cats, dogs and dementia

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Noah & me (GA)

Noah & me (GA)

Member Since 2016
@Phoebes
@JeffJ
@Chris & China
@Kris & Teasel
Angela, this is because of the toaster. Jeff, I think it might have been you about a year ago who had dealt with someone who denied this was possible. Chris and Kris know more than I do. No one has to reply, I don't think there is an answer.
Noah is 14 now and was born in this house. He has always been a loner and done strange things like living in the walk-in closet for 3 years. He had 3 brothers and his momma and poppa who were never like that. He has never been through any kind of serious trauma that we know of and this is a quiet home.
For the last 3 or 4 years he will sometimes just wander around and make a huge racket. He stares into the fridge (it's ungodly bright in there), wants ice cubes and then doesn't want them. Then it all just stops.
He knows where he is and who we are and it's not physical pain. His eyesight is just okay and his hearing is fine. Sometimes just brushing his tuxedo or pulling his tail makes it all stop. And he's been on transdermal BUPE forever because his teeth are rotten but he won't survive general anaesthesia so he's a drug addict but I'm not going to change that now. Dental pain can be Hell.
I've already gone through this with a dog so I know it happens in animals.
Like I said, I don't think there is an answer but if anyone has helped an older cat with music or has any tricks or tips please share.
 
Theresa adopted older dachsund Joey around 2004. He had been abused but he soon became friendly with us and the cats. He was a pretty good boy. Near the end of his life, his brain became mush. He walked in circles. He would do runny poop then walk thru it. He knew us when we were near.

In summary, Joey the dachsund had dementia. And it just got real bad. He had a good life, but he became unmanageable with full time care - which was mostly me. I don't have any tips. We just dealt with his problems as best we could.

Theresa's Mom had dementia. The disease progressed rapidly in the last year. Then in April 2018 she needed almost full time care. She passed in late April at age 81. She had a good life and enjoyed retirement for 20 years.

There is no cure for our condition "life". We just need to make the best of it. There is no cure for dementia in humans or cats. I would say if Noah is eating and having good BG, then you just need to brush him and cuddle him.:bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Big hugs Dickson. It's got to be hard. But you just do what you can. I'm glad he has you to take care of him. You know him best. Dementia is a hard diesease. Never had to take care of an animal, but cared for many humans. It's not easy. Like Jeff said I guess you treat the symptoms as best you can. :bighug::bighug::bighug: and head bumps to Noah
 
Crap! I would have thanked you both earlier but I didn't get an alert.
I guess I just needed to vent, that howling had gone on all day and now nothing for 48 hours. As long as the other cats leave him alone I'm happy with that.
We catch Daniel humping him once a month but his elevator has never gone to the top.
Well, we won't have to talk to him about no longer driving the car or using the oven. A little dark humor always helps.
But not Roseanne's "unique brand" of humor. Maybe she has early-onset-far-right-Republican. :blackeye: :( o_O
nixon001.jpg
 
Ty went through a phase of this for a long while. He was SO LOUD AND PLAINTIVE that I felt I had to reassure the neighbours all was well with his world. It was his age.

I always rather thought it was him orientating and reassuring himself about where he was and who he was . You could walk right on up to him mid mega-raise the dead banshee -wail , look into his eyes quietly and say 'pardon'? That would result in an imminent stop and a short soz of a meow before continuing on his way.

He'd do it out on the drive mostly but sometimes at various points around the house. I do think it is all about fixing a sense of awareness.

When Dusty , the cat that came in from the cold, first arrived he was still at it but gradually it eased off. Likely she helped him feel 'safe' & maybe he simply ran out of the energy to wail like a thousand mournful wights. He also really at that point had stopped doing his full circuits due to his neuropathy so maybe didn't feel the need to tell the drive that he was there.

My MIL had Alzheimer's which eventually took full hold. She needed full time care but small things like a twiddle muff or a foot massage helped ease the agitation .

I'm not suggesting a twiddle muff or a paw massage for Noah. That would be absurd.:oops: Maybe just something in his very familiar routine that is just for him. If he wails at the fridge , time for a little deflective petting .
 
Leo also gets loud and plaintive these days. We walk over to him and make sure his needs are met, or he just gets brushed.

I'm sorry I missed Tyler's passing. I was busy at work and getting ready for the trip I am on. He was a Prince of a cat and had an amazing life. He was a good boy.
 
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Ok, you knew I would ask, what is a twiddle muff?
Is it a sign of dementia that Idjit thinks it's going to be better or different weather between the front door and the back door, or is he just goofy? We sometimes have to check both doors to see what's going on, it the first isn't entirely acceptable. Regarding Noah and Leo, it does sound difficult, I'm so glad they have people who love them so much.
 
JeffJ said:
Leo also gets loud and plaintive these days. We walk over to him and make sure his needs are met, or he just gets brushed.
I'm sorry I missed Tyler's passing. I was busy at work and getting ready for the trip I am on. He was a Prince of a cat and had an amazing life. He was a good boy.
Click to expand...

I knew you were there.

Idjit mom said:
Ok, you knew I would ask, what is a twiddle muff?
Click to expand...

Come. On.
Get with the needles.

I will try and find some pics and patterns.
 
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