Aggression from senile cat. Help!

[coontuffy]

sherrylynne, I hope things are a bit calmer for you and Mr. Stubbs.
The suggestion of testing for hyperT is not a bad idea al all.  Just make sure that in addition to doing the Basic T4 they also do a FreeT4ED (equilibrium dialysis).

Please update on Stubbs when you can.

[sherrylynne]

I've actually been following the thread about Bonker's cat, just to give me an idea what to expect. I've spoken to the vet already, and she'll be doing the testing when we go in on July 19.
And by the way? The rescue remedy is working! At least, I'm assuming that's what it is. His anxiety is way down from what it was. The aggression is less than before also, although still not gone entirely.

[Bonkers]

  So glad to hear that the RR is working for Mr. Stubbs, but I really hope that hyper T is not what he has. Have you considered changing his diet to see if that has any effect on him?

[sherrylynne]

I have no idea what I'd change it to! It's taken several months just to get him to accept the Wellness and Evo without the FF.
I'll admit, my biggest concern now that he's a bit calmer is his weight loss. He eats normally, but he's looking OLD. When I pet him, I can now feel his spine. I couldn't do that last month. Until I was reading about hyper-T, we simply assumed all his health problems throughout his life had finally caught up with him, and that he'd developed some form of cancer, and we were simply going to keep him comfortable.
Just out of curiosity, with medication, how much better of a life would a 15yr. old cat have with hyper-T? I mean could we have our old cat back again, before all the personality changes?
I also understand this would mean several vet trips in the next few months, and vet's have always stressed him out.
I guess what I'm trying to ask is, given how he is now, and how much a car, carrier, and a vet stresses him, is doing all this to this cat a good idea? Or would it be kinder to just...let him be. I have no idea what kind of prognosis an older cat has with this disease. If that's even what it is.
I just like to have "all my ducks in a row" as it were, before I go to the vet!

[Bonkers]

   I would be curious to know if the changes in him started or escalated after the switch to the canned foods. Maybe a sensitivity to one of the ingredients?

   As far as getting "your ducks in a row", I would like to suggest that your first get a firm diagnosis before jumping into decision mode. No sense worrying yourself about a condition that Stubbs may not even have.

  One step at a time my dear..........

[sherrylynne]

Good point, thanks Bonkers . I really think the changes started right after our dog was put down, about 4 months prior to any diet changes. When we walked in the door without her, he attacked Watson first. Badly. Then, got aggressive with others. That calmed down, though, after a while. But he's never been the same since. It's almost like he knew she was never coming back, and something...snapped. I don't know how else to describe it. They'd been best friends for years.
I do know he's allergic to chicken, and any other fowl when it's raw. He gets no chicken at all now, and the other fowl, as long as it's canned doesn't seem to bother him. At least he doesn't have the vomiting that he had with raw fowl.

[Bonkers]

  Ever hear of Reiki Healing??

[coontuffy]

sherrylynne,
The bad thing about untreated hyperT us what it does to the rest of the body, particularly the heart.

There is a condition called thyrotoxic hypertrophy.
The heart enlarges just because of the thyroid.  The enlarged heart can also lead to CHF.  All is reversable when medication, surgery or I13`utilized.

[sherrylynne]

Bonkers, I have heard of Reiki, but very little, and not for cats.
Coontuffy- thanks, that's one of the things I need to know. His symptoms are such that his vet thinks he should be at least tested. I guess we just have to wait until then, and take it from there.
Bit of bad news? Today he attacked Watson again for no reason. Three times. Actually went out of his way by several feet to attack the poor boy, who was just lying on the sofa, half asleep the first time. Next two were under similar circumstances. No idea why. Needless to say, his claws are being kept very short.

[Bonkers]

  I just thought I would mention about Reiki in case Mr Stubbs comes back next month with a clean bill of health. The Holistic vet with whom I am acquainted uses it in her practice. Can be very healing, both physically and emotionally.

[sherrylynne]

Thanks, Bonkers. I know there are a few holistic vets in the city. Depending on what his vet says, I'll check it out.

[Bonkers]

  sherrylynne,

            How did Mr Stubbs visit to the vet go??

[sherrylynne]

We're waiting on the bloodwork, but the vet doesn't think it's hyper-T. Or at least not only hyper-T. She could feel a mass in his abdomen. And he's been pooping, so it's not that.
Either one or the other, or both, would explain his weight loss. He's getting quite thin. The vet and I had a long talk, and we aren't going to treat, even if he's positive for hyper-T. Just keep him comfortable for as long as we can. He doesn't appear to have any pain as of yet, and he's eating fine, so it's just going to be a waiting game.
Poor boy was so stressed by the vet visit, car, and carrier that he wet himself in the carrier again.

[Bonkers]

  Not unusual for kitties to poo or pee on the way to the vet. Sometimes the Rescue Remedy helps to keep them calm.

Really none of my business, but why have you already decided not to treat Mr Stubbs when you do not even have a diagnosis yet??   

[bella]

sherrylynne-i'm so sorry to hear about your kitty mr. stubbs problems and/or illness.  is it possible/feasible to you have your vet make a house call to eliminate most of the stress?  my vet comes to my home now and it's made a world of difference.  i'm sure somethings have to be done in the office-but  it may be worth asking to save the poor guy added trauma.  well wishes- bella