Both my cats are acting extremely abnormal. It is really scaring me.

ryanfuchs

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Hello, my name is Ryan. I have two cats; Mindy who is 11 and Hallie who is 16. Over the past few years we have had several problems with Hallie's health. She fell of our 2nd story railing in 2014, had cancer in her lymph nodes in 2015 and now is very sick (barely moves, barely eats, and started excreting waste in places other than the litter box). We have poured thousands of dollars into Hallie's health over these years and even sent her to treatment to beat the cancer. However, Hallie is reaching a point in her life where our family has begun to realize that her time with us is coming to and end. Her blood work has come back showing nothing is wrong, but that is clearly not the case. I am posting on this forum because while Hallie's health has been on a continuing and predictable decline, as of this morning Mindy's personality has begun to change dramatically. While she is usually a very energetic and hungry cat, she has begun to refuse to move or eat. When she is picked up, she usually squirms after a bit to free herself from our arms. However, when picked up today, she laid perfectly still and made almost no movements between the time when she was picked up til the time where we set her back down (very unusual). In addition, when Mindy smells, hears, or sees us making her food, she usually comes running to eat it as quick as she can. This morning was different though. She saw us making her food (we'd been feeding them both tuna lately cause of Hallie's sickness cause it was the only thing she'd eat. They both love it) from the couch she was lying on. However, she refused to leave her perch. The only time she ate was when we placed a few treats directly beneath her chin. She hasn't left her spot on the couch for several hours. She has changed sleeping positions a few times but hasnt gotten up yet. Mindy doesn't look like she is in pain, but she has become barely responsive to us. She'll just give us the occasional stretch, stare or mumble when we pet her. Mindy will make these faint murmurs and sounds that she didn't do in the past.  I am wondering what we should do about Mindy. Do you guys think she is just depressed because she is seeing her bestfriend on the verge of death, or do you think that she too may have caught a disease. If these behavioral changes continue, we will be forced to contact a vet, but I thought I'd ask you guys first since vets are expensive and we are already spending a fortune on Hallie. Also if anyone has any suggestions about the cause or treatment about what Hallie is going through please share because the vets are stumped. 

Thanks in advance.

sincerely,

Ryan
 

stephanietx

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You need to get Mindy to the vet immediately.  She could have a blockage, be constipated, or even have a bladder infection.  Whatever it is, her drastic change in behavior is a big red flag that something isn't right and vet help should be sought sooner rather than later.  As for your other kitty, as you probably know, her time is coming near and perhaps her body is wearing down.
 
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ryanfuchs

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Hallie recently got an Enema and it sounds like Mindy may need one too. While it could be a coincidence that they are having the same problems, that does seem likely. Do u have any suggestions about what could be the cause of the mutual problem. They have been eating only wet catfood food the past few months until Hallie's problems surfaced and they have been eating canned tuna ever since. 
 

stephanietx

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Tuna is an incomplete food for cats.  You can add it to their regular food, but it can't be fed solely.  A high protein grain free food would be good and you can add in some plain canned pumpkin to help keep bowels moving.  If that doesn't work, then you can use slippery elm bark or Miralax, but Mindy at least needs to get to the vet right away.
 

MoochNNoodles

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I agree with stephanietx about getting Mindy to the vet as soon as you can.  With those symptoms I would want her evaluated asap.

If Hallie's time is short then I would be ok continuing to feed what she will eat (except I would probably try to sneak something healthier/complete in here and there to see if she will go for it.).  But Mindy needs to be eating something complete.  

Please let us know how Mindy and Hallie are doing later. 
 
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ryanfuchs

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@stephanietx they r both doing much better. Both their new blood work tests just said that's they had a high white blood cell count indicating that they were probably sick. We got them on some antibiotics and force fed them some more liquids with electrolytes. Mindy is back to normal and hallie looks the best she has in the last few weeks. I think they both just got a cold. Thanks for your help and concern.
 
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