Expert: Jessica - 1/20/2011

Question
I have an 18 year old tabby who is fine physically. In the last few weeks we have noticed that her hearing has failed. Our real problem is at 10pm-2pm she wails.It is so sad. We have tried leaving lights, radio,and tv on. She won't stay in the bedroom, but goes to another room and starts crying. What can we do to ease her problem and get some sleep. We have one other cat in the house and one dog. They are not new. In fact nothing has changed other than her nightly behavior

Answer
Hi Belenda,

You should have your kitty checked out by the vet.  Sometimes this behavior is caused by a physical illness that arises suddenly, such as high blood pressure, which can cause headaches.  Headaches are a common reason a cat will cry out in pain during the night.  This is most often secondary to an overactive thyroid.  Primary high blood pressure can be kept down with antihypertensives, and controlling thyroid disease with a daily medication, if this is the cause, should take care of secondary high blood pressure.  It could be possible she's suffering some sight loss or that she's developed an anxiety disorder, as well.  Anxiety can be treated with an antidepressant.

But your cat could be suffering from a condition called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), which is very similar to human Alzheimer's.  One of the most common behaviors is an interruption in the sleep/wake cycle.  Cats end up awake and crying all night.  Other behaviors might include depression (excessive daytime sleepiness and failure to groom normally), appetite changes, unprovoked aggression, failure to use the litter box, disorientation (wandering aimlessly, walking in circles, staring against a wall or getting stuck in a corner) and failure to recognize familiar people.  If your cat starts to show any of these symptoms, it may be a very good idea to try her on a treatment for CDS.  Novi-SAMe is a supplement that may help.  The most common prescription treatment is called Anipryl and is labeled for dogs, but it's used safely in cats, as well.  Many cats have a reversal of symptoms to an extent, and most patients at least see the disease progress more slowly.  However, like Alzheimer's, the disease cannot be cured.

I hope your girl is feeling more relaxed and you are getting some rest soon!

Jessica