Please Help. Potential brain injury or am I overreacting!?

kay86

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Hi All,

Hoping to get some advice for my little lady Hera. She's a 2.5 year old tabby female moggy, neutered, indoor/outdoor cat. We have one other cat in the house, her sister Guin. They tolerate each other quite well. They have a sureflap cat flap ensuring they're the only ones who get entry to the house. We live in a busy city (London, UK) But the area is fairly quiet and the gardens small. Most UK cats have access to the outdoors. 

Hera has always been a super friendly, affectionate girl. She will follow me everywhere, sleep on her humans, has never once nipped at or scratched me or my husband. (We have no one else living with us). 

Yesterday evening at around 9pm I realised I hadn't seen her for a while, she'd been with me all morning. I searched our small house (not many rooms) and couldn't see her anywhere. I shook the treat box which has had both my girls come running from gardens away before and she hesitantly appeared, looking very sleepy. She usually comes right up in between your legs for treats. I went closer to her to drop them in front of her as usual but she looked up eyes wide with terror and bolted. I followed her slowly and quietly, speaking in hushed tones but she bolted again, upstairs to the spare room and right under the bed. 

I couldn't coax her out and didn't want to stress her so went to bed as normal but left the main bedroom door open in case of strange noises. This morning when I woke she was in the garden. Up and down fences, running about, no visible injuries. She approached in her usual way but ran the moment my husband entered the kitchen. I put out some favoured tuna (A total treat!) but she would not come in for it. I put it in the garden went back inside and she did it it. A short while later she ran back inside and straight back under the bed. She hasn't moved since! 

I've put some dry food in there with her and they have a water bowl (with rescue remedy) in its usual place right outside. She hasn't touched the food. Won't come out to be petted and has this bizarre one eyed squint that comes and goes (hence why I thought brain injury).  She has had several cat treat meat sticks but won't take them from my hand. She seems so scared I'm at a loss as to what could have happened and what I should do next. 

I have not seen her interact with her sister at all. She hasn't soiled the room and did come down to greet us when we came back from a 2 hour dinner at my mums. Again one eye was slightly shut like it was too bright or she had just woken up. It reverted to normal in seconds. The moment we slowly entered the room though she bolted back to the bed again! No changes at all in the house or with us humans. If anyone has any ideas please let me know! I'm so worried, shes usually such a happy little cat.
Have included wonky eye photo, only lasts a short while and this was taken with a bright phone flash so not sure if relevant!
 

red top rescue

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  I do not think you are overreacting. The wonky eye could indicate a head injury, as could the strange behavior.  I would suggest taking her to a veterinarian at your earliest convenience.  She might have a concussion with a slight brain bleed if she was struck in the head by something, even as innocent as a pebble thrown off a car tire from a nearby road, or a branch falling from a tree.
 

misterwhiskers

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I 1000% agree with RedTopRescue. Something's not right here at ALL. In the picture, your cats ear is also off. Please--see a vet and quickly!!!!!!
 
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kay86

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Hi guys,

Thanks so much for the advice. I called the emergency vet this morning & explained the symptoms, was told to watch closely for one more day and if no improvement to bring Hera in. This morning she was hiding under the bed again but has just come downstairs, eaten more treats, play fighting with Guin & allowing me to pet and stroke. She's now investigating the downstairs of the house tentatively. I'll post back with any updates but think I might get a second vet opinion as she just doesn't seem 100% to me!
 

red top rescue

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I would suggest keeping her inside so there is no chance of her disappearing and you can continue to watch her.  SOMETHING may have happened outside, even if we never know what it was.  I hope she stops the squinty eye and panic attacks.  You don't need emergency vet at this point but seeing your regular vet might be useful while whatever it was is stil fresh.  Maybe they can find a bump on her head or something and they can test the pupils reactions and see if they are equal.
 
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