lip smacking and hiding

Wow, this mystery must be frustrating for you! I strongly recommend more testing. Lip-smacking and hiding are very common signs of nausea and pain, and it's not "behavioral" if the cat is doing it in her sleep and isn't aware of it. There's got to be a physical problem here. It could be something like IBS or IBD — and it could also be a blockage. A member here had her cat X-rayed because the cat's lip-smacking was worrying her... and the vet ultimately removed a large collection of hair elastics from her cat, who got better.

(Between you and me and everyone else reading this post, I have to say that, IMHO, a vet who calls these particular symptoms "behavioral" and recommends Prozac because he can't find a cause is NOT a vet I'd ever return to. Thank god he's not a doctor, for he'd be dispensing Prozac all day long.... Prozac will not ease the poor cat's distress if it is from a physical cause, it will just keep her from communicating her pain so clearly. Dreadful! )

Best of luck with this, and please do keep us posted.

I just can't see this being behavioral, considering your kitty does this when she's sleeping. I would seriously hold off on putting her on Prozac until you're assured that all health/medical issues have been fully ruled out. Considering one vet attributed this to the teeth and a different vet disagreed and suggested it was behavioral (2 such completely differing opinions), I'd personally obtain the opinion of a 3rd vet (without telling him what the other 2 vets suggested as possibilities). I'd want the 3rd Vet to really have a good look at kitty's teeth because at this age, there could be dental issues that need to be addressed.

Generally cats hide when they're in pain.

If there's a vet clinic near you that specializes in cats-ONLY (cat clinic), I'd try there. Vets who specialize in feline health/dentistry are ones I'd turn to when there's something amiss but you're getting very vague and diametrically differing "possibilities" from general vets.

Might be a good idea, too, to try and videotape her when she's doing this lip-smacking (eg: when sleeping), so that you can really show the Vet.

Do you know for CERTAIN what labwork was done? I'd request copies of all labwork done (this is your right to request this. many of us keep copies of all of our cats' lab results, just for our own personal info and to have on hand should any kind of emergency result and we have to take our cat to a different vet/emerg clinic, then these results are on hand) and take them with you to the new vet you see.

Maybe kitty needs, in addition to a good dental exam, inspection of throat, mouth cavity really good, to ensure no abscess or growth in mouth or throat, under tongue, etc.

Something else to consider? Maybe an inner ear infection? This can cause equilibrium to be off and just like in humans, can feel nauseated due to dizzyness from that. Does kitty ever seem outwardly unsteady or dizzy? Leary about jumping up or down from things?

Mild pancreatitis can also cause nausea, which could cause the lip-smacking.

Kitty doesn't throw up at all though, right?

Do you ever see kitty hovering over her water bowl or food dish?

Do you know for certain that previous bloodwork included kidney function? (BUN, creatinine)

Does kitty ever drool at all? (like other than when very happy and purring)

Might not be a bad idea to do xray of abdomen or ultrasound, to see if there's something inside that's irritating belly/intestines that's causing the nausea.

I always know when Jack's going to hack up a furball because he starts smacking his lips, his tail switshes from side to side, and he lets out such a howl. It's horrible to hear

I hope the vet can figure something out.

My cat has bad liver issues right now (your vet wouls see this on the bloodwork, if this was the case) and he smacks his lips when he smells cat food, or thinks I am about to assist feed him (he will not eat). When he is about to vomit he starts smacking alot and licking then vomits.

A year and a half ago I adopted Scaredy, an almost-full-grown feral kitten who was wandering outside. I immediately had her spayed, and for an entire week, she licked her lips and hid in the tiniest crevices she could find. Stupidly, I thought it was because she was being, well, feral.

Now I am convinced the poor thing was in a lot of pain from her surgery. I'd only had one other kitty spayed (have had mostly males) and it was 20 years ago, but I don't remember Annie acting like that.

I hope you find your kitty's problem soon. Sending vibes

Wobbling after resting may be arthritis.

I hope the vet visit goes well, let us know!