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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / March 2005Jackie has a seizure
At least I'm guessing that it was a seizure. She was down in the kitchen while I was making breakfast and insisted on some food. Normally I can't even hear her when she opens her little mouth but she was actually making noise and since I'm desperately trying to get some weight on her (she's down to 5.1 pounds) I opened up a can of sardines and crushed up a few. After eating for a minute or so, she fell on her side and got up and fell again and kept getting up and falling This was all in a few seconds. Then she staggered out the back door onto the deck where Nipsy and Espy were hanging out. So I went after her and held her for a minute and then put her down on the deck and she wobbled a bit but then started walking around normally. Well, normally for her which is a stagger for any regular cat since her back legs are very weak. Now she's sleeping on the couch and leaking a bit from her butt so all is back to normal. Naturally I have big towels covering the counch and the other spots that she likes to sleep, like my bed. Well, it's Easter Sunday and nothing is open but I don't think there is really anything I can do. I know she is in lousy shape and we're really doing all that can be done. I'm sure not having a feeding tube inserted in her when the time comes. I'll call the vet tomorrow assuming that there are no other incidents that are even more dire. For all I know this has happened several times when I was out or sleeping and I'd never know. This one I was there to see. > At least I'm guessing that it was a seizure. She was down in the > kitchen while I was making breakfast and insisted on some food. > Normally I can't even hear her when she opens her little mouth but she > was actually making noise and since I'm desperately trying to get some > weight on her (she's down to 5.1 pounds) I opened up a can of sardines > and crushed up a few. <snip> > I'll call the vet tomorrow assuming that there are no other incidents > that are even more dire. For all I know this has happened several > times when I was out or sleeping and I'd never know. This one I was > there to see. I wonder if she was dehydrated? This happened to Dash, but more severely. She would walk in circles, stumbling, and I had to take her to the vet to get her rehydrated. We ended up doing sub-q fluids for her.  Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG >> At least I'm guessing that it was a seizure. She was down in the >> kitchen while I was making breakfast and insisted on some food. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >She would walk in circles, stumbling, and I had to take her to the vet to >get her rehydrated. We ended up doing sub-q fluids for her. That's an interesting point. She does seem to drink fairly often and loves drinking that horrible water that collects outside. I'll ask the vet. >>> At least I'm guessing that it was a seizure. She was down in the >>> kitchen while I was making breakfast and insisted on some food. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >loves drinking that horrible water that collects outside. I'll ask the >vet. Ok, vet says TIA which is transient Ichysomething attack. He can't be sure but that's what it sounds like. A little stroke. Says that Ed Koch (former NYC mayor) had them often. Maybe that explains his shift to the right. There isn't anything to be done about it if she seems normal afterward. Not likely to be dehydration as long as she is eating and drinking. So, I just keep an eye on her. You might want to ask about baby aspirin. When our cat started having little blood clots (don't know if that's what your vet suspects...), he suggested part of a baby aspirin every 3 days as a blood thinner. Hope it was a one-time thing for your girl. Rhonda > Ok, vet says TIA which is transient Ichysomething attack. He can't be > sure but that's what it sounds like. A little stroke. Says that Ed [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > afterward. Not likely to be dehydration as long as she is eating and > drinking. So, I just keep an eye on her. >She does seem to drink fairly often and >loves drinking that horrible water that >collects outside. Considering Jackie's health issues, I would not allow her to drink the outside water. It is not treated and could harbor many kinds of bacteria that could make her sicker. Filtered water would probably be the best option. Megan Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray >>She does seem to drink fairly often and >>loves drinking that horrible water that [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > I thought about that but then I think that cats have evolved to eat stuff that sickens me just to think about it. All three of my cats love drinking that stuff and bypass the fresh water dish on their way out the door. And I wonder if perhaps there is something in rainwater, even if filled with bugs and stuff, that is needed by their constitution. Maybe even the bugs and stuff. There isn't going to be salmonella or other pathogens in that water; that really comes from fecal material which is unlikely. Besides, it's likely pretty tasty to them. I've started giving Jackie probiotics, which is nothing more than supposedly healthy bacteria. Hey, at this point I'll try almost anything. Perhaps it's even better if she gets it from the stuff that she seems to want to drink? > I thought about that but then I think > that cats have evolved to eat stuff that [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > unlikely. Besides, it's likely pretty > tasty to them. Sorry, but you're wrong. You can continue to put Jackie at unnecessaryrisk with your assumtions or you can do a little research: http://www.bobmckee.com/Client%20Info/NewFiles/garbage%20contamination.html > I've started giving Jackie probiotics, > which is nothing more than supposedly > healthy bacteria. Hey, at this point > I'll try almost anything. Perhaps it's > even better if she gets it from the > stuff that she seems to want to drink? <sigh>You do not get probiotics from a puddle. You do however get bacteria and toxins that cause diarrhea and illness. Megan Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray >> I thought about that but then I think >> that cats have evolved to eat stuff that [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > >Megan I think I just sent an empty message. He says that animals drinking contaminated water can develop problems. That is certainly true. Antifreeze, chemicals runoff, and such. No chance of that in my backyard; those planters and such never had and never will have that stuff. At most we have to deal with bacteria and bacterial toxins. I think it unlikely that rainwater would contain stuff like that, but it is possible. But he never actually hits the reverse point. Does free standing water contain organisms that are beneficial to the host animal? Certainly our chlorinated water doesn't (well, it can contain giardia which is certainly not healthy). There is another point for your side (and mine really, I'm just playing DA - plus I'm a science boy and like to cover all the angles). The drinking never bothered Espy or Nipsy, but they are healthy animals with (presumably) healthy immune systems. Jackie is debiliated and might not be able to fight off something. Ok, I'll try to stop her from drinking it. >OK, I'll try to stop her from drinking it. Yay! Thank you. I don't now what you're using for probiotics, but I do know there is some question as to how stomach acid can undermine the effectiveness of the powdered forms as it can kill off a lot of that "good" bacteria before it gets to the gut. I have used a product with cats that works very well and comes in a small, enteric coated capsule so it all gets where it needs to go. I have found it very easy to administer. You can order it online and it is about half the cost of what I paid for it at Whole Foods. http://www.vitacost.com/Store/Products/ProductDescription.cfm?SKUNumber=033674068700 Megan Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray >>OK, I'll try to stop her from drinking it. > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Megan I found the stuff at the local Health Food place. I never went in there before, my loss. If nothing else they have the best bananas (organic even) that I have ever had. Not many bananas cause one to sit up and take notice. I wondered about how the bacteria survive in the stomach. The stuff I bought comes in big capsules and I have to open it up and pour some on her food. Probably tastes awful. But whatever protection the capsule offers is lost. Are you saying that SKU 033674068700 can be given to Jackie without having to remove the coating? It says children but doesn't mention administering to a cat. I also started giving her some stuff from PetGuard I think. It claims to be enzymes that help digest food and it is specifically for cats. I found it in the cat section of the Health Food place. I figure that nothing can hurt at this point. The little devil wakes me at 4 AM to be fed. Even if only 5 pounds, it's hard to ignore her when she's standing on me. Plus I'm panic stricken that she may sit on my face with that disgusting butt. I may have to lock her in another room overnight if she is going to continue this. I have been losing a lot of sleep. Plus, she then snubs the food. Adding insult to sleeplessness. > Are you saying that SKU 033674068700 can > be given to Jackie without having to > remove the coating? It says children but > doesn't mention administering to a cat. The capsules are small and I've just given one a day and pop the whole thing down. No need to open it. > I also started giving her some stuff > from PetGuard I think. It claims to be [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Plus, she then snubs the food. Adding > insult to sleeplessness. I believe you mentioned that you're feeding the Steve's raw diet? It may be that if the food is straight out of the fridge it is too cold and she can't smell it very well. Can you warm it a bit, at least to room temperature? That might help and I don't think the small amount of time it would sit to get to room temperature is going to have any adverse affects. Megan Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray >> Are you saying that SKU 033674068700 can >> be given to Jackie without having to [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > >Megan I always take it out of the freezer and into the fridge in a plastic bag, and take the one that was in the fridge and pop it under warm water for a minute or so. I try to avoid using the microwave. She gets it warmed up. She just decided the other day that she isn't going to eat it anymore. I tried not putting the probiotics and enzymes into it but she has made up her determined little mind that she won't eat it. I'm just about down to Sheba. I'm sure it's crap but the folks on the IBD group say that it doesn't have grains and is ok to use. Like I say, at this point there isn't much to lose. She had a really good week last week, right up until Friday. Very little in the way of brown spots around the house. It got much worse over the weekend, probably because I keep giving her small things to eat throughout the day so she's simply processing more food. Oddly she seems to actually be getting a bit more lively. She climbed on my printer, which she never did before, and jumped from that onto my desk, well, onto my keyboard. It's only a three foot jump but that's three feet more than I've ever seen her jump. She loves to go outside. And inside. And outside. And inside. I think she just likes using the door. Very annoying if it's too cold out to leave it open even a few inches. > I found the stuff at the local Health Food place. I never went in > there before, my loss. If nothing else they have the best bananas > (organic even) that I have ever had. Not many bananas cause one to sit > up and take notice. Now this is true! lol! This would make a great sig, if I used sigs. >> I thought about that but then I think >> that cats have evolved to eat stuff that [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > >Megan > At least I'm guessing that it was a seizure. She was down in the > kitchen while I was making breakfast and insisted on some food. [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > times when I was out or sleeping and I'd never know. This one I was > there to see. Poor old girl. You're taking good care of her, and have given her so much. I hope she has no more seizures and when the time comes for her to go, she goes peacefully and in her sleep. >> At least I'm guessing that it was a seizure. She was down in the >> kitchen while I was making breakfast and insisted on some food. [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] >her so much. I hope she has no more seizures and when the time comes >for her to go, she goes peacefully and in her sleep. Thanks, she is such a cutie. Well, not exactly a cutie, she's really an obstinate bitch, but her determination is very endearing. > Well, it's Easter Sunday and nothing is open but I don't think there is > really anything I can do. I know she is in lousy shape and we're really > doing all that can be done. I'm sure not having a feeding tube inserted in > her when the time comes. I don't know what it's like for cats, but when my husband's family was considering a feeding tube for his grandmother, they were told it was a routine procedure and not all that big a deal. Then again, Jackie is surely more mobile than his grandmother was. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> Well, it's Easter Sunday and nothing is open but I don't think there is >> really anything I can do. I know she is in lousy shape and we're really [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >Then again, Jackie is surely more mobile than his grandmother was. I guess I used the feeding tube example because it is on everyone's mind. I really meant that I don't want to take extraordinary measures. I think I overdid it with Luckyboy and Nico and possibly made them suffer. Nico even had a feeding tube but it goes in their side and not down their throat. It wasn't the tube that was really the problem, it's just that he was getting ready to die and I wasn't ready. It is just a very tough decision and unlike a human, a cat can never make its wishes clear.
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