I have a problem (I think) with my youngest cat and hope that someone will tell me that they've experienced this too.
This cat is about 2 years old. We got her from a local pet supply store (at the age of a few weeks) so are unaware of her background. She appeared to be a runt, as she's still not as big as she should be. Maybe she's just petite, who knows.
Only recently, perhaps about a month ago, I saw her chomping on her hind quarters and she seemed to be on and on about it, suddenly, it seemed as if she went into a type of seizure - Then she popped out of it.... with ears lowered.. looking around as if to say "Who did that?"
The bad thing is that she LOVES heights and is forever looking for a taller area to perch on. THIS is when the chomping on her behind becomes a problem. She will go in to that seizure mode and just FALL OFF of whatever she's perched on! She does not land on her feet like most cats, but splats down on whatever is below. It's disheartening.. and downright scary!
From seeing this about a month ago, for the first time, and now seeing it at a regular basis of at least once or twice a day.... we're monitoring her. We are going to get her in for testing. At first, we thought that maybe it was just a muscle twitch.
But I'm just wondering - for my own peace of mind - Does this sound like anything that anyone here has experienced? Can anyone help?
Thank you so much, in advance.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
Posts: 5137 | Location: Not of this planet | Registered: 06-16-02
I'm sorry Tree I can't offer you any info but I just had to respond to let you know that I do care. I would definately say to go have her checked out by the vet. I have never seen a cat not land on their feet and the fact that she is not makes me wonder if there is some abnormal neurological damage going on. The chomping down could just be that she is periodically being bitten by a flea...but the spasms and falling, not good. Please give us an update as soon as you find out something...from one cat lover to another!
Posts: 9192 | Location: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
Awww Tree...how awful!! I have never seen anything like that. Most of the time that cats have seizures, it's attributed to epilepsy, but the mix you mention about biting her hind legs is odd. I can't imagine why one would trigger the other. I too would definitely recommend you get her checked. This may sound weird, but I'm wondering if there's some nerve issue she has in her hind legs that when she hits it, it sets her into seizure mode...
Awww Tree, no, I have never heard of that either, but please keep us posted and I will pray that she's okay. I also know it is impossible to keep cats from NOT jumping where they want to go.
Update: Annie had an awful experience at the vet's. I have NEVER seen that friendly and outgoing little girl so immensely afraid. The visit terrified her.
The vet decided with the process of elimination. First, she said that cats with severe flea allegies may look like they are having a seizure. She hit the nail on the head. Annie got some flea medicine and I took her home. Upon returning home, she crawled on her belly out of the carrier - then stopped and vomited her little heart out. I thought she was going to choke to death. I was pretty scared. Finally, she stopped and fell over and laid there for about 1/2 hour. She was stiff as a board and I kept checking to be sure that she was still breathing. FINALLY, she began to move her head, then move around more.
I have never seen a reaction like that from a mere visit. It's not like they actually DID anything to her other than a routine check-up, etc.
Anyhow, Annie is back to her little dolly self and hasn't had an "episode" for the past few days. I love her to bits. (Well, I love ALL of them to bits!)
Posts: 5137 | Location: Not of this planet | Registered: 06-16-02
Wow, Tree...I'm sorry she had such a bad experience, but I'm thrilled that only fleas may have been the problem.
What kind of flea medicine did they give you? I use Frontline that you apply to the skin on the back of the neck. It's expensive but I find that I don't actually have to apply it once a month as they recommend. I just use it whenever my cats obviously need it...maybe 2 or 3 times a year at most.
One of my cats, Tina, has always been very scared to be transported anywhere, even defecating from fright in the carrier. I'm not sure what can really be done about that. I do find that using a cat carrier that opens at the top makes it less traumatic...I can simply lower the cat into or lift them out of it rather than having to try to make them go in and then pull them out through a horizontal opening.
I hope Annie continues to be well.
Posts: 1176 | Location: California | Registered: 06-03-02
Sue, we're using "Advantage" which is applied in the same way as you described.
Poor little Tina! That's horrible! Although, I'm not sure if Annie's transportation or actual office visit was to blame. The vet said that since she was spayed there - it may have brought back bad memories for her.
It's amazing how they can remember and relate.
I'm just glad it wasn't anything serious!
Good point about the cat carrier too. Makes sense.
PS. If you email me YOUR email address, as I didn't see one in your profile... I have a tiny bit of additional info for you. (good info)
Posts: 5137 | Location: Not of this planet | Registered: 06-16-02
I'm not sure what can really be done about that. I do find that using a cat carrier that opens at the top makes it less traumatic...I can simply lower the cat into or lift them out of it rather than having to try to make them go in and then pull them out through a horizontal opening.
