My 13 year old cat Eightball suffered what appeared to be a stroke a few months back. He's always been on the feral side with pretty odd behaviors, but since the stroke episode, he's getting unpredictable. There hasn't been an overnight change with him - it's been slowly progressing to the point that people are beginning to notice. Regardless of whether it was a stroke or not, he has a cognitive disorder.
I have cat loving friends who have visited my home for years and have only actually seen Eightball maybe 6 times in 10 years (he hides under beds when company comes). Last Monday night, we were sitting in the living room when Eightball came into the room and jumped on my lap. My friend who was sitting next to me gave a big "WOW", then reached her hand out to him. He head butted her hand so she just petted him. No one other than DH and I have ever been allowed to touch him in 13 years. He has to be sedated at the vets for them to examine him.
Of late he's become very possessive of me when it comes to the other cats. He normally will move away from me when another cat approaches. But last night he laid on top of me and when any other cat came up to snuggle, he drove them away. He did this to Scarlett which is completely taboo in my household (all cats defer to Scarlett). It's rare when he leaves my side.
Has anyone had a cat with progressive cognitive disorders and how did they advance? What behavioral changes did you see with yours, and did any of them become violent? Last night had me a little unnerved, because it looks like his behaviors are becoming aggressive. Did you try any medications to help with your situation?
Eightball is not a cat that can be medicated very easily. While he hangs close to me, he has always fought me if I try to restrain him to give meds, so medications will be a challenge. I've tried things like rescue remedy with him and they had no effect. He doesn't eat wet food consistently so slipping things into his food is not an option, and he doesn't do pill pockets.
I have cat loving friends who have visited my home for years and have only actually seen Eightball maybe 6 times in 10 years (he hides under beds when company comes). Last Monday night, we were sitting in the living room when Eightball came into the room and jumped on my lap. My friend who was sitting next to me gave a big "WOW", then reached her hand out to him. He head butted her hand so she just petted him. No one other than DH and I have ever been allowed to touch him in 13 years. He has to be sedated at the vets for them to examine him.
Of late he's become very possessive of me when it comes to the other cats. He normally will move away from me when another cat approaches. But last night he laid on top of me and when any other cat came up to snuggle, he drove them away. He did this to Scarlett which is completely taboo in my household (all cats defer to Scarlett). It's rare when he leaves my side.
Has anyone had a cat with progressive cognitive disorders and how did they advance? What behavioral changes did you see with yours, and did any of them become violent? Last night had me a little unnerved, because it looks like his behaviors are becoming aggressive. Did you try any medications to help with your situation?
Eightball is not a cat that can be medicated very easily. While he hangs close to me, he has always fought me if I try to restrain him to give meds, so medications will be a challenge. I've tried things like rescue remedy with him and they had no effect. He doesn't eat wet food consistently so slipping things into his food is not an option, and he doesn't do pill pockets.