I have had my approximately 11 month old kitty for 3 months or so. I don't know if he didn't do it at first or if I just didn’t notice, but for most of the time I’ve had him he has done this thing intermittently where he looks visibly uncomfortable, crouching and closing his eyes, head down. Sometimes it lasts a few minutes and he will nap in a loaf, sometimes it's only for a few seconds and then he suddenly perks up and carries on. I’ve noticed occasional lip smacking too. He doesn’t do it every day, sometimes it’s several days in a row, sometimes not at all for several days.
The thing is, he has absolutely no other symptoms. He has had perfect poops the whole time I’ve had him, only threw up a few times in January and I knew why (once because he ate a big chunk of my spider plant, and the others I suspect it was Greenies). He always wants to eat, and hasn’t shown any signs of food allergies. Outside of his brief episodes will be normal the rest of the day, he is indoors only, doesn’t hide, is playful, but still pretty chilled out compared to many his age (in other words yes, he is a perfect angel). He is super well adjusted and doesn’t seem stressed, I live alone with no other pets, when I have guests he quickly warms up to them, today they were even demolishing a house nextdoor and he jumped a bit at first but then spent the whole day relaxing by the window. The only problem he’s had is a bout of FIC a month ago (a bit of blood but no crystals or blockage), but he got over it fine and I doubt it’s related as he doesn’t have any trouble peeing (usually goes 2-3 times a day). Before I adopted him he had some bouts of vomiting and diarrhea and was treated for a parasite twice (but let’s just say he also was on a diet of Friskies dry food and Temptations treats).
I haven’t found a pattern or any changes (I take notes most days). But I still feel like I have to lean towards a digestive issue because that’s the kind of discomfort it looks like? He seems pretty young for it to be things like pancreatitis, diabetes, hyperthyroid, cancer, etc. and like I said… no other symptoms. I’m pretty stumped. Lately he seems to do it less, like one day on one day off, and more so in the evening? He has been eating more wet food because of the FIC, and when he has dry food it’s usually at lunch time (on the auto feeder when I’m at work), I’ve wondered if it’s dry food? Is it possible to have a chronic digestive problem with no other symptom than mild discomfort (IBD)? Nausea with appetite and without vomiting...? Could it be hunger? Could it be nothing at all??
I know I should eventually talk to the vet again (I mentioned it during the FIC visit but she didn’t seem alarmed) but I don’t want to do a million expensive tests for nothing so I want to learn as much as possible first. I have read like every thread on this site. I guess what I’m wondering is, any thoughts? anyone experience symptoms like this or know something I don’t? any recommended path or tests? TIA!
The thing is, he has absolutely no other symptoms. He has had perfect poops the whole time I’ve had him, only threw up a few times in January and I knew why (once because he ate a big chunk of my spider plant, and the others I suspect it was Greenies). He always wants to eat, and hasn’t shown any signs of food allergies. Outside of his brief episodes will be normal the rest of the day, he is indoors only, doesn’t hide, is playful, but still pretty chilled out compared to many his age (in other words yes, he is a perfect angel). He is super well adjusted and doesn’t seem stressed, I live alone with no other pets, when I have guests he quickly warms up to them, today they were even demolishing a house nextdoor and he jumped a bit at first but then spent the whole day relaxing by the window. The only problem he’s had is a bout of FIC a month ago (a bit of blood but no crystals or blockage), but he got over it fine and I doubt it’s related as he doesn’t have any trouble peeing (usually goes 2-3 times a day). Before I adopted him he had some bouts of vomiting and diarrhea and was treated for a parasite twice (but let’s just say he also was on a diet of Friskies dry food and Temptations treats).
I haven’t found a pattern or any changes (I take notes most days). But I still feel like I have to lean towards a digestive issue because that’s the kind of discomfort it looks like? He seems pretty young for it to be things like pancreatitis, diabetes, hyperthyroid, cancer, etc. and like I said… no other symptoms. I’m pretty stumped. Lately he seems to do it less, like one day on one day off, and more so in the evening? He has been eating more wet food because of the FIC, and when he has dry food it’s usually at lunch time (on the auto feeder when I’m at work), I’ve wondered if it’s dry food? Is it possible to have a chronic digestive problem with no other symptom than mild discomfort (IBD)? Nausea with appetite and without vomiting...? Could it be hunger? Could it be nothing at all??
I know I should eventually talk to the vet again (I mentioned it during the FIC visit but she didn’t seem alarmed) but I don’t want to do a million expensive tests for nothing so I want to learn as much as possible first. I have read like every thread on this site. I guess what I’m wondering is, any thoughts? anyone experience symptoms like this or know something I don’t? any recommended path or tests? TIA!