# Medical, or behavioral?

Category: Animal House

## Post 1 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 13-Feb-2007 2:03:24

Hello, everyone. I'm writing in with a question about my new cat, Emma. Lately, she's been doing a lot of meowing, specifically, the really deep-throated yowling kind of meow. My hunch is that it's a behavioral issue. Even though I do play with her, she has way more energy than I do sometimes. Grin. Shadow was a very laidback kitty even at his most healthy, and it's been kind of an adjustment to go from his restful nature to her playful one. Emma, like all cats, is very picky about what toys she will and won't play with.
I'm also a little frightened. One of the first real signs of Shadow's illness was his vocalizing. Looking back on things, there were other signs, but they came on so very slowly that I didn't notice them. Vets say that cats hide illness well, which is the truth. I have an appointment to take Emma to the vet, just to make sure this is not a medical issue. It all feels like a bad repeat of the beginning of Shadow's ordeal only a couple months ago.
Anyway, what do you all think? What are your suggestions if it is a behavioral issue? Do you think this one could be medical? She was checked out by a vet when I first adopted her, but could things have changed so quickly? Aarrgghh! Posts would be appreciated. Bye bye, all!

## Post 2 by Nem (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 13-Feb-2007 10:21:44

My first thought would be what happened to the other cat. This behavior sounds a lot like a cat in heat. Mind you I am by no means a cat person, nor do I claim to be a professional vet. But from what you've said I sort of remember my other friends cats acting this way.

## Post 3 by Musical Ambition (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Tuesday, 13-Feb-2007 14:00:11

The thought of her going into heat, popped into my mind too. Do you know approximately how old she is? I know it's easy to start thinking negatively, especially after what you went through with Shadow, but try not to let it get you down. I was going to ask if you have made plans to take her to the vet, but since you've already pointed that out, then that's not a question I need to ask. I guess you'll more or less just have to wait until her vet appointment, and see what comes of it.

## Post 4 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 13-Feb-2007 15:51:44

Yeah, I briefly thought about her being in heat too, except that the Humane Society spayed her. They spay or neuter all the animals they take in before they're ever put up for adoption.

## Post 5 by psychic teacher (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Tuesday, 13-Feb-2007 16:04:15

Oh, sorry to hear that Emma is not well. Just try not to worry too much before you find out what it really is. Maybe she misses you too, since she is now staying with your friend Amy. Or maybe she needs swome company too. Hope all goes well and let us know what you find out.

## Post 6 by Musical Ambition (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Tuesday, 13-Feb-2007 16:08:35

Oh, so, Emma isn't with you right now?

## Post 7 by TonjaGlass (Wisewoman of What?) on Tuesday, 13-Feb-2007 17:17:17

Hello Sisterdawn,
First, how old is your cat, how long have you had her? Have you introduced anything new into your environment. ANother question I know sounds silly but is pertinant, do you use any type of carpet freshener. Some brands of carpet freshener have an ingredient that affects cat in s uch a way as a mild hallucinogenic. How is her apetite? Does she drink excess water? Another thing is to have the vet check her eyesight. She may be being startled by things. Also have her ears checked, cats that have hearing problems are often very vocal as the vibrations from their own voice comforts them. I hope this may help in some ways. I have had a lot of experiences with cats.
Tonja. Feel free to pm me or email me hon..

## Post 8 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 15-Feb-2007 7:48:18

Hello, all! Thanks for the responses thus far.
Yes LeAnn, Emma is with me. She stayed with my friend Amy for a brief time while I was in the hospital, and then recovering at home. Once I could take care of her, I took her back.
So, yes Tonja, she definitely has had a change of environment. That could be part of it. Of course, being an adopted kitty, I don't know anything about her history, which could also be part of it. The vet who examined her right after I adopted her said she was healthy, and that was only about two months ago. I adopted her on December 19 of 06. She stil eats, drinks normal amounts of water, and uses her box properly.
So, who knows? Maybe boredom, maybe change of environment... I just had to write in here, and talk to all you guys who were so helpful in Shadow's situation
. Thanks.

## Post 9 by Musical Ambition (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Thursday, 15-Feb-2007 12:53:24

Have you taken her back to the vet yet? I assume that since she's eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom normally, maybe it is some sort of psychological thing, due to environment changes, etc.

## Post 10 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 15-Feb-2007 14:01:26

It sounds psychological to me, also. Cats are creatures who like their routine, and dont like it disturbed. She's been through a few changes in the last few weeks, it sounds like.
The person who posted about the cat having a hearing loss raised a good point. My brother had a cat who was so old she lost most of her hearing. It didn't matter what time of day or night it was, she'd sit in the middle of the living room floor, and make the most demonic noise I ever heard out of a cat. Good luck, and keep your cyberfamily updated.
Lou

## Post 11 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 15-Feb-2007 18:32:35

Yeah, the more I watch her, the more she acts like it's a psychological thing. It makes me wonder about her history. Mostly she cries when she can't see people. Like she'll wake up from a nap, and if I'm not in the same room with her, she starts crying until I at least call out to her and let her know I'm around. I'm a little scared of how she'll behave when I go back to work, and am gone eight hours a day. I wonder if I should consider getting another cat for her company, or if that would just make things worse. I also can't help but wonder if her history plays a part in her behavior. For example, is she frightened when she doesn't see people because maybe someone abandoned her, and that was how she got to the Humane Society? Who knows?

## Post 12 by TonjaGlass (Wisewoman of What?) on Thursday, 15-Feb-2007 18:45:25

Getting another cat may be a good idea, most humane societies will allow a trial period especially if you have other animals in the home to see if the animals will get along well. At first they may not seem to get along, sometimes it takes a couple of weeks, but it is a good idea for them to have a companion especially if they are alone a lot
Tonja

## Post 13 by Musical Ambition (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Friday, 16-Feb-2007 10:14:43

Yeah, I was going to suggest trying out another cat as a companion, too. It may be good for her. And, you raise a good point about her possibly being abandoned. I think it's going to take some time for her, and you'll just have to do everything you can to show her that you're not going anywhere, and give her the absolute best you can.

## Post 14 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 16-Feb-2007 18:39:00

Well, a bit of news. My friend Amy, whom you've heard me talk about before, has gotten a job at the same place where I work, and we are talking about being roommates. She also has a cat. So, although the adjustment might be a bit hard at first, maybe that would work out well as company for Emma.

## Post 15 by psychic teacher (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Thursday, 22-Feb-2007 8:02:24

I am glad you were able to figure what may be wrong with her to some extend. Hope everything goes well for all of you.