ot- A different kind of QI health problem?

Jennifer, I think you're wise to be concerned. Any behavioral change, especially in an old cat, bears watching. The only two things that come to mind (especially with the interest in water!) would be either diabetes, or poor kidney function. OTOH, both those would be detected in her senior blood panel in August. Don't worry about splashing, though. Cats can't see the water level in their bowls. It's pretty common for them to splash with their paws. The increase in climbing is really weird. Wish I could be more help. Sending all kind of good thoughts for Jessie. Please keep us posted.

Sherry

That concerns me. Our Sweet Pea had Atkinson's Disease. He lived 7 years with it but everytime he had a drinking problem was a Red Alert that we needed to see the vet quickly. Don't delay. While you're waiting for daylight and vet, do whatever you can to see that Jessie is drinking. Eyedropper, spoon, soft ice? Polly

did she come out squeaky clean after a dishwasher wash?

Bronnie, ducking and weaving ps. hope she settles down, could be the kidney thing.

Did the blood tests include kidney function, Jenn? You mentioned UTI, but that's bacterial, so the test wouldn't be the same (I think). My three oldest cats (16) are Birmans and they have a tendency towards kidney failure. Behavioural changes are a sign for mine that the kidney function is deteriorating. We didn't know for our first cat, but now I watch these like a hawk. We saved one by getting him to the vet. in time - well, the vet. saved him of course. He is now (years later) terribly thin and clearly failing, but seems to be OK otherwise. Like you, he gets whatever he wants! Hope you get an answer to Jessie's problem, and they can fix it. . In message , Jennifer in Ottawa writes

Jennifer,

In a pet that age, (and we've had both dogs and cats) it could be anything, and is often a combination of many things. It's not uncommon for cats & dogs to live long healthy lives and then suddenly everything seems to fall apart all at once. Sense of taste is often one of the first things to deteriorate. Our first dog lived to 16, which was incredible for a canine her size (large). Finally, her mind went along with everything else. They call it "dissociative disorder" but it's the animal equivalent of Alzheimer's-like dementia. Only a vet is qualified for that kind of diagnosis. They just start acting really strangely, can forget who, where, or what they are. Yes, it's very sad and heartbreaking to watch, but it happens. The concern is if they become a danger to themselves or others. Been there, and still at a loss for comforting words. Sounds like you're doing all the right things and all you can. Some things are just out of our hands.

Doc

I think you've had good advice already. August to November is a long time in an old kitty's life. Things go wrong quickly. My little Lhasa Apso lived to 15 or so. At the end, she had almost total dementia. She couldn't figure out how to eat or drink at times. Part of the problem was an abrupt loss of vision. Poor little thing was terrified and freaked out at everything. She couldn't stand to be groomed, even gently and slowly, anymore. I finally realized it was just time for her to have peace. I will keep you and Jessie in my thoughts and hope for the best outcome possible for both of you.

Hugs, Sunny

Our QI (cat), now 20 years old this year, about 3 1/2 yrs ago was quite similar. She had an overactive thyroid, which was removed and she is still with us. \For her it was a miracle cure, within weeks she was so much better after having lost her marbles there for a while.

At least once a day we think that she has gone over the rainbow bridge, so we gently poke her, for her to meow and wonder why we are all staring at her. As she is now deaf and eyesight failing, she sleeps really deep! She has gone quite skeletal since the summer, but she is a pretty old moggy....

We've had her since she was 12 weeks old so know her age, she was a student cat - DH was at Uni when we got her - a home isn't a home without a cat! So we've 3 of them!!!!

Good luck

Janner France

Sunny wrote:

It has been a long day - I was awakened at least 7 times during the night - Jessie has continued to use the water glass on the side table

- one good thing about that: I've had a good view of her actions through the side of the glass! She wasn't always drinking or lapping the water - just wetting her snout and/or her paws. I asked for a late afternoon appointment at the vets' - my sister and I both had dental appointments this am and then she and her husband were going to get their flu shots this afternoon. They picked up Jessie and me - Jess has lost more weight since Aug but the good news was that the vet couldn't feel any sign of a bladder tumour .... the urinalysis has indicated that there is some bacterial growth but not as bad as in Aug

- Jess is back on a course of antibiotics for 10days - after one pill, she is already drinking like there is no tomorrow and she has stopped swearing! We are testing her for hyperthyroidism as a cause for her weightloss and the results will be in on Wed pm. I showed her the first of her antibiotics tonight - she squeaked at me and then led me to the bathroom - I picked her up and gave her the pill - no problem at all....her reward: I gave her the rest of yesterday's canned tuna. Now she is sleeping - hope she sleeps more during the night....... Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions yesterday, she is still climbing over me but the fridge and dishwasher are no longer jungle- gyms...jennellh

Awwwwwwwwwww glad to hear she is feeling better. My Abby ALWAYS drinks out of my glass. Makes me crazy sometimes but whatcha gonna do...

Your sweet old kitty symptoms sound so much to me like Addison's Disease. I had the name a little bit wrong earlier but the storm makes me a little bit goofier than usual. Anyhow - do ask your vet if he's considered Addison's. The local vets were unable to diagnose our Sweet Pea and sent bloodwork to Auburn over in AL where they have a just incredible vet school. If your vet growls and snarls at the question, just pat him on the head and hand him a puppy biscuit. Polly

If your vet growls and snarls change vets. There are so many really great vets around that putting up with cranky ones is an awful thing. I always tease that our pets get better care than we get through our hmo drs. but it is really true. I don't know much about elderly cats but I hope Jessie will be comfortable and well for the duration. Taria

I seem to have reached 'that age' where todays' professionals appear to have found the proverbial fountain of youth! No growling or snarling from any kind of animal origin during our office visit....the lab tech and the vet both gave Jess a 'gold star' for being the perfect angel of a patient during the specimen retrievals.....she is a gentle old soul. jennellh

There was a big black lab coming out of the backroom yesterday - the tech had tried giving him treats (supplied by his owners) during his procedure but he had refused them all. When he saw his parents again and the treat bag was handed over, he calmly sat in front of them and looked longingly at the treat bag - he was suitably rewarded. Sometimes, in life, it is good training that a child or a pet does not accept food/treats/etc. from a stranger? jennellh

Jessie is special because she chose me! I was checking out the kindergarteners (kittens) at the Humane Society - the room was full of all ages, sizes, colours and shapes of kittens. Jessie jumped off a shelf at the back of the room, ran through the crowd, climbed up me and then kissed me on the lips....that was that!! A month after I brought her home, I was forced to stop working at the blood bank because of my multiple chemical sensitivities - Jess is the first of my 4 cats to have only known a life with me as a permanent daily fixture. jennellh

I'm so glad to hear that Jessie is doing better. As others have said, just a few days is all it takes for problems to develop with "more mature" kitties. Sending good stuff & kitty kisses your way in the hopes that she continues to improve. CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

So glad to hear that Jennifer!

Best regards, Michelle in Nevada

Oh, Jennifer! Glad to hear she is doing better! After reading everyone's comments I can't imagine what was the problem. I don't have cats and my darling Crikit passed over the bridge a year ago. Hope she comes out on top!

amy in CNY