Misters Adjustment Problems...

Bear with me it's a long story I'm trying to condense:

I rescued Mister from the streets of Astoria, OR. almost a year ago. He had been hanging around the building (very normal in that are) then suddenly one day, he showed up like this:

What you can't see is that the leg sticking out has a nasty wound (he wouldn't let me near it) and he that wasn't using that leg at all. He hopped with it sticking out in front of him. After several calls to rescue agencies (who told me depending on his condition/recovery costs, he'd most likely be destroyed) and no kill shelters (no room, didn't want to risk without knowing why he was sick), I took him inside and decided I'd take him to the vet then re-home him or whatever.
He weighed 10lbs (healthy is 14.5), had fleas, allergic reaction to fleas, mites, bites and scratches, infections, old scars, worms, low heart beat, low body temperature... and the leg wound? It was actually stitches that were past removal date and becoming imbedded/ infected. But sadly, that's not the worse part. Vet discovered the pin put in to fix his upper arm was too long and obviously done is a hurry/unskilled. It was actually meant for a small dog! It was too healed to be worth putting his body through the shock (and I couldn't afford it! I wasn't even planning to keep him yet!)
When I asked the vet to keep him and I would have tried to find the owner, she told me that his body condition was nothing new and that he was underweight and neglected when he had the pin put in. She told me it would probably take a couple months and a couple bucks, just to get a healthy enough to remove the pin when his arm was done healing. I called my husband (he's a sailor) and he knows I've been lonely (I'm full time college /housewife) and also, the cat and I were pretty much in love even after 24hrs LOL
Well... Long story even shorter (some amount later) he now looks like this:

The reason for the long backstory is that after all of his medical things, it is not recommended that he ever go outdoors again. I prefer indoor only cats as well.
Mr. has had a very hard time adjusting to indoor life now that he is healthy. At first he loved it! An even though he sometimes was frustrated, his behavior was livable for us humans, and I was able to keep him happy.


But then we moved (few months ago) and now he yowls, licks himself bald, and even occasionally urinates or vomits food. His separation anxiety is so bad that he usually starts yowling for me as I'm closing the door! He also has started to pace and pester me at night, which he never used to do. Also he shows signs of depression when I am home: won't really play (nothing I've tried works except laser toy and even that depends), he sleeps even more than normal, follows me through every room... Etc.
It's gotten so bad that I've had to fight him over making me follow him to his food bowl and watching him eat. if I try to leave sometimes he won't eat [emoji]128546[/emoji][emoji]128557[/emoji][emoji]128552[/emoji]

I've had him checked completely by the new vet, and even called my old one...
The vet says no health problems (sometimes hard stools from fur) and medication is the next step, but I have to admit our environment is not exactly set up for a cat still.
All he has that is "cat only" is his window basket perch my hubby built.
I've tried a few cheap toys to discover what he might like, and so far laser pointer is most successful. He likes feathers, but bores of toys quickly. He likes "fishing pole" type toys but is scared of the pole when I pick it up to play with him.

Please, any training/tips for the behavior?
Also, I've been looking for tips on cat furniture (we may home build it), toys, and I'm thinking of switching him part or full time to a stationary puzzle feeder...
Cat videos/music used to help a little, but he doesn't seem to respond any more.
Any thing to enrich his life, especially because right now my classes are all online, but come fall I need him to handle more than 1hr a day. [emoji]128531[/emoji]

Any enrichment tips?!?

It appears as though the move has really unsettled him.  I would suggest getting him a feliway adaptor to start with.  You may need more than one if the area you have is large or he spends his time in more than one room.  The feliway will help him to feel safer in his new environment.  You can purchase this on Amazon or other pet sites as well as most pet stores.  I would also suggest getting some Composure feline treats or Composure liquid Max.  The treats can be given at night and are used to calm the cat without sedating the cat.  Last year when I brought a stray/feral cat into the house he would yowl all night.  I started giving him Composure treats ( 3 each night) and it immediately helped him to calm down.  The treats take about an hour to work and last 4-8 hours.  The liquid starts to work in about 20-30 minutes and seems to last 8-10 hours, but it is much more expensive. 

I would also make sure he has a room to feel safe in.  Something that has a familiar scent.  Can you provide him with a cat tree so he can look out the window?  Also get some toys that will really get him going.  Do you have a da bird or feather wand toy?  Take the time to play with him each day.  Have you tried catnip?

Cats can take awhile to adjust to new surroundings.  Be patient with him and provide him with extra cuddles and special treats to make him feel more secure.  When you are gone and he is home alone, play soft music for him.  He may feel more secure in a room of his own for awhile.  Just be sure he has access to fresh water, food and a litter box.

Thank you for the information! I wish I could assure him faster, I hate to see him so upset [emoji]128546[/emoji]

1. He currently has the "calming collar", and it doesn't seem to do a ton, though he does like to lick off of the "powder" off them which makes them expire slightly faster. [emoji]128530[/emoji] The plug ins are a little spendy and I am saving up to put on in living room and bedroom. I hope it helps.

2. Composure treats are now on the check list! It's strange how he used to sleep most of the night with us and be pretty quiet. Is it something he has to eat forever?

3. We are also saving to buy a cat tree or make one ASAP. I am hoping to put multiple in the house, starting with the bedroom, as that is defiantly his favorite room.
We currently live in a 760sqft one bed apt. His litter is in restroom, food in living room, and he has a window basket perch my husband built on the bedroom window sill.

4. Toys have been tough. I haven't bought name brands as I was just trying to see what his type of toy was. The wand we have now I think the string is a little too short for his comfort as he may think I'm going to hit him with it. He prefers "mice" prey movements, but so far doesn't play alone much: even paper balls and paper sacks! Laser pointer he 90% gets really into, though I suspect it's because I often let him "catch" a treat near the end. I suspect having such a painful pin in his arm that restricted movement has put a pain association on some forms of play. It's healed and out now, so there should be no pain.

5. Cat nip I saw him respond to once (in a stuffed toy) but when I brought it back out he's lost interest. He really likes "minty" smells on me, so I've been researching a safe one for him, and I heard honeysuckle works for some cats as a catnip replacement?

If you are looking for a great interactive toy, try the da bird   It is an amazing cat toy that most cats just love.  As for cat nip, I would get some actual dried cat nip instead of a toy.  Often the toys stuffed with catnip are no longer fresh.  Get some dried catnip and sprinkle some on a blanket, towel or bedding and see how he reacts.  If he likes it, you can then just put a few soft toys in an old coffee can or other container with some dried catnip.  Give it a shake and let it sit for a day or so.  Then take one out and give it to him.  Once done playing with it, you can return it to the container to freshen it up again!

Thank you for the tips!
I will try dried cat nip and see if maybe the other toy was too old.
I've heard "da bird" and the "kickaroo" are great.
I'm hoping a stationary puzzle feeder will also help. I love to play with mister, but I want to hopefully get him used to solo time so I can go to school this fall without the neighbors hating me (or being worried about him!)

Hello all!
Sadly, my update has little results, but new symptoms, unanswered questions to my vet, and a chunk of my savings invested yet again in my cat...

Though I now can officially call him the thousand dollar stray (adding all vet bills up this past 11 months) I both laugh and sigh at that lol

MrsFPMister said:

Hello all!
Sadly, my update has little results, but new symptoms, unanswered questions to my vet, and a chunk of my savings invested yet again in my cat...

Though I now can officially call him the thousand dollar stray (adding all vet bills up this past 11 months) I both laugh and sigh at that lol

Click to expand...

What have you been trying?  Is he having new medical issues and if so what are they?  I know how frustrating it can be to have a pet with lots of medical problems that tax the wallet.  We call my dog the cha ching girl. 

Would love to hear more.

ShadowsRescue said:

 
If you are looking for a great interactive toy, try the da bird   It is an amazing cat toy that most cats just love.  As for cat nip, I would get some actual dried cat nip instead of a toy.  Often the toys stuffed with catnip are no longer fresh.  Get some dried catnip and sprinkle some on a blanket, towel or bedding and see how he reacts.  If he likes it, you can then just put a few soft toys in an old coffee can or other container with some dried catnip.  Give it a shake and let it sit for a day or so.  Then take one out and give it to him.  Once done playing with it, you can return it to the container to freshen it up again!

Click to expand...

DaBird can seem expensive, which is off putting when you have already spent very large sums of money on health care and other environmental improvements for him, but is is more durable than other wand / fishing rod toys I have tried, and definitely gets more response!  It does require you to be there to play but hopefully the play is so busy it tires him out and gives him a whole lot of fun and satisfaction.   Giving treats at the end of the laser play is great as it helps cats understand the game: I do the same with my cat.  This of course depends on what the new health issues are that you mention.

For the dried cat nip, one tip I was given which really helped me was to keep the unused cat nip and container in the freezer as it prolongs its life.  Then use it just as ShadowsRescue has suggested.  There's no harm in making your own toys out of old socks or bits of fleece either, to keep up interest but costs down.

Have you tried going outside your home briefly and then coming back in, and gradually increasing the time lapse?  It can be from almost immediate and then offering rewards such as petting, play, or food treats and add in scent sharing with him.  Go out and stay out  a little longer and repeat.  You can build up to an hour, and then more with him hopefully getting the idea that you do come back and that when  you do it is a nice time for him.  When I first adopted him, Mouse used to get very anxious when I went out  and I had to build up times with him so he didn't just cry at the door and climb under me and need reassurance for up to half an hour when I'd get back in.  I had Feliway plug ins for over 6 months as well, although the effect wasn't really obvious is definitely took the edge off his anxiety and was worth the money invested. 

I hope you manage to settle him again and see a happier and more comfortable cat again.

I love him dearly, but sometimes I'm about in tears trying to figure this cat out! Between the mix of medical looking symptoms and behavioral ones (and trying to figure out which is which and in which order) I often feel I must be failing something that many people seem to do easily: own a healthy pet.
Let's see, where to begin?
It begins that since we last spoke I have been having to do at least one over night trip out of town for family reasons. When my husband is home from his work, this is not so taxing, but when he is away (travels for work) I have to leave Mister alone over night, max being 48hrs.
His over grooming has gotten worse, both in specific area (base of tail, too of hips, centered spin in middle back), and he's shortened his hair noticeably over all... And suddenly also looked unkempt, but he was grooming constantly.
So I took him in to a brand new vet (lost our awesome one due to moving in March). He said that it was flea bites (Mister is VERY sensitive to fleas) and re-treated him, then collared him, instructing me to keep it on for the 72 hrs I was treating my new apartment. I was baffled by this as 1. My vet treated him in March with a long term treatment for fleas and such, and told me he wouldn't need a treatment till July. 2. Apartment had no signs of fleas, and I never saw any "dirt" like he did. 3. A collar too seemed like over kill.
Also, I told him I had slowly changed him from an all dry diet (Iams indoor formula w/hairball) to a wet and dry diet (Science Diet sensitive and Science Diet wet in multiple flavors), as I noticed that he had started to have diarrhea plus was rejecting his food, but yet was screaming hungry. Luckily for me, it worked over the weekend as I waited for the vets to call me back, and the bathroom was no longer as stinky, bowels looked healthy, and he was eating normally again. He told me it wasn't the food it was an allergy and it was probably a waste because he would most likely react again, or was just being picky as wet food from S.C. Is just expensive "Friskies". At this point I began to doubt but left and (aside from the go back to dry food only) followed his advice. I treated the house and waited. All seemed ok (medically) and the fur wasn't worse. I left over night, and came back to a bald, and screaming cat. I had taken the collar off, but I immediately called our old vet in a panic. She IMMEDIATELY told me that the brand he used and the one she did we in NO way compatible, and to bathe him immediately because it sounded like a dermal reaction that was most likely painful and itchy. She also told me that I shouldn't go back to that vet.
I rushed the store and then home to bathe him, and after gaining some new battle wounds I got it done.
He wouldn't let me let him for 2 days, but sat on my lap and meowed at me.
After a few weeks of peace and healing I thought we were in the clear. So then I started trying to enrich his environment to tackle the stress/anxiety/boredom issues.
I got Da Bird (HE LOVES IT. I have to hide it from him! Lol), a kickaroo (which actually did ok) and some catnip. Catnip was a flop, and after further research, found out the you was honeysuckle/cat nip blend. Bingo! He likes it (and to eat it?!) but not everyday, so I try to use it sparingly. Bought more "tester" cheap toys for both solo or us play... that mostly earned me a dignified walk away. Lol.
Cat furniture has been harder (vet bill took that fund), so I tried a crinkle tube (nope), a bazillion tempting boxes to play in with me (nope), a new window perch sling (yay!)) and the biggest hit: new strategically placed bird feeders outside, and the one on my bedroom window is the one that is see through... It sticks to the window and has a tinted film so the birds can't see him very well and land inches from him!
For another week... It was good. Even my overnights seemed easier on him... But then he stopped wanting to play, got restless, refused to eat his dry and screamed as soon as the wet was eaten...he suddenly lost weight, starting drink more water/urinating more, He starting pacing, calling at night, got very whiney vocally (he's very chatty normally), scratching things he never had (and wasn't allowed to), started trying to bolt outside past the door, scratching screens (he's never done that)... It was a nightmare. To be safe, I took him in again (DIFFERENT vet). Basically they want a full blood/stool/urine panel for about $500, but he was perfectly fine, but now on the low side of healthy at 14lbs (he was 15 3 weeks before). So I kept trying, and then, just as suddenly, he went back to happier again.

Now I am just at a total loss...

Oh, in his "unhappy phase" he rebalded his tail/back, but the skin looks JUST like flea reaction?? And also, he has a brand new mysterious scab (I can't get a good look but it looks like fresh blood but it's dried red, circular shaped) on his elbow area, and some scabbing (black?) on his face.
An I thought his face looked a little thin and his jaw swollen, but vet said no teeth problems...

How hard to watch this going on?   It sounds really worrying, and I would feel so helpless.  Really hard when you have had to change vets as well.  

I wonder it it would make sense to move your thread over to Health, as it does sound a lot now like there are health issues behind most of what you are trying to figure out?  If we move your thread there might be more people with similar experiences around to see your information and offer advice and support?

I am so sorry to hear of all of his issues.  How frustrating that they cannot find out what is wrong.  Consider having the thread moved to the Health section as you might find others with similar problems.

Has it been considered that his biting of the fur is anxiety based?  Have you tried a feliway diffuser or spray?  I found the composure liquid Max to work extremely well to calm a kitty and I used a product called MatriCalm too.  You might want to take a look at Jackson Galaxy's Spirit Essences.  He has so many for different issues.  I have used lots of his essences as well as many Bach Flower remedies too. 

I hope the best for your boy!

I would say that most of the problems are behavioral.  It could also be that a previous tenant/owner had pets and he may be smelling them if the house wasn't properly cleaned before you moved in. 

First, I would get a Feliway diffuser pronto.  That puts off calming pheromones 24/7 and he's not likely to lick it off like he does the calming collar.

Secondly, have you changed his food or litter and are you using carpet deodorizers?  He could be allergic to one of the ingredients and that may be causing the biting/pulling fur out.  Although, I think it's anxiety related.

Thirdly, look into the Spirit Essences by Jackson Galaxy.  I've been using Safe Spaces for Cats with my guy who's been urinating inappropriately when stressed and it's worked wonders for him. 

Safe Space for Cats:  https://store.jacksongalaxy.com/sto...-essences-safe-space-for-cats?source=4-3312-1

You can also call them and talk with them.  I've not personally done this, but others have and have always been directed to products that have helped their kitties.

I also agree with DaBird toy suggestion.  It's the bomb in our house and all the kitties love it!  If you can, maybe put a chair near a window so he can see out, rest in the sun, watch the birds.  Maybe you can get a bird feeder to put outside the window. 

When you leave the house, leave the radio going so he can hear voices and not feel so alone.  Sometimes classical music helps soothe stressed out kitties.

I realize he sounds like a mess! But honestly these symptoms tend to come in "bunches" and the medical issues are tied to it... But I can't put my finger on it.
I do realize that I typed it incorrectly, that I HAVENT gotten the expensive panel as the vet said it was optional as everything seemed good other than behavioral problems/weight loss (which stabilized and hasn't gone down).

He's really wonderful when he's not in these little phases, and medically everything that happens is kinda small, but I feel like I'm missing a bigger picture. The behavior is a big issue when it pops up, but i can't tell if it's related to "something's wrong I'm giving you clues!" Or if it's all just the adjustment to being an inside only cat for a year. I keep putting out the bush fires... But the trees are still a flame, ya know?

Stress can manifest itself in many ways.  Just like in humans, stress can trigger so many problems.  It's the same for cats.  I think if you get the stress issue under control you'll see a decrease in the other behaviors.

That is what I am hoping. But at this point I just don't know what else to do. I can tell he wants outside, and after moving it's gotten worse, but the area I live in is not safe, the apartments won't allow in/out cats due to "wildlife", vet said it's not safe (leg issues), plus I just don't think I could stomach it.
I can't build an enclosure on the patio (oh but I dream), the leash has always been a fiasco so we've never even tried it outside... I'm out of options.
I'm scared I'm literally making my cat sick by keeping him safe...

Hi sorry I couldn't read all the threads so if I am repeating something forgive me. Also way late where I am so hope I make sense.

From your first post I thought medical problem. Your cat is trying very hard to tell you he is ill and he just can't get through to you.

Please don't waste any money on feliway etc. Although for some cats it works a little, for something like this not so much. No collars either. No over the counter products. Nothing holistic or "all natural" for now. What ever food he likes to eat, feed him. Make sure he is eating. Very important. Make sure the litter is changed daily and use something that isn't perfumed and clumps well without dust. No corn or wheat etc just plain old clay low dust litter. I know people will disagree with me. But so far what you are doing is losing money and getting a cat who is even more upset than before, right?

If this were behavioral it could be dealt with, but I honestly don't think this has anything to do with anything other than he is ill.

Get a copy of all the lab work that has been done. Post the results on here if you don't mind.

The crying in the night and restless behavior at night is often a sign of hyperthyroid, Problem with that is it sometimes has to be a specialized requested test and is not standard in regular lab work being done. If he is hyperthyroid then it is treatable but would explain allot.

The hypersomnia could

I am posting this so you can see I am online

Okay back to what I was saying

Sleeping allot is a sign of a cat not feeling well. It is not a behavior thing. He doesn't feel well. Why? Could be almost anything. But I thought you said he was drinking allot of water and losing weight. If that is true then that could be diabetes. Ok I know you will say the blood work was normal. Fine but little known fact, If the blood, once collected is not spun down in a centerfuge within 15 minutes or so and just sits there or goes without being spun down to the lab that runs the blood the lab will spin it and it will cause a false low result for the glucose. I know this because I have worked at vet hospitals forever, and I didn't know it until one day the place I worked at centerfuge broke down and I sent in blood on my own cat and couldn't spin it and the glucose result came in as something like 10. I freaked out a bit cause that could only be tumor and also my cat didn't act hypoglycemic anyway found out from the IM doctor that it happens. Also confirmed it from the lab. If the blood work is run in house then all I can say is that the in house lab machines are often times not right, If they are not calibrated and checked etc they can be really off. Also have to remember every thing has an opportunity for human error.

Could also be kidney disease. Kidney disease will not show up in blood work until you have at least a 70% loss of kidney function. So until he is only running on less than half a kidney it won't show in the blood work. Kidney disease can also cause the crying at night and the weight loss and excessive water intake. The way to check for the kidneys is to do a specific gravity on the urine. Easy should be inexpensive test. Done at the vets with a refractometor. Then again with vets they may want to charge allot for everything etc. So you can kind of tell your self by looking at the color of his urine if he is concentrating his urine. Put a white papter towel or a bunch of them under his litter in a clean litter pan and try to get a gist of the color of his urine. Is it yellow? Clear? It should be a medium to dark yellow. If it is not it means you need to have a urinalysis done to figure out what is going on and why he isn't concentrating his urine.

The symptoms your cat is showing is medical. Don't give up I know it is so frustrating.

Stop wasting money on things that are not going to address the medical issue.

posting now and continued on next post

The other thing that might make you think kidney disease is that he had a major surgery done on his leg and it was done poorly (wrong size pin) Is the pin still in or was it removed? Anyway if they did that poor a job on him during the surgery what kind of anesthetic monitoring did they do? Any animal that has their blood pressure drop and it is not immediately corrected will have decreased blood flow to his kidneys and that can cause kidney disease anywhere from immediately to a year or more down the road.

I looked at his pictures. He doesn't look like he feels good at all.

I am trying to think of things you can check without having to go broke right now.

look at his gums and his teethe look at the back of his mouth along the outside of his back molars. Don't open his mouth to do this. Just kind of stand or sit behind him and gently push his lip up so you can see his gums. What you are looking for is any sign of gum disease. Also note the color of his gums. Are they pink? Pale?

Ultimately you are going to have to find a vet that can see these signs as symptoms and not as behavior issues. So you need to find a smart vet. But for now try what I suggested.

As for the wanting to escape. When cats are ill they often want to run away from the pain. They don't know any better. Don't let him out and be real careful he doesn't escape on you.

If you want fun toys for your cat old cardboard boxes work great. So do paper bags. They also like wadded up pieces of paper. I have tried every interactive toy for cats and none get my cats excited other than interactive with me play.

I really think he has a medical issue though. I don't think it is food allergy but I guess it could be. Any scabs around his neck and ears?

Keep his stress down. No baths or anything like that. Keep his food and litter in the same spot. If there are outside cats keep windows closed and blinds down if you can.

Check your house for anything that could be toxic to him or anything new you have been using since the move. Plants? Cleaners? Essential oils? All natural products? Floor cleaner? Carpet cleaner? Anything? Pestisides? Does the apartment spray or bomb the units?

Ok, let me know and I hope he is much better by now.

I am starting to believe it may be medical too. While maybe some of the symptoms could be a bit of boredom/cabin fever (I am constantly working and saving for new toys and hopefully some cat structures).

He has a couple scabs around the face, I presumed those are from his nails, but I have three things I am watching very closely (I am taking him in on Wednesday, hopefully this vet will work out). He has a dark scab on his face that looked like it was healing, and still does, except it's grown a bit denser and there is some hair loss around it. He let's me touch it and eats just fine. No swelling or oozing.
Behind his shoulder blade I noticed a big scab as well (no hair loss). It also looked mostly healed, but today while playing I noticed a damp spot, and he has apparently eaten the scab off. It does not look infected, but I see white/pink flesh exposed. He walks normal (he always had a slightly odd gate due to old injury), and let's me pet around the area without discomfort, though when I push the hair away to expose it and examine it he becomes uncomfortable.
Lastly, his back to top of tail. It seemed that the extra play was working, grow seemed good and I didn't catch him "mowing" very often. But today I noticed many little "scabs" under the hair growth, and if I scratch he becomes over-joyed.
So... Le sigh. I am stuck.
I have done the plug ins now for a week, no change. He hates the collars, but doesn't groom as much because he's licking the collar. The extra play seems to make him happier in short bursts, but then it increases his demands to go outside. The little structures for play I've tried to build seem to get a lukewarm response.

To answer above questions:
*I didn't do a full panel, vet didn't deem it necessary plus it was expensive
*I have him on science diet wet/dry and he seems to be eating well, though is getting suddenly flavor picky again. I went with them as they had a "super gentle" mix I could afford that wasn't duck/lamb (he won't eat those).
* the pin was removed and he has made a full recovery according to our first vet. (She wasn't the one to put the pin in by the way). She did say she had to tug quiet a bit as there was a good amount of scar tissue, and he will most likely have sore joints in his older years (he's estimated between 6-8yrs old. I call him 7 now lol).
* he has been with me almost a year, and many of these symptoms (especially boredom) appeared before his last surgery, but have gotten intense with new apartment.
* I use unscented and grainy clump littler (low to no dust). It's scooped whenever I go to the restroom, and on working days right before I leave and when I first get home, and of course always before/after my bed time.