Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum but since this happened I've been browsing all over the internet for advice and answers, and the forums here keep cropping up, and everyone here seems genuinely helpful and supportive. I'm really worried about my kitty, Tabby, and would really appreciate any suggestions and advice.
Tabby is my lovely 19 year old tabby cat (go figure!). A year ago she was diagnosed with the onset of kidney failure, but since that time she's continued to be her usual, personality-filled self and not show any signs of distress or even old age really, apart from losing a small amount of weight over time, partial deafness (or selective hearing!), and being a little bit more stiff in the back legs.
On Sunday night it came as complete shock when she suddenly began to stumble around in circles to her left hand side, unable to keep her balance. She made it to her bed and lay down, her head was shaking up and down rapidly and her eyes were wide, pupils completely dilated, and appeared to be unseeing. She looked around but it was as if she was blind and couldn't see a thing, she was unresponsive to sound and movement, as if she wasn't fully conscious, however when I knelt down to stroke and comfort her she began purring very rapidly, although I considered this to be a nervous sort of reflex reaction.
After about seven minutes she got to her feet and wandered around without circling, but was incredibly shaky and obviously distressed, she didn't know what to do with herself
Incredibly worried, as I've never seen this sort of thing before, I phoned the out of hours vets a few minutes into this all happening, and was able to get her down to them within about twenty minutes.
The vet confirmed that her heart-rate was fairly normal by that point, and her pupils were back to normal. She sounded fine on the inside, and looked to be calming down on the outside too.
Because of her kidney diagnosis, a blood test was conducted to see whether her kidney function had deteriorated and led to a build up of toxins which may have triggered this response. The blood test actually came back fine. A year on and her kidneys are still functioning pretty well considering they're not at their best, and there was nothing giving due cause for concern there.
Since it all happened, Tabby's seemed to be absolutely fine and her usual self! She's eating, drinking, moving around fine, purring and meowing (although less than usual).
But this means we're not sure why or what happened. It's likely to be neurological I'm guessing, and my reading online suggests that it may have been a stroke of some sorts.. It may be a tumor, or a bleed or..something, I really don't know. I'm confused, upset and incredibly worried about her. I've had her since I was seven (26 now!) and I know that old age will catch up with her eventually as it will us all, but it was just so difficult to see that happening to her and not know whether it will happen or again, or what I can do to help her. I'm the only one at home, I haven't got any family nearby who can help or keep an eye on her, and I'm finding it really difficult to leave her on her own when I go to work.
Sorry for rambling, and thank you for reading this far! Any advice from experienced owners would be so helpful at this time.
Tabby is my lovely 19 year old tabby cat (go figure!). A year ago she was diagnosed with the onset of kidney failure, but since that time she's continued to be her usual, personality-filled self and not show any signs of distress or even old age really, apart from losing a small amount of weight over time, partial deafness (or selective hearing!), and being a little bit more stiff in the back legs.
On Sunday night it came as complete shock when she suddenly began to stumble around in circles to her left hand side, unable to keep her balance. She made it to her bed and lay down, her head was shaking up and down rapidly and her eyes were wide, pupils completely dilated, and appeared to be unseeing. She looked around but it was as if she was blind and couldn't see a thing, she was unresponsive to sound and movement, as if she wasn't fully conscious, however when I knelt down to stroke and comfort her she began purring very rapidly, although I considered this to be a nervous sort of reflex reaction.
After about seven minutes she got to her feet and wandered around without circling, but was incredibly shaky and obviously distressed, she didn't know what to do with herself
Incredibly worried, as I've never seen this sort of thing before, I phoned the out of hours vets a few minutes into this all happening, and was able to get her down to them within about twenty minutes.
The vet confirmed that her heart-rate was fairly normal by that point, and her pupils were back to normal. She sounded fine on the inside, and looked to be calming down on the outside too.
Because of her kidney diagnosis, a blood test was conducted to see whether her kidney function had deteriorated and led to a build up of toxins which may have triggered this response. The blood test actually came back fine. A year on and her kidneys are still functioning pretty well considering they're not at their best, and there was nothing giving due cause for concern there.
Since it all happened, Tabby's seemed to be absolutely fine and her usual self! She's eating, drinking, moving around fine, purring and meowing (although less than usual).
But this means we're not sure why or what happened. It's likely to be neurological I'm guessing, and my reading online suggests that it may have been a stroke of some sorts.. It may be a tumor, or a bleed or..something, I really don't know. I'm confused, upset and incredibly worried about her. I've had her since I was seven (26 now!) and I know that old age will catch up with her eventually as it will us all, but it was just so difficult to see that happening to her and not know whether it will happen or again, or what I can do to help her. I'm the only one at home, I haven't got any family nearby who can help or keep an eye on her, and I'm finding it really difficult to leave her on her own when I go to work.
Sorry for rambling, and thank you for reading this far! Any advice from experienced owners would be so helpful at this time.
had three strokes. She also had CKD (kidney failure) high blood pressure and hyperthyroid disease, among other things. The HBP and hyperthyroid were not being treated as she could not tolerate either of the medications.
and welcome to TCS,
