Polyps/Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome

[Rysiek]

I wonder if he is just wary of being given anything or handled for the same reasons. The fact that he is eating, but hiding, is what makes me wonder if he is on high alert.

The new clinic looks very interesting with the entire page on pain management and the bio of the doctor who specializes in that area. I have done acupuncture on two different dogs, for what it is worth. Unfortunately, they can't tell you how much it helped, but it did not do any harm. It is a valid form of pain relief and certainly might help. How far away is this clinic?

Thank you. He looks on high alert, as you said. He is out and about but when I approach the bedroom, he straight away five under the bed.
He ate some treats, I hide omeprasole tablet in one of them...
He generally eats quite well...

The clinic is one hour drive, but I rather drive and have a good help than the useless visit we had on Monday...
He was extremely traumatised...and the outcome was none!

 

[fionasmom]

I think that he is checking the perimeter for signs that something else is going to happen. But the fact that he is not missing his meals is a good sign. I completely agree about going to a good clinic. The only reason I asked is that acupuncture, if they were to feel that would help, is usually a repeated service over time.

 

[Rysiek]

I think that he is checking the perimeter for signs that something else is going to happen. But the fact that he is not missing his meals is a good sign. I completely agree about going to a good clinic. The only reason I asked is that acupuncture, if they were to feel that would help, is usually a repeated service over time.

He ate normally over night and breakfast. Used his litter tray. Was wandering around a house a bit...
So this seems good...
He did meow when I passed by, as if saying hello...

Yesterday he was hissing at another cat outside the window, which is a good sign as well, as he is interested with the outside world...I think the other cat jumped on the other side of windowsill as I heard the noise, and then saw Rysiek in a puffed up body posture hissing at him...it was dark, so I did not see anything...

I am not going to give him metacam today. The vet said it would be better to stop it anyway. I am only concerned about any rebound symptoms.
He needs to get secure again that when he wanders through the house I am not catching him to give him meds...
I will try to conseal omeprasole in his treats...
Unfortunately, cannot give him a slippery elm syrup which I made yesterday...

Makes me wonder if he is showing some delayed response to the Monday vet visit...he looked really traumatised and wet himself in his carrier (which never happened before)...he was so drugged that was unable to walk and I kept him in my arms like a baby until he was more conscious...Never had this experience with the dental vets, or hospital appointment, but perhaps he was just recovering when I was driving, so when we reached home he was all right...

The clinic is a bit far, but I am ok with driving...the main aspect will be to get him to the carrier. So far there were no problems, but with his present behaviour it may get tricky...
I hope I will receive a good advice and follow up...

****
Update from the morning. He was in the kitchen! for at least half an hour. Demanded another portion of food, but also played a bit with me, allowed me to stroke him gently...
****
One hour later
He is now back in his bed in the middle of kitchen (no hiding!), looks relaxed and he is purring!!! (oh, how I missed this sound!)

 

[Rysiek]

Today morning

 

[Rysiek]

Contacted the remote vet service, just to ask about metacam and they said it is ok to stop without tapering ...I just need to monitor him for any signs of pain...

They mentioned that he must have gotten terrified at the local vet most likely to the dogs being present.
I really don't know what happens "behind the doors", but it never happened before that he soiled himself...

He is under the bed now, as he noticed me walking around the house...

 

[fionasmom]

I do think that he is upset emotionally about the visit, but fortunately not physically. Depending on the configuration of the clinic, if he had barking dogs around him it would probably have been enough to send him into emergency mode. I have had severely stressed cats lose control of their bladder or bowels in a carrier with no sign of any other condition which would have caused that to happen.

 

[Rysiek]

I do think that he is upset emotionally about the visit, but fortunately not physically. Depending on the configuration of the clinic, if he had barking dogs around him it would probably have been enough to send him into emergency mode. I have had severely stressed cats lose control of their bladder or bowels in a carrier with no sign of any other condition which would have caused that to happen.

This is what must have happened...

He is still hiding from time to time, but beginning to play and purr...

I wonder how long this emergency mode lasts, but it seems similar to human ptsd, moreover this event could have retriggered his previous traumas...

"Overhead movements or certain noises may frighten an abused cat, triggering a long-term memory of prior trauma. It’s possible your cat will carry that unpleasant memory for the rest of his life.
On a more positive note, cats are able to remember their cat parents, even when they’ve gone away for a time and return."

Cats remember the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Can a cat hold a grudge? Can she recall your special moments together? Does she remember your shortcomings as a feline parent? Probably! If someone is nasty to your cat or does something she isn’t fond of, she may just hold a grudge. You can bet she’ll also remember you feed her every morning...

modkat.com

 

[Rysiek]

On a bed today!

 

[fionasmom]

I agree that a trigger will bring back a bad memory and I have seen it in the few dogs and cats that I have rescued from very terrible circumstances. IMO, it lasts in proportion to the severity. If the barking Akita across the hall in a crowded clinic is a one time experience and no one is harmed, it might go away more quickly as that kind of threat is not in the cat's life. If there were beatings, there might be a reaction any time someone raises a hand suddenly or picks up a newspaper for a long time to come.

 

[Rysiek]

I agree that a trigger will bring back a bad memory and I have seen it in the few dogs and cats that I have rescued from very terrible circumstances. IMO, it lasts in proportion to the severity. If the barking Akita across the hall in a crowded clinic is a one time experience and no one is harmed, it might go away more quickly as that kind of threat is not in the cat's life. If there were beatings, there might be a reaction any time someone raises a hand suddenly or picks up a newspaper for a long time to come.

What I have noticed over time (almost three years with me) that he is over-"polite", really a good cat. Hardly ever gets on a table, does not throw objects, hardly destroyed anything, even accidentally. When I say "no" he obeys...almost like a dog...
His first year of life was difficult, hardly any social interaction, not enough food, and I think he must have been shouted at...
His previous owner said that he used to steal food, which never happened with me...When I eat something nice, he just sit close to me on a chair and patiently waits until I give him some...Very rarely gets his paw on my plate...

He is extremely sensitive and gets anxious and overwhelmed easily...
He is rather quiet, meows very little...
When he arrived at my place he never let me to stroke him and it has taken us a really long time...now he enjoys some chin and head gentle strokes...
He is not a lap cat, but likes to be in a close proximity...
I think being left alone + not enough food + his owner being tired and perhaps quite short, angry with him was enough to traumatise him...

*****
Today is a third day without metacam...I have noticed that he is brighter, but also had some transient head shakes...
He was under the bed only on two occasions yesterday, I am unsure if it was pain related...

 

[fionasmom]

I think being left alone + not enough food + his owner being tired and perhaps quite short, angry with him was enough to traumatise him...

Poor little guy. I think that this explains a great deal of his day to day behavior and also his concern at being handled and treated at the vet...for as much as it is necessary. Acupuncture can sometimes help with anxiety, although I should not be talking about it like I know that it will be suggested for him until you see the doctor.

 

[Rysiek]

Poor little guy. I think that this explains a great deal of his day to day behavior and also his concern at being handled and treated at the vet...for as much as it is necessary. Acupuncture can sometimes help with anxiety, although I should not be talking about it like I know that it will be suggested for him until you see the doctor.

He was much better today. I put him on zylkene + bought two feline plugs. Somehow he was so relaxed...
In my view this is what is essential for him...
It was his third metacam free day. He was definitely more awake...

I really hope the pain clinic will help...

 

[Rysiek]

One week metacam free...he has been much brighter and active. Still transient head shaking and wariness around the toys. I adapted a play time, so he plays mostly with his paws...he seems to remember the pain as he approaches a toy with his mouth to "act like a cat" and bite it, and quickly stops...
I have started him on zylkene and I think this helps to calm his system...
We have feline adapters in few places around the house...
We also reintroduced walking outside, as we bought a better cat harness...he lives being out!
I also bought turmeric for cats to assist him with inflammation...This is the aspect I am mostly concerned about, that metacam kept it under control...
I am tempted to stop omeprasole, as this diagnosis has never been confirmed, it was hypothetical that the acid reflux might have contributed to his mouth ulcerations.
I have not started him on slippery elm syrup yet, as this has to be administered via sirringe and he definitely had enough of this procedure...
I have also read about PEA supplement for cats, but I will wait until his pain clinic visit on 22nd Feb.

 

[fionasmom]

He looks so happy out there for his walk, and so curious about what it going on. That has to be good for him to feel that his regular life is still out there for him to enjoy.

That is sad that he remembers it hurt to play with his toys.

 

[Rysiek]

In one way, it is good that he remembers it hurts to play, as he regulates himself how to play... Therefore, we do not need to medicate him with strong meds...

He is so good now, and yes, really curious about what is going on. He has also become more vocal...at last meowing at me when he wants something. He used to be so silent...

 

[Rysiek]

Happy cat/medication free

 

[Rysiek]

We going tomorrow to the pain clinic, one hour drive. I have second thoughts though as he seems in a full remission. We will go, just don't like the whole scenario. I need a second opinion of someone who specialises in pain...
He is still wary about the toys, meaning biting/chewing toys..
He really enjoys going out and got used to the harness. I want to introduce him to the outdoors, need to find a "dog free" places.

 

[fionasmom]

At this point, I would keep the appointment with the pain clinic since he is still hesitant about the toys. Let us know what they say. He looks so cute on his plaid blanket in your avatar.

 

[Rysiek]

At this point, I would keep the appointment with the pain clinic since he is still hesitant about the toys. Let us know what they say. He looks so cute on his plaid blanket in your avatar.

He is in his cage now, after receiving gabapentin. I always feel so guilty ...He was calling me for food today morning, but instead got caged...

He has been so much better...Getting him out in his harness everyday...need to find a dog free meadow somewhere, so I can get him on a longer lead...

Feeling really stressed out today...

 

[Rysiek]

This was an excellent visit. Rysiek was allowed to walk free in the assessment room, and after few minutes, she gently assessed him, checking his mouth as well. And he allowed her to do this! His mouth looks really good, nice pinky colour, no sign of any infection. Also did not mind being gently stroked. He did growl and hiss at her when saying "good bye" from his cage!
She read all his history, we chatted a bit, and she also (same as dental vet) thinks he does not have a full fops but trigeminal neuralgia. Also, the stress level from his childhood (abandoned and not nurtured enough due to the former owner long shift work) plays a huge role, exactly how I thought...
She praised my actions so far, such as adjusting the play time to his paws rather than mouth and all the stress free environment...
She sent me a questionnaire and after receiving this, she will work out the best supplement protocol for him...
He is sleeping now, was really chatty on the way back, typical: "are we there yet???"...

After all this, but I got a virus elsewhere, I ended up with flu like symptoms that started on the way back, all achey joints and head. I have a temperature now, so it looks like the rest on my annual leave I will spend in bed...

But I am so relieved.