She isn't responding to her name anymore

Antonio65

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,053
Purraise
9,672
Location
Orbassano - Italy
Things are stranger and stranger here.
After the episodes of sudden aggressivity and fear , now Freya is showing another weird behavior.

She's not responding to her name anymore :(
When I rescued her and brought her nome, I named her Freya, and in less than 2 days she had learned her name, evidence that she is smart!
Since then she has always responded to her name. When I would call her, she would come quickly if she was in another room, or would look up to me is she was laying on my lap or next to me. She never failed once, not even when she was sleeping.
Just her name and she was there or looking into my eyes loudly purring. She was sweet and loving.

In the last 5 or 6 days she has stopped responding to her name. She doesn't come when called, nor she turns to me or looks at me anymore, just like if I'm silent. No matter how many times I say her name, no way, she doesn't respond.
And, to add weird to weird, she isn't purring anymore either, or at least, her purring is rare and almost "whispered".

She also used to jump on my shoulder in the morning, to purr right into my ear and give me kisses on my nose. None of this is happening in the last days anymore.
She still follows me, jumps on my lap, plays me with me and has fun, but no purrs.

This morning we had a follow up visit at the vet's for her neurological problem. I told the vet what was going on, but the vet didn't say anything, as always...
I don't know if this behavioral change has something to do with what happened to her, or if she's growing up (nearly 8 months old) and is behaving like a teenager who dosn't listen to their parents, or if this is the result of too much shouting at her or relocating her in another room when we're eating to prevent her from stealing our food from the plates, and she's feeling insulted or offended.

I'm between desperate and disappointed, I never had such a hard time with a cat before.
Any hint?
 

Maurey

Maine Coon Madness
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
1,592
Purraise
1,822
Is it possible to visit another neurological specialist at a different clinic? It’s not okay that the vet isn’t responding to any of your concerns, and I’d be doubtful of the quality of the work being done.

I don't know if this behavioral change has something to do with what happened to her, or if she's growing up (nearly 8 months old) and is behaving like a teenager who dosn't listen to their parents, or if this is the result of too much shouting at her or relocating her in another room when we're eating to prevent her from stealing our food from the plates, and she's feeling insulted or offended.
I’d definitely rule out neurological cause first, as her not responding could mean that she doesn’t recognise her name anymore. If she was just being a teenager, she would react to you calling her somehow, even if she didn’t want to come, ime — twitching an ear in your direction, or swishing her tail. Cat’s also don’t have the human capacity to hold grudges, so I wouldn’t worry about that.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

Antonio65

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,053
Purraise
9,672
Location
Orbassano - Italy
Is it possible to visit another neurological specialist at a different clinic? It’s not okay that the vet isn’t responding to any of your concerns, and I’d be doubtful of the quality of the work being done.
Currently this is the clinic that I trust the most. The neurological specialist who visited the cat a month ago isn't the same that Italked to this morning. Nonetheless I agree with you that an answer must be given anyway.

I’d definitely rule out neurological cause first, as her not responding could mean that she doesn’t recognise her name anymore.
So wat do you think it can be?

If she was just being a teenager, she would react to you calling her somehow, even if she didn’t want to come, ime — twitching an ear in your direction, or swishing her tail. Cat’s also don’t have the human capacity to hold grudges, so I wouldn’t worry about that.
Yes, sometime she twitches her ear around, but I take it more like a response to a sound, noise, rather than her name.
 

Maurey

Maine Coon Madness
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
1,592
Purraise
1,822
Currently this is the clinic that I trust the most. The neurological specialist who visited the cat a month ago isn't the same that Italked to this morning. Nonetheless I agree with you that an answer must be given anyway.
Did you like the original specialist more? Could you get into contact with them? For what it’s worth, I don’t have any one clinic I trust to take care of my cats — I have specialists I like and know I can trust through my own experiences, and those of many other cat owners where I live, and I’ll follow them all over the city :>

So wat do you think it can be?
It’s honestly hard to say, as the brain is really complex, and anything potentially brain-related like this is extremely uncommon in young cats. Does she seem at all forgetful of anything else? Does she react to you at all, does she seem to remember her rituals? Is she still playful, and interacting normally with Giada?

Yes, sometime she twitches her ear around, but I take it more like a response to a sound, noise, rather than her name.
Does she react when you use any other words she might know? I imagine most cats will know a word or phrase that means that it’s time to go eat haha.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

Antonio65

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,053
Purraise
9,672
Location
Orbassano - Italy
Did you like the original specialist more? Could you get into contact with them? For what it’s worth, I don’t have any one clinic I trust to take care of my cats — I have specialists I like and know I can trust through my own experiences, and those of many other cat owners where I live, and I’ll follow them all over the city :>
The specialist works with the clinic on appointment, on certain days, AT the clinic.
I thought he was quite good, though I don't have enough experience in this field.

Does she seem at all forgetful of anything else? Does she react to you at all, does she seem to remember her rituals? Is she still playful, and interacting normally with Giada?
Well, it may seem that she is quite unaware that it's meal time, and sounds like handling food and dishes not always makes her react as she used to.
Her favourite game is/was the bouncing ball. I throw the ball against the wall, it bounces back and she catches on the fly, but in the last days it seems she doesn't care much. Certain rituals, though, are still well known.

Does she react when you use any other words she might know? I imagine most cats will know a word or phrase that means that it’s time to go eat haha.
Yes, she does react at the magic word for food :lol:
 

Maurey

Maine Coon Madness
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
1,592
Purraise
1,822
Could it be she's feeling under the weather, in general? Might explain why she's had lower motivation about food and play.

Since the specialist you liked more is at the clinic on certain days, could you take an results from the new specialist, plus mention the new things that have been worrying you? That may be the next step forward.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

Antonio65

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,053
Purraise
9,672
Location
Orbassano - Italy
Could it be she's feeling under the weather, in general? Might explain why she's had lower motivation about food and play.
Of course she could, I think that the neurological issues that hit her in the previous weeks can have left some "scars" in her brain, and her system in general.

Since the specialist you liked more is at the clinic on certain days, could you take an results from the new specialist, plus mention the new things that have been worrying you? That may be the next step forward.
This is a good idea. I just wanted to talk to Freya's vet before. Also, I thought this new issue was more stuff for a behavioralist than a neurologist.
I will email him later.
 

Maurey

Maine Coon Madness
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
1,592
Purraise
1,822
Of course she could, I think that the neurological issues that hit her in the previous weeks can have left some "scars" in her brain, and her system in general.



This is a good idea. I just wanted to talk to Freya's vet before. Also, I thought this new issue was more stuff for a behavioralist than a neurologist.
I will email him later.
Sounds like a good idea! Could you consult with both, so that the behaviorist and neurologist can communicate w/ each other more freely? It may make it easier to figure out what's going on.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

Antonio65

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,053
Purraise
9,672
Location
Orbassano - Italy
I've just sent an email to the neurologist who visited Freya one month ago. I also asked him if the opinion of a behaviorist can be a good idea.

What I didn't say in my first post is that Freya gets also easily scared by certain sudden noises in the house, all sounds that should be familiar to her, but now they seem all new to her. Also, some movements we do, like waving an arm or walking a little faster than usual is enough to have her startled.
This is happening (and I think the name thing as well) since last Thursday, when a violent thunderstorm, the first of the season, hit the area. The bang of the thunders was really loud, and both cats were frightened.
It's like she's still frightened by that storm. It's like her mind has been reset by an EMP from the electricity in the air during the storm :oops:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

Antonio65

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,053
Purraise
9,672
Location
Orbassano - Italy
Nearly 3 weeks later, Freya isn't responding to her name. At least, she doesn't respond all the times, say she comes when called 10% of times, turns to me when called 30% of the times.
Apart from the weirdness of this thing, it's also annoying because sometimes she disappears in the house and I don't know where she is. In the past, until mid-May, she would come quickly at the first call, now she doesn't, so it ends up I can't find her when I look for her.
The neurologist says it's nothing he thinks he can do something about.
 

justfree

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jun 1, 2021
Messages
1
Purraise
0
Get your cat to the vet for blood work. Why a neurologist?? That’s confusing.
Cats will let you know they have a health issue by their behavior … a change in behavior generally means a health need. Do NOT wait to take her to the Vet.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

Antonio65

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,053
Purraise
9,672
Location
Orbassano - Italy
Get your cat to the vet for blood work. Why a neurologist?? That’s confusing.
Cats will let you know they have a health issue by their behavior … a change in behavior generally means a health need. Do NOT wait to take her to the Vet.
My cat Freya has been to the vet a couple of times in less than two months and had a total and complete blood check twice, and nothing came up, all results are fine and clear. She also had an US scan done 12 days ago and a neurological check up on April 22.
She's had a neurological issue, three bad episodes of over-reaction to external stimuli in a month, and another episode that left her not responding to her name. Apart from this she's stil rather the same kitty.
 

ladytimedramon

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Apr 29, 2020
Messages
808
Purraise
772
Nearly 3 weeks later, Freya isn't responding to her name. At least, she doesn't respond all the times, say she comes when called 10% of times, turns to me when called 30% of the times.
Apart from the weirdness of this thing, it's also annoying because sometimes she disappears in the house and I don't know where she is. In the past, until mid-May, she would come quickly at the first call, now she doesn't, so it ends up I can't find her when I look for her.
The neurologist says it's nothing he thinks he can do something about.
Will she wear a collar with a bell? I have a Beastie Band (soft neoprene velcro closure collar) with a little bell on Delilah. I can always hear when she's moving around the apartment. I've never been able to call Delilah to me with her name, but shaking her treat bag always brings her running if she's been hiding.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

Antonio65

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,053
Purraise
9,672
Location
Orbassano - Italy
No, she doesn't have a collar, nor I would like her to wear one, she's an indoor only cat (unless I take her out on a lead). A bell on a collar is what I would dislike the most in a cat, unless the cat is deaf.
Freya comes quikly if she hears the sound of the kibbles bag or the sound of the spoon on her dish. And she used to come when called, but not anymore, all of a sudden.
 

Hellenww

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Mar 5, 2018
Messages
1,036
Purraise
1,533
Location
South Jersey, USA
The bang of the thunders was really loud, and both cats were frightened.
This made me think of 2 things.
1) The loud noises were coming from everywhere and she couldn't tell what was causing them or get away from them. Now still frightened that any sound is them coming back.
2) The thunder was loud enough that it caused hearing loss. Now newly hearing impaired she'd be more frightened when all of a sudden she sees you but didn't hear you coming.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

Antonio65

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,053
Purraise
9,672
Location
Orbassano - Italy
Sorry, I intended to reply earlier.

This made me think of 2 things.
1) The loud noises were coming from everywhere and she couldn't tell what was causing them or get away from them. Now still frightened that any sound is them coming back.
Apperently she isn't frightened by any loud noise. For instance, a few days ago I mowed the lawn for the first time since I have her. She was at the window behind the mosquito net and watched me the whole time, and rather than running away and hiding, she remained at the window.

2) The thunder was loud enough that it caused hearing loss. Now newly hearing impaired she'd be more frightened when all of a sudden she sees you but didn't hear you coming.
The thunder was loud but I don't think that loud. Anyway I made an experiment and tried to call her with that "pssst" sound, just whispered, and she quickly turned to me even from 10 feet away.
She also comes quickly when I ball up a piece of paper, rub it on the tiled floor to tease her. Wherever she is, she runs to me.
 
Top