. The cat in video reminds me of severe flea allergy
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Extreme cat aggression
- Thread starter peagreenboat82
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Thanks again for your post on seizures, Donutte!
@bonepicker, I certainly understand why you might think so. Those videos aren't of my own cat though. They are of kitties diagnosed with FHS. I'm sure a lot of these diseases have quite a bit of overlap in symptoms.
Hazel hasn't been diagnosed with FHS by a vet, but she has had 4 different vets explore things like possible flea allergy. It's always possible she could still have that, but she has a lot of other odd symptoms like the fur rippling, eye dilation, tail swishing, and sudden hyperactivity and aggression, licking the floor, and what might be called mood swings. She has been an indoor cat her entire life (I do realize fleas can still hitch a ride inside), the other two cats have no problems, we have hardwood floors only and no carpeting (well, except for the basement and the old places didn't have carpeting) and she's been seen for possible skin allergies. Also, according to WebMD, flea allergy doesn't usually affect the animal's head and feet. She also chews on and bites her feet and tail.
@Catsnip404, I realized I didn't respond to your veterinary center/behaviorist rehoming comment. I think that's a lovely idea, and thank you for suggesting it. I actually did do research on something sort of like that back when I tried to rehome her. I found a really amazing cat sanctuary, but they couldn't accept an aggressive cat like Hazel because they didn't have the means to keep her isolated and separated from the other cats all the time.
I hope everything is ok with your kitty too no matter what's troubling her. I don't know if your kitty has aggression issues, but it's worth knowing the steroids can increase aggressive behaviors (something my vet told me). Hazel's stomach used to look like the photo below before the steroids, however, so I'm guessing I probably would have still risked the steroids even if I had known that then. They did seem to help her. Nothing else we tried seemed to help, and we even tried using a cone for a short time.
I'm feeling pretty sad about Hazel tonight. She just seems to be constantly on high alert and twitches at the tiniest noise. She does seem to find some comfort in my voice still at least. She continued to lunge at us off and on, but we did put the other kitties in the basement again and gave her free reign of the rest of the downstairs for a short time (prepared with a towel). She'll come for pets, but she won't play with her toys. She also rather oddly seemed almost like she was lost when going back up the stairs to the bedroom. She slowly climbed each step bobbing her head around and sniffing as if she was trying to smell her way back. It's hard to tell but it was almost as if she was confused. We'll see what the vet says tomorrow when we're there.
Thanks again. Everyone here has been amazing.
@bonepicker, I certainly understand why you might think so. Those videos aren't of my own cat though. They are of kitties diagnosed with FHS. I'm sure a lot of these diseases have quite a bit of overlap in symptoms.
Hazel hasn't been diagnosed with FHS by a vet, but she has had 4 different vets explore things like possible flea allergy. It's always possible she could still have that, but she has a lot of other odd symptoms like the fur rippling, eye dilation, tail swishing, and sudden hyperactivity and aggression, licking the floor, and what might be called mood swings. She has been an indoor cat her entire life (I do realize fleas can still hitch a ride inside), the other two cats have no problems, we have hardwood floors only and no carpeting (well, except for the basement and the old places didn't have carpeting) and she's been seen for possible skin allergies. Also, according to WebMD, flea allergy doesn't usually affect the animal's head and feet. She also chews on and bites her feet and tail.
@Catsnip404, I realized I didn't respond to your veterinary center/behaviorist rehoming comment. I think that's a lovely idea, and thank you for suggesting it. I actually did do research on something sort of like that back when I tried to rehome her. I found a really amazing cat sanctuary, but they couldn't accept an aggressive cat like Hazel because they didn't have the means to keep her isolated and separated from the other cats all the time.
I hope everything is ok with your kitty too no matter what's troubling her. I don't know if your kitty has aggression issues, but it's worth knowing the steroids can increase aggressive behaviors (something my vet told me). Hazel's stomach used to look like the photo below before the steroids, however, so I'm guessing I probably would have still risked the steroids even if I had known that then. They did seem to help her. Nothing else we tried seemed to help, and we even tried using a cone for a short time.
I'm feeling pretty sad about Hazel tonight. She just seems to be constantly on high alert and twitches at the tiniest noise. She does seem to find some comfort in my voice still at least. She continued to lunge at us off and on, but we did put the other kitties in the basement again and gave her free reign of the rest of the downstairs for a short time (prepared with a towel). She'll come for pets, but she won't play with her toys. She also rather oddly seemed almost like she was lost when going back up the stairs to the bedroom. She slowly climbed each step bobbing her head around and sniffing as if she was trying to smell her way back. It's hard to tell but it was almost as if she was confused. We'll see what the vet says tomorrow when we're there.
Thanks again. Everyone here has been amazing.
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Massive {{{{hugs}}}} to you and your family today, whatever the outcome ends up being. What a good person you are for trying so hard when I can absolutely guarantee, most people would have given up a long time ago. I know you will make the right decision as to whether or not to keep trying or to let go. And on that last point, you are an amazing person for realizing that sometimes, the "quality of life" definitely extends a lot further beyond physical pain and suffering.
This whole conversation reminds me so much of a Beagle we had that had aggression issues with the other dogs. Not to this extent, but it was pretty bad still. She also had seizures though and we often wondered if the two were connected in her case.
This whole conversation reminds me so much of a Beagle we had that had aggression issues with the other dogs. Not to this extent, but it was pretty bad still. She also had seizures though and we often wondered if the two were connected in her case.
Yes, I don't think I could put it better.
Thinking of you.. I think your 'tomorrow' is my 'overnight' so I'll be back to see how you've gone at the vet. ((((hugs))))
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Well said @Donutte
@peagreenboat82 I can picture what you mean in your latest update on Hazel. That is sad...
And, yes, that sanctuary situation would not have worked. You were one step ahead of me, yet again.
What a cute profile pic you have of Hazel in the Christmas wrapping!
My thoughts are with you and fingers are crossed for you today.
It would be interesting to see what your vet says about the possibility of FHS. I read that some of them though aren't too familiar with it. I had a vet once tell me that the pigment changes in Mama's eye (the same cat that now has the "itchies") were likely fine and not to worry about it--that it sometimes just happens. But my instincts were bothering me and I did some digging on the net and found there could be more serious causes. So I made an appointment with a feline opthamalogist up at the University Of Georgia veterinary school and it turned out it was Melanoma and she had to had her eye removed to save her life. If you feel like your vet isn't "in the know" about FHS, you might check with the University of Pennsylvania vet school--there could be someone there that specializes in it. If you're going to take the time to get an answer, might as well be sure it's a knowledgeable one.
But with that said, I also agree with Donutte. You have been trying SO hard and you will make the right decision as to whether to keep going or let go. We are all here for you. {{{ Hugs }}}
I hope you guys are doing okay this morning...
I don't know where you are, but another place you could check would be Cornell University. If you're on the west coast (California), you could check UC Davis.
The only thought I have, and it might sound strange, would be to wrap her up, tightly, like a baby. Or put her in a Thundershirt.
It seems almost like she has the feeling of wanting to crawl out of her skin--that everything is painful--as if she's getting too much sensory information--and it's false information. I was thinking that if Hazel were put in some kind of tight "wrapping," her brain would have to make a decision as to what information it would process, and hopefully, it would go with what's actually pressing on her. Also, it seems as if the self-mutilating behavior--something at that point on her body is telling her brain that something is going on, but nothing is...and it's as if the biting is to get rid of what's (not) there. (I've seen a few videos of this--it looks super scary.) It might be difficult to get Hazel into something.
My other thought is this: you know what she was like before, and it sounds as if you have a good sense of how she's doing right now. Whatever you do, it will be the right thing, and it will be what's in her best interest.
(you're name is like "the owl and the pussycat" ?)
hug hug
I don't know where you are, but another place you could check would be Cornell University. If you're on the west coast (California), you could check UC Davis.
The only thought I have, and it might sound strange, would be to wrap her up, tightly, like a baby. Or put her in a Thundershirt.
It seems almost like she has the feeling of wanting to crawl out of her skin--that everything is painful--as if she's getting too much sensory information--and it's false information. I was thinking that if Hazel were put in some kind of tight "wrapping," her brain would have to make a decision as to what information it would process, and hopefully, it would go with what's actually pressing on her. Also, it seems as if the self-mutilating behavior--something at that point on her body is telling her brain that something is going on, but nothing is...and it's as if the biting is to get rid of what's (not) there. (I've seen a few videos of this--it looks super scary.) It might be difficult to get Hazel into something.
My other thought is this: you know what she was like before, and it sounds as if you have a good sense of how she's doing right now. Whatever you do, it will be the right thing, and it will be what's in her best interest.
(you're name is like "the owl and the pussycat" ?)
hug hug
Upon thinking about it... I don't think the idea I wrote is a good one...it could make things worse.
I'm sure you'll do what's best for her
I'm sure you'll do what's best for her
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@rpandcat actually i thought your idea was innovative. Kind of like swaddling babies. It would be interesting to see if something like that would work in these cases.
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Thank you so very much for your help and support everyone. I'll provide another update later with more information on what the vet said, but we put Hazel to sleep yesterday. I'm too sad right now to write more.
Her brother seems to be mourning her loss too. He's such a forgiving kitty. Even after the terrible attack last week, he still went looking for her after we opened the room up when she was gone. We left a towel out with her scent in case it was comforting to him. They were companions for 11 years and littermates. He's been sleeping on the towel since last night. He pretty much reflects how I feel too:
Her brother seems to be mourning her loss too. He's such a forgiving kitty. Even after the terrible attack last week, he still went looking for her after we opened the room up when she was gone. We left a towel out with her scent in case it was comforting to him. They were companions for 11 years and littermates. He's been sleeping on the towel since last night. He pretty much reflects how I feel too:
Aw, I'm so sorry. You really did try everything. Her suffering (and that of those around her) was only getting worse and you did the right thing. She had many years of love with you - though I know you feel awful now, I hope some day that will bring you some comfort. Again, my deepest sympathies.
I'm so sorry. There are no words...
Rest in peace Hazel, you gorgeous girl
Hugs to you guys.
I'm so sorry you had to do this--and that you had to make a decision like about Hazel like this. I, too, hope that you can find comfort in the good times that you had with her.
I'm so sorry you had to do this--and that you had to make a decision like about Hazel like this. I, too, hope that you can find comfort in the good times that you had with her.
I'm sorry for your loss. ((hugs)) How devastating when your pet is suffering and there's nothing that you can do to alleviate it. I'll be praying for peace and comfort for you and your family.
I'm so very sorry for the loss of Hazel I hope you are all able to find peace, including your kitty. You did the absolute best you could with her, and did the kindest thing you could do for her.
I hope you are all able to find peace, including your kitty. You did the absolute best you could with her, and did the kindest thing you could do for her.- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #55
Thank you so much for all the hugs, advice, and support. You have all been so kind.
If you care to read it, I have posted a tribute to Hazel here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/311165/for-my-hazel#post_3892779
I just wanted to follow up one last time on this thread in case anyone has similar issues and reads this thread in the future.
My vet said Hazel may very well have FHS, but FHS is difficult to diagnose and to treat. He's spoken with behavioral specialists about it before and, from what I understand, there's an understanding it might actually be comprised of multiple conditions. He also said again that some animals have anxiety just like humans and there aren't necessarily clear external reasons for it. He was very kind and said that right now Hazel is at a point where she is basically overstimulated by everything. Even something that makes her happy could be painful for her.
It was very telling to him that Hazel will try to lunge out of the room at the other cats when the door is opened even after being separated. At this point, trying to give her more pills might only stress her out even more and might not help her. I wanted to write this here in case someone else experiences a similarly heartbreaking situation, and they've tried everything they could to help their kitty already. I don't feel much consolation now, but hopefully it will be a consolation for me later and possibly to others to know that sometimes the fear and anxiety and over stimulus the animal experiences is too painful and it really is merciful to put them to sleep.
Thank you again.
If you care to read it, I have posted a tribute to Hazel here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/311165/for-my-hazel#post_3892779
I just wanted to follow up one last time on this thread in case anyone has similar issues and reads this thread in the future.
My vet said Hazel may very well have FHS, but FHS is difficult to diagnose and to treat. He's spoken with behavioral specialists about it before and, from what I understand, there's an understanding it might actually be comprised of multiple conditions. He also said again that some animals have anxiety just like humans and there aren't necessarily clear external reasons for it. He was very kind and said that right now Hazel is at a point where she is basically overstimulated by everything. Even something that makes her happy could be painful for her.
It was very telling to him that Hazel will try to lunge out of the room at the other cats when the door is opened even after being separated. At this point, trying to give her more pills might only stress her out even more and might not help her. I wanted to write this here in case someone else experiences a similarly heartbreaking situation, and they've tried everything they could to help their kitty already. I don't feel much consolation now, but hopefully it will be a consolation for me later and possibly to others to know that sometimes the fear and anxiety and over stimulus the animal experiences is too painful and it really is merciful to put them to sleep.
Thank you again.
Very sorry to read this news. The TCS team would like you to know that we are so very sorry. We'll lock your thread now out of respect for your loss.
As mentioned above, the Crossing the Bridge tribute for Hazel is here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/311165/for-my-hazel#post_3892779
As mentioned above, the Crossing the Bridge tribute for Hazel is here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/311165/for-my-hazel#post_3892779
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