Chewing Motion But Not Eating

Does anyone's cat do a chewing motion but isn't eating anything? It's not a quirk in this scenario. Before the video (around 2:45am) was taken she coughed a little. She woke me up but it wasn't loud (Mama's instinct sensing trouble). Video here.

It's relatively new, only 2-3 times in the past month. It doesn't go on for long, but I usually distract her and get her out of her cat tree.

She has asthma, and is on prednisolone and theophylline) We're trying flovent as well. It's taking a little bit to get her used to it, but I think we'll get there eventually.

She's had x-rays, ultrasounds, blood work (she's had extremely elevated liver enzymes about a month ago, but last time she was at the vet, about a week ago, her blood work looked good). Her vet saw a similar video of the chewing thing and we just don't know.

My cat is very difficult at the vet so getting a productive exam is challenging, or impossible without sedation.

Another Maya mystery...

it looks like bruxism, teeth grinding - has she had her oral area checked recently?

mayabear said:

Does anyone's cat do a chewing motion but isn't eating anything? It's not a quirk in this scenario. Before the video (around 2:45am) was taken she coughed a little. She woke me up but it wasn't loud (Mama's instinct sensing trouble). Video here.

It's relatively new, only 2-3 times in the past month. It doesn't go on for long, but I usually distract her and get her out of her cat tree.

She has asthma, and is on prednisolone and theophylline) We're trying flovent as well. It's taking a little bit to get her used to it, but I think we'll get there eventually.

She's had x-rays, ultrasounds, blood work (she's had extremely elevated liver enzymes about a month ago, but last time she was at the vet, about a week ago, her blood work looked good). Her vet saw a similar video of the chewing thing and we just don't know.

My cat is very difficult at the vet so getting a productive exam is challenging, or impossible without sedation.

Another Maya mystery...

Click to expand...

Do you go to a cat-only vet or a mixed cat/dog vet? Perhaps a cat-only vet would know more as they work with them all day.

Have you/the vet looked into their mouth last week? Maybe they have a tooth/gum problem? It wouldn't hurt to have someone help you take pics and send them to your current vet (and contact a cat-only vet) in the meantime.

This can be a sign of nausea or GI upset, among other things. The Pred and Flovent can make a cat feel like they have an upset tummy if you do not give it alongside food or treats. Are you feeding her just after the giving of Pred or Flovent?

PushPurrCatPaws said:

This can be a sign of nausea or GI upset, among other things. The Pred and Flovent can make a cat feel like they have an upset tummy if you do not give it alongside food or treats. Are you feeding her just after the giving of Pred or Flovent?

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I usually give all her meds with her meals (unless otherwise directed). I usually do the flovent seperateltly at night before bedtime and before I go to work...She does the chewing thing weird hours like in the middle of the night, but she also does it in the morning sometimes too before she's had any meds or anything to eat.
:: all of her symptoms are inconsistent. Driving.Me.Crazy.

FelisCatus said:

Do you go to a cat-only vet or a mixed cat/dog vet? Perhaps a cat-only vet would know more as they work with them all day.

Have you/the vet looked into their mouth last week? Maybe they have a tooth/gum problem? It wouldn't hurt to have someone help you take pics and send them to your current vet (and contact a cat-only vet) in the meantime.

Click to expand...

I don't think the vet checked her mouth. If it was a tooth/gum problem though, would it happen randomly? She does it in the middle of the night, but also in the morning sometimes before she's eaten.

mayabear said:

I don't think the vet checked her mouth. If it was a tooth/gum problem though, would it happen randomly? She does it in the middle of the night, but also in the morning sometimes before she's eaten.

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It could certainly be intermittent yes, kind of like sensitive teeth for humans. It doesn't hurt unless you're breathing in cold air or eat something hot/cold.

You should make an appointment if possible as tooth/gum problems can lead to other issues.

Has she been tested for FIV/FELV?

Bruxism (if that’s was it is- I’d watch some YouTube videos to compare if your cat is indeed grinding his teeth) can be the symptom of many conditions, not necessarily connected to the oral health. I’d probably take her (or her tests results) to other vet (specializing in cats) as it is surprising your vet didn’t recognize bruxism- this is not rare in cats.

She's a witch said:

Has she been tested for FIV/FELV?

Bruxism (if that’s was it is- I’d watch some YouTube videos to compare if your cat is indeed grinding his teeth) can be the symptom of many conditions, not necessarily connected to the oral health. I’d probably take her (or her tests results) to other vet (specializing in cats) as it is surprising your vet didn’t recognize bruxism- this is not rare in cats.

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She was tested when she was picked up off the streets by Animal Control when she was about 3 months old.

I did see a cat specialist in January, but he didn't have anything new. I sent him the video though. Maybe he'll have some insight.