My cat has always been very laid back. He was normal Tuesday morning. Since Tuesday afternoon he has been totaly skittish. He is afraid of anything on the floor,including his toes. He stares under furniture. He won't sit on my lap,even for the brush. H lays on the carpet in the bedroom. If I put him on the bed,he stares at the floor. He is eating,peeing and pooping. Eating is not normal exactly. he used to demand that I watch him eat several times a day. CBC,lytes and tft's were normal yesterday. He is better than he was tuesday and I will call his vet again tomorrow,but,HELP!!
Hello Kathy, and welcome to Just Answer.Thank you for your patience; my apologies that you did not receive an earlier answer. Various Experts are online at different times and I just logged in and read your question.I'm sorry to hear that Roscoe is not acting like himself.You obviously know him very well, and this sudden change in behavior does seem odd. There are a few possibilities of what may have started this behavior. Roscoe may have been startled or frightened by a loud noise outside or in the house (something could have fallen, someone shouted, etc.) while he was eating, using the litterbox, or just walking across the floor and this has given him a fear of the floor. In addition, he may have seen an insect or spider on the floor and this scared him, that's why he's constantly 'looking' for something.If he has already been evaluated and lab-tested by the vet and all was within normal range, we can rule out most medical causes. However, older cats can develop a cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) similar to Alzheimer's in humans, but Roscoe seems on the youngish side for this. http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/CDS.htmlIt's also possible he experienced a seizure, head injury, or mini-stroke and this could be what is altering his behavior. Ask your vet if s/he feels a full neurological work-up might be advisable.If you see an improvement since Tuesday, we're making progress. It might take him a while to get over whatever started this behavior, if it is purely behavioral, but seeing some progress, no matter how little, is always encouraging.For the time being, you can use some over the counter calming remedies and see if they help him feel less stressed. A cat appeasing pheromone called Feliway comes in a spray and plug in diffuser and has no scent to humans. It is available in pet supply stores and also online. Rescue Remedy for Pets is a homeopathic oral solution that has no odor or taste and can be added to canned food or water, or rubbed on the gums. It too, is available in pet supplies stores, natural food stores and can be ordered online. Just be sure to only use the pet formula, as the human one contains alcohol. Composure Liquid (or chews, if you can get them for cat) is also made to help cats feel calmer and this may be available in pet stores or ordered online. Please read more about these products below:http://www.feliway.com/ushttp://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3550http://www.amazon.com/Vetri-Science-Composure-Liquid-Dogs-Ounce/dp/B0006601JII hope Roscoe will soon be back to himself, and continue what you are doing to help him feel more secure and keeping in touch with your vet.