We have one of the barn cats that decided to take up residence in our house a few months ago. I started with him coming in partake of the nightly buffet then eventually he stopped going outside afterwards. Once we realized he was making himself at home, we did take him to the vets for his shots but didn't have the money to get him neutered (this is the one I posted about wondering if cats could be gay).
Anyway, he hasn't gone outside for a few months and mainly just sleeps, eats and uses the litter box. Other than his eyes being a bit weepy from time to time (have ointement for that) he seemed fine...just enjoying the good life.
Well, last night all of a sudden he started staggering around pretty bad and didn't want to eat. He did eat some of the canned food we feed them but didn't eat any dry that we saw. He couldn't even jump up on the couch to sleep so he crashed on the floor. Our first thought was he accidently found Monster's valium because he was acting like she does when she's stoned. She had a seizure last night and we gave her a 1/2 valium to stop it but she has a bad habit of "faking" swallowing it then spitting it out later.
The vet isn't open until Monday (none of them around here are), and it really didn't seem like an emergency so we just planned on taking him in on Monday it he hadn't improved.
This morning, Nappy walked outside with the dogs and staggered across the road into the woods. Now, this is the cat that had no desire to go outside even in late summer or during the fall. Now, with 6 inches of snow in the ground he decides to go for a nature walk? DH believes he went off to die, although he said he wasn't staggering quite as bad as last night (I was still in bed). For the record, DH didn't realize he got out with the dogs until he saw him half way across the dirt road and heading for the woods. He would never let a sick cat out on purpose.
Hopefully, he just got Monster's valium and only "thinks" that he's dying and will come back after the effects wear off. What else could cause staggering like that? We didn't see any injuries on him like one of the dogs got him or he fell or anything. I was wondering if maybe he had a mini stroke or something? Any ideas?
If he doesn't come back, at least I made the last few months of his life comfortable.
(I wasn't sure where to put this so if it has to be moved, go ahead).
Anyway, he hasn't gone outside for a few months and mainly just sleeps, eats and uses the litter box. Other than his eyes being a bit weepy from time to time (have ointement for that) he seemed fine...just enjoying the good life.
Well, last night all of a sudden he started staggering around pretty bad and didn't want to eat. He did eat some of the canned food we feed them but didn't eat any dry that we saw. He couldn't even jump up on the couch to sleep so he crashed on the floor. Our first thought was he accidently found Monster's valium because he was acting like she does when she's stoned. She had a seizure last night and we gave her a 1/2 valium to stop it but she has a bad habit of "faking" swallowing it then spitting it out later.
The vet isn't open until Monday (none of them around here are), and it really didn't seem like an emergency so we just planned on taking him in on Monday it he hadn't improved.
This morning, Nappy walked outside with the dogs and staggered across the road into the woods. Now, this is the cat that had no desire to go outside even in late summer or during the fall. Now, with 6 inches of snow in the ground he decides to go for a nature walk? DH believes he went off to die, although he said he wasn't staggering quite as bad as last night (I was still in bed). For the record, DH didn't realize he got out with the dogs until he saw him half way across the dirt road and heading for the woods. He would never let a sick cat out on purpose.
Hopefully, he just got Monster's valium and only "thinks" that he's dying and will come back after the effects wear off. What else could cause staggering like that? We didn't see any injuries on him like one of the dogs got him or he fell or anything. I was wondering if maybe he had a mini stroke or something? Any ideas?
If he doesn't come back, at least I made the last few months of his life comfortable.
(I wasn't sure where to put this so if it has to be moved, go ahead).