Is my cat okay? I hope so...

Hey, I've never posted here before but I'm worried about my cat. She's about a year and a half old Russian Blue. She has never been outside and hasn't had a health issue since she had kennel cough from the humane society as a kitten. She is acting very strange today and was last night as well. It has been like an all of the sudden kind of thing.

She's extremely social, always greets you at the door, lays in your lap, loves being around my wife and I at all times, and is just a loving cat. Since last night, she's been all twitchy. She runs around the house in a repetitive way and keeps scratching herself. She hasn't greeted us at all and won't lay with us. She doesn't mind if we come to her and pet her, she even still purrs. But she won't be near us. She runs off under the bed, in the closet, and anywhere she can be alone to sleep. She only ate like half of her food today and that's definitely not like her.

I'll try to give as much info as I can. She doesn't appear to be sick. No coughing/wheezing/sneezing/vomiting. She is spayed. I can't find a flea or any bug on her. She keeps herself immaculately clean. She's kind of chubby, but not because we feed her poorly. I think maybe it's just her breed.

Anyways, I'm worried about her. It's like a total 180 in her personality. Should I just give it time? The vet is something we'd like to avoid because money is extremely tight. I'm going through some pretty serious medical complications, could it maybe be that she senses that and is stressed or something? Her litter box was kind of dirty, if that means anything. I cleaned it obviously. I don't know, but any advice or experience would be helpful. Thanks
Sean

Running and scratching would sound like a flea problem. Whenever my cat Arthur has a flea he does the same thing, twitching his skin and reaching around to itch. He starts to run also. You could have brought fleas in to the house. Just one or two on the animal will make it act that way, especially if they are not used to it. But I don't know about the not eating or wanting to have contact with you. I would look again for a flea problem. You do not have to see a flea. They leave behind flea dirt, tiny black specks. Comb again and put the fur you get on a white paper plate or paper. Get a magnifying glass and see what is there. That's about all I can offer. I'm sorry about your medical issues. Hopefully, someone will come along to offer more. If she does not come around I would say a vet visit is in order.

Is there a spray or something that I could try for flea removal? Maybe I'll try that even if I can't find any on her. But yeah, it doesn't seem like that would account for her antisocial behavior.

It does sound like a flea or two could have found their way to her, although this is an usual time of year for it.

Flea insecticides can be dangerous to cats, so it's better to get something from the vet's office. I don't think you have to take the cat in for something like that, but you can call ahead and ask. And maybe someone here can recommend something specific.

What are you feeding her? Cats and dogs can both develop allergies, especially when they're on dry foods (kibble can also lead to excess weight, among other things).

If it is flea related, do NOT use any over the counter flea products as they can be deadly.

Frontline plus can be bought in any vet's office.

Is she spayed?

I think kitty needs to see the vet. She could be having a reaction to a poison (do you have house plants? Some chemical left out?) or she could have FHS. (Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome)

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1998

taken from link:

begins in cats at 1 to 4 years of age. It is also known as self-mutilation syndrome, rolling skin syndrome, twitchy cat disease, and atypical neurodermatitis. What happens is that affected cats have episodes in which the skin twitches, the body jerks around suddenly, and the tail moves far more than usual. Hyperesthetic cats vocalize and groom excessively, don't want to be touched, and zoom around at high speed. Sometimes the skin on the cat's back, just above the tail, will seem to ripple. Some affected cats will groom/chew at themselves so much that they will lose their hair, develop skin irritation, and even create skin sores. While some of this may sound a bit like normal fun behavior, it is different in how far it goes. The cat will appear to be in distress, rather than having a good time; pupils will be dilated, and the cats may appear to be scared and depressed -- or stare into space. Episodes will last from a few seconds to several minutes.

I recommend video taping the episodes to bring with you.

Welcome to the forum and please keep us updated. What's her name?

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

It does sound like a flea or two could have found their way to her, although this is an usual time of year for it.

Flea insecticides can be dangerous to cats, so it's better to get something from the vet's office. I don't think you have to take the cat in for something like that, but you can call ahead and ask. And maybe someone here can recommend something specific.

What are you feeding her? Cats and dogs can both develop allergies, especially when they're on dry foods (kibble can also lead to excess weight, among other things).

Click to expand...

I agree talk with the vet , if the vet has not seen you in a while ( most a yr) you likely will have to go in for even the flea meds.. I recommend calling and telling the vet what is going on with you and the cat most will work with you ... If it is food issues the vet has some beginning elimination diets that are often very helpful as well as some similar OTC foods

Ditto on flea meds. NO over the counter. Yes, the price is cheaper, but they can kill. Our cats are worth the extra amount! Keep us posted.

Originally Posted by otto

If it is flea related, do NOT use any over the counter flea products as they can be deadly.

Frontline plus can be bought in any vet's office.

Is she spayed?

I think kitty needs to see the vet. She could be having a reaction to a poison (do you have house plants? Some chemical left out?) or she could have FHS. (Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome)

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1998

taken from link:

begins in cats at 1 to 4 years of age. It is also known as self-mutilation syndrome, rolling skin syndrome, twitchy cat disease, and atypical neurodermatitis. What happens is that affected cats have episodes in which the skin twitches, the body jerks around suddenly, and the tail moves far more than usual. Hyperesthetic cats vocalize and groom excessively, don't want to be touched, and zoom around at high speed. Sometimes the skin on the cat's back, just above the tail, will seem to ripple. Some affected cats will groom/chew at themselves so much that they will lose their hair, develop skin irritation, and even create skin sores. While some of this may sound a bit like normal fun behavior, it is different in how far it goes. The cat will appear to be in distress, rather than having a good time; pupils will be dilated, and the cats may appear to be scared and depressed -- or stare into space. Episodes will last from a few seconds to several minutes.

I recommend video taping the episodes to bring with you.

Welcome to the forum and please keep us updated. What's her name?

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That sounds like pretty sound advice. I just woke up and she is still acting the same way today. She's sleeping under the bed now. I guess maybe this would explain her antisocial behavior. She hasn't been crazy with her grooming or running around. She's just doing it a little more than normal and definitely acting out of character. How much do you think having a vet check her out would cost?

Anyways, her name is Chemo. I have kind of a sick sense of humor, but the name suits her. I got her after I put my cancer into remission the first time. It's relapsed a few times since and my prognosis is pretty poor at this point, but I still like her name. She is one of the bright spots in our (my wife and I) lives.

Originally Posted by SeanTella

...Anyways, her name is Chemo. I have kind of a sick sense of humor, but the name suits her.

I got her after I put my cancer into remission the first time. It's relapsed a few times since and my prognosis is pretty poor at this point, but I still like her name.

She is one of the bright spots in our (my wife and I) lives.

Click to expand...

You have a very calm and courageous demeanor, Sean. <<<<<Hugs>>>>> to you for what you're going through. Sounds like Chemo was meant for you two!

This sounds more like a reaction to either contact with a chemical or allergic reaction to food or reaction to a stressful event. It is not unheard of for a cat to experience something stressful, than not be able to shake off the feeling with out help. If it were fleas, she would be up high on something instead of under your bed. When you pick her up, does her muscles seem to tighten up? I have had expericence in the past with stress/trauma in cats that do this. At any rate, all of the above can be corrected at the vet's with a shot of cortizone. BUT, of course, food allergies have to be further corrected with diet.
Best of luck to you and Chemo!
Bobby
and the Gang

Interesting take, Bfish29.

Sean, has something scared or startled Chemo in the past few days? Any construction going on nearby? Any recent parties/get-togethers?

Originally Posted by bfish29

This sounds more like a reaction to either contact with a chemical or allergic reaction to food or reaction to a stressful event. It is not unheard of for a cat to experience something stressful, than not be able to shake off the feeling with out help. If it were fleas, she would be up high on something instead of under your bed. When you pick her up, does her muscles seem to tighten up? I have had expericence in the past with stress/trauma in cats that do this. At any rate, all of the above can be corrected at the vet's with a shot of cortizone. BUT, of course, food allergies have to be further corrected with diet.
Best of luck to you and Chemo!
Bobby
and the Gang

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It's possible that she could have gotten into something. We aren't the most careful about keeping food and chemicals childproof. Her muscles don't tighten up when we pick her up but her claws do come out. She reactions affectionately still if I pet her wherever she is. She purrs and rolls over and all that. We haven't changed her food at all. She eats Purina healthy weight formula but she has been on that for quite a while and likes it.

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

Interesting take, Bfish29.

Sean, has something scared or startled Chemo in the past few days? Any construction going on nearby? Any recent parties/get-togethers?

Click to expand...

No, not that I know of. It's been a quiet few days. We can't even find her when we come home. It's strange, because she has NEVER once not been waiting for us at the door when we come home.

Sean, I know you are going through some difficulties, and $$$ is tight, but any sudden and radical change of behavior like this warrants a vet visit... This is not normal, and the only one who will really be able to help her is a vet.

If you do have a relationship with your vet, call him. As for costs, it depends... My vet charges me $35 for a consult, tests are extra. The other vet, in the hospital, is $40 for a consult...
So it all depends.

Good luck!

I'd really like to, but I just don't know where we will get the money. When we got home tonight, she was waiting for us at the door. She let me pick her up and she started purring but now she has gone back into her little mode again. She's hiding on top of some stacked mattresses in the guest room. She did eat all of her food today though. So maybe she is getting better?

I don't know Sean... cats are weird... They act weird when there is something wrong with them. They don't show pain and discomfort like we do, so it will be very hard to know without seeing a vet...
I wish I had something else to tell you...

Tomorrow is Sunday, and your vet will be closed anyways... See how she acts tomorrow. If she is not better by Monday I would strongly advise to take her to the vet.

Have you heard of CareCredit? You might already have it since you are having major medical treatments... CareCredit can also be used for vet expenses...
Here is the link:
http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/whycc.html

Good luck

Well, she is following me around the house right now, like she usually does. Something is definitely up with her though. She keeps twitching and will suddenly turn her head to lick or scratch certain parts of her body. She was trying to scratch the hardwood floor with her claws. I've never seen her do that. It seems more and more like fleas. Or maybe that hypertensia thing someone mentioned, but hopefully not. I feel bad for her.

Maybe I'll look into that link you posted.

When you get flea removal stuff from the vet, does it work quickly? And does it prevent her from getting more fleas from wherever she got them or does it just get rid of the ones on her?

Well, now she seems really normal. I don't know. She came up to me and has been all affectionate. She was licking me and has been sleeping on me for about two hours now. Strange cat.

I still think this is FHS. They have episodes, just as you are describing. It's almost a form of seizure activity. (which could also be what you are seeing)

I have a cat with a seizure disorder, which may or may not be FHS. He had horrifying episodes where he would run around like crazy chasing an invisible bug, twitch his skin and ears, bite his flank, bite the floor. It was awful. The episodes came every half hour, except when he was sleeping, and he was scared.

Every cat is different and will not react exactly to same to any disorder, including seizures and FHS.

It is usually controlled with phenobarbital. The medicine is not expensive, but the necessary initial blood tests (before starting the med, and while finding the proper dose) are

Some people have had success with diet change. Finding a food with no additives or other junk has, in some cases reduced the severity and frequency of the episodes. So you could try that first. Get her on a canned grain free diet, (no by products or artificial stuff also). This may help.

However I still think she needs to see the vet. Video tape some episodes.

(I think naming her Chemo is a lovely way to commemorate what she has brought to your life. Cats are healing critters!)