Minnie

[jacks]

Sorry we havent been on for a while but we hope you remember us,Jacks and Minnie.:)

If you can remember Minnie had a thyroid gland removed a few years ago and that uncovered the start of kidney problems.Everythings been okay until a few weeks ago when she went hyperthyroid again.:( She went into the vets again for the op to remove the other thyroid which all went very well.
But since shes been home she seems to have changed.Shes always been very vocal but now she screams at us,she also sits up close to the tv(on or off)screaming at it.She sometimes forgets what door to come in from the garden.Shes not eating much sometimes nothing all day.She sleeps alot more than what she did.She wants to get in places(top of mantlepiece,warddrobe)she never ventured before.I came home the other day from work and she met me as usual,after 5 mins i heard a strange meow like it was all shakey and turned round and she was sitting there shaking or shivering.I spoke quietly to her and gently stroked her and after a few seconds it all stopped.
Shes still loving to us and wants cuddles and her toilet habits are ok.She takes her fortekor tablet everyday like a good girl.If we talk to her quietly and pick her up she calms down.
Ive been googling all this and i think Minnie has the beginning of Dementia..Shes 16 now and i know shes an old lady .I just wondered if anyone has had experience of this or could tell me anything.Could the trauma of the op caused this?We love her very much and would do anything for her.

[lynz85]

hi, sorry to hear minnie's not doing too well at the moment. i dont have any helpful info for you but im not sure if theres a health reason that could be causing this or possibly dementia, either or i think your vets would be the best bet.

poor girl, must be horrible for you to see her like that x

[Velvet]

I agree with Lynz - wee check up at the vets

We have a dog with kidney disease and she goes off her food a lot - she feels sick a lot of the time - if your girl has thyroid disease perhaps her levels need checked again and treatment adjusted accordingly - again only your vet can advise.

HUGS

[angieh]

Hi Jacks - so very sorry to hear about Minnie - you don't say how long ago she had the other gland removed ..... just clutching at straws and wondering if it's just the GA still to work out of her system, it can take up to 6 weeks.

Sadly, it does sound to me as if she's developing dementia. My old Merlin did go through a yowling phase but he could always be comforted by a cuddle and soothing. Of course, a cat doesn't have the horrid thoughts that people can experience when suffering from dementia as cats live in the moment and dear Minnie does sound as if she's not sure what she's doing sometimes. Bless her.

I would take her back to the vet and see what advise they can offer. Kizzy sends her best comforting purrrrs to her sister and I send cuddles to her and ((((hugs)))) to you.

[jacks]

I forgot to say Minnie had the op 12th March and we went back to the vets a week later for a check up.I mentioned the things that had been happening and they said its still early days and come back in a months time.We are going back to the vets next week.I keep hopeing things are going to change.She seems quite happy in her own little world and sometimes quite normal.The vet said she will eat if shes hungry.Yesterday she ate a bowl of food in the morning,a bowl in the evening and half a bowl in the night.
Thankyou for your replies,they mean alot to me.Will keep you informed on how minnie does.

[angieh]

Minnie will be in our thoughts Jacks - do hope that these distressing symptoms go away on their own.

Kizzy is good at speaking to The Great Cat and has promised she will do so with her lovely sister in mind.

Do let us know what the vet says next week.

[jacks]

Thankyou Angieh and Kizzy,every bit of help is appreciated.Will keep you informed on how we get on.Even though shes an old lady shes my baby.

[yola]

Jacks, my older girl Fifi started this yelling . . . except she used to face into the corner of a room/doorframe and do it; mainly at night. A simple test uncovered very high blood pressure which she is medicated for now and we've not had a yelling bout since she started the tablets. It sounds as if maybe Minnie might have several things going on; and the one I would personally be concerned about is the shaking as that might point to something neurological.

However, I strongly agree with the others here and would suggest a long chat with your vet as to what might be the root cause/causes.

[jacks]

We have an appointment at the vets on Tuesday.Will have a good chat with the vet and suggest a few things and see what she says.The shakeing does concern me even though shes only done it the once.(that ive seen)Wish us luck and hopefully i will have some positive news on Tuesday.

[angieh]

Heaps of loving healing vibes from Kizzy and me - hope the vet can give you some hopeful news.

[lynz85]

hope you get some answers from the vets on tues!

[angieh]

Thinking about you and Minnie today Jacks - fingers and toes crossed here.

[jacks]

We have been to the vets.Had a long chat with the vet.Karen(the vet)said all the things Minnies doing point to senile dementia but to make sure they are doing blood tests on kidneys,liver and thyroid(even though her thyroids are gone,but when she had the op they found thyroid tissue where it shouldnt be).I mentioned high blood pressure and am taking her in tomorrow morning for the day so they can make sure shes calm and pick the moment to do the blood pressure check.Pick her up tomorrow evening after work.I know she will be ok up there as they love her and make a fuss of her.They can treat the high blood pressure.Because Minnie hasnt been eating regularly Karen said when i saw her shaking that might be the reason.Her blood sugars could of dropped to low.I havent seen her do it any more.She does seem to be eating more.
On a positive note in a month her weights gone from 3.5kg to 3.9kg.
Will get all the results tomorrow so will tell you more then.Thankyou for your support.

[angieh]

You are so lucky to have a vet who knows and loves Minnie and that you trust will do the very best for her. Fingers and toes will be crossed again tomorrow, but I have uncrossed them for this evening because things were getting difficult :D :D :D

My best wishes for Minnie as always and Kizzy sends her best comforting purrrrs too.

[lynz85]

hope everything goes well for minnie tomorrow x

[jacks]

Thankyou angieh and lynz85.Minnie is fast asleep under the quilt at the moment.We are lucky that the vets is at the top of my road so Minnie dosent have to put up with a car journey.They said if i cant get her in the cat carrier just bring her up in a blanket.Karen is very good and kind and understands how special Minnie is to us.She said that Minnie is in good condition and dosent look like an old cat.

[Mags]

Hoping everything goes well for Minnie tomorrow....

[Moli]

My 17 year old...Leo tends to sit and stare at the wall. he also does a lot of yowling too....

[Shelley123]

thinking about Minnie and hope she goes on ok at the vets and there are some answers.

[jacks]

Took Minnie to the vets this morning for the day,couldnt get her in the cat carrier on my own so carried her up wrapped in a blanket.Funnily enough she seemed happier like that.
Got the blood results back and everything is ok,they took her blood pressure and that is normal.They checked her eyes and they are ok.So it looks like Minnie has the start of senile dementia.The vet said like a human she will have good days and bad days.Im happy that i know theres no underlying health problems and Minnie is just being Minnie.We will take one day at a time and she will get even more love and attention.Thankyou for your support and will keep you all updated.Thanks to Kizzy for having a word with the Great cat in the sky and making sure things wernt to bad.:)

[angieh]

Big comforting hugs for you and Minnie, Jacks. Very glad there are no underlying physical problems, but on the other hand .....

Just remember that cats don't have nearly the same problems with dementia that people do ... it doesn't matter if they can't remember what they did yesterday. It seems from what you've said that it's her not knowing where she is sometimes that may be her biggest hurdle. She's such a gentle girl that kind words and reassurance may do the trick.

Remember too that we are here to hug you both if and when you need it.

[Shelley123]

glad Minnie is back home with you. I guess her problems are just caused by age and she is lucky to have understanding owners to care for her.

[jacks]

Thanks angieh and shelley123.The vet said the same as you shelley that Minnie is a lucky girl to have us as mum and dad.alot of owners pts their cats with dementia.
I agree with you angie that a few soft gentle words to Minnie seems to calm her and comfort her.
She seems happy at the moment,sometimes we have normal minnie with us and sometimes confused minnie with us.We love her lots and will do everything we can to make her life comfortable and happy as can be.

[angieh]

Hi jacks - for some reason I've been thinking about Minnie this morning. How is she doing? And how are you?

[jacks]

Thanks for thinking of us Angieh.:)
Hubby and i have been away for a week to Lesvos.We booked it a year ago so was completely unaware of any problems with Minnie.I was apprehensive about going but i knew she would be in good hands as my parents come up and stay and look after her.
The week before we went away i have to say we had more of normal Minnie.I had noticed she had been having trouble having a poo,so i rang the vet and they left me some medicine for her.(she has had this problem before so the vet was ok to give me it)After she had the medicine she seemed alot more perkier.(the medicine did work)
She had also started to refuse to take her Fortekor tablet as well.(got so frustrated one night just burst into tears)So hubby went on internet and we watched videos of how to give a cat a tablet.It worked:) we now have no problems giving her a tablet.She dosnt get stressed and we dont.
Minnie was the perfect little cat while we were away.Occasionally they had the yowling in the day and night.She ate fine and took her tablet ok.She got lots of love and attention from my parents.
Since weve been back we have seen a change in her.Shes alot more settled.alot more loving than she had been,no screaming at the tv.Occasional yowling.Everything seems more positive at the moment.Fingers crossed.

[angieh]

That's good to hear jacks - Kizzy and I both send love and purrs as always. Nice to hear that she seems to be more settled. It's always a worry when you go away - and go away you must. Good also to hear that you've cracked the pill giving battle, well done you!

[angieh]

Hi Jacks - saw you'd posted on another thread and just wanted to ask how Minnie is ..... Kizzy and I often think about her.

[JMPARK]

Hope all is sorted at the Vets today Jacks!!

[jacks]

Hi everyone,update on Minnie is good.We seem to have normal minnie back all the time.She eats well,takes her tablet well and is loving and affectionate to us.The only thing we have is the yowling every now and then day and night.She does sleep alot but she is 17 years old,so a little old lady now.I do wonder if the trauma of the op she went through had an effect on her.We are due back at the vets in Aug/sept,so will see what they say then.
Thanyou for asking Angieh,cuddles to you and Kizzy.

[Mrskatyb]

Aw bless little Minnie x