Update on Puddy; she's gone*9/29* see post #421

[jenluckenbach]

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

I can't even guess what her reasons for this action could be, but it sure tells me something is out of the ordinary.

[Medusa]

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

I can't even guess what her reasons for this action could be, but it sure tells me something is out of the ordinary.

That's for sure. She played w/my dental floss again today, purred while she was playing, but wouldn't come downstairs to eat again. I had to carry her. She ate fine, no problem there, didn't run into the dining room to pee, just went back upstairs when she was finished eating. But she made a point of peeing in the sink right in front of me. This just is not my Puddy. I don't even know this cat.

[lvpets2002]

Well I would say she is going thru a Mid Life Crisis.. From what I am reading & seeing is Puddy does not want anything to do with down stairs.. Something has scared her bad.. Whats you think of setting up her litterbox & food upstairs in the bathroom or somewhere close to where she is comfortable.. I would try this for a bit & just see how she does.. She could also be going thru some depression..

That's for sure. She played w/my dental floss again today, purred while she was playing, but wouldn't come downstairs to eat again. I had to carry her. She ate fine, no problem there, didn't run into the dining room to pee, just went back upstairs when she was finished eating. But she made a point of peeing in the sink right in front of me. This just is not my Puddy. I don't even know this cat.

[Medusa]

Well I would say she is going thru a Mid Life Crisis.. From what I am reading & seeing is Puddy does not want anything to do with down stairs.. Something has scared her bad.. Whats you think of setting up her litterbox & food upstairs in the bathroom or somewhere close to where she is comfortable.. I would try this for a bit & just see how she does.. She could also be going thru some depression..

Actually, Puddy has her own room which is about two human steps away from the bathroom where she hangs out. She has her own litterbox, food and water dishes, fountain, bed, carrier, you name it, she's got it. I just wish I could get inside this little calico's mind.

[lvpets2002]

I am sorry Mary.. I thought you were saying that she had to go downstairs to eat & potty.. Well you know Calicos can be very sensitive at times..

That's for sure. She played w/my dental floss again today, purred while she was playing, but wouldn't come downstairs to eat again. I had to carry her. She ate fine, no problem there, didn't run into the dining room to pee, just went back upstairs when she was finished eating. But she made a point of peeing in the sink right in front of me. This just is not my Puddy. I don't even know this cat.

[Medusa]

I am sorry Mary.. I thought you were saying that she had to go downstairs to eat & potty.. Well you know Calicos can be very sensitive at times..

No worries. And no apology necessary. Everyone on PT and my friends here, too, are trying their best to come up w/possible solutions for me and I deeply appreciate it. I only bring Puddy downstairs to eat breakfast because I want to see how she does when she's there. She used to love to go to the sun patio afterwards and hang out or sit w/me at the computer. Now she goes back upstairs immediately. She has food up there, too, but I keep hoping that she'll come down on her own as she did a couple of times and stay for a while but so far, no luck.

[lvpets2002]

You know I am still thinking something has really frightened her downstairs.. Do you have several people over at times?? Is there a dog close by that barks alot?? Is there a loud car or something outside at diff times of day or night?? I am for sure going to go home & read all my cat behavior books..

[Medusa]

You know I am still thinking something has really frightened her downstairs.. Do you have several people over at times?? Is there a dog close by that barks alot?? Is there a loud car or something outside at diff times of day or night?? I am for sure going to go home & read all my cat behavior books..

No on all counts. My house is extraordinarily quiet. I have the AC on most times so that cuts down on noise and even when I have the windows open, there really isn't anything happening outside that should frighten her. It's a quiet neighborhood. Puddy has always been the alpha female and she always loved hanging w/the humans. Her head would go back and forth from person to person while we were conversing as though she understood everything we said. I've always said that she's a human in a calico's body. LOL

[jazzcat]

I wonder what could be up with her. Becoming and introvert is definitely a sign of something. Poor girl.

[greendoor678]

Does Puddy have regular bowel movements? IS she peeing in the sink, but is going to the litter box for bowel movements? I am also thinking, as someone else stated, that at her age she may be senile and not really understanding what or why she is behaving this way. I know it is hard to see her not behaving as herself.

[lvpets2002]

You mentioned Puddy has always been the Alpha Female.. Has one of the other cats started showing to be more Alpha than normal.. Maybe Puddy has been noted she is not the Alpha anylonger.. Also check how loud your ring-tone is on your phone.. Puddy could be having sensitivty in her ears..

[Medusa]

Does Puddy have regular bowel movements? IS she peeing in the sink, but is going to the litter box for bowel movements? I am also thinking, as someone else stated, that at her age she may be senile and not really understanding what or why she is behaving this way. I know it is hard to see her not behaving as herself.

Her litterbox habits haven't changed; she's always been really good about that. The pee in the sink incident was done in front of me, as though she wanted me to see her do it. I've thought about her possibly becoming senile and I intend to ask Dr. Lee about it tomorrow.

[Emeraldgreen]

Nothing has changed here either except the patio room has been remodeled but she hung out there even after the remodeling, so that's ruled out, too. I just do not know.

She used to love to go to the sun patio afterwards and hang out or sit w/me at the computer. Now she goes back upstairs immediately.

Well, this is probably far fetched but I suppose it doesn't hurt to consider all possibilities. Do you think that something (chemical, product etc..) could have been used in the remodeling of the patio room that could have affected Puddy? I know it's a stretch but there are toxic reactions by people and animals to certain laminate flooring. I think you mentioned tiles in a post about your renos a few months back? Maybe there is something to do with the tiles used or the grout or the finish on the tiles? The timing of the renos and then her continuing to hang out in there after the remodeling followed by her not wanting to go in there at all might indicate a connection.
Prayers going out to you and Miss Puddy.

[Medusa]

Y'know, I suppose anything is possible. That doesn't explain her insistence on planting herself on that tiny piece of real estate on the corner of my bathroom countertop. She won't even sleep in her carrier any more, only on the countertop. That bathroom was going to be my next renovation. What will she do then? She did come into bed w/me briefly last night and she actually let me give her a brief noggin noogie. I could tell that she really wanted it but as soon as I touch her, she pulls away. She doesn't cry out in pain but it's as though she can't stand to be touched but wants it so badly. I wish I could adequately explain how she behaves but it's so bizarre that I can't. If she was a cat that's a loner and who prefers being by herself upstairs, I wouldn't have a problem w/that but to hang out 24/7 on a patch of countertop that measures not even a square foot is ridiculous!

My pc guy will be here in a couple of hours to take my computer. Puddy's appt. w/Dr. Lee is tomorrow morning and I don't know if I'll have my computer back by then so if I don't update, that's why. Again, please know that your continued thoughts and prayers are so greatly appreciated and I always remember my PT friends in my daily devotions.

[pomtzu]

Wow! Puddy sure is difficult to figure at this point. You must be at your wit's end!

Year's ago when my 20 year old Siamese was telling me he was ready to go, he would hide in such obscure places that it would take me forever to find him. He wanted to be totally left alone. And when my son's cat was was failing, he would open a kitchen cabinet and hide in the pots and pans! Somehow I don't think Puddy is at this stage - she's very visable - even if it is on the bathroom counter! Could she maybe be going somewhat senile???

I hope Dr Lee can shed some light on what's going on. In the meantime, you and Puddy are still in my prayers.