Feline Dementia

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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?

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?")

Aw sweetie, I'm glad she's doing better and it isn't dimentia. You have one amazing kitty there!

the hydration and extra play do the trick - and you start getting some sleep with a happy Tigger!

When my old man was alive he had diabetes. He died on my graduation day it was SO terrible!
He had feline dementia and it was so terrible. He always slept in bed with me at night but as he got worse and older he starting peeing in the bed, forgetting he had eaten, forgetting to COME BACK IN AT NIGHT! (that was irritating because my cats MUST be in for me to sleep) The bed wetting is what gave it away for me, his blood pressure would rise and cause him to "YELL" at me every now and then. Lol!

I have walked in your shoes and I feel for you, it can be a heart wrenching thing.

(however I put a plastic mat on my bed so he could still sleep/pee with me) call me crazy but I loved that silly man!

I would do the same. As long as quality of life was still good, of course.

What a blessing to have a cat for twenty years. I was so counting on that with Speedboat, but we lost him in Jan. at 14. I think as you do the fluids, it will be easier for you. I have never done it, but I would have for Speedboat if he had lasted. God bless you and Tigger. I hope you have more time to enjoy him. You are a good Cat Mama.

Well Done! Yep, it gets easier as time goes on.

The needles dull very quickly, by the way. I always keep an extra one near by in case I have to re-stick.

PS-make sure your tetanus shot is up to date. I have stuck myself a few times.

Twice in one session you mean, right? Like if it falls out, stick it back in.

In general, don't reuse needles. I mean, don't give fluids, recap the needle and use if for the next session. Very unhygienic and just asking for trouble. Always use a clean sterile needle.

Keep track of where you've stuck and avoid sticking in the very same spot each time. Otherwise callous will build up and make it more difficult for the needle to penetrate.

After three years of fluids four times a week, I had started to give some of Ootay's sessions in her flank, because I was running out of un-calloused spots on her neck.