Expert: Ali - 4/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have recently taken in a foster cat named 'Tesla', so named because of her bizarre behaviours. Most of them, I figured were just her being odd. Suddenly, however, I wonder whether at least one of them might be signs of either pain or illness!

One of Tesla's habits is to want to be petted EXACTLY so. If you stroke her over her hind end when she's not feeling like it, her ears lay back, she gets huffy, and will often yowl about it. However, she always came back for more attention, so I assumed that she was just a 'just so' cat until this evening.

This evening, I discovered her and her cat-friend playing their usual game of 'Kitty Punch-Out'. When she went to scramble after him, I noticed that she was tripping over her own hind feet. She showed no signs of pain, or difficulty getting up after stumbling, but she was very uncoordinated around the back end. Likewise, I have noticed times when she would get into sudden 'spastic' attacks, jerking her head around as if watching a fly, or simply moving or grooming with a great deal of hyperactive energy.

As a foster cat, she is extremely nervous and traumatized about vehicles and her cat carrier. I'm working with her, but it is slow going, and I am not too eager to undo a lot of good work! Due to this, I am hesitant in bringing her in to a vet if the issues sound like something genetic or just plain 'weird kitty behaviour'. So I'm asking someone more expert than I: does this sound like anything you might have heard of in the past? And if so, should I be bringing her in to the vet for a barrage of tests, or just learn to keep her off slippery floors?

ANSWER: Kurasu,

Some cats are naturally more co-ordinated than others, but I'm a bit concerned that she protests when her hind end is touched and she also appears to have difficulty controlling her back end. In Tesla's case her behavior could be the result of illness, but she may just be a young, hyperactive, nutty kitten participating in what we call "Spaz Hour" in our home. There's a possibility that nothing's wrong, but I would prefer to err on the side of caution just in case there is an underlying problem with this kitty. In a cat that you haven't got much history on it might be wise to have her checked over by the vet, maybe have x-rays and blood work done to determine if there's anything obvious wrong. There is a possibility that Tesla is tender in the hind end, because she is getting vocal and laying her ears back in warning, she could have a mild case of petting/play aggression or she may simply not like being touched on specific parts of her body. Maybe this little girl has been hit by a car, abused by one or more people or had an old fracture that hasn't healed as well as it would have if it had been properly set, sometimes these types of injuries can cause some arthritis which can be treated with medication. There are also concerns that the cat may have some sort of neurological issue - maybe mom had distemper while she was pregnant with Tesla, that can cause neurological deficits in kittens born to moms who survived distemper. I'm not sure how old Tesla is, certain problems are more common at certain ages.

As for Tesla showing anxiety around cat carriers, vehicles and with certain types of situations when she's handled I would recommend a couple of different things - the first would be to leave the cat carrier out in the open, if cats see that the crate only comes out before vet visits then they will have negative associations with the kennel. By allowing the cats to come and go from the crate all of the time without closing them inside it makes things easier when you do have to put the cats in a kennel for any reason. You may also want to consider going for short drives in the neighborhood, around the block, etc while Tesla's in the kennel once she's comfortable with getting into the kennel, this way she learns that not every trip results in a vet visit. Giving treats and special bribes (tuna, salmon, chicken, etc) should also help Tesla become comfortable with the kennel in a hurry - cats are smart and she'll make the association quickly. Anxious cats sometimes need to have their excess energy worked off with interactive play times or providing extra stimulation for them. You can use kitten mittens, kitty teases and laser lights (be careful not to shine them into anyone's eyes, they can cause damage) during interactive play sessions, the idea is to encourage Tesla and all the other cats in your home to play hard and tire themselves out.

Another toy that's popular with most cats for independent play is the ping pong ball shaped foam balls they're quiet, soft and they bounce like crazy. You may also want to consider kitty therapy of sorts - if you live in a home putting a bird feeder in an area that the cats can easily look out the window and see and fill it with feed meant to attract small song birds this can help remind Tesla she's a cat and get her confidence back on track. If you live in an apartment or would prefer not to put a bird feeder out then you may want to consider the Cat Sitter DVD series, the first two show great footage of birds, wildlife and small prey animals while the third video in the series is dedicated to great shots of fresh and salt water fish filled aquariums. If you choose to use these videos be sure that you clear off any items on top of the television and pull up a comfy chair so that the cats can sit close to the tv and watch the action unfold. These videos are meant to be used when the cats are home alone so you may not see the full concentration of the cats when you're there watching. The Cat Sitter DVD series is quite well accepted by most cats in my home.

I would also suggest that you consider adding a homeopathic remedy called Bach's Rescue Remedy which is a blend of flower essences. Rescue Remedy is safe for all kids and pets, it's all natural and provided that you use common sense you can't administer an overdose of this remedy, a couple of extra drops in the water bowl won't hurt Tesla or any other cats in your home. You can administer Rescue remedy by adding 7-9 drops of Rescue Remedy to one or more fresh bowls of water each morning or you can gently rub a single drop into the relatively bald spot in front of the cat's ears, be sure not to get any inside the ears though because it may cause some stinging due to the fact that Rescue Remedy's flower essences are preserved in a grape alcohol solution. I've used Rescue Remedy to help reassure cats who have been abused and traumatized or are excessively fearful or anxious for years with great success. It's well worth trying, you can normally find Rescue Remedy in health food stores, naturopathic pharmacies, some mainstream pharmacies will stock this remedy in the vitamin/nutritional supplement aisle. I believe you can also purchase this remedy online if you aren't able to find it in your local area.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again, Ali!

Just to fill you in on a few parts you asked, since I didn't give much information about her (and should have; shame on me!): Tesla is your basic DSH. I would put her age-wise at no less than 3 but no more than 5-ish; she seems filled-out and fully adult, but has yet to show any signs of 'old grouch' behaviour. She is declawed and spayed, both of which were done before I obtained her. I'm unaware of her past as a kitten so I can neither confirm nor deny whether her mother had any diseases, or if this is a lifelong situation or the result of an injury. She is energetic, healthy, with no obvious problems like breathing difficulties, bad coat, or sluggishness. And even as I was typing this, she wandered in to investigate me calm as you please, suddenly went into hyperactive-mode, and spent about ten minutes with me laughing my butt off as she attempted to destroy a crinkly ball of paper. I.E. extremely changeable mood. :)

The house has a number of hardwood floors, which means not a lot of traction for cat-toes. If there is an 'uncoordination' issue, then no doubt that would help explain the stumbling as well.

As for the cat carrier, that is actually what I have been doing. Since day 1 of her being here, it has been placed on the floor with the door open so she can go in and out if she wishes. I have made no attempt to put her inside it. Even the sight of it in the first days was enough to send her back under the couch and hissing as if it was going to eat her. As she adores laying on towels and clothing on the floor, I have been planning to lay a towel inside it so she can consider it a comfortable place to lay down.

As for the tiring themselves out, between Tesla and Dexter (my other cat), I can assure you that if there's anyone who would tire themselves out, it would be them. As 12AM 'Kitty-Punch-Out' bouts can attest. :) I join in the fun as well, though the pair of them are quite happy with one another as big, furry playthings.

Answer
Kurasu,

Tesla sounds like she may simply be enjoying "Spaz Hour", it's possible that there is a neurological issue, but I would suggest considering placing some throw rugs onto the hardwood floors to see if that improves her co-ordination. Keeping a close eye on Tesla's reactions when you handle her, particularly if she seems stiff or resists having you touch her back end is a good idea, she may have had old injuries due to trauma or abuse that are causing her some pain so x-rays and medication may be in her future. It sounds like you've been treating Tesla with a common sense approach in terms of her fears, adding a bit of bribery to the cat carrier on occasion will also help her to make positive associations with the kennel, pick something that you know she loves and maybe once a day or so you can put a small dish of the treat inside the crate, all the way at the back so that Tesla has to go inside to get her reward - I've found this to be effective when cats have anxiety about cat carriers.