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Easily startled

post #1 of 7
10/10/10 at 10:37pm
Thread Starter 
I figured since Buddy came from a home with lots of pets and kids, he'd be used to a lot of noise, but this isn't the case at all. I realize some cats are more "sketchy" than others anyway, but is there a way to get them out of it? Buddy can be sound asleep and the slightest noise has him running down the hall at 100mph...sometimes he darts so fast he misses the door and hits the frame. I am sort of worried he might really hurt himself. (A cat died in my yard once from doing something similar.)
And, instead of making yet another thread, I will ask here too...is there such a thing as cats not being able to control their tails? Buddy's tail is constantly thrashing about, even when he is relaxed. Sometimes as he is laying there, its hitting him in the face and it seems to annoy him lol. Maybe its normal? I never saw a cat thrash their tail around so much. Was just curious.
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post #2 of 7
10/11/10 at 12:19am
That is interesting. I wonder if there may be some sort of a neurological issue here in the background. You're describing something that goes beyong "skittish" IMO, and that, along with the tail issue, makes me think there may be something medical rather than behavioral going on.

Have you talked to your vet about this? This could be beyond the scope of a regular vet and may even require a specialist to diagnose. Of course, a diagnosis won't necessarily mean there's anything to be done about it.
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post #3 of 7
10/11/10 at 11:00am
Thread Starter 
We had him to the vet not long ago to be neutered, he wasn't as bad then, so we thought it was just his "kittenish" behavior. I didn't even really think too much of it recently until I noticed how often he'd run into the door frame. I really do think he's not all...buttoned up, if you will. There are also some other things I've just thought of too...

He spends alot of time in the litterbox. Not always using it, but he goes in there several times a day and digs and digs and digs. I kick him out of it because he makes a mess and he will go right back in and continue digging.
His tail thrashing also causes him to have somewhat poor balance. If he is trying to stand on the window ledge, his tail gets going and he almost falls off.

I think you're right. Theres gotta be something more to this than just some regular nervousness...Maybe a trip to the vet is in order soon. Thanks
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post #4 of 7
10/11/10 at 11:40am
Was he like this before the neuter? There are some rarer side effects of anesthesia - neurological issues being one of them.
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post #5 of 7
10/12/10 at 8:52am
Do let us know what the vet said!
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post #6 of 7
10/12/10 at 12:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by strange_wings View Post
Was he like this before the neuter? There are some rarer side effects of anesthesia - neurological issues being one of them.

He was a little...but not quite as bad as now. The thing with the litter box started after as well. I'll write back when we find out whats wrong.
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post #7 of 7
10/12/10 at 12:57pm
My brain was a bit slow yesterday and I didn't think of Parker's issues.

Do you remember in the FHS thread I talked about nutrition a bit and how not getting a balanced diet with the proper vitamins and minerals can cause neurological effects? Fully discuss what you have been feeding with your vet - leave no details out, including how long you've fed them this way. It could very well be the problem since you have two cats with similar symptoms.


The litter digging could just be a benign habit he's picked up because he's in a multicat home.
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