First, Re : BP.
It is taken
at least 5 times and the number is averaged ( they only check the systolic # in cats). One number is usually discarded from the average if it is severely off from the others.
Stress is accounted for in cats, by using a higher cut off number. A cat is usually considered high when readings are 170 and/or above. Obviously, the demeanor of the individual cat is also taken into consideration. eg for one of my cats, we used the 180 as cutoff. ECID ! : )
If possible, the BP will be taken first thing, before any other exam is done,as to lessen the stress and/or making sure the cat is taken in to it's appointment right away (wait in the car or private waiting room ) , so as to not be subject to dogs, other animals that might upset it. Many vets will have the owner hold their cat during the process, so they can talk to and pet their kitty to help keep it calm. That depends on the cat, and the vet.
Many vet's do not want any owners in the treatment area,b/c of other patients and also there is a liability factor involved. I have done it both ways. No difference in results. I have also taken my cats in a separate door, and had it done after they have already been poked and prodded. Personally, there hasn't really been any difference. No they weren't relaxed at the vet's kitties. The car ride alone did it. My vet feels that if they are there for awhile, they actually start to chill a bit and the stress level will not rise more.
I think the important thing to remember, is that vet's factor stress in when reading the numbers.
BP screening should be a regular part of a senior cat's annual exam ( starting around age 7-8 ) .
Just as in humans, controlling BP, and finding it early, can prevent other problems.
Disorientation is one possible symptom of HBP, which would, of course, cause yowling.
HBP can also result in retinal detachment (vision problems and eventual blindness). If caught early, and HBP treated,it is often reversible. I bring this up as other members shared in your previous thread, that their cats had poor vision, which caused them distress and subsequently yowling.
HERE is a nice write from The Cat's Meow Veterinary Hospital, on BP monitoring in cats.
Both Winnie(GA) and Wolfie(GA) had high BP and took norvasc for that. It was an easy treatment.
Yowling is not generally a sign a pain. It is a sign of distress and disorientation. A cat in pain will hide, refuse food, and in severe pain will tremor.Wendall is not showing these signs. That is why I do not thing he has pain. ( Yes cats will Me-ouch! If they get a tail stepped on or something acute in nature like that )
Distress/disorientation, are possible. Besides the dementia, poor eyesight, HBP and HT as possibilities(more on that below), sometimes hearing loss can cause this. Does he respond well to sound w/o also seeing what is happening ?
Tanya's CKD ( Chronic Kidney Disease) website, states that howling is common in cats w/ CKD (aka CRF/CRD)
Scroll down this link to where it has howling as a header. They list HBP as the main culprit . HBP is common w/ CRD. Has Wendall has his kidney values checked ? Alos, sometimes w/ CRF, electrolytes get off balance, and that might have an effect.
Although, your kitty is not showing other common signs of hyper T, it is certainly worth a blood test, as that is generally a part of a sr. kitty( over 7/8) annual panel as well.
My Winnie, had paradoxical symptoms of HT. Instead of eating a lot, she lost her appy.
Winnie was a yowler when she got older. She would go off to the basement and yowl. I would find her or call her and offer her comfort. She would be," Oh, ok here you are, everything's ok. " They often go off for some more yowling. As mentioned to you before, I used white noise, so it did not disrupt my sleep.
Yes ! you need your sleep ! Did you try some white noise yet ? I hope that helped.
If you couldn't get a good sleep sound from the app store or the net, fans/air purifiers also work well. I can't sleep w/o a fan any more .
Feliaway might help. It has kitty pheromones that is calming and soothing to them. It comes in a spray and in a room diffuser. Certainly worth a try. Benign to the cat.
If dementia turns out to be the issue, your vet might give Wendall some medication -- either anti anxiety meds or a light sedative at bedtime or anti histamine. ( obviously, if it is something else you want to treat that ) I know of one person that did this to great success. Of course, it depends on his kidney function, BP etc.. as to what he could take. I started to write more about that. But leave it there for now, if you go that route post back about it and I'm sure there will be a lot of good information shared.
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I touched on a couple things that were in my post that went "poof". I think this is long enough.
Will get to that later today, k?
Best to you and Wendall.
