Paisley - Really stressed. What to do?

[Lylene & Barry]

I am at a loss about what to do with Paisley. Her BS are all over. She's bitten my foot three times, the last was this morning (BS 427). She's gone after my face (BS in 400's). Luckily I wear glasses. She can be totally vicious and it does seem to go along with high BS. I'd been napping with her but now am afraid to do that. Doing BS is getting harder. I'm afraid of her.

She's always hungry but is gaining weight. I'd say she's a bit overweight now. At first I was switching between Wellness, Fancy Feast and raw. Then I got to where she was eating raw almost exclusively and pretty much allowed to eat as much as she wanted. The last few days I've gotten to the point where I can't handle the stress of her, my DH's elderly dog and everthing else that needs to be done. When the raw ran out I went back to Wellness and the past two days to Fancy Feast because it's 10 miles round trip to that as opposed to 30 miles round trip to the pet store. Looking down on her last night I realized she's gaining weight so I don't know how much to feed her. She wants food.

She wants outside really bad. She wants out of her room really bad. The other cats are afraid of her. Even Barry is hesitant with her. No one knows when she's going to go off. Willow is hard to get into the house because Paisley WILL attack her. Willow slinks and my other female, Cinnamon, will chase her but nothing like Paisley.

My DH's dog has gotten worse. He seldom can get up on his own. He's a Huskey mix and weighs probably around 65 pounds. Mentally he's fine but his hind legs just aren't working well and it's getting worse. He tries to get up and then starts whining for help. It's 24/7. Sometimes he poops trying to get up or it will just be there when I get him up. I'll take him outside and he'll come back in a poop on the floor. Yesterday the lights were off and I stepped in some and got it all over the carpet. I'm beginning to hate this dog. DH is hardly ever home right now so care of all the animals and house is falling on me. I can't do it all so some things just don't get done.

I'm exhausted, mentally. Physically I get exhausted really easily. I don't know sleeping so much is making it worse or if the fibromyalgia is flaring. Today I got up at 9am for the animals. Went back to bed about 9:30am and planned to get up at noon. I woke up a bit after 4pm. If I laid down now, I'd be out cold. Tomorrow I'll reschedule my physical that I had to cancel last week and see if my doctor has gotten the ingredients for the infusion I get. Guess he ran out and hasn't been able to get it. They called and canceled my appointments indefinitely.

I'm going to schedule Paisley's appointment tomorrow. What should I ask, have done, etc. I didn't have to deal with this with Barry. He did really well and went OTJ in just over three months. Also, the vet visits were so horrible that we didn't go a lot. There wasn't anything they could do that I couldn't do here, especially with help here. Paisley definitely isn't Barry and I just don't know what to do.

Thank you for being here and helping with Paisley (and Barry). Suggestions for the vet appointment would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Linda for Weezer]

Lylene,

You really have a full plate, and fibro too! I don' t have any advice, I just wanted to let you know I'll keep you in my heart. Try to take care of yourself. When so many are depending on you, it' way too easy to forget to recharge when you need to.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I think a vet visit is in order. What you're describing sounds a lot like hyperthyroid. Paisley may not be losing weight because it sounds like you're over feeding. Aggression, though, is a symptom. You'll need to make sure the vet gets blood work for a T4 and a free T4. The T4 is part of a regular senior blood panel (or is at my vet). In any event, a full blood panel should be run.

Also, when was the last time Paisley had a dental? Gingivitis can raise BG numbers and if there is pain from a bad tooth, that could be contributing to aggressive behavior.

I'd make sure that Paisley is not in any pain. Pain can make a docile cat aggressive. It could be something as simple as a splinter, an abscess/infection, or a claw that's too long and curving back into a paw pad. There could be other factors causing pain that your vet can investigate.

It may be a behavioral issue. Prozac or other drug that can help to calm a cat may be useful. Tena/Curry had aggression problems with Curry and her civvie and was successful with a behavioral intervention. You may want to send her a PM.

You can also try Feliway (lots of it) and/or Rescue Remedy. Right now, EntirelyPets has Rescue Remedy on sale and both products are available on Amazon.

There are brain tumors that can cause aggressive behavior. This is a low probability issue but if nothing else is there, it may be worth investigating.

I'd also suggest raising Paisley's dose to 3.75u this evening providing you feel like you can test. Do the best you can to keep your shots on a 12/12 schedule. That may help with Paisley's numbers.

 

[SmokeyD]

I've got no advice to give but just wanted to send encouragement. Hang in there. That same back leg thing happened with my parents Laboradors when they got older. When they became incontinent, they were in pain and we knew it was time. I'm hoping that you can get some rest- mentally, physically and emotionally. Hoping that Vet and Dr. visits go well and are helpful.

 

[Amy&TrixieCat]

Between the aggression and the hunger, I was thinking the same thing that Sienne was...HyperT. Those are both classic HyperT symptoms...witnessed both of them live and in person with my GA, Mr. Kitty. Sienne had other great suggestions, too. I hope you're able to find the answer...

Amy