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

[citore.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain. It doesn't hurt any less just because they don't walk upright. They are still a part of your family.

Hugs and well wishes.

~~c

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Amen to that. I love the little fluffbrain. Thanks.

[platypus]

Poor Duchess! I hope she gets better. One of the cats I had growing up, when she was younger, had similar symptoms and it turned out to be some bizarre random thing that she spontaneously recovered from -- I wish I could remember what the name was.

[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!!!!

[recordersmith.livejournal.com]

Oh no! Keeping my fingers crossed for Duchess, I hope it's something easily treatable.

*hugs*

[portia.livejournal.com]

Oh no, poor Duchess! We are all hoping for an easy answer and a speedy recovery for her.

[msmichelle.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor kitty girl, and poor you!
I hope you get good news from the Vet.

[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.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I hope so too.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Definitely worried.

Is that cat eating your finger or are you giving him a pill?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It'll be hours I'm sure; they were booked all morning. Gah, I hate waiting.

[tryslora]

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

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh weird! That's good to hear. It could be just an inner ear infection affecting her sense of... well, not quite balance, but something. Though where she'd have gotten an infection from I have no clue.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks. She's a sweetie.

[portia.livejournal.com]

That's Mico when he was a baby and he is just gnawing on that finger. :o)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Finger food! :)

[portia.livejournal.com]

Heh. :o)

Unfortunately, he has turned into quite an affection biter and sometimes it really hurts!

[platypus]

Hm, this might've been what Harry had. Crossing my fingers for Duchess.

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

Poor Duchess!! I hope it's something simple and she's back to herself soon.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oo, thanks! Her head is swiveled instead of tilted (yaw, not bank) and her eyes are steady, but the other stuff sounds close. She's definitely got the disorientation and can't-track-straight bit of it.

If a course of antibiotics will pop her out of it I'll be really grateful.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Ow! The only times I get bit, lately, are when I'm trying to give a pill. Little Girl's jaw is strong and I have trouble holding it open.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Fingers crossed.

[ken_r]

*hugs*

I hope she recovers soon. Keeping my fingers crossed...

[ericainohio.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know how stressful it is to be waiting on news about your furkids! I'm thinking of you!

[ladycelia.livejournal.com]

Keeping appropriate body parts crossed for a good prognosis.