Has Anyone Dealt With Cat Dementia

RufusGizmo

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hi, I think one of our cats is getting dementia. the doctor thought last year it was hyperestensia, and he was put on buspirone, but that is no longer working. has anyone dealt with this? I feel so bad, he wakes up and appears to have no idea where he is, and runs around in distress. sometimes hes ok, but it is only after having one of his episodes. taking him to vet today, but wondering if anyone had any advice. he has like three episodes a day, where he just is chasing his tail, over grooming, and does not appear to know where he is, who we are, and who his little buddy cat is.
 

FeebysOwner

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Hi. It might be possible that the buspirone dosage your cat is on needs adjusting. I have heard that cats can sort of relapse and require a larger dose for an interim period of time.

But, his other behaviors, like acting as if he doesn't know where he is, etc. sounds like another issue altogether. I have not heard of any such side effects with buspirone, but you could ask the vet if that is possible.

Maybe it is even possible all these symptoms are related to another condition whereby part of the symptoms just look the same as hyperesthesia?

As you can see, I really can't offer you any helpful advice. Just want to wish you well at the vet, and hope he/she can come up with some possible solutions to help your guy out. Let us know what happens, please.
 

Kieka

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I had a cat who, we think, had brain damage from abuse as a kitten (don't want to hijack but we got him from a person using him as a hacky sack on the street). He'd get very scared and confused if we wore different shoes or dressed majorly different. As he got older, he seemed to have more trouble recognizing his surroundings. Towards the end of his life he'd seem lost at times. We always seemed to have luck just saying his name or shaking the treat jar. It seemed to help him realize where he was or at least focus him on the treats enough that he wasn't bothered.

Luckily for us, he never seemed to have any sort of dominance issues so he wasn't impacted by crossing paths with our other cat when he was confused. Other cats, and even humans, seemed to just he there in his world but nothing of concern.

Even though situations are different, figuring out something that helps center him might help. A treat, toy, someone talking calmly, whatever works to give him a calm center spot in his confusion. You might want to ask you vet about possible holistic calming remedies to help too. Maybe something like replace the catnip in a stuffed toy with valerian root or camomile could help. I don't know if it's legal where you are, but CBD can help with anxiety too.
 
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RufusGizmo

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thanks to both of you. we have upped his buspirone, but has not helped yet. people are sick, your poor little Kieka. if my husband takes him into the office for some quiet time, it definately calms him down, so we try that right now. he does not seem too bothered by the other cats (we have four total) I'm just hoping that does not change. two of the cats are just one and a half now, and he's not totally in love with them. I think that CBD is legal in where we are, i'll have my husband add that to the list to ask the vet about. thanks!
 

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We had a senior cat that would get 'lost' at night and start crying, it was so pathetic. Calling his name and turning on a light helped. Towards the end we started leaving small lights on in the room he stayed in, he seemed to pull away from us towards the end too. There isn't much you can do, just be there and comfort him, it must be scary. Hyper actions might be related to his thyroid levels, make sure that is checked. Older cats often develop problems in that area and it is usually easily taken care of. He may be overgrooming, running in distress from some kind of pain too, he needs to be carefully monitored and try to find out what it i, which is what you are doing. I'll pray you find a problem and a easy solution!
 
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RufusGizmo

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thanks! he's only 13 so that makes it super sad. I don't know really how long cats live, only had one before these four, and he lived to 16.
 

FeebysOwner

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16, from my experience, is good! Although, I know other members on this site have had cats that have lived long beyond that! I lost my first cat, Tawny, at 15 to FIP. Lost Gracie to cancer at 12.

Feeby, at 14+, still appears to be going strong - but hasn't been without her issues. She does appear to be 'slowing down', as well as arthritis. And, she is much 'needier' than she used to be. Sometimes, she stares off 'into space', so I wonder if that is more than likely some form of dementia.

But, if you can get some of the other more problematic issues back under control, dementia doesn't have to be a bad thing - in the big scheme of things.

I do like suggestions like shaking a can/bag of treats as a way to bring a cat back into focus - along with everything else you are doing, you might want to try that for the heck of it. I would be afraid to try that with Feeby - she is already overweight.

Keep plugging away! It's all worth it! I think you said he is going to see the vet today? If so, or if soon, just let us know what happens.
 

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My cat Josie was just 2 weeks away from being 17. She sometimes seem scared like she was seeing a ghost or she would sleep walk. Be sleeping,get up and pick up a ball,then go back to bed.
 
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RufusGizmo

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thanks! I will let you know what vet said. I do find I am overfeeding him as a way to keep him calm but trying not to overdo it. he's fairly big, not super fat, just a really big cat. the problem with the treats is then when the other three hear it, they all come running and its a free for all. :)
 

maggie101

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thanks! he's only 13 so that makes it super sad. I don't know really how long cats live, only had one before these four, and he lived to 16.
I think 13 is when is when she stated to have medical issues. It's amazing she survived that long
 

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We had an old cat that got lost/confused when he was 18-21 years old..... especially at night. I would try night lights.
 
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RufusGizmo

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So it is confirmed that it is cat dementia. so sad, we just have to watch him, and see how it progresses. i might try and find a new vet, mine does not seem very progressive when it comes to treatments, or ways to help alleviate stress, when my husband mentioned hemp he said that it has not been confirmed as helpful. he does not seem open to treatments that are not confirmed as reliable.
 

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HI. So sorry to hear that. How did the vet confirm dementia? Not that I am saying it is NOT dementia, just curious what tests were used to confirm it.

Another vet is a good idea - one who is open to trying different treatments to help stave off progress of the disease, or at least help to alleviate some of the associated symptoms. Or, you can do a internet search on potential treatments and propose them to your current vet, if you like/trust them otherwise.

If you can alleviate some of the problematic symptoms, like I said before dementia doesn't have to be a bad thing in the big scheme of things.
 
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RufusGizmo

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i guess there is no actual tests just based on his symptoms i'm going to look around for a new vet. thanks
 

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