Question:
I have a 13-1/2-year-old calico cat who had been diagnosed with lymphoma three years ago. I have not done any treatment, and the cat does not show any sign of being ill whatsoever. However, within the last year, she has displayed unusual meowing and sometimes howls at night. I have taken her to the vet who has taken blood samples again, and it appears the cancer has not spread. The concern here is the frequent meowing and howling.
Could this be her way of telling me that she is in pain, even though she is eating and grooming herself and going to the litter box? No one seems to know what it is. Your input would be greatly appreciated.
H.J.G., New York, NY Aug 02, 2010
Answer:
The yowling of a suffering cat can be soul piercing, indeed. Ruling out the possibility of a pain-evoking lymphoma tumor, a common cause of pain/anxiety in older cats is chronic arthritis. A heat lamp or warm pad, fish oil, brewer's yeast, chondroitin and glucosamine may also help. Senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease (cats can suffer from this) may be involved. A teaspoon of fresh dried catnip (to eat or as a tea) could help alleviate some feline angst. Valerian (10 to 15 mg to start) in the cat food or Selegiline (a psychotropic drug prescribed by veterinarians) may also help, as well as the synthetic cat pheromone Feliway.
Subscribe