Cat symptoms -- what is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cat used to do this when he became geriatric and deaf. Is he deaf? My cat would be sitting in his sphinx position and then just his head would sort of flop down and he'd fall into a deep sleep. His sleep was deep because he could no longer hear.

He still responds to a can opener, so he's not deaf. But thanks for this -- it sounds like a part of aging I hadn't seen before, maybe because he's more prone to falling asleep in the sphinx position than other cats I've had have been.

So, are you going to accept this as "part of aging I hadn't seen before" and a tendency to being "more prone to falling asleep in the sphynx position than other cats", and then just NOT seek vet attention?

If so, this is terrible and really unfair/cruel to the cat. See a vet, please.

As I said in my OP, I am NOT taking my cat to the vet. We are living in a pandemic, and he is in no visible pain and he is old. I love my cat but I'm not an idiot. If he were in pain or even if he were younger, I wouldn't hesitate, but that's not the case.

I'd like to hear from posters on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cat had mini-strokes, which caused what appeared to be odd behavior, but it wasn’t constant - he had about two episodes that caused some residual weakness.

What was the odd behavior?

He started staring at the floor, as if there was something there that was invisible to me - it was like he froze, from what I remember. Then for a few minutes his walking was off kilter, like he couldn’t walk straight. Pains my heart to remember it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cat used to do this when he became geriatric and deaf. Is he deaf? My cat would be sitting in his sphinx position and then just his head would sort of flop down and he'd fall into a deep sleep. His sleep was deep because he could no longer hear.

He still responds to a can opener, so he's not deaf. But thanks for this -- it sounds like a part of aging I hadn't seen before, maybe because he's more prone to falling asleep in the sphinx position than other cats I've had have been.

So, are you going to accept this as "part of aging I hadn't seen before" and a tendency to being "more prone to falling asleep in the sphynx position than other cats", and then just NOT seek vet attention?

If so, this is terrible and really unfair/cruel to the cat. See a vet, please.

As I said in my OP, I am NOT taking my cat to the vet. We are living in a pandemic, and he is in no visible pain and he is old. I love my cat but I'm not an idiot. If he were in pain or even if he were younger, I wouldn't hesitate, but that's not the case.

I'd like to hear from posters on DCUM.

If your vet recommends it after discussing symptoms, please realize it’s safe. As others said, it’s a drop-off situation and vet offices are being very csreful.

But first you must call!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cat used to do this when he became geriatric and deaf. Is he deaf? My cat would be sitting in his sphinx position and then just his head would sort of flop down and he'd fall into a deep sleep. His sleep was deep because he could no longer hear.

He still responds to a can opener, so he's not deaf. But thanks for this -- it sounds like a part of aging I hadn't seen before, maybe because he's more prone to falling asleep in the sphinx position than other cats I've had have been.

So, are you going to accept this as "part of aging I hadn't seen before" and a tendency to being "more prone to falling asleep in the sphynx position than other cats", and then just NOT seek vet attention?

If so, this is terrible and really unfair/cruel to the cat. See a vet, please.

As I said in my OP, I am NOT taking my cat to the vet. We are living in a pandemic, and he is in no visible pain and he is old. I love my cat but I'm not an idiot. If he were in pain or even if he were younger, I wouldn't hesitate, but that's not the case.

I'd like to hear from posters on DCUM.

If your vet recommends it after discussing symptoms, please realize it’s safe. As others said, it’s a drop-off situation and vet offices are being very csreful.

But first you must call!

Vet here.....the only topic of conversation on that phone call should be "when is your next emergency appointment?" Your cat needs to see a vet ASAP. Yes, the videos are helpful, but the vet also need to listen to the heart and lungs, look at gum color, possibly do labwork on the cat. It is all hands off - meaning you pass the cat to the staff and you stay in the car. I worry about syncope (fancy work for fainting) and seizures from your description....

Also - word to the wise.....your vets are slammed right now. They do not have time to come to the phone just to tell you to make an appointment. You know getting him an appointment is the right thing to do....so do it. Do not expect free advice on the phone about what is wrong with him or how to fix him. Our time is valuable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cat used to do this when he became geriatric and deaf. Is he deaf? My cat would be sitting in his sphinx position and then just his head would sort of flop down and he'd fall into a deep sleep. His sleep was deep because he could no longer hear.

He still responds to a can opener, so he's not deaf. But thanks for this -- it sounds like a part of aging I hadn't seen before, maybe because he's more prone to falling asleep in the sphinx position than other cats I've had have been.

So, are you going to accept this as "part of aging I hadn't seen before" and a tendency to being "more prone to falling asleep in the sphynx position than other cats", and then just NOT seek vet attention?

If so, this is terrible and really unfair/cruel to the cat. See a vet, please.

As I said in my OP, I am NOT taking my cat to the vet. We are living in a pandemic, and he is in no visible pain and he is old. I love my cat but I'm not an idiot. If he were in pain or even if he were younger, I wouldn't hesitate, but that's not the case.

I'd like to hear from posters on DCUM.

If your vet recommends it after discussing symptoms, please realize it’s safe. As others said, it’s a drop-off situation and vet offices are being very csreful.

But first you must call!

Vet here.....the only topic of conversation on that phone call should be "when is your next emergency appointment?" Your cat needs to see a vet ASAP. Yes, the videos are helpful, but the vet also need to listen to the heart and lungs, look at gum color, possibly do labwork on the cat. It is all hands off - meaning you pass the cat to the staff and you stay in the car. I worry about syncope (fancy work for fainting) and seizures from your description....

Also - word to the wise.....your vets are slammed right now. They do not have time to come to the phone just to tell you to make an appointment. You know getting him an appointment is the right thing to do....so do it. Do not expect free advice on the phone about what is wrong with him or how to fix him. Our time is valuable.

Thank you. I'm not going to take him in. I'm not going to go to heroic lengths to keep an elderly cat alive. BTDT. I think it's cruel to the animal. They are traumatized by the entire vet experience and end up on medication or going through surgery that leaves them feeling worse than they did before, and there is no way to explain to them why. Not doing that ever again. This cat is old. I would only take him in to the vet if he were in pain. But thank you.

[Anonymous]

Wow OP. You suck as a pet owner. A VETERINARIAN advised you to make an emergency appointment for your obviously severely ill cat and yet you only want advice from other DCUM posters (because...what? They are more informed??). Clearly you are looking for someone to tell you your cat is fine and that is not going to happen.
BTW, 13 is not elderly. I had a cat who lived to 18 + years and was spry and healthy until the very end because he had regular check ups at the vet and received medical care when he seemed unwell.
I feel sorry for your poor cat. When it dies please do not get another

[Anonymous]

Vet here again - what YOU Are doing is cruel to your pet. He is suffering. At least call a housecall vet or Lap of Love to have him evaluated.

For those of you willing to listen - it is INHUMANE when a pet with a known terminal illness dies at home without pharmacologic intervention. They have to sink so low - they suffer. PLEASE do not do this ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cat used to do this when he became geriatric and deaf. Is he deaf? My cat would be sitting in his sphinx position and then just his head would sort of flop down and he'd fall into a deep sleep. His sleep was deep because he could no longer hear.

He still responds to a can opener, so he's not deaf. But thanks for this -- it sounds like a part of aging I hadn't seen before, maybe because he's more prone to falling asleep in the sphinx position than other cats I've had have been.

So, are you going to accept this as "part of aging I hadn't seen before" and a tendency to being "more prone to falling asleep in the sphynx position than other cats", and then just NOT seek vet attention?

If so, this is terrible and really unfair/cruel to the cat. See a vet, please.

As I said in my OP, I am NOT taking my cat to the vet. We are living in a pandemic, and he is in no visible pain and he is old. I love my cat but I'm not an idiot. If he were in pain or even if he were younger, I wouldn't hesitate, but that's not the case.

I'd like to hear from posters on DCUM.

If your vet recommends it after discussing symptoms, please realize it’s safe. As others said, it’s a drop-off situation and vet offices are being very csreful.

But first you must call!

Vet here.....the only topic of conversation on that phone call should be "when is your next emergency appointment?" Your cat needs to see a vet ASAP. Yes, the videos are helpful, but the vet also need to listen to the heart and lungs, look at gum color, possibly do labwork on the cat. It is all hands off - meaning you pass the cat to the staff and you stay in the car. I worry about syncope (fancy work for fainting) and seizures from your description....

Also - word to the wise.....your vets are slammed right now. They do not have time to come to the phone just to tell you to make an appointment. You know getting him an appointment is the right thing to do....so do it. Do not expect free advice on the phone about what is wrong with him or how to fix him. Our time is valuable.

Thank you. I'm not going to take him in. I'm not going to go to heroic lengths to keep an elderly cat alive. BTDT. I think it's cruel to the animal. They are traumatized by the entire vet experience and end up on medication or going through surgery that leaves them feeling worse than they did before, and there is no way to explain to them why. Not doing that ever again. This cat is old. I would only take him in to the vet if he were in pain. But thank you.

You should not have a cat. You are an awful owner. I know you've rationalized in your head how righteous you are, but you are doing the wrong thing. You have zero clue if the cat is actually suffering or not besides wishful thinking. No one is saying to do expensive treatments or surgery. A responsible owner would want to know what is going on so they can make an informed decision. You seem to have this misconception that he'll just be happy and peaceful right up to the end and you are wrong. One of our cats died suddenly in our home recently and it was NOT peaceful and it was NOT painless. The autopsy showed there would have been no saving him, but I regret every day that I didn't recognize the crisis fast enough to get him to the emergency vet for euthanasia. Natural death can be very ugly and forcing your cat to suffer that way when you have the ability not to but are refusing is cruel.

[Anonymous]

Another veterinarian here. You need to bring this cat to a veterinarian. Epilepsy in cats is extremely rare. I agree it sounds more like syncope. If it is a seizure then that is usually a sign of a serious medical condition.

I've seen cats unwilling to lie down to sleep when they have fluid in their thoracic cavity and lying down would make them have an even harder time breathing. So they sit up as you describe until they are exhausted then they fall over asleep.

Cats hide pain. They hide signs of disease. Noone will force you to do any treatments you think are excessive. As others have said "natural death" can be extremely painful and prolonged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another veterinarian here. You need to bring this cat to a veterinarian. Epilepsy in cats is extremely rare. I agree it sounds more like syncope. If it is a seizure then that is usually a sign of a serious medical condition.

I've seen cats unwilling to lie down to sleep when they have fluid in their thoracic cavity and lying down would make them have an even harder time breathing. So they sit up as you describe until they are exhausted then they fall over asleep.

Cats hide pain. They hide signs of disease. Noone will force you to do any treatments you think are excessive. As others have said "natural death" can be extremely painful and prolonged.

I wouldn't hesitate to take the cat in if he seemed to be in any pain or even in any discomfort. He's doesn't appear to be. I've spent insane amounts of money prolonging inevitable death in sick cats, too -- never again. I wish vets would cut people off and just tell them to give up on a dying animal.

I've had two animals die at home, one after being seen by a vet who ruled out just about everything there could be. Another was a cat who died lying in a spot of sunshine on my bed. Both were peaceful deaths. I've also held down cats while they howl and scratch to get away from the vet, who is putting them down. It's sickening. I've seen all kinds of pet deaths over the years. Those who claim I'm a bad pet owner because I am judging my own cat's level of comfort or discomfort are ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another veterinarian here. You need to bring this cat to a veterinarian. Epilepsy in cats is extremely rare. I agree it sounds more like syncope. If it is a seizure then that is usually a sign of a serious medical condition.

I've seen cats unwilling to lie down to sleep when they have fluid in their thoracic cavity and lying down would make them have an even harder time breathing. So they sit up as you describe until they are exhausted then they fall over asleep.

Cats hide pain. They hide signs of disease. Noone will force you to do any treatments you think are excessive. As others have said "natural death" can be extremely painful and prolonged.

I wouldn't hesitate to take the cat in if he seemed to be in any pain or even in any discomfort. He's doesn't appear to be. I've spent insane amounts of money prolonging inevitable death in sick cats, too -- never again. I wish vets would cut people off and just tell them to give up on a dying animal.

I've had two animals die at home, one after being seen by a vet who ruled out just about everything there could be. Another was a cat who died lying in a spot of sunshine on my bed. Both were peaceful deaths. I've also held down cats while they howl and scratch to get away from the vet, who is putting them down. It's sickening. I've seen all kinds of pet deaths over the years. Those who claim I'm a bad pet owner because I am judging my own cat's level of comfort or discomfort are ridiculous.

I've worked in the veterinary field since 1994. I've never seen a cat howl or scratch during euthanasia. They get sedated first. Maybe this was during the 1960s before there were effective sedatives?

What is the cat's respiratory rate? If its over 40 breaths/min thats a sign of pain. Esp notice if the cat has increased abdominal effort - if his belly sucks in and out with each breath that isn't normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another veterinarian here. You need to bring this cat to a veterinarian. Epilepsy in cats is extremely rare. I agree it sounds more like syncope. If it is a seizure then that is usually a sign of a serious medical condition.

I've seen cats unwilling to lie down to sleep when they have fluid in their thoracic cavity and lying down would make them have an even harder time breathing. So they sit up as you describe until they are exhausted then they fall over asleep.

Cats hide pain. They hide signs of disease. Noone will force you to do any treatments you think are excessive. As others have said "natural death" can be extremely painful and prolonged.

I wouldn't hesitate to take the cat in if he seemed to be in any pain or even in any discomfort. He's doesn't appear to be. I've spent insane amounts of money prolonging inevitable death in sick cats, too -- never again. I wish vets would cut people off and just tell them to give up on a dying animal.

I've had two animals die at home, one after being seen by a vet who ruled out just about everything there could be. Another was a cat who died lying in a spot of sunshine on my bed. Both were peaceful deaths. I've also held down cats while they howl and scratch to get away from the vet, who is putting them down. It's sickening. I've seen all kinds of pet deaths over the years. Those who claim I'm a bad pet owner because I am judging my own cat's level of comfort or discomfort are ridiculous.

I've worked in the veterinary field since 1994. I've never seen a cat howl or scratch during euthanasia. They get sedated first. Maybe this was during the 1960s before there were effective sedatives?

What is the cat's respiratory rate? If its over 40 breaths/min thats a sign of pain. Esp notice if the cat has increased abdominal effort - if his belly sucks in and out with each breath that isn't normal.

Thanks for the tips. I'll check his breaths.

No, this was not in the 60s, LOL. This was a cat who had been put through hell at the vet's office already and knew nothing good was coming. He was desperate to get away and I held him down while the vet injected his arm. It was horrible. I will never forgive myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another veterinarian here. You need to bring this cat to a veterinarian. Epilepsy in cats is extremely rare. I agree it sounds more like syncope. If it is a seizure then that is usually a sign of a serious medical condition.

I've seen cats unwilling to lie down to sleep when they have fluid in their thoracic cavity and lying down would make them have an even harder time breathing. So they sit up as you describe until they are exhausted then they fall over asleep.

Cats hide pain. They hide signs of disease. Noone will force you to do any treatments you think are excessive. As others have said "natural death" can be extremely painful and prolonged.

I wouldn't hesitate to take the cat in if he seemed to be in any pain or even in any discomfort. He's doesn't appear to be. I've spent insane amounts of money prolonging inevitable death in sick cats, too -- never again. I wish vets would cut people off and just tell them to give up on a dying animal.

I've had two animals die at home, one after being seen by a vet who ruled out just about everything there could be. Another was a cat who died lying in a spot of sunshine on my bed. Both were peaceful deaths. I've also held down cats while they howl and scratch to get away from the vet, who is putting them down. It's sickening. I've seen all kinds of pet deaths over the years. Those who claim I'm a bad pet owner because I am judging my own cat's level of comfort or discomfort are ridiculous.

I've worked in the veterinary field since 1994. I've never seen a cat howl or scratch during euthanasia. They get sedated first. Maybe this was during the 1960s before there were effective sedatives?

What is the cat's respiratory rate? If its over 40 breaths/min thats a sign of pain. Esp notice if the cat has increased abdominal effort - if his belly sucks in and out with each breath that isn't normal.

Thanks for the tips. I'll check his breaths.

No, this was not in the 60s, LOL. This was a cat who had been put through hell at the vet's office already and knew nothing good was coming. He was desperate to get away and I held him down while the vet injected his arm. It was horrible. I will never forgive myself.

I can assure you that is NOT acceptable euthanasia technique as defined by the AVMA. That doesn't happen around here in this day and age.

[Anonymous]

The cat is fine today. No twitching, no movement in his legs when he breaths and no head flopping. FYI. I really think he was somehow poisoned by his cat food bowls and has been slowly getting over that. I posted this:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/928172.page

Who knows. I could be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The cat is fine today. No twitching, no movement in his legs when he breathes and no head flopping. FYI. I really think he was somehow poisoned by his cat food bowls and has been slowly getting over that. I posted this:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/928172.page

Who knows. I could be wrong.