Feline Dementia

I am exploring the possibility that my Tigger may be experiencing some dementia. Of COURSE, she is going to the vet in a couple of days, just to check out her numbers, but I wanted to ask some ideas how to make her more comfortable in the meantime.

Her primary problem is excessive/strange vocalization at night. She seems restless and tromps all over me trying to get me up. If she does have some dementia I was wondering what would comfort her - turning on the light a little bit? Talk to her, turn on the tv? I'm thinking it's the darkness because she settles down around 6 a.m. and sleeps...

She also seems to be forgetting that she has just been fed. Again, hyperthyroidism could cause excessive hunger, but she could also be forgetting. She has been tested many times for thyroid, always ok so far...

Anyway, thanks for any ideas. (sleepless in Colorado) LOL

Aw, the poor old girl. It may very well be dementia. She doesn't know who or where she is, maybe, and is always looking for consolation and feeling settled.

That, in my opinion has got to be the worst thing ever. A dear friend of mine's mother had dementia and spent the last two years of her life in constant terror as she did not know who she was or where she was. It was horrific.

I also was thinking thyroid before I read your remarks about that. Do you think your vet would be willing to try her on a low dose of methimazole, just in case the lab just isn't picking up the problem yet?

Of course it may be that she's going deaf, and she is yowling because she can't hear.

I know I am just speculating. Please do let us know what you find out at the vet visit. All paws crossed for Tigger.

Originally Posted by otto

Aw, the poor old girl. It may very well be dementia. She doesn't know who or where she is, maybe, and is always looking for consolation and feeling settled.

That, in my opinion has got to be the worst thing ever. A dear friend of mine's mother had dementia and spent the last two years of her life in constant terror as she did not know who she was or where she was. It was horrific.

I also was thinking thyroid before I read your remarks about that. Do you think your vet would be willing to try her on a low dose of methimazole, just in case the lab just isn't picking up the problem yet?

Of course it may be that she's going deaf, and she is yowling because she can't hear.

I know I am just speculating. Please do let us know what you find out at the vet visit. All paws crossed for Tigger.

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It could be any of those things...she's 20 after all!!! She has taken to jumping on the kitchen table and scolding me whenever I go into the kitchen. I just now tried putting a handful of kibble in a bowl on the kitchen table (they are fed in an adjacent room, that is dark...) and she has gone up on the kitchen table twice now and eaten some kibble!

I do know that high blood pressure (medical term is "hypertension") can cause excessive vocalization in cats. See link below that mentions this (and within the article is a link to "hypertension" - click on the word to take you there). Elevated blood pressure is common in older cats, due to things like kidney disease (CRF) and hyperthyroidism. You mention your cat seems to forget she's eaten; although she's tested negative for hyperT in the past, from what I understand a cat may still be Hyperthyroid but basic bloodtests for same are NEGATIVE.

How is your cat's vision? How old is she?

Does she seem to bump into things? Do her eyes appear cloudy? (cats often get cataracts like humans do, which causes eye to appear cloudy). If a cat isn't seeing all that well, particularly at night when the lights in the house are generally turned off (it's a myth that cats can see it total darkness), perhaps she's vocal because she's feeling somewhat "lost" in the darkness or because she can't see as well? Can you leave some lights on in the house? And some nightlights?

Also, untreated high blood pressure can put a cat at risk for developing detached retinas in the eye...........which can then lead to blindness.

I would definitely suggest asking your Vet to check kitty's blood pressure. Several readings are best......if you take the first reading, it can naturally be elevated, just like in humans at the doctor's office, just due to the stress of being at the Vet.

How does kitty's hearing seem to you? I have one cat, adopted her as a stray many years ago (in 97). She's at least 14 yrs old. About a couple years ago I noticed she was deaf! She used to always come when I'd call her but that no longer was the case. And if she was in the same room and I said her name, even very very loudly, she wouldn't hear it. I have to absolutely HOLLER for her to hear "something" .....and even then she doesn't seem to be able to discern "where" the noise is coming from, just that she heard "something." It's possible she's a lot older than 14. Vet checked her ears, nothing wrong with them, he suspected she was deaf. Even if I clap my hands right next to her head she doesn't startle. Not sure if there's any correlation but I seemed to notice this a couple months after she had a dental 2 years ago. I did read once that anesthetic can cause deafness, can't remember where I read it. And some meds can cause "ototoxicity" (causes deafness).

She will often start crying out.........almost like she's lost. She used to do this a few years ago and when she'd "see me" she'd stop. Perhaps it was the start of her losing her hearing? Sometimes she'll do it for 5 minutes straight, during the day...........sometimes at night (I always keep a few lights on in my house during the night) and I'll have to see her to get her to stop because calling her no longer stops her from doing this.

Because she's deaf, now when I get home from work, my 4 other cats will hear me and they'll come to see me........and I feed them. I have to go upstairs to my room where she hangs out during the day and "get her" and bring her downstairs or else she will have no idea I'm home and that it's feeding time.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/vocalization.html

Ooh, that's a good idea about the blood pressure!

Let's see...she's over 20 years old. She has slight cloudiness to her eyes, but she can definitely see. Although I'm suspecting not as well at night. I do have one deaf cat, so I know she's not deaf. (Clyde gets lost like that as well, it's so cute!)

I've read a little about dementia and some get "separation anxiety" at night. Before I even thought about that, I remarked to my husband, "I think she just wants me to get up and keep her company."

Poor baby.

Oh yes, high blood pressure definitely could contribute. Be sure to ask to have her BP taken, and make sure the person who does it does know how to do it.

When was her last all around senior check up? Things can change fast in a senior cat, I'd go ahead and get the blood work and a urine check and all done again.

I'll be watching for updates.

Hi kluchetta. A good article for you on feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome. I hope it will be helpful to you.
http://www.vetstreamfelis.com/ACI/De...2/dis60684.asp

And just one suggestion. Ask your vet if it would be all right for you to try Cholodin feline. It's a supplement for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in cats. Some people have good results with it. Here is some info on it from Dr. Mike Richards' website:
http://www.vetinfo.com/cholodin-feli...e-effects.html

Wow, thanks everyone! She's really in such good shape physically, I think she'll be around a while, so I'd like to know everything I can! I'm going to bring a little light to bed, and her "cozy mat" to see if that helps when she wakes up at night!

I'm happy to see that someone has finally asked this question. I've been wondering for a couple years now- especially this last year. Taylor isn't 20, she's only 14, but she's battier than when I first got her a couple years ago. She still knows who people are and everything, she just constantly acts like she needs attention and everyone in the room needs to know that she's there. She will howl and meow and hit (yes, hit. It's like a kitty slap lol) me, others, and the other cats. I've just recently had her thyroid checked out and had a full blood panel done just to rule out a lot of things, and as far as the vet is concerned she's pretty much in perfect health. Don't worry over it- no one wins when you worry. Best of luck and hope everything goes well for you and your kitty

Originally Posted by mismaris777

I'm happy to see that someone has finally asked this question. I've been wondering for a couple years now- especially this last year. Taylor isn't 20, she's only 14, but she's battier than when I first got her a couple years ago. She still knows who people are and everything, she just constantly acts like she needs attention and everyone in the room needs to know that she's there. She will howl and meow and hit (yes, hit. It's like a kitty slap lol) me, others, and the other cats. I've just recently had her thyroid checked out and had a full blood panel done just to rule out a lot of things, and as far as the vet is concerned she's pretty much in perfect health. Don't worry over it- no one wins when you worry. Best of luck and hope everything goes well for you and your kitty

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Tigger does that exact same thing. More like a poke. "Hey, remember me?"..."Hey, remember me?"..."Hey, remember me?"...LOL you get the picture!

Aw, bless her heart. I hope her levels all come back fine, and that it's just that she "misses you" while you are sleeping.

Ah, poor old gal. Glad you are trying to get to the bottom of things.

http://www.drugs.com/vet/cholodin-fel.html the logistics of it ...Basically a "old age vitamin" the actives look good ( ask your vet but the ingredients are ;(

Choline has been added to many senior cat foods to aid in cognitive function as well as a few other things

Thought I'd update the happenings of last night. She started in pretty early - at about midnight. By 12:30 I decided to feed her, so downstairs we went. After that, she woke me up several times but I just talked to her and petted her and she was ok with that until about 6. So that was a lot better - even though she got me up every 2 hours at least I wasn't getting out of bed every 2 hours!

My old girl Shep had a cognitive disorder as she aged. We never found out if it was dementia, a brain tumor or as a result of the minor strokes she was experiencing.

We did many of the things that were listed in Violet's link that I'll repost below. The one thing that I'll add is that we narrowed Shep's world to a small section of the house. We put all her necessities there and she felt more comfortable knowing that everything she needed was close by. As she got worse and worse, her world became an area that was roughly the size of a very large dog crate.

From the link:
Enviromental management

* Avoid changes in the house that may lead to disorientation.
* Keep a strict routine to make the environment more predictable.
* Increase the number of environmental cues that enable the cat to navigate its environment (audible, odor, tactile), eg use specific cues to identify particular rooms and passages: a continuously playing radio in one room, textured rugs and fragrances in others.
* Ensure that all 5 key resources are available and easily located by the cat:
o Food.
o Water.
o Litter box.
o Resting places (create a secure bed area that is comfortable).
o Places to hide.
* Avoid slippery surfaces, obstacles and stairs. Use special matting under rugs to make them more stable under foot.
* Encourage the cat to interact.
* Continue the reward based training.

Things haven't gone so well this week as far as sleeping - got me up at 2:30 on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. But we went to the vet, and it's not dementia or thyroid. Her kidney values are creeping up, so I'm going to start working on sub-q fluids.

Last night she was actually pretty good. Maybe she just needs a little more stimulation (pack her up in the carrier and drive around a couple hours, LOL.) So I will try playing with her tonight. Believe it or not, when I take the time, she is kind of playful still.

Thanks for the update!

I'm not surprised at all that she still likes a bit of a Game now and then. Ootay (rb 5/09) had playful moments right up until her very last day (her third stroke)

Did they take her blood pressure?

Keep us posted on Tigger!

PS Do you already know how to do sub q at home?

Originally Posted by otto

Thanks for the update!

I'm not surprised at all that she still likes a bit of a Game now and then. Ootay (rb 5/09) had playful moments right up until her very last day (her third stroke)

Did they take her blood pressure?

Keep us posted on Tigger!

PS Do you already know how to do sub q at home?

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Oh crap!!! I forgot to have them do BP. (See, that's what lack of sleep will do. Yesterday I found the pepper in the microwave...) But her eyes are good and her heart sounds great says the vet.

I've not ever done sub-q at home, but I've watched them do it at the vet, I've read a LOT about it on here, I have a co-worker who used to do it with her cat, and they are going to give me a little tutorial at the vets today when I pick up the supplies.

Well, you know where to come for help if you need it!

I've sub q'd lots of cats, and it is a handy skill to have!

BP does often come with CRF, so be sure to add it to your list for her next vet trip. (PS Make sure the person doing it knows what s/he is doing. You know, like just making conversation....."do you do this alot?")

Originally Posted by otto

Well, you know where to come for help if you need it!

I've sub q'd lots of cats, and it is a handy skill to have!

BP does often come with CRF, so be sure to add it to your list for her next vet trip. (PS Make sure the person doing it knows what s/he is doing. You know, like just making conversation....."do you do this alot?")

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Oh a good note, although Tigger has lost about a pound or so in the 6 years we've had her, her weight was up more than 3/4 of a pound from last year. She weighs 6 pounds 15 ounces. I think she weighed about 8 1/2 when we got her.