Our 12 year old male cat does something odd. When he's alone (the other cat isn't anywhere near him or bothering him), he'll hiss and growl and whip around like something is attacking him from behind. This has been going on for 7 years so I assume it's not something serious but I'd still like to know what's causing it. Our vet at first thought it might be a type of seizure, but since he stops when we go to him and pet him, a seizure is ruled out. Another vet (an internal medicine specialist) thought it might be a nerve thing at the base of his tail. A third vet just expressed his anal glands a week ago (she said that can cause growling) but it hasn't stopped it. For some strange reason it seems to be more frequent in fall and winter. This time of year we hear it daily, sometimes several times a day. If anyone has any answers I'd love to hear them.
He also has started what I would call moaning. We'll hear him in another part of the house. There doesn't seem to be a pattern. It doesn't happen daily or even weekly. Does anyone else have experience with this? Another cat we had used to do this the last 2 or 3 years of her life. She died at 18 of kidney disease. Hers seemed to happen after eating so I thought maybe she had stomach problems. A vet told me thyroid problems can cause vocalizing and she WAS hyperthyroid but on medication for it. Our male doesn't have thyroid problems. Thanks!
Sue
What might cause this behavior?
Re: What might cause this behavior?
Please read this post.
Have you ruled out fleas, mites, etc first?
If so, see a feline specialist, or feline neurologist promptly. Also, in any cat over the age of 7, yearly or twice-yearly full bloodwork should be done to monitor vital organ function (testing should include urinalysis and thyroid function testing). The moaning, or vocalizing could also indicate sight or hearing problems, this should also be addressed.
I'm appalled that your vet has not addressed this in "7 years". Please see a feline specialist/neurologist ASAP and make sure bloodwork and testing is done for your kitty.
Have you ruled out fleas, mites, etc first?
If so, see a feline specialist, or feline neurologist promptly. Also, in any cat over the age of 7, yearly or twice-yearly full bloodwork should be done to monitor vital organ function (testing should include urinalysis and thyroid function testing). The moaning, or vocalizing could also indicate sight or hearing problems, this should also be addressed.
I'm appalled that your vet has not addressed this in "7 years". Please see a feline specialist/neurologist ASAP and make sure bloodwork and testing is done for your kitty.
..........Traci
Re: What might cause this behavior?
He's had bloodwork. And no fleas, but I hadn't thought of seeing or hearing problems. It was a specialist but not a neurologist who thought it might be a nerve problem. I think she called it feline hyperasthesia? She wasn't sure though. It can't be serious if it's gone on this long though. But if he's uncomfortable or in pain I'd like to get to the bottom of this.
Sue
Sue
Re: What might cause this behavior?
After posting this on some other sites as well and researching it, I'm pretty sure it's feline hyperesthesia, a type of seizure disorder that doesn't always need to be treated.
Sue
Sue
Re: What might cause this behavior?
The causes of hyperesthesia are numerous, it is a very poorly understood condition. It can be caused from anything to a neurological problem to spinal lesions to a specific source of pain. Don't rely on what you read on the net for a diagnosis.
Tell your vet you want a referral to a feline neurologist who specializes in this. This has gone on way too long, and you need to determine if there is a condtion that may be worsening. New bloodwork may be necessary, as well as xrays and/or ultrasound. A feline neurologist can determine which diagnostics are necessary for diagnosing. You can also try videotaping one or more "episodes", and let the neurologist review it.
Also address kitty's sight and hearing. The vet can perform simple tests to determine if there might be a sight or hearing deficit.
Please do not wait on this. See a feline neurologist right away.
Tell your vet you want a referral to a feline neurologist who specializes in this. This has gone on way too long, and you need to determine if there is a condtion that may be worsening. New bloodwork may be necessary, as well as xrays and/or ultrasound. A feline neurologist can determine which diagnostics are necessary for diagnosing. You can also try videotaping one or more "episodes", and let the neurologist review it.
Also address kitty's sight and hearing. The vet can perform simple tests to determine if there might be a sight or hearing deficit.
Please do not wait on this. See a feline neurologist right away.
..........Traci