Elderly male cat developed a twitching issue that went from occasional to very frequent

empirefalls

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I have an elderly male cat that is about to turn 19 years old. Over the past year,maybe 2 years, he has developed an occasional twitching health issue that now needs interaction/diagnosis Twitching is now present 24/7. I am pretty sure it is an elderly related health issue.

Background:
He is/has been healthy for his elderly age; jumps up and down 4 foot tables, in a nice demeanor, runs around the house with a younger female cat.healthy appetite. Indoors only. Spring water/PUR filtered water only. Quality cat food,
Occasional Constipation comes around every couple of months which is treated with Tiki Cat food with pumpkin and Cat lax.
He usually has to eat what i believe is quality cat grass(catladies)
Vet? If i had my way, i would bring him every day for a checkup. Looking this week for a visit.
He sleeps with me 364 days a year/365 days in leap year.

About the twitching. Any kind of sound, especially sharp sounds , say shutting a door, touching him suddenly, , sounds a plastic bottle can make,...he likely twitches from it.
If your familiar when kittens are born, they suddenly twitch alot for weeks,. The twitching is similar to that.
His hind leg/body area, loss of mass/muscle 'may ' be related or a separate elderly health condition.
 
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white shadow

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Hi empirefalls !

.I have only a minute or so, so, about the deterioration in muscle mass, I want to suggest that you consume and digest ;) this: Dont Let Your Senior Cat Become a Skinny Old Kitty.

Now, the guy who wrote that is the (now) feline specialist who 'discovered' feline hyperthyroidism decades ago - he knows what he's talking about!

Second, about Hyper-T, a quality Vet (a competent feline Vet) will know to go beyond 'standard' blood tests to measure thyroid activity in kitties of this age. Here's a reliable, plain language coverage of this (yes, the site's focus is kidney insufficiency, but the basic info is applicable to all cats): Hyperthyroidism.

I'm not suggesting that Hyper-T is involved here but, because it's very common in these cats, I think you need to understand it, especially now how it's diagnosed - pay attention to "Diagnosis" in there and something called 'the gray zone'. BUT, read through the whole piece leading up to there thoroughly, so you really gain an understanding.

I've got one of these guys - I'm thinking through how I'm going to manage this as time moves on.

Will catch up with you later on.
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empirefalls

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Still eats good/plenty everyday. and drinks water good/plenty every day...even as this twitching issue seems to be getting more frequent the past couple of days
Actually hopped on the desk i am at and got in front of keys during this post.


<<<--if you look at when i joined,he was about a 2 year old cat when i took him as a stray.
 

white shadow

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OK, empirefalls, make sure to get him in to the Vet as soon as you can - don't put it off.

And, be sure to tell them about the twitching!

Then, let us know what the doctor has to say.

Have you posted any pictures of him lately? You do know there's a 'kitty tax' required here..........payable in pics :lol:
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