Whew! I hope I can get through this post.
My Daddy passed away in April 2016, after a long (7 year) decline that came about after two strokes and aphasia. From Dad, among other things, I inherited my love of animals, but especially cats. Unfortunately, due to Daddy's 6'5 stature, after his second stroke Mom and I had no choice but to put him in a nursing home. (We simply could not move him.) His sweet one year old cat, Grey Poupon, was devastated, naturally. At the time I did not realize just how many hours a day we would be away from home each day. (The nursing home became more OUR home than the house, in fact.) I noticed a decline in Poupon's demeanor, and he became very agitated as well. The cat was obviously depressed, and I didn't blame him. I spent as much time with him as possible, playing, snuggling, etc. But he became elusive and almost skittish. I blame myself. Totally. I should have tried harder, or found him a better home I suppose. But I did not. I loved him, and he was Daddy's cat... I did not want to let him go. It was selfish and stupid, I realize now.
The cat has become skittish. I have worked on keeping him social, and he still snuggles with me, but he truly avoids people at all costs. His latest vet visit was a disaster. I warned the vet he was not likely to be very happy, and would most likely scratch, or possibly bite a stranger. (He has NEVER bitten anyone, but he does let you know he is willing.) They tried to put a leash on him, a mistake. He hissed and tried to climb the wall to get away. We left with his shots, and no labs whatsoever. He did however bite the leash and cut his gum pretty badly. Otherwise he was simply PISSED, and very scared.
His behavior became even more bizarre after this visit. He stopped trusting me as much. He would not sleep in bed with me unless coaxed, and only very rarely can I get him to snuggle. He growls when I touch his safe zones, which have always been his face and neck. He began sleeping in different places. (Behind the computer, in a closet, on a dresser, etc.) He has always had specific spots, and free rein of the house truly, but this change is just a sign to me.
When Daddy passed away, obviously Mom and I do spend more time at home, which I realize may be contributing to his behavior change.
However, he is now facing some sort of medical problem. I can't imagine what, truly. He has stopped eating, stopped drinking as often, and within the past two days has not gone to the bathroom at all. Two days before that, he was snuggling, and I noticed he had pooped in the bed. It was a first for him. The next day, he did it again.
At first, I thought it was perhaps a mere behavior change, that he was letting me know he was unhappy with me for something.
He had had a bout with fleas for two weeks, when he shot out the door, the little scamp! Poor baby had never had fleas before, and he was allergic. After being treated with Capstar his fleas have dissipated, but I am careful. (Vacuuming every day, combing his hair with a flea comb, etc.) He was not crazy about the flea comb, and let me know it, is what I thought.
I do feel that he might have an underlying issue I am missing. He seems very lethargic and does not move from his chair, or the bed in a days time. While always vocal, when I pick him up, I feel he is in pain now when I do so. Arthritis perhaps? An infection of some type?
When his fleas were bad, I did believe he had a temp, as his nose, paws and ears were very hot. He would snuggle like he never had, diving under the covers as though chilly. I kept him very hydrated, bringing him iced water in bed, as he rarely moved except to scratch, poor thing.
The fleas are gone, as is the fever, but as I said, since the vet visit, he moves less and less! If I do not bring his food and water to him he simply will NOT go to it. (I have tried shaking the bowl, waiting a bit longer each time, to encourage him.) Yesterday was thd first day he simply did not go to the bathroom at ALL. (Here I thought I was upset about him pooping in bed, but I'd be happy if he did today.) I put him in the box, but he simply leaves and hops right back into his chair.
Sometimes I wonder if the vet hurt him in some way unknown to me... He has always been unhappy with petting on his sides and only tolerates along his back and spine, but to me, his vocalization has changed tone, if that makes any sense. Going from, 'You better behave yourself, sister!' to 'Please don't touch me.' Not a yelp, or anything, just a change in tone.
Perhaps I am over-thinking or just not knowledgeable enough to see the obvious signs, and that is why I am reaching out.
Please help me correct whatever horrible mistakes I may have made in his care, and help him to be the happier, sweeter, healthier kitty he once was.
My Daddy passed away in April 2016, after a long (7 year) decline that came about after two strokes and aphasia. From Dad, among other things, I inherited my love of animals, but especially cats. Unfortunately, due to Daddy's 6'5 stature, after his second stroke Mom and I had no choice but to put him in a nursing home. (We simply could not move him.) His sweet one year old cat, Grey Poupon, was devastated, naturally. At the time I did not realize just how many hours a day we would be away from home each day. (The nursing home became more OUR home than the house, in fact.) I noticed a decline in Poupon's demeanor, and he became very agitated as well. The cat was obviously depressed, and I didn't blame him. I spent as much time with him as possible, playing, snuggling, etc. But he became elusive and almost skittish. I blame myself. Totally. I should have tried harder, or found him a better home I suppose. But I did not. I loved him, and he was Daddy's cat... I did not want to let him go. It was selfish and stupid, I realize now.
The cat has become skittish. I have worked on keeping him social, and he still snuggles with me, but he truly avoids people at all costs. His latest vet visit was a disaster. I warned the vet he was not likely to be very happy, and would most likely scratch, or possibly bite a stranger. (He has NEVER bitten anyone, but he does let you know he is willing.) They tried to put a leash on him, a mistake. He hissed and tried to climb the wall to get away. We left with his shots, and no labs whatsoever. He did however bite the leash and cut his gum pretty badly. Otherwise he was simply PISSED, and very scared.
His behavior became even more bizarre after this visit. He stopped trusting me as much. He would not sleep in bed with me unless coaxed, and only very rarely can I get him to snuggle. He growls when I touch his safe zones, which have always been his face and neck. He began sleeping in different places. (Behind the computer, in a closet, on a dresser, etc.) He has always had specific spots, and free rein of the house truly, but this change is just a sign to me.
When Daddy passed away, obviously Mom and I do spend more time at home, which I realize may be contributing to his behavior change.
However, he is now facing some sort of medical problem. I can't imagine what, truly. He has stopped eating, stopped drinking as often, and within the past two days has not gone to the bathroom at all. Two days before that, he was snuggling, and I noticed he had pooped in the bed. It was a first for him. The next day, he did it again.
At first, I thought it was perhaps a mere behavior change, that he was letting me know he was unhappy with me for something.
He had had a bout with fleas for two weeks, when he shot out the door, the little scamp! Poor baby had never had fleas before, and he was allergic. After being treated with Capstar his fleas have dissipated, but I am careful. (Vacuuming every day, combing his hair with a flea comb, etc.) He was not crazy about the flea comb, and let me know it, is what I thought.
I do feel that he might have an underlying issue I am missing. He seems very lethargic and does not move from his chair, or the bed in a days time. While always vocal, when I pick him up, I feel he is in pain now when I do so. Arthritis perhaps? An infection of some type?
When his fleas were bad, I did believe he had a temp, as his nose, paws and ears were very hot. He would snuggle like he never had, diving under the covers as though chilly. I kept him very hydrated, bringing him iced water in bed, as he rarely moved except to scratch, poor thing.
The fleas are gone, as is the fever, but as I said, since the vet visit, he moves less and less! If I do not bring his food and water to him he simply will NOT go to it. (I have tried shaking the bowl, waiting a bit longer each time, to encourage him.) Yesterday was thd first day he simply did not go to the bathroom at ALL. (Here I thought I was upset about him pooping in bed, but I'd be happy if he did today.) I put him in the box, but he simply leaves and hops right back into his chair.
Sometimes I wonder if the vet hurt him in some way unknown to me... He has always been unhappy with petting on his sides and only tolerates along his back and spine, but to me, his vocalization has changed tone, if that makes any sense. Going from, 'You better behave yourself, sister!' to 'Please don't touch me.' Not a yelp, or anything, just a change in tone.
Perhaps I am over-thinking or just not knowledgeable enough to see the obvious signs, and that is why I am reaching out.
Please help me correct whatever horrible mistakes I may have made in his care, and help him to be the happier, sweeter, healthier kitty he once was.