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Cats/Cat - Muscle 'flexing' while sleeping
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Question
My cat Thomas will 'flex' his muscles while is is sleeping. It's not twitching, it looks like he flexes his muscles. He does have aids.
thanks Pam
Hi Pam,
He's most likely dreaming. Cats can get pretty involved in their dreams and do things such as chew, suckle, thrash their tails, meow, and bunny kick. Not long ago, I saw a video on YouTube of a dog who was running in his sleep and got up and ran into a wall, the poor thing!
However, if you are concerned, it might be wise to have a blood panel done, especially considering his AIDS status. Anemia, a common complication of AIDS, can cause deep muscle spasms. Some less common reasons, like high blood calcium, which can come from kidney failure, are also more common in AIDS cats, because kidney failure is a complication of the disease.
Good luck!
Jessica
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Answers by Expert:
Jessica
Expertise
The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.
Experience
I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.
Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience
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