Walter Has Exhibited Some Extremely Usual Behavioral Patterns And Weak To Non-Existent Responses.

Hello. I really could use your help! I have a domestic short-hair black and brown male tiger cat that is almost 9 years old. His name is Walter. Until November 13/14 of 2011, Walter has been a super lovable, playful, cuddly, motivated and active cat. Some of his normal activities included his own self-motivation to his food when cat food was poured; clawing the scratch post; and lying spread eagle on his back while  his belly is rubbed; playing wee ball; responding to his name when called; and interacting with our other normal behaving male cat companion named Buzzy, a 6 year old domestic, short-haired, orange tiger cat. These activities have since that date have ceased. As a special note, Walter has 6 pads on each of his front paws. We have had Walter since it was 2 years old when he lived with my mother.

Since November 2011, Walter has exhibited some extremely usual behavioral patterns and weak to non-existent responses. Walter is now non-responsive and lethargic in his behavior and reactions appearing catatonic and zombie-like most of the time. Walter will hide alongside our toilet staring and gazing at the wall for up to 1-2 hours or even at the lower kitchen cupboards  for just as long until he is physically moved.  At any attempt to be carried; Walter often  growls, hisses, or spits, staying close or low the floor when he is being picked-up. When you put Walter down, he stays in the same position. If you rest Walter in your arms, often he will stay 5-10 minutes; then he wants to get down -- atypical for Walter  that would originally stay for very long periods in your arms.

When Walter is touched, he doesn't respond with head movement towards the source of the stimuli. Instead, Walter remains fixed in position. He no longer responds to his name. I snap my fingers over his head on both sides near each ear and he does not react. If an object is placed in front of his face, he will move his eyes to follow its movements. There is no significant weight loss and his coat is shiny and silky. His eyes are open most of the time. No unusual physical abnormalities on his body since this behavioral change. Walter's favorite and only perch is on a towel over our Washer shelf where he curled up. Walter is now finding it difficult to get on top  of the washer to get to his perch. We have to physically place him there anymore. Walter still has an appetite and drinks and eats cat food well. However, the cat food needs to be brought to him.      

Since November 2011, my husband and I have taken Walter to three veterinarians  in our local area. After spending over  $800 over a few months, they STILL CANNOT figure what is wrong on with him. They had found Walter initially dehydrated and they successfully hydrated him in November. Walter has had blood lab work come back normal with no indications of issues or problems. There was no positive indication of diabetes or pancreatic  issues from the testing. X-Rays and sonograms returned negative too. The doctor prescribed numerous drugs like prednisone, antibiotics, anti-depressants (in the form of a special collar), and anti-anxiety medications. They all delivered ineffective responses except to make a special note for the ant-depressants and especially the anti-biotics. When Walter was placed on the anti-depressants, he stopped eating. In terms of the anti-biotics, placing Walter on amoxicillin resulted in no effect. However in mid-January 2012, placing Walter on another anti-biotic called metronidazole (25 mg taken 2 a day) for 14 days brought Walter around to normal for the first 10-12 days while taking the anti-biotic. Following 10-12 days, Walter quickly returned back to his poor behavior and ability just prior to  completing the anti-biotics. Walter since never returned back to his good old self.

If you have any ideas, facts, thoughts what may be happening with our poor kitty Walter; please, please, share with us!!! We would love to talk with you!

Well, I am still learning.  But, have you had him checked for neuroligical causes... Maybe a stroke?  If he doesn't have diabetes, kidney disease, and all the labs come back normal on other organs... And he hasn't responded to behavior meds for depression/anxiety... This would naturally be my next step.  Ask your vet on the phone first if it could be a stroke or something neurological.  Cats and other animals can have mild strokes just like we can and experience the same symptoms as we do. He could also be going or be blind now or he could be losing his hearing.  There are all kinds of things that can cause this.  And all is the same symptoms that he is displaying.

I am so sorry.  I hope your boy will be OK.  It is upsetting when they are sick and don't know how to help them.

It sounds like a stroke to me, too. But the improvement on metronidazole is odd, and likely wouldn't happen if it were a stroke. Metronidazole is also an antiparasitic. . .I wonder if he has some kind of parasite infestation that spread to his brain, and the metro knocked it down for a little while but wasn't in a high enough dosage to make a long-term difference. Worth asking the vet about anyway.