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- Apr 2, 2006
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- 11,421
The vet's records indicate that Maya is now 20 1/2 years old. She was a rescue kitty so we don't know for sure, but she was still quite young - probably around 2 years old - when I got her so we're probably pretty close.
A few months ago she started missing her litter box when she urinated. It was just by a little at first, then a bit father... but usually on the large sheet of clear vinyl that's under the box to facilitate clean-up.
Then a few weeks ago she'd start howling from various parts of the house for no reason. It seemed at first that she wanted my attention, or was trying to find out where I was - she's been very deaf for quite a while now, so she wouldn't be able to hear me walking around the house. More recently I've started to think that she gets disoriented... it's as if she managed to find her food, or water, or litter box, but then isn't sure where she's supposed to go next or how to get there.
Lately I've started to notice her walking to the back op partially opened doors when she's trying to go from one room to another, rather than going through the opening. She catches the error and corrects herself eventually, but still.... We're talking about a house she's lived in, and rooms she's wandered about, for over 18 years!
When I went out of town last week I decided to board her for the seven days. Normally a neighbor comes over twice a day to feed her etc. when I'm gone, but I thought she might be more comfortable in the confines of the kennel than bouncing around an empty house by herself. She seemed to do well with the boarding, but the first night back home seemed to be hard on her. Four times I awoke to find her yowling somewhere in the house, seemingly not sure where she was or how to get back to the bedroom where she wanted to be.
I am making some changes to try to help her. Tonight I'll move her food to the hallway between the bedroom and the bathroom, and then close off doors leading to other parts of the house so she'll have a smaller space to deal with. I may get a string of little LED lights to help her find her way from the bedroom to the litter box and back again. I've also started putting a puppy training pad in front of the litter box, which makes clean-ups easier and deals with odor issues. (I did find a puddle in the hallway tonight, however.)
I hate that she has to deal with these moments of confusion and the fear that likely goes with them. Fortunately though she doesn't seem to be in any pain and she still enjoys lap time, and the time she spends soaking up sunshine, as always. And even though she seems to be stone deaf, she still somehow knows when the furnace has gone on, and manages to park herself in front of a register almost as soon as she senses that little "click" that promises more heat.
Has anyone else dealt with kitty dementia? Is there anything you can share about how it progressed in your cat(s)?
A few months ago she started missing her litter box when she urinated. It was just by a little at first, then a bit father... but usually on the large sheet of clear vinyl that's under the box to facilitate clean-up.
Then a few weeks ago she'd start howling from various parts of the house for no reason. It seemed at first that she wanted my attention, or was trying to find out where I was - she's been very deaf for quite a while now, so she wouldn't be able to hear me walking around the house. More recently I've started to think that she gets disoriented... it's as if she managed to find her food, or water, or litter box, but then isn't sure where she's supposed to go next or how to get there.
Lately I've started to notice her walking to the back op partially opened doors when she's trying to go from one room to another, rather than going through the opening. She catches the error and corrects herself eventually, but still.... We're talking about a house she's lived in, and rooms she's wandered about, for over 18 years!
When I went out of town last week I decided to board her for the seven days. Normally a neighbor comes over twice a day to feed her etc. when I'm gone, but I thought she might be more comfortable in the confines of the kennel than bouncing around an empty house by herself. She seemed to do well with the boarding, but the first night back home seemed to be hard on her. Four times I awoke to find her yowling somewhere in the house, seemingly not sure where she was or how to get back to the bedroom where she wanted to be.
I am making some changes to try to help her. Tonight I'll move her food to the hallway between the bedroom and the bathroom, and then close off doors leading to other parts of the house so she'll have a smaller space to deal with. I may get a string of little LED lights to help her find her way from the bedroom to the litter box and back again. I've also started putting a puppy training pad in front of the litter box, which makes clean-ups easier and deals with odor issues. (I did find a puddle in the hallway tonight, however.)
I hate that she has to deal with these moments of confusion and the fear that likely goes with them. Fortunately though she doesn't seem to be in any pain and she still enjoys lap time, and the time she spends soaking up sunshine, as always. And even though she seems to be stone deaf, she still somehow knows when the furnace has gone on, and manages to park herself in front of a register almost as soon as she senses that little "click" that promises more heat.
Has anyone else dealt with kitty dementia? Is there anything you can share about how it progressed in your cat(s)?
) So it can be something else when they're sick. Do keep us in the loop what the vet says. Lots of hugs and dust for both of you.
Such a good Mama VRB. 
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