My cat literally slashed my mother - Please Help :(

sandrak7761 said:

It might be worth the vet checking his thyroid levels, if he has lost weight and had a personality change?

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!!

That never occurred to me. Great idea!!!!

sandrak7761 said:

It might be worth the vet checking his thyroid levels, if he has lost weight and had a personality change?

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@sandrak7761  thank you for your advice.

I was reading a bunch of articles last night and thyroid issues were a quite recurring reference in those articles. So, yes it is one of the possible issues. 

I saw his bloodwork today and I noticed elevated glucose, which triggered many of the indexes to be elevated too. That's why the vet advised me to start him on a deworming treatment tomorrow and we'll repeat his blood tests in 3 days again. 

I also asked her about Valeriana and she said "well, then don't give it to him" - I asked if she had any other ideas or advice and she said she didn't.. 

I don't know, I feel like I'm talking to a wall most of the time. An empty oil can would have more to contribute.. Just sayin'... 

You've really been put through the wringer these last couple of days   I hope Grizzly's doing better today. I'd be seriously ****** off with any vet that treated me and my perfectly sensible and legitimate questions and concerns that way. Not answering an emergency care number is totally unacceptable imo. I hope you start getting some straight answers from the pair of them soon.

Anyway, I really hope you're able to get to the bottom of Grizzly's issues - if there IS a physical cause, it's really important to get it diagnosed and treated for everyone's sake. Good luck with finding a new vet too - I know its not easy. I personally feel really uncomfortable trusting a vet (no matter how good the advice) once I've lost faith and trust in them.

Do let us know how Grizzly's doing today. I hope you all had a peaceful night, and an equally peaceful day so far 

Thanks @Columbine  

I've already decided on which vet I am going to let take care of Grizzly from now on. I will follow the current vet's advice for now, since I'm deworming Grizzly tomorrow and she recommended to repeat a blood analysis on Monday-Tuesday. I will confront her about her behaviour, after the results. If she "behaves" maybe I'll give her a 2nd chance. I talked to a friend of mine, who has known her for years and she was surprised the vet behaved like that. My friend said that maybe something personal has been going on, to snap out like that. Or maybe she believes I'm doubting her.. Even if I am doubting her (right now, I do, after her behaviour), I have every right to see things through. We 're talking about the well being of my cat, whom I adore.. No one is going to "shush" me, or treat me like a fool.

Today, Grizzly has perked up 

 The small spot that became reddish from scratching last night, is almost totally healed. He insists on licking his incision, but I prevent him whenever I am there .. He has been eating normally, drinking water too. I am feeding him wet food. He slept through the night peacefully and today, all day he's been sleeping quite a lot, but I guess he needs it.

My mom noticed that his expression has changed. Like he's more "serious", but I guess it's from the surgery and 30hrs hunger he went through..

When I talked with the vet today, I asked her how much Grizzly weighs.. She said he weighs 5 kilos (approximately 10 pounds?), which means he has lost weight. I know his glucose was high. But it got me thinking:

Since the day of the incident, which was 7 days ago, he was in a great deal of shock, just as we were.. And he almost ate nothing, all these days before he got neutered.. The incident took place on Friday night. Girzzly ate almost nothing until Wednesday.. and Thursday (yesterday) he had the surgery, when it was forbidden to eat.. So, again, he didn't eat properly.. Also, he has been under stress through all these days.. Today, Friday, is the first day he's been eating normally after 7-8 days.

I read somewhere that glucose gets elevated in stressful situations.. Imagine if a person or an animal undergoes that much stress for that long period, without properly eating.. PLUS a surgery.. No wonder he lost weight.

Could his blood results portrayed a stressful period? Or elevated glucose necessarily suggests a health problem? Any experience on that one? Anyone?

Thanks in advance 

 

His blood tests could definitely be affected by stress! However, blood glucose is generally lower after fasting...was the blood drawn during surgery? Or had he eaten before the draw? Either way, strest is something to consider....it also affects behavior big time!

Cadbury weighs a little over 10 lbs. How much did Grizzly weigh before he lost weight?

@KKoerner  His blood was drawn before the surgery, to perform preliminary (am I saying this right?) test, so to go on with the surgery. And a second sample was drawn for the extra tests I ordered. So, no, he hadn't had anything to eat. It was right after fasting..

Although, you're right about glucose and fasting.. I didn't think of that.

Also, his stress was elevated AFTER he acted out and slashed my mom.. There wasn't any stress before. Only that particular day.

Cadbury weighs 10 lbs? Is that 10 pounds? That's approximately Grizzly's current weight. In the winter he was 7,2 kilos (approx. 15,5 pounds) and that was his "slim" period... He has reached 8 kilos at times.. But you cannot tell.. He is tall, long and pretty "thin" as a cat.. He resembles a Bengal as a body structure.. 

He's like Thor's hammer.. You see it and you're like "well, that's just a hammer, I can lift it" and you try, and the hammer remains stuck to the floor.. The same thing with Grizzly.. He's heavier than he seems. 

BUT, as soon as summer came and with it came a series of heatwaves, he just didn't eat at daytime. He was too hot.. He was active - not as much as during winter or spring, and he drunk water many more times than before.. But it seemed normal, since it was sooo hot! He prefered eating during night time.. It was cooler by then. About a month ago, I noticed he had lost some weight, but it didn't seem weird, because of the heatwaves. 

Put that under consideration and combine it with last week's incidents, plus the surgery and fasting.. Of course, he'd lose weight. 

So, the glucose thing should worry me.. Could I have done anything to trigger that? Maybe with his food? or his treats? Can this be caused by nutritional faults, by me? 

 

Blood glucose is DEFINITELY lower after fasting....I speak from experience 

Stress will affect blood chemistry, as it does everything else. Just remind me of a few things - how old is Grizzly, and what are his energy levels, thirst and appetite generally? Also, how big is he (as in type/ breed etc - Shad's a BSH and is probably around 15lbs. Asha looks to be burmese-ish and is around 7lbs. Both look right and in proportion).

You're absolutely right that Grizzly's been as stressed as the rest of you. That's just circumstance. He'll hopefully start to decompress now, just like you all are starting to.

I would have no hesitation in switching vets in your position - no matter what anyone else thinks. I had a vet (from the practice I've used for 18 years) out to my pony last summer. He'd previously treated Cali (Shad's late brother), and it was thanks to his input that Cali had quality of life for as long as he did - he literally gave Cal an extra 2-3months! However, I wasn't happy with his approach and treatment of Collie, and so got a second opinion the following day from another practice. The first vet wasn't bad per say - I just didn't feel right with his approach on the day. No shame or harm in second opinions - whats important is that YOU trust the vet with the specific animal in question.

@Columbine  Grizzly is 16+ months old now. He is very active. He does sleep normally as cats do.. Seems like forever during the day 

 He normally eats 5-6 times each day, plus his treats which are approximately 3 times a day, each time we play.. I try to play a lot with him, cause he is an active cat and I wouldn't want residual energy to lash out.. Well.. he lashed out after all, but under different circumstances.. 

 

He drinks water mainly from the bathroom faucet and secondary from his bowl (I refresh his water 2-3 times a day). 

As a breed, I really don't know "where" to put him.. As I said in my previous post to @KKoerner, he resembles a  Bengal, in terms of body structure - not appearance in any way. He is taller and longer than other domestics I've come across.. 

Oh yeah...I'm sorry, Cadbury weighs 10.25 pounds (you write that 10,25 I believe). He is fairly thin and could probably hold more weight without being overweight...but I also think he is at an OK body condition right now. He was only 9.75 pounds when I brought him home and was the 10.25 2 weeks later so he actually could weigh a little more than that. No more than 11 pounds for sure though.

For me, I'd worry about the glucose level just because it was elevated AFTER fasting. However, I'd still consider the stress he has felt and attribute part of his results as that.

A 5 pound weight loss does concern me too, since he was not overweight at 15. That's a lot to just say it's from lower appetite during the heat.

How are his litter box habits? Normal amount of urine? Poop? And diarrhea before surgery? Hopefully his tests can pinpoint the issue soon!

As far as the vet is concerned...iif she doesn't normally blow you off and act like she has, I might would give her the benefit of the doubt for now and think she may have something going on personally too. That being said, personal issues don't excuse treating clients the way it seems she has treated you.

@GrizzlySapien  There's nothing about his general demeanour there that sets off any alarm bells instantly. From the (very) little research I've been doing in between postings, he doesn't fit the profile for diabetes/hyperthyroidism/cushings etc. They all generally  affect older cats, and generally  there'd be appetite and behavioural changes alongside. Of course, this isn't a cast iron guarantee that he won't be in the minority, but it dies make it less likely. Don't know if that helps or not   The elevated blood sugar is still concerning, and possibly more puzzling as a result.

I really, really hope you're able to get some answers very soon, and that they're good ones. 

KKoerner said:

Oh yeah...I'm sorry, Cadbury weighs 10.25 pounds (you write that 10,25 I believe). He is fairly thin and could probably hold more weight without being overweight...but I also think he is at an OK body condition right now. He was only 9.75 pounds when I brought him home and was the 10.25 2 weeks later so he actually could weigh a little more than that. No more than 11 pounds for sure though.

For me, I'd worry about the glucose level just because it was elevated AFTER fasting. However, I'd still consider the stress he has felt and attribute part of his results as that.

A 5 pound weight loss does concern me too, since he was not overweight at 15. That's a lot to just say it's from lower appetite during the heat.

How are his litter box habits? Normal amount of urine? Poop? And diarrhea before surgery? Hopefully his tests can pinpoint the issue soon!

As far as the vet is concerned...iif she doesn't normally blow you off and act like she has, I might would give her the benefit of the doubt for now and think she may have something going on personally too. That being said, personal issues don't excuse treating clients the way it seems she has treated you.

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@KKoerner  the more we talk about our twins, the more I'm convinced they were from the same litter! LOL 

His litterbox habbits are normal. The stools are firm, no diarrhea, ever.. He had once, when he was a baby and I was deworming him.. Never again. Urinates just fine.

I don't know if I'm in denial.. And believe me, I'm not trying to "get away" with this.. But the heatwaves began in mid June.. it was early July when I noticed he seemed "thinner".. So, he must have begun to lose weight nearly 1,5 month ago.. Given the fact that he didn't eat in combination with his being quite active + fasting + surgery, 4,5 pounds (2 kilos) are not too hard to be lost.. For a kitty! Because for me? That's another case! LOL

On the other hand, I don't want him to have lost that weight, I don't want him to be thinner, cause I want him to be strong and healthy  

Regarding the vet, yes, I agree.. I must work with her for now. She's done an excellent job, Grizzly is getting better by the hour and I owe it to her. It's not like she's a fraud or did something wrong in relation to her profession. I just need to work with a vet that doesn't get into a "snarky" mode, whenever I have questions and concerns.. I know so little about Grizzly's origins. What if there's an inherited health issue? 

The extra tests I ordered? I actually had to PERSUADE her to perform them.. Even if that meant, extra charge on her benefit.. When I ordered them she was like "what? you'll ask for psychological tests next? Grizzly is just fine"
And I had to say "what if he got injured during the incident? what if he's been in some kind of pain that isn't obvious, but still sets him off?? don't we need to know? even if the tests show nothing, I want to be sure and I don't care if I have to pay to see nothing. Just do the test!"  

I don't have to comment on what the tests actually showed. after all.. If she didn't perform them, we wouldn't have known about the glucose index.. And we wouldn't treat it.. 

Columbine said:

 
@GrizzlySapien  There's nothing about his general demeanour there that sets off any alarm bells instantly. From the (very) little research I've been doing in between postings, he doesn't fit the profile for diabetes/hyperthyroidism/cushings etc. They all generally  affect older cats, and generally  there'd be appetite and behavioural changes alongside. Of course, this isn't a cast iron guarantee that he won't be in the minority, but it dies make it less likely. Don't know if that helps or not 

 The elevated blood sugar is still concerning, and possibly more puzzling as a result.

I really, really hope you're able to get some answers very soon, and that they're good ones. 

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@Columbine  as much as I have researched too, I saw nothing to make me believe that he falls in those categories.. To tell you the truth, hyperthyroidism, is maybe a small probability, though.. to my eyes. 

I try to research on the internet just to maybe close some "holes" on some coclusions, or get more feedback.. But, I would never rely on the internet to diagnose any problems. That's the vet's job. So, yes, you're right on the "iron guarantee" part. There is none.

Although, can any of you answer my previous question? 

GrizzlySapien said:

 
So, the glucose thing should worry me.. Could I have done anything to trigger that? Maybe with his food? or his treats? Can this be caused by nutritional faults, by me? 

 

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What does he eat? I'm sorry if you said it before.

It could be caused by his nutrition...lots of things can... but at the same time, if he has a decent diet, I'd be leaning more on stress or some other cause. Also, while glucose, is lower after fasting, those tests are also comparing to an average....which...obviously some animals (and people ) are going to be above/below that mark. He could have a normally higher baseline glucose level. How elevated was it?

Honestly, he does sound like he is ok, but I wouldn't want to say that and there be something... I wouldn't stress too much over it as long as his behavior seems fine. (I know easier said than done).

Considering how much research you've done on Grizzly's care and how devoted you are to him, I would be really surprised if anything you did caused him to have an elevated glucose reading.  That's not to say that there isn't a reason for it, only that I seriously doubt you did anything to cause it.  And I don't blame you for wanting your vet to treat your questions with respect.  You're obviously an excellent cat mom and she should be happy to help you.  If I were a vet, I would much rather have someone who cared like you than someone who didn't care enough!

The reason I said a 5 pound lost would concern me, is because if he weighed 15 pounds, that is one third of his weight. But over a couple of months, a lack of appetite could cause that loss on its own. What is his body condition on the body condition charts?

Margd said:

Considering how much research you've done on Grizzly's care and how devoted you are to him, I would be really surprised if anything you did caused him to have an elevated glucose reading.  That's not to say that there isn't a reason for it, only that I seriously doubt you did anything to cause it.  And I don't blame you for wanting your vet to treat your questions with respect.  You're obviously an excellent cat mom and she should be happy to help you.  If I were a vet, I would much rather have someone who cared like you than someone who didn't care enough!

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This, exactly.

**Oh! Sometimes when I cook steamed chicken or turkey, I side it with Basmati rice, peas, carrots and potatos (all steamed as well) - he eats them too (in smaller proportion than the protein). Also, I never add anything for flavour, cause steaming really "highlights" the natural flavour of the meat and the rest of the ingredients. So, no salt or spices in there. Not even oil/butter.

***@KKoerner! I forgot to mention it: His glucose index was 250, when it should be between 70-120 

Hey, I am so sorry I didn't get back to you to help support you during Grizzley's surgery and your worry about his weight.  I had a medical crisis of my own, and like Grizzley's, mine is still a mystery.  

If he was a bit thin to start with then of course these events would lead him to lose a little.  Vomiting after surgery isn't uncommon--a general anesthesia is harder on kitties than on humans.  If he had worms, that can also cause it.  He should put the weight back on as you're offering high-calorie foods.  If he doesn't, then more vet followup is needed.  

Put all thoughts out of your mind that he is angry with you or that you are punishing him.  He IS a cat, not a human being.  They do a bit of drama-queen behavior but they really don't hold grudges like that and he has no idea what the vet did, just that a couple of places on his body were annoying him like fleas biting.  The neutering WILL make him a happier cat and help even out his behavior.  He will never miss what they took.  And you are doing a very good thing preventing unwanted kittens. I don't know that Greece has a problem with homeless kitties but I would guess that you do.  When economic downturns happen in this country, people abandon their pets, and that's probably sadly common everywhere....

I just wanted to add, give your cat and mom lots of space and time to work things out.  Is it really important if they can be in the same room together without problems?  Is it okay if the next six months they stay in separate parts of the house?  A year?  Patience seems called for.  You need to be confident that Grizzley won't do that again, and so don't rush it.  You have all the time in the world and it's okay if they aren't close.

The fact that he is still playful is a VERY good sign that he isn't as ill as all that.  Watch that he is using the litterbox for #1 & #2 and that both seem normal. 

Your vet is probably one of those people who is better with animals than with human beings.  But taking care of worried humans is still a huge part of her job.  If she doesn't do that well, then looking for another vet is appropriate. IT sounds like her father the vet thinks she is treating this episode too casually.  I think so too. 

You're a good kitty mama!  You're doing all the right things with a problem so serious that most of us would be hurting just as much as you are.   Most people who have pets don't come up against anything this bad.  You are coping extremely well with this.  Pat yourself on the back and please take care of yourself.

@SilkyM  I really appreciate your support and kind words 

No need to apologise for anything! For God's sake, you need to take care of yourself first, then support others! I really wish everything goes OK with your health and soon find out what's been discomforting you.

I was thinking of feeding him some good high-calorie food today, so thanks for "confirming" my thoughts 

The notion of mine about "punishment" has already "left the building" 

 'cause I'm concentrating on Grizzly getting better and healthier as he was. And yes, Greece has a huge problem with strays and the state does very little about them.. Not only now with the crisis. It's been like that since always. Only few people and organizations really work on the problem. Had made some progress, but without the state's help, the problem just keeps on.. Doesn't get restricted almost at all..

We are working on giving space between my mom and Grizzly.. Though, my mom seems more willing by the day to "work" with him.. He is a bit drawn away, 'cause my mom was avoiding him for the whole week, until his surgery.. So, I'm guessing he's trying to cope with that. We don't live in a very large appartment, so "splitting" the place half anf half has been a bit of a struggle.. Plus, it's making him a bit nervous, from what I can see.. So, it cannot go on for a long time. We've been making baby steps to bring them "back together", always under my supervision. The good thing is that my mom, gradually starts to push her fears away.. I'm guessing all those fears will be eliminated, after her wound on her leg (the one with the stitches) heals completely.. Right now, she just feels a little insecure, cause it's still "fresh".. Which is totally understandable.. 

He is playful but not 100%, of course.. It seems like his incision is keeping him back.. Though yesterday he took a long nap on the balcony's banister 

 which can only mean, his incision is not THAT painful. He's meowing to state his opinion on things, again, or to ask for something (the 1st day he was on mute mode). His litterbox contains #1 and #2 successfully 

 and they look normal. 

Regarding my vet, as I replied to @KKoerner  (if i remember correctly), I will say again that I owe it to her, that Grizzly is recovering well. She did a good job. And his recovery actually started manifesting quite soon. Maybe 5-6 hours after we brought him home. He was almost 100% on the 2nd day. I will discuss her communication skills, though.. Cause we need to be on the same page on the upcoming days, when we repeat Grizzly's blood tests and maybe start a treatment, if we don't see any improvement.. If this doesn't happen, his next vet is already on stand by mode.. I've already called him. Regardless, her behaviour, I feel she deserves a 2nd chance, since she's done her job well.

I'll try my best for Grizzly and my mom for now.. And if I succeed in that, I will pat myself on the back for doing a good job.. 

 Until then, I have to actually make it happen.

Thanks for being there 

 

Here is what Cadbury looks like in pictures like in that chart (hard to get with my phone! Lol).

All this worrying, and all this research speaks volumes as to the kind of kitty mom you are!

@KKoerner  Cadbury looks a lot like Grizzly was a while ago. Still, Grizzly was slightly thinner. But his weight was fine. And thanks for what you said 

I talked with a food chemist and told me not to use again anything by Purina.. The 1st day after the surgery I gave him Friskies wetfood and Gourmet Gold.. They both have sugar in them.. 

Yesterday I strictly gave him Canagan dryfood and Nature's Menu wetfood. I managed to make him eat twice in one feed. I will continue like that for the upcoming days.. I also plan on giving him Bozita chunks and of course Simpson's Premium wetfood. Trying to get rid of anything that contains sugar. I'm so mad at myself.. I saw the test results and didn't even think to look at the etiquettes before I gave him to eat from that trashy Friskies and Gourmet.. But I got anxious.. I wanted to make sure he would eat and I wanted him to eat something he really liked, just to relief him a little.. 

Fun fact: I gave him Gourmet Gold and Friskies a lot before I took him to the vet, because he was in stress about the whole situation.. Like giving a lollipop to a crying kid.. With all that sugar? I might as well gave him an ACTUAL lollipop!