Cat With Ocd

hissy · Apr 18, 2018

Hey Guys,

My love and greetings to those of you who actually remember me and know who I am. I have been absent a long time but still rescuing abused/neglected cats. Our latest challenge at the sanctuary is a cat we called Trip long before we knew that he had issues. He and his brothers and sister were victims of abuse, long term neglect and severe trauma. They all have behavior issues and we are keeping them as core kitties just because they truly are unadoptable.

I am writing this in hopes of getting in touch with others who might have dealt with or are dealing with cats with OCD. This kitty has been on valium, ace, Prozac, Hexacloridine and CBD oil. His issues are: chasing his tail endlessly until he either falls off the bed, cat post or whatever he is on. Eating anything he finds on the floor and it is disconcerting and fascinating to watch him because he is like a bloody bloodhound. His nose goes down and his does grid searches on our floors and carpets. Doesn't matter what it is on the floor (and we vacuum and sweep mop several times daily) into his stomach it goes. He will also fixate on the wall as if there is the most unusual bug in the world on that wall (there isn't) He will stare for hours and then suddenly leap up and slam his head and body against the wall. He is just now a year old!

Please if you have dealt with this - chime in or pm me.
He is my husband's cat now, and Mike is faced with his own challenges. This cat is helping him cope with his issues of diabetes, being an amputee and having other severe issues too numerous to list which will explain my long absence. But Trip is clearly his kitty and when the nurses and the home health workers come- Tripp is right in there with all of the action making sure his human is being taken care of. He doesn't give me the time of day, but that is expected because I am the one cramming pills, liquids and supposedly miracle drugs into his system. I'm almost to the point of stopping all the meds and see if maybe this might make him settle in- although I have done so in the past only to find that Trip is a victim of his own mind. It's as sad and unsettling to see as it is to know why this cat is like this which I will not discuss.

Thank you for any help you can give us- and again hello to the old-timers here and HI to Anne!

rubysmama · Apr 18, 2018

Sorry Trip is dealing with OCD issues. It's not a very common topic, so that is probably why there's been no response.

My reply will bounce the thread to the top of the forum, where hopefully someone will see it who might have experience with cats and OCD.

Are you able to post a picture of Trip?

1 bruce 1 · Apr 18, 2018

hissy said:
Hey Guys,

My love and greetings to those of you who actually remember me and know who I am. I have been absent a long time but still rescuing abused/neglected cats. Our latest challenge at the sanctuary is a cat we called Trip long before we knew that he had issues. He and his brothers and sister were victims of abuse, long term neglect and severe trauma. They all have behavior issues and we are keeping them as core kitties just because they truly are unadoptable.

I am writing this in hopes of getting in touch with others who might have dealt with or are dealing with cats with OCD. This kitty has been on valium, ace, Prozac, Hexacloridine and CBD oil. His issues are: chasing his tail endlessly until he either falls off the bed, cat post or whatever he is on. Eating anything he finds on the floor and it is disconcerting and fascinating to watch him because he is like a bloody bloodhound. His nose goes down and his does grid searches on our floors and carpets. Doesn't matter what it is on the floor (and we vacuum and sweep mop several times daily) into his stomach it goes. He will also fixate on the wall as if there is the most unusual bug in the world on that wall (there isn't) He will stare for hours and then suddenly leap up and slam his head and body against the wall. He is just now a year old!

Please if you have dealt with this- chime in, pm me- email me at [email protected]
He is my husband's cat now, and Mike is faced with his own challenges. This cat is helping him cope with his issues of diabetes, being an amputee and having other severe issues too numerous to list which will explain my long absence. But Trip is clearly his kitty and when the nurses and the home health workers come- Tripp is right in there with all of the action making sure his human is being taken care of. He doesn't give me the time of day, but that is expected because I am the one cramming pills, liquids and supposedly miracle drugs into his system. I'm almost to the point of stopping all the meds and see if maybe this might make him settle in- although I have done so in the past only to find that Trip is a victim of his own mind. It's as sad and unsettling to see as it is to know why this cat is like this which I will not discuss.

Thank you for any help you can give us- and again hello to the old-timers here and HI to Anne!

I haven't been around long, but thanks to you for the work you do with these kitties and helping Tripp have a safe and loving place to be. :hearthrob:

Do you have any way of knowing his health history before you got him? If he's on a lot of medicine at this point, is there a possibility that there could be an interaction going on, making the problem worse I wonder.
As OCD as he is about invisible shadows/bugs and food, chasing his tail, etc., will he actively play with toys (interactive with your husband would probably be the best bet IMO), like a wand or a small cat-sized ball? (Mine like those with the bells inside, and they love to break them out at 2:00 in the morning and wake us all up, LOL!)
The only toy I wouldn't use would be a laser light, my cats love this but with any OCD stuff I think that could probably make things worse =)
Also, what's his diet like? Just curious.

hissy · Apr 19, 2018

This doesn't have anything to do with diet, this is neurological, an imbalance in his head. Initially when he started the early behavior sucking big holes in woolen and flannel objects, we thought it to be PICA. But his behavior has amped up tremendously into bizarre behavior that borders feline hyperestesia (I probably spelled that wrong) into other areas of neurological issues.

He plays with his littermates and the other cats here when he wants to but can easily become uncontrollable and show signs of anxiety and aggression after play. We do not initiate play with him, too risky.

We are accustomed to cats with PTSD but this is the first time that we have had one with OCD that is so severe as this. On the medication front, I am very careful in what I give the cats, how much and I do the research beforehand on side effects. I talk to vets, feline specialists, chemists, whatever it takes. All the cats here come from bad places. I would never want one under our care to have a bad experience here due to drug interaction.

Thank you for listening. Reaching me by email is best. I used to live here- but times change and my life here takes up the majority of my time.

Be good to each other and hug your animals daily and find a way to help a rescue in your area because ALL small rescues need help desperately. God Bless and hugs to you, Anne

Desertmouse · Apr 19, 2018

hissy said:
Hey Guys,

My love and greetings to those of you who actually remember me and know who I am. I have been absent a long time but still rescuing abused/neglected cats. Our latest challenge at the sanctuary is a cat we called Trip long before we knew that he had issues. He and his brothers and sister were victims of abuse, long term neglect and severe trauma. They all have behavior issues and we are keeping them as core kitties just because they truly are unadoptable.

I am writing this in hopes of getting in touch with others who might have dealt with or are dealing with cats with OCD. This kitty has been on valium, ace, Prozac, Hexacloridine and CBD oil. His issues are: chasing his tail endlessly until he either falls off the bed, cat post or whatever he is on. Eating anything he finds on the floor and it is disconcerting and fascinating to watch him because he is like a bloody bloodhound. His nose goes down and his does grid searches on our floors and carpets. Doesn't matter what it is on the floor (and we vacuum and sweep mop several times daily) into his stomach it goes. He will also fixate on the wall as if there is the most unusual bug in the world on that wall (there isn't) He will stare for hours and then suddenly leap up and slam his head and body against the wall. He is just now a year old!

Please if you have dealt with this- chime in, pm me- email me at [email protected]
He is my husband's cat now, and Mike is faced with his own challenges. This cat is helping him cope with his issues of diabetes, being an amputee and having other severe issues too numerous to list which will explain my long absence. But Trip is clearly his kitty and when the nurses and the home health workers come- Tripp is right in there with all of the action making sure his human is being taken care of. He doesn't give me the time of day, but that is expected because I am the one cramming pills, liquids and supposedly miracle drugs into his system. I'm almost to the point of stopping all the meds and see if maybe this might make him settle in- although I have done so in the past only to find that Trip is a victim of his own mind. It's as sad and unsettling to see as it is to know why this cat is like this which I will not discuss.

Thank you for any help you can give us- and again hello to the old-timers here and HI to Anne!

Alright this is going to sound stupid, but I didn’t even know that cats get ocd. I don’t really have any advice, but I just wanted to say thank you for all that you are doing. It sounds like you have been through a lot. I don’t have much experience with this or feral cats, but I did want to tell you if the stress ever gets to much please feel free to pm me and vent. The very least I can do is listen and offer support.

Anne · Apr 19, 2018

It's so wonderful to see you here again, Mary Anne. I'm sorry that it's under these circumstances but seeing that avatar does bring back some memories :redheartpump:

For those of you who don't know, Mary Anne aka

hissy is one of our founding members and has been a moderator - and a lot more than that - for many years when we started out. She's helped literally countless cats and kittens over the years and if there's anything you can do to help her here, please do.

1 bruce 1 · Apr 19, 2018

Anne said:
It's so wonderful to see you here again, Mary Anne. I'm sorry that it's under these circumstances but seeing that avatar does bring back some memories

For those of you who don't know, Mary Anne aka hissy is one of our founding members and has been a moderator - and a lot more than that - for many years when we started out. She's helped literally countless cats and kittens over the years and if there's anything you can do to help her here, please do.

Very cool. I'm so happy to see an "original" from the birth of the site.

I can't help unfortunately. Her cat sounds like my hyperesthesia cat times 100.
I know diet isn't a huge deal in these things but we did notice a drastic reduction in symptoms (still there, just not as intense) after finding the right food "for him", hence my only suggestion =(
Whatever the cause or whatever the treatment, I sincerely hope this kitty is able to be helped.

Docs Mom · Apr 23, 2018

This is a way out there suggestion....have you heard of Thunder Coats ? My vet suggests them. Google it...

I know they have helped alot of nervous, neurotic dogs. Maybe the "hug" from the T. coat would distract him from his fixations and reassure him... Curious to see what you think.

I do not work for the Thunder Coat company.

di and bob · Apr 23, 2018

Hello, once more

hissy , I remember you from years ago! I'm so sorry you have been away for such harrowing reasons. may you find better days ahead.....
I just wanted to put in my two cents worth. With any disturbing OCD symptoms such as you describe, the emotional/mental symptoms must be addressed. First of all you have already got the number one step taken, remove them from the situation that cause them to develop these symptoms in the first place. Severe emotional, physical, and mental abuse causes these little ones to develop mechanisms that help them to cope. Trip is young, so I pray he can develop ways to cope with his anxieties that are not harmful. Try to find something he really likes to do to keep him occupied and to change his patterns and routines. He likes to eat, so get him some 'puzzle' toys that give a treat when played with. He may have a very sensitive 'threshold limit' and gets way too excited with too much stimulation or touch. That will be learned over time what his limit is. My Chrissy accepted three strokes before she came unhinged. We learned fast. But most of all he needs lots of time and someone he can depend on to give him their heart. That may be your husband. Your husband most likely needs him just as much, or will in the future. Depression needs to be replaced with something that will give the promise of a future, try not to dwell on something that can't be changed, but on how to cope with what you're dealt and make it easier to accept. It's so very hard to deal and live with these things, but somehow it is got through, you never get over it, you learn to live with it. And it can be done in time. One day at a time...... You will be blessed I'm sure, for all the hardships you have gone through, and you still keep fighting to help others, like Trip. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, please know you are welcome here anytime you need a friend, you have many here who want to help. You have helped so many, it is time for you to be helped!

Furballsmom · Jun 4, 2018

Hi! I'm way late here, but have you tried amitriptyline?

Cat With Ocd

hissy

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rubysmama

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1 bruce 1

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hissy

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Thread starter

Desertmouse

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Anne

Site Owner

1 bruce 1

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Docs Mom

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di and bob

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Furballsmom

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