you do the same, Jack. Don't be afraid about it, if that's what's stopping you, in case they suggest RB. They won't. Tweed |
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dementia in cats
"Christina Websell" wrote in message
... "Yowie" wrote in message ... Sherry wrote: On Nov 6, 4:47 am, Jack Campin - bogus address wrote: Anyone here got any experience with senile dementia in a cat? Our Ishtar seems to have it. In the last few months, she's started having spells of meowing at nothing in the middle of the night - it's not about food and she's not in pain, stroking her will settle her but she'll just start up again a bit later. She's frequently been using the hallway floor instead of her litter tray, but in the last two days it's been *anywhere* - yesterday morning it was all over my clothes on the floor in the bedroom, and I woke up this morning with my feet in a wet patch at the foot of the bed and a collection of turds beside me. She still manages to keep herself clean and is reasonably mobile though quite thin. She's 16. Doesn't go outside any more and spends most of the day sleeping. I really hate to mention this to you, but Cherokee did the meowing in the middle of the night at nothing *and* peeing inappropriately when his kidneys started to fail at age 17. He also started to hide, like go into closets or under the bed in the daytime. The vet said all the meowing was just his way of "communicating" that he didn't feel well. So did Shmogg when his kidneys were packing up. Please take Ishtar to the vet ASAP and have her kidneys and thyroid checked, and have a diabetes test. If nothing comes of it, then at least you'll be reassured that her health is good. Yowie I nearly posted about thyroid problems as I understand it can make them cry out at night and get thin. It could fit the symptoms, although it could be other things. A visit to the vet would definitely be in order here as it might be something that can be treated. Elderly cats can be expensive at the vets. KFC has cost me a fortune in the last couple of years, but while she can be kept going along and she is cheerful and bright I'm (sort of) happy to pay what seems a good proportion of my salary into my vet's bank account. I could not live with myself if I didn't do *everything* medically for her now she is so old and has health problems that can be sorted. On December 1 (our joint birthday I decided) she will be 23. I think. Maybe 22, I've lost track. She's an old lady anyway and I have addressed her old age health problems by taking her to TED, and I suggest you do the same, Jack. Don't be afraid about it, if that's what's stopping you, in case they suggest RB. They won't. Tweed KFC was really smart to choose such a good meow-my. And Boyfie is very lucky that she allowed him to join her family! ; I agree that a vet visit is indicated. Hugs, CatNipped |
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More INFO: dementia in cats
"jmcquown" wrote in message ... Jack Campin - bogus address wrote: Anyone here got any experience with senile dementia in a cat? Our Ishtar seems to have it. In the last few months, she's started having spells of meowing at nothing in the middle of the night - it's not about food and she's not in pain, stroking her will settle her but she'll just start up again a bit later. She's frequently been using the hallway floor instead of her litter tray, but in the last two days it's been *anywhere* - yesterday morning it was all over my clothes on the floor in the bedroom, and I woke up this morning with my feet in a wet patch at the foot of the bed and a collection of turds beside me. I knew I'd read an article about this recently! (Unfortunately it's in Cat Fancy magazine's May issue and you have to buy a copy of the magazine to read the entire article.) While the litter issues could still be a UTI or something, ask her vet about feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). It affects older cats. The meowing at nothing in the middle of the night (often loud and all night long) is definitely one of the symptoms. So is staring at walls. It is also one of the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. When I had the trouble of KFC trying to escape all the time I asked the vet if he thought she had dementia. He said not. He said that cats do not get dementia (as we know it) and it was more likely that she had some sort of infection that caused her to display these symptoms. Sure enough, with a long-acting antibiotic injection she was cured from her wandering. Tweed |
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More INFO: dementia in cats
"Jack Campin - bogus address" wrote in message ... I think we'll try adding a bit of vitamin E to her food or get some of that Hills j/d food from the vet as one of those links suggests. Take her to the vet. Spend some money on her. |
#16
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More INFO: dementia in cats
Christina Websell wrote:
"jmcquown" wrote in message ... Jack Campin - bogus address wrote: Anyone here got any experience with senile dementia in a cat? Our Ishtar seems to have it. In the last few months, she's started having spells of meowing at nothing in the middle of the night - it's not about food and she's not in pain, stroking her will settle her but she'll just start up again a bit later. She's frequently been using the hallway floor instead of her litter tray, but in the last two days it's been *anywhere* - yesterday morning it was all over my clothes on the floor in the bedroom, and I woke up this morning with my feet in a wet patch at the foot of the bed and a collection of turds beside me. I knew I'd read an article about this recently! (Unfortunately it's in Cat Fancy magazine's May issue and you have to buy a copy of the magazine to read the entire article.) While the litter issues could still be a UTI or something, ask her vet about feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). It affects older cats. The meowing at nothing in the middle of the night (often loud and all night long) is definitely one of the symptoms. So is staring at walls. It is also one of the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. When I had the trouble of KFC trying to escape all the time I asked the vet if he thought she had dementia. He said not. He said that cats do not get dementia (as we know it) and it was more likely that she had some sort of infection that caused her to display these symptoms. Sure enough, with a long-acting antibiotic injection she was cured from her wandering. Tweed I'm not discounting medical issues, Christina, nor am I suggesting he shouldn't take Ishtar to the vet. I'm simply pointing out there certainly IS something called CDS. My dog Sampson was diagnosed with what they called "doggy dementia" back in the 1990's. He was 16 years old at the time. And medication definitely helped him. He didn't have a thyroid condition. He was just old and easily confused. At times he didn't even know who I was so he'd snap at me thinking I was a stranger. He never did like strangers I'm very glad KFC isn't suffering from dementia but that doesn't mean Jack's cat isn't. He needs to take her to a vet and ask specific questions. Cats definitely do get dimentia. Jill |
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More INFO: dementia in cats
"jmcquown" wrote in message ... Christina Websell wrote: "jmcquown" wrote in message ... When I had the trouble of KFC trying to escape all the time I asked the vet if he thought she had dementia. He said not. He said that cats do not get dementia (as we know it) and it was more likely that she had some sort of infection that caused her to display these symptoms. Sure enough, with a long-acting antibiotic injection she was cured from her wandering. Tweed I'm not discounting medical issues, Christina, nor am I suggesting he shouldn't take Ishtar to the vet. I'm simply pointing out there certainly IS something called CDS. My dog Sampson was diagnosed with what they called "doggy dementia" back in the 1990's. He was 16 years old at the time. And medication definitely helped him. He didn't have a thyroid condition. He was just old and easily confused. At times he didn't even know who I was so he'd snap at me thinking I was a stranger. He never did like strangers I'm very glad KFC isn't suffering from dementia but that doesn't mean Jack's cat isn't. He needs to take her to a vet and ask specific questions. Cats definitely do get dimentia. The "C" in CDS stands for canine. My vet says cats do not get dementia "as we know it in humans" but that loss of faculties through old age or an infection that causes a raised temperature can cause them to become confused which mimics the symptoms of what we think of as dementia. Did you know that elderly people who get constipated can become confused through the toxins that are released into the blood? I didn't either, until I learnt it through my job. I did elderly/childcare work 1989- 2003 when I switched to childcare only. I hardly believed it myself, but it's true. Relieve the constipation and the confusion is gone. It's amazing. There are a lot more reasons for confusion than the easy diagnosis of dementia. Tweed |
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More INFO: dementia in cats
Christina Websell wrote:
"jmcquown" wrote in message ... Christina Websell wrote: "jmcquown" wrote in message ... When I had the trouble of KFC trying to escape all the time I asked the vet if he thought she had dementia. He said not. He said that cats do not get dementia (as we know it) and it was more likely that she had some sort of infection that caused her to display these symptoms. Sure enough, with a long-acting antibiotic injection she was cured from her wandering. Tweed I'm not discounting medical issues, Christina, nor am I suggesting he shouldn't take Ishtar to the vet. I'm simply pointing out there certainly IS something called CDS. My dog Sampson was diagnosed with what they called "doggy dementia" back in the 1990's. He was 16 years old at the time. And medication definitely helped him. He didn't have a thyroid condition. He was just old and easily confused. At times he didn't even know who I was so he'd snap at me thinking I was a stranger. He never did like strangers I'm very glad KFC isn't suffering from dementia but that doesn't mean Jack's cat isn't. He needs to take her to a vet and ask specific questions. Cats definitely do get dimentia. The "C" in CDS stands for canine. That is incorrect. The "C" stands for Cognitive. I doubt a vet writing for Cat Fancy Magazine would be writing articles about canine dementia. Here are a few citations for FELINE CDS: http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/CDS.html http://www.fabcats.org/owners/elderly/senility.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...cats_what.html My vet says cats do not get dementia Then your vet is either sadly misinformed or hasn't kept up with the latest studies. Sorry. Of course it's more commonly known in canines. That's why I initially said my dog was given medication for "doggy dementia" back in the 1990's. Early 1990's, to be exact. Cats are more difficult to diagnose when it comes to most everything. Let's face it, they are just plain weird to begin with, in a good way of course Persia has always yowled at nothing from time to time. But not for hours at a time as Jack is describing. And when she was urinating outside her box it was due to a UTI, not dementia. But I certainly don't discount it as something that can happen to a cat. There are plenty of citations to back it up. Jill |
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More INFO: dementia in cats
"jmcquown" wrote in message ... Christina Websell wrote: "jmcquown" wrote in message ... Christina Websell wrote: "jmcquown" wrote in message ... When I had the trouble of KFC trying to escape all the time I asked the vet if he thought she had dementia. He said not. He said that cats do not get dementia (as we know it) and it was more likely that she had some sort of infection that caused her to display these symptoms. Sure enough, with a long-acting antibiotic injection she was cured from her wandering. Tweed I'm not discounting medical issues, Christina, nor am I suggesting he shouldn't take Ishtar to the vet. I'm simply pointing out there certainly IS something called CDS. My dog Sampson was diagnosed with what they called "doggy dementia" back in the 1990's. He was 16 years old at the time. And medication definitely helped him. He didn't have a thyroid condition. He was just old and easily confused. At times he didn't even know who I was so he'd snap at me thinking I was a stranger. He never did like strangers I'm very glad KFC isn't suffering from dementia but that doesn't mean Jack's cat isn't. He needs to take her to a vet and ask specific questions. Cats definitely do get dimentia. The "C" in CDS stands for canine. That is incorrect. The "C" stands for Cognitive. I doubt a vet writing for Cat Fancy Magazine would be writing articles about canine dementia. Here are a few citations for FELINE CDS: http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/CDS.html http://www.fabcats.org/owners/elderly/senility.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...cats_what.html My vet says cats do not get dementia Then your vet is either sadly misinformed or hasn't kept up with the latest studies. Sorry. You've cut most of what I said Next time I see him I will tell him he is wrong. Is he, though? Do cats have dementia in the same way as humans do? I don't think they do and he is right. There is a medical explanation for it. As the vet says. Tweed |
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More INFO: dementia in cats
Christina Websell wrote:
"jmcquown" wrote in message The "C" in CDS stands for canine. That is incorrect. The "C" stands for Cognitive. I doubt a vet writing for Cat Fancy Magazine would be writing articles about canine dementia. Here are a few citations for FELINE CDS: http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/CDS.html http://www.fabcats.org/owners/elderly/senility.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...cats_what.html My vet says cats do not get dementia Then your vet is either sadly misinformed or hasn't kept up with the latest studies. Sorry. You've cut most of what I said Yes, I did. Because you're talking about constipation in human adults leading to senility and it has nothing to do with a cat howling all night long. You're insisting cats don't ever suffer from dementia. And that's absolutely incorrect. Next time I see him I will tell him he is wrong. Is he, though? Do cats have dementia in the same way as humans do? I don't think they do and he is right. There is a medical explanation for it. As the vet says. Who ever said it was the same as senility in humans? Or the same as in canines? We're not the same creatures. All I did was point Jack in a direction for FELINE CDS. I gave you reliable citations from an article I read and then the sites I posted links to. I'm honestly not trying to be argumentative but you insist it doesn't exist. I'm sorry but it does. There's a lot of data to back it up. Jill |
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