I think Napoleon wandered off to die.

We have one of the barn cats that decided to take up residence in our house a few months ago. I started with him coming in partake of the nightly buffet then eventually he stopped going outside afterwards. Once we realized he was making himself at home, we did take him to the vets for his shots but didn't have the money to get him neutered (this is the one I posted about wondering if cats could be gay).

Anyway, he hasn't gone outside for a few months and mainly just sleeps, eats and uses the litter box. Other than his eyes being a bit weepy from time to time (have ointement for that) he seemed fine...just enjoying the good life.

Well, last night all of a sudden he started staggering around pretty bad and didn't want to eat. He did eat some of the canned food we feed them but didn't eat any dry that we saw. He couldn't even jump up on the couch to sleep so he crashed on the floor. Our first thought was he accidently found Monster's valium because he was acting like she does when she's stoned. She had a seizure last night and we gave her a 1/2 valium to stop it but she has a bad habit of "faking" swallowing it then spitting it out later.

The vet isn't open until Monday (none of them around here are), and it really didn't seem like an emergency so we just planned on taking him in on Monday it he hadn't improved.

This morning, Nappy walked outside with the dogs and staggered across the road into the woods. Now, this is the cat that had no desire to go outside even in late summer or during the fall. Now, with 6 inches of snow in the ground he decides to go for a nature walk? DH believes he went off to die, although he said he wasn't staggering quite as bad as last night (I was still in bed). For the record, DH didn't realize he got out with the dogs until he saw him half way across the dirt road and heading for the woods. He would never let a sick cat out on purpose.

Hopefully, he just got Monster's valium and only "thinks" that he's dying and will come back after the effects wear off. What else could cause staggering like that? We didn't see any injuries on him like one of the dogs got him or he fell or anything. I was wondering if maybe he had a mini stroke or something? Any ideas?

If he doesn't come back, at least I made the last few months of his life comfortable.

(I wasn't sure where to put this so if it has to be moved, go ahead).

maybe he's reverting back to his barn ways? or needs some excitement? i haven't read any earlier posts about him. vibes for kitty

Vibes for kitty to come back.

Originally Posted by c1atsite

maybe he's reverting back to his barn ways? or needs some excitement? i haven't read any earlier posts about him. vibes for kitty

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That could be. I mean, he lived outside most of his life and maybe just wanted to explore. He's got a very long, thick coat so I don't think a few hours out in the cold is going to hurt him, plus it's VERY sunny today and the temp isn't bad. The staggering is what is worrying me because if he did run into something bad I don't think he could defend himself...even if he is just drugged up on valium.

We did go a little ways into the woods looking for him, but even though we call him Napoleon (or Nappy), it's not like he answers to it. He's not a real loving cat as in coming looking for attention but he will purr and tolerate it when we pet him. But pretty much he just wants to be left alone and sleep. Hopefully he's ok and will come back later today.

Aw sweetie....

he comes home and is OK. Not knowing what happened is always the worst.

Oh no i really do hope he comes back

Huge hugs to you sweetie and that your kitty comes back. xx

here's hoping he just wanted to do some exploring and comes back soon.

Still no sign and we've gone out a few times looking for him, but when Monster gets her valium she normally sleeps it off for about 24 hours. We're going to search a few more times before we go to bed, but I'm not holding my breath that he's going to come when he hears our voices. I just hope he found somewhere sheltered where he can sleep it off if it was the medication. If he doesn't show up by midnight (bedtime, and over 24 hour since he started acting strange) we're probably going to assume the worst but still try to find him tomorrow before work. One thing I've learned about barn cats is that they are fighters...as in, it normally would take a nuclear explosion to kill them, so he may just show up yet....

And, I hope no one thinks I'm heartless for not combing the woods looking for him or not being worried sick about him (yes, I am worried, but not the same way....). Here, I have to put the cats in 2 catagories. MY cats (my indoor and some indoor/outdoor cats) and the barn cats (that may be lucky enough to come in and get food and get warm. I feed the barn cats too, and give them shelter in the forms of a truck cap that is laying on the ground, a few extra carriers that are open and have bedding, ummmm...under our front porch, not to mention under the cars when it's raining or snowing. They actually eat our left overs instead of our cats and dogs. In fact, they get roasts, chicken soup sloop (with bread/biscuts/crackers/rice/veggies..whatever I can find). I just don't want to you to think I neglect our outside cats, but there is only so much we can do, and when it comes to a barn cat if he/she wants to go outside that is his/hers right and I'm not going to argue. I just wanted to clarify that because I know there was a thread about indoor/outdoor cats that got pretty heated at times.

My first cat, Brownie, was an outside cat that "adopted me" after I let him in and fed him ice cream. He was stayed mostly outdoor.

One day, I was talking to my Mom on the phone and she said that I should prepare myself for the fact that one day he may just wander off one day and not come back.

About 2 weeks after that, Brownie didn't come in for his morning lovin' and breakfast and he didn't come in to spend the night. I waited for a week, but I knew he wasn't coming back.

Brownie was with me for 13 1/2 years and he mostly lived outside. I took him to the vet and had him fixed, etc. He was not sick before he stopped coming. I think that he just got old.

I always hoped that he got as much happiness out of our relationship as I did.

don't give up, calico2222. but yes, it apparently is true, that cats have the quite stoic quality to take a "death journey" to be alone when passing on. i have to say, it has been very helpful to see how many other owners have experienced this phenomenon. i felt serious guilt about losing sight of an older cat. i kicked myself for letting him outside- even if limited. it was his "time", i think.
Saelyk, my magical little brown and black feline I had since his infancy disappeared a little over a year ago. I searched HIGH and LOW, physically in the surrounding communities, shelters, online, you name it. he literally vanished. i was devastated. as others have stated, my guy wasn't of the nature to take off- ever. 15 years together and he never blazed.
i prayed to the Gods and Goddesses nightly. i lit candles. i got crazy. and you know what? it worked. sort of. i consider myself a bit of a sorcerer at this point in my "relic" maturity as a pagan and a cat man.
Saelyk reappeared 25 DAYS later. he was ready to pass, unfortunately. i demanded the universe bring him back to me once more. and she did. alas, he was nearly spent. i rushed him to the nearest ER. they pumped nutrients in his veins (IV). he stabilized for 19 hours. i was so grateful after nearly a month to just hold him. but he was literally starved to death. no injuries, just dehydrated and starved. i cried as i never have cried, my fellow cat people. i played him his favorite songs and told him i loved him. i held his body close and he purred. then he gave a sign. his eyes flashed wildly. he kicked. this happened for a bit and i didn't interfere. it was a seizure. it was almost like he was seeing his life flash before him in fast motion. he passed away eventually and i gave him a proper funeral.
i miss you, Saelyk. you were my champ, buddy. he never let me down. not even in death. he actually made it home. amazing. i do better as the days pass with all the sweet memories. so many fun times. i feel for anyone who just lost their familiars recently, in particular calico2222. it gets better. they always are there in spirit. cats are magic! i hope my words help you. and i hope your cat comes bouncing in the front door. you never know. everybody told me i would never see mine. i did, and it meant alot to me even though we just said goodbye to each other.