My poor Duchess

[cjsmith]

My big fluffy friendly diabetic kitty was acting odd this morning, so she's at the vet clinic now, waiting for an open slot on the schedule.

She was holding her head twisted around to the left, walking in tight circles to the left instead of straight ahead when offered a treat in "front" of her, leaning on a wall occasionally, and giving up and lying down occasionally. She doesn't seem to be in pain; she purrs when scritched, and she's not tender anywhere I found. Her eyes track wiggling fingers... a little. Her pupils react equally to light. She'll eat a treat if it's held under her nose, but if it's placed on the floor, she'll overshoot it and not be able to find it.

This is a slightly milder version of what Princess did just before she died. (In her case, we didn't even diagnose; she was over twenty-one and weighed about five pounds by then. We let her go peacefully.) I am not looking forward to this phone call.

When I had her in the carrier at the clinic, she turned her head to the right, and that was the first time I'd seen that all morning. She may be doing the "car doesn't make odd noise in front of mechanic" trick. That would probably bode even less well for her eventual recovery, sadly.

Comments

[tryslora]

Oh hon, I hope she's doing better soon! Had you given her insulin this morning? That is very reminiscent of what my parents' cat Gila did on low blood sugar -- she'd start walking in circles in one direction, or randomly wandering. The head tilt can also be a simple ear infection (we had a cat who had vestibulary disfunction -- he had a permanent head tilt, and his balance was never all that good... he had a habit of racing through the halls and missing turns...). I hope it turns out to be something simple and easy to help/correct!!!!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I hadn't, so sadly the obvious choice is ruled out. But you're right that it could be any number of simple things. It could also be something drastic. I just don't know.

[tryslora]

I'm keeping her and you in my thoughts. And my fingers solidly crossed.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks. She's a sweetie.