Yowling!!!

[babyandhoney]

My male cat is an 18 year old siamese whom we've had since birth.

He has started yowling quite often. About a few months ago he started doing it only at night and not every night. Vet said he has cataracts but they aren't bad at all and didn't know what might be going on. Perhaps senility.
Now, he has begun yowling day and night. Not constant. but probably about 2-3 times a night and 2-3 times during the day. He just stands where ever and yowls. I can't figure out what he wants or is trying to say. Sometimes he stands by his food bowl and yowls. Other times he goes to his sleeping spot on the couch and stands and yowls before he lies down to sleep.
He is in surprisingly good health for his age. He just had urine and blood work done this week and the vet states all his levels are great especially for his age. Vet states he'd never know this cat was 18. His glucose was 61mg/dl which is just a tid low but that's almost good since we look for high blood sugar diabetes in geatric cats.

Note: there have been absolutely no changes in our home for him. No other pets, nothing moved or changed, same food as ever etc etc.

The vet stated that If it continues perhaps he can offer him a calming drug. I forget what he said exactly. I don't like the idea of drugging up my cat.

Also, he's gotten really REALLY bad about going to the vet. REALLY bad. He has started hissing and all now. In fact, I left him overnight the other day so they could run some tests, clip his nails, bath and etc plus I had to have him out of the house for a day while it was being treated. anyhow, the vets office couldn't get him back in his cage. They almost always have to sedate him now to do anything cause he turns really wild and mean now. Teeth cleaning, blood work, anything they do now, he has to be sedated for cause he gets so mean. I had to help get him back into his cage to come home cause they couldn't. He was in there standing up on his back legs growling, hissing and clawing at everyone. He put a pretty big slash in the assistants arm. He has always been irritable and fisty at the vets. but has slowely gotten worse and worse as he gets older. His chart and cage always say "caution!". If they only knew of how much of a big baby he really is at home that's why his name is "Baby". Vet states this is probably just old age also. Just like some old men get grumpy as they get older.

He's standing at his food bowl now as we speek howling like he wants something. I've not changed his cat food in probably about 8-10 years when I was told to go to one better for his urinary health. Don't know what else to do. (also, vet says teeth look good and can't see any indication of anything wrong anywhere) He is eating and drinking just fine.

HELP!!!

[Traci]

Well your vet said he had cataracts, so therein lies the problem. Your kitty is losing his sense of sight and is yowling/vocalizing out of confusion and frustration.

If your vet didn't tell you any more than that, I'd seek a second opinion with a feline opthamologist, who can help you with understanding this condition, and can help you followup on kitty's condition. Cataracts can lead to blindness and pain if not monitored and treated. A full optical exam is warranted, please see a feline opthamologist ASAP.

[babyandhoney]

Well, I thought about that. Yesterday I spoke to my vet again about it. Mind you, I really really love my vet. He's an older very kind man who seems to really love his job.

anyhow, he says there are like 2-4 of them in each eye but states they aren't bad enough yet to affect his vision. Says his eyes are far from cloudy and all. he stated "he can see just fine right now, but will start having problems later"

(also, any advice on the hassle we now have to go through getting him to and from a vets office?) Yesterday we hurt his leg trying to get him back into his carrier. I just hate it cause once he's home he's perfectly fine. He has gotten less patient with my son and hisses alot but to be expected with old age I guess

[Traci]

Even if your kitty didn't have cataracts, he is at the age where loss of vision might occur anyway. Many cats in their senior years develop a loss of vision or hearing. We simply need to compensate and help them throught these adjustments. Mainly, not changing anything about his environment, no arranging of furniture, etc. and being available and right there at his every whim when he vocalizes and is confused, frustrated or unable to navigate due to frustration. So, leave on a nightlight on in a room nearby, keep soft music or the tv playing softly, and he will probably compensate best as he can through his other senses (hearing especially, he will be relying on this)

I understand your relationship with your vet, but if he isn't telling you that you need to followup with the cataracts, he's not giving you the information you need. There are various help options available, depending on the situation. Your kitty is depending on you to get the best care he deserves, and at this point, a feline opthamologist can help you even further, so that you know and are prepared for what to expect.

[Sara]

I would go and pick him up and reassure him each time he yowls. Like Traci said his senses are dulling and he gets scared or lost or unsure of himself. A cat yowling is usually calling so if you pick him up and reassure him and put him in your lap he will feel better. Perhaps he just can't sense where you are or where he is and wants love or food or water. The nighlight is a great idea! Maybe a catnip toy for him to play with and make him feel good. He just needs extra TLC. I would go for the second opinion though with a cat specialist. Bring his labs with you. He just needs extra care in his senior years. Get some nice comfy beds on the floor all over so he can curl up and cuddle when he wants. Put a night light in your bedroom, hall and in the rooms where his food and litter box is so he can find his way around at night. If the nighlight bothers you, you can always get a sleep mask. Let us know how he is okay? Sara

[Guest]

That sounds like great advice. However, he is doing it in the daytime now. When it's nice and sunny out. Just this morning he was sleeping beside me on the couch. He was so close to me that his back was up against my leg. He got up walked about 6-7ft then stopped. Sat down on his hind legs and then started yowling. I got up and started to pet him. He stopped. He came back over to where I was and layed down.

Last night when I was getting ready for bed I turned out the livingroom lights and turned my bedroom lights on like always. And like always he comes in with me and jumps onto the foot of my bed where he sleeps every night. My light was still on as I changing my clothes and removing the decrative pillows from the bed. He got up, jumped to the floor, walked out into the dark living room then started yowling. I called him in and he didn't come. I went and got him and put him on the bed. He layed down and went to sleep.

I've thought long and hard about this today. I guess when I think about it, he's acting confused. He's not acting like he can't see (why would he leave the bed to go yowl in the dark living room?). He isn't looking for me if I'm right beside him. Don't know. Perhaps the doc is correct in stating it might just be senility. Perhaps he's just getting confused. Forgets where he is or something.

If so, this is sad. I've often said that I hope I go quickly when I get older. I don't want to suffer or have a poor quality of life. I don't want to be a burden upon those around me.

Old people to me are just like babies. They need us to take care of them. Maybe my "Baby" is just turning into a big "Baby" right now. He's just like one of my kids, meaning one minute they are getting on my nerves and I could just smack one of them (j/k!) and the next minute I love them more than anything in the world.

[Traci]

Could I ask you to please re-read the posts here. Cats do not get senile, not in the sense you are thinking humans do, it doesn't work that way.

Your last post said it, your kitty is fine when he is near you....outside of that, he is confused and frustrated, he is losing his vision, he is also slowly losing his navigation instincts....while the light is a tremendous help, remember that he is also following your sounds and vibrations on the floor as you move. He is depending on these senses to compensate for the gradual vision loss. This is not senility nor is it dementia, it is vision loss and loss of bearings concerning his navigation.

Again, I strongly suggest you demand your vet refers you to a feline opthamologist for a comprehensive optical exam. Your vet is either obviously inexperienced in this area or is not taking your kitty's condition seriously. The cost of a feline opthalmologist's exam is generally no greater than that of a general practitioner's exam, and you will be getting much more information and will know what to expect.

Again, NO references to 'smacking'...I don't care if that is not your intention, it is not allowed. Please, try to understand my policy on that.

[Sara]

has tons of senior Siamese residents (all over the US) that are not up for adoption. They might be great to contact regarding the special needs of an older Siamese or a Siamese with sight problems, good vets for that etc. They really seem to understand the "Siamese" ways. What do you think Traci? Good idea or no? They really seem to understand and cherish their little charges and have insight and experience. I was touched and amazed at all the special care cats that made their homes with them. I know if my Siamese ever had any special problems I might contact them for their experience and advice. They really seem dedicated. They had some that were like 22 years old! And doing well.

[Sara]

I don't mean to give the cat up for adoption, I mean to call them and ask for advice... Seems like a good Siamese cat info resource, especially for the older guys...

[Guest]

I have all intentions on getting him to a better specalist (I'm looking in the city area since I live in a small town)

However, I have two cents to say here. And you will either understand where I am coming from or I guess this board is not right for me.

You told me not to refrence "smacking". Re-read my post: it was a joke with j/k after it.

You mean to tell me that you have never ever made statements to people around you while just kidding. Here are just a few statements that I've ALWAYS heard from many different people in life, on tv, read etc etc:

"Boy, I'm gonna smack you one!" - doesn't mean your gonna smack
"I could just die" - doesn't mean you plan on falling over dead!

Maybe after your husband plays a horrible joke on you and just scared you to death and he is there laughing so hard he's crying. As you laugh - you say "I could just kill you" - doesn't mean your gonna kill your husband.

Have you ever heard the phrase "A figure of speech" And don't tell me you didn't know how I meant it cause I said I was just kidding.

I fully understand reasons for not wanting comments to be make like the first one that happened weeks ago - not knowing how to take it and all. However, NO ONE will ever convince me that having an ill feeling towards someone means anything more than normality in life. Sometimes our most precious loved ones upset us. Sometimes we upset them. It's okay, it's life. Just cause I get upset at my kids or animals doesn't mean that I hate them or treat them badly or love them any less than the next person.

Here's my 2 cents regarding you and this board. I am a cat owner. I love my pets. I thought I found a nice informative board to discuss concerns and talk about my pets. Instead, I've found this one person named Traci who makes me feel like I have to walk on eggshells around her. She seems to have her guard up for people who mistreat their pets, quick to jump on ANYTHING that might indicate an animal is being mistreated. Well, I'm not gonna walk on eggshells to avoid upsetting you.

Your going to tell me that you have this website you've created and your going to help people. However, the people that come here aren't allowed to use a figure of speech nor are they allowed to ever say anything negative, nor are they ever allowed to get upset and anything in this world! Guess what? Don't know what world your living in but it's odd cause that just don't exist.
Unfortunately you'll end up scarring off many good, loving pet owners over time cause you were quick to judge. (over a figure of speech - give me a break!)