I have a Neurologic cat - NEED HELP

[JPalumbo]

Three years ago I took in a neurologic cat who is the sweetest little fella you'd ever meet - his name is Dewi ("DWI") because he cannot walk a straight line. Unfortunately due to his "problems" he is difficult to control and can be dangerous if not handled properly. I cannot declaw him (not that I would anyway) but I also cannot control him enough to cut his nails or even get him into a carrier to let the vet do it.......once a year is bad enough!!! I want to put him on medication to control his behavior........anyone have any ideas or has anyone ever had a similar cat to share with me???? Please help! I want to have a baby in the near future but am afraid to do so with Dewi the way he is right now.

[jazzcat]

Oh wow, I hope someone here can offer you some help. Sounds like you have your hands full but bless you for taking on a special kitty.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Unfortnately I've got no advice either, although I do know there are a few here who have medicated their kitties for aggressive behavior. SASVermont for one with Gabe, and Crazycatlady was going to medicate Magoo but I don't think she ever did. So hopefully they will see your thread and give you better advice than I can offer.

Welcome to PT! :D

[Kirsten]

Sorry, I don't have any advice either. But thanks for taking care of that special kitty! Did you discuss medication with your vet? I know that there are epilepsy meds for cats, I don't know if this would help...?

Kirsten

[jenluckenbach]

HI
Let's start with what you CAN to to him!

Can you hold him?
Will he sit on your lap?
Can you pet him?

Does he have a favorite treat that he would do ANYTING for?

How does he act at the vet office once he is there?


If you can hold him, you can clip nails. It may need to be one at a time, but it can be done.

If he is good at the vet, and only problematic about the carrier, a different type of carrier might be all that you need.


tell us more specifics.

[Laura's Babies]

Hi J, I am Laura of Laura's babies. I have Amy who has nerological damage they think she got in the womb or during birth. I would be VERY interested in emailing with you about these two and their conditions since I have not been able to find anyone I could share with or ask questions of.. Check your PM's for my email addy and send me a email about your baby if you will, PLEASE! Amy's picture is on my sig....

I have heard them talk about Rescue Remedy on Pet Talk and I just looked at it in Pet Smart yesterday. They have a spray that I saw that you can put on their bedding, in the kennels and such to help calm them and I am seriously thinking about getting some for Amy since she gets easily stressed and stress effects her condition. The bottle I saw that I wanted to get was about $30... I need it for her kennel trips in the car that stress her out so bad.

NOTE ADDED: When I put the soft paws on Giz, I do not pick her up, I get on the floor where she is eating or doing something else and just aim to do ONE! Usually works too. Takes awhile to get them all done but it works...and always give treats afterwards.. (Now everybody knows why my cats are so fat, cuz when she is good, they ALL get treats!)

[kimlovescats]

You've hooked up with the right people... Jen and Laura ... for sure!!! Two experts! ;) Let me add my "thank you" for adopting a special needs kitty, and GOOD LUCK!;)

[JPalumbo]

Tears came to my eyes as I read the responses that you all posted.....I am so happy there is somewhere to bounce these ideas around.
Here are some more details about Dewi.....
I am the ONLY person who can pick him up and when I do he becomes very stiff with his paws striaght out. Holding him in just a slightly wrong way can get my eyes scratched out!
Cutting his nails is not an option for me..... even three or four people need to hold him down when he is at the vet.
He will sit on my lap once in a while (very rare) when he is very tired) and this is also the ONLY time he likes to be petted....usually this is not an option, he will bite and swat at you if you try.
Very often Dewi will get into a spaz and his ears go back and his eyes widen and he attacks everything in his path.....it is sometimes amuzing to watch, but it also disturbs the whole house. He attacks his brothers (Mozart, Sebastian and Dusty - all cats) and because of his medical problems he hits every wall and obstacle in his way...he could possible really hurt himself.
If he tries to run up the stairs (which are carpeted-thank God!) he needs his claws to grip with because I think he has depth perseption problems and sometimes he falls right off backwards, again possibly hurting himself!
I know you are only hearing the very bad qualities of Dewi, but he is also a very good boy sometimes too.... he is so sweet and he doesn't know that he is hurting others; I am sure he doesn't mean it.
He loves snacks....in fact it is a way I can control him. All I have to say is "Dewi.....want some snacks?" and no matter where he is or who he is attacking at the moment he runs in with his little stumble and devours them!
Although I want to medicate him, I do not want him to loose his boyish charm!!

I wanted to post his picture for you...but I cannot figure out how to do that...sorry. J

[Laura's Babies]

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22069&highlight=posting+picture+instructions

Did you get my pm to you? Look at the top of the page and click on button "member cp"

Do not give up on trying to post pictures! It took me awhile to get the hang of it but I finally did, if I can do it ANYBODY can! I can't wait to see the pictures of your babies so get to work on it!!

[QueenScoopalot]

It sounds like your kitty has cerebellar hypoplasia which is caused by panleukopenia. Most likely the mom cat was exposed to the virus while pregnant, and it affects the developing kittens cerebellar portion of the brain, which controls balance. I have several of these kitties, and each one was a rescue. They have different degrees of wobbliness. Eli is my worst, and has a temper to top it off sometimes. Sign up for Yahoo Groups ([email protected]) there is a group of us dedicated to improving life for these most special kitties. Or go to this site, and find the 'members' button, click on that and read stories to see if this is what your cat has. It takes a bit of fishing around to find the members stories page, but I think you'll find it! [email protected] Your description sounds exactly like a ch kitty! :eek: :eek: :eek: Jan

[smokey the elder]

I replied in a different thread; I didn't realize Dewi was agressive. Diva is the world's biggest mush, and so was the only other CH kitty I've ever met, a black cat named Scatter who lived to be 21 years old.

[JPalumbo]

Yes, apparently the aggressivness that Dewi is displaying has nothing to do with the CH....I spoke with my vet over the weekend. I am in the process of video taping his "spells" and the Dr. is going to determne the course of action from there.....thank you so much for all the advice!! J

[QueenScoopalot]

A number of other people in the ch kitty club also have aggressive ch kitties. Have you posted anything on the Yahoo groups? I'm sure you'd get a lot of responses and support there. Eli (my blue-point siamese X) has his moments of nastiness. I had a rescued kitty years back, and Eli took an intense dislike to her for some reason. The poor cat had to live with her food and litter on top of cages, out of reach of Eli. He would lay & wait for her to come down, and charge her like a freight train and attempt to kill her! Luckily she got adopted to a forever home, and Eli calmed down. Rage in ch kitties is not uncommon I hear. I'd be interested in what your vet has to say about Dewi.