Quintus: digestive (?) spasms when resting

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Steph & Quintus & L & O

Steph & Quintus & L & O

Member Since 2017
Quintus is doing really well and hasn't seen a drop of insulin since 1.1.18 -- and it really was a drop. His numbers are good so far. I went to the vet for a check-up and everything seems fine.

There is just one thing I'm concerned about: is a kind of digestive (?) spasm he does when he's resting.

It's pretty systematic (if I want to see it, I watch a while, and see it). Sometimes it's more marked than others. Sometimes it seems absent (but I need to check that this week-end when I can watch him more). It doesn't seem particularly painful (showed video to the vet), but I'm guessing at least uncomfortable. He also gets lower back "skin spasms". Two independent things? Something neurological? Vet says it doesn't seem very worrisome and complicated to investigate/treat at this stage.

You can see the "skin spasm" here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eyFUjfzs4guZ3AAx2 (I know about FHS, as it was a suspected diagnosis at some point for my deceased Tounsi)

And the "digestive" one: https://photos.app.goo.gl/t5n5n1yBvBLOYC5n1

There are other videos in his photo album (scroll to the bottom for the latest).

I've tried to figure out if it was linked to when he was eating, as we changed food after the FD diagnosis, or taking his meds. Initially I thought it was post-food or post-meds. I tried being careful to give his meds after food and not before. Still happened. I tried removing DM wet food, wondering if he was having trouble with that -- still there. My next trial is to remove m/d kibble and see what happens.

He is on carbimazole (since October), onsior (since forever), fortekor (since forever), and amlodipin (a couple of years).

My next best idea is to book another session with the vet osteopath. Osteopaths are sometimes better with subclinical stuff. She also gets 45 minutes with a mostly resting cat, so she's going to witness it directly. She might have ideas or be able to tell me more precisely what it seems to be.

And I'm also turning to you: is this something you've come upon? Any ideas? Worrisome, or not so much?

Thanks in advance!
 
Hi Stephanie. Quintus ia such a handsome boy!

The back twitch thing does indeed remind me of FHS. My elderly cat has done a similar thing almost all his life; the vets have said it's probably a mild case of FHS. I t doesn't really seem to bother him a whole lot, unless it continues for a long period of time. I don't think it hurts him, I think it just annoys him.

The other thing Quintus is doing reminds me SO much of something else I've seen, but I cannot for the life of me bring it to mind! Does he do it only while he's napping or does it happen when he's wide awake, as well?It's just irritatingly out of my memory's reach at the moment. I will watch the video a couple more times and see if that jogs it loose. I don't think this is it but just to rule it out, it's not hiccups, is it? A Hairball? Or maybe trapped air, swallowed while eating? (I know there is much controversy over whether or not cats can burp!) Whatever it is, it seems to bother him more or possibly cause some discomfort, where the other behavior doesn't really seem to. Sometimes things like that can be a sign of heart disease - has he had a full check up lately? A session with the vet osteopath sounds like a good idea, too.

Sorry not to be more helpful. If I suddenly get a brainstorm about the "digestive" thing I will post it right away. :):cat::)
 
Squalliesmom said:
The back twitch thing does indeed remind me of FHS. My elderly cat has done a similar thing almost all his life; the vets have said it's probably a mild case of FHS. I t doesn't really seem to bother him a whole lot, unless it continues for a long period of time. I don't think it hurts him, I think it just annoys him.
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Yeah, that doesn't worry me that much, I only mentioned it because my vet suggested the two could be linked if the origin was neurological. He's never been very back-twitchy, but has had at times. It seems to have increased a bit, which is also why I mention it.

Squalliesmom said:
I don't think this is it but just to rule it out, it's not hiccups, is it? A Hairball?
Click to expand...

So, no hiccups or hairball (at least he's never been a puky cat). He does want to eat grass all the time, which could be just because he likes it, but I prevent it (after discussing with the behavior specialist) because it seems to give him diarrhea and bloody stools. Might do another "test" though, he ate some this morning while I was looking elsewhere.

It seems to be a kind of "holding in" movement. He was doing it while lying on my chest, so I could clearly feel him tense (and "vibrate" from the tension). It seems to me (worth checking on videos) that he generally does it after expiration. I don't think he does it in his sleep. I haven't noted it when he's standing or sitting (but he's mostly lying down!). He does it when he's dozing, or just resting.

Do let me know if your memory is jogged!

My vet said it could be some kind of reflux or irritation of the bottom of the oesophagus, or maybe even food that's kind of stuck because of bad peristaltism. I tried giving him a few ml of water by syringe in case that was it (vet suggestion) but didn't seem to change much.

Glad you think Quintus is so handsome, he does too :-)
 
Quintus is indeed a very handsome chap! :)

Just chucking ideas out here. I've had a look at both vids, Stephanie. Agree on the possible mild FHS one but on the second vid, to the untrained eye the spasm seems possibly more thoracic than abdominal. Saoirse would very occasionally have a GI spasm but it was visible in the belly area. If it were my kitty I'd look to check for cardio-pulmonary and musculoskeletal issues as well as digestive ones. (Musculoskeletal problems can sometimes make it rather painful to breathe more deeply, as I know from personal experience. :( )

Stephanie & Quintus said:
My vet said it could be some kind of reflux or irritation of the bottom of the oesophagus, or maybe even food that's kind of stuck because of bad peristaltism.
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If it is a gut motility problem then metoclopramide (aka Reglan) may help (NB: Metoclopramide is only suitable for very short term use because it has a nasty side effect profile. Some nervous system side effects may be irreversible.) I've also read that cisapride can help with feline GI motility issues but I can't add any more to that because I've neither used it nor researched it fully.


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
on the second vid, to the untrained eye the spasm seems possibly more thoracic than abdominal.
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That was kind of my thought, too, Mogs. It's so reminiscent of something else I've seen before, I wish I could remember what it was. It's making me nuts!
 
My IBD cat sometimes does this after eating when he lays down. It's usually for a couple minutes and I can see the intestinal/stomach movement. And yes- he burps, no question about it. I chalk it up to periodic indigestion, or eating too fast (which he does) and/or motility problems. My previous cat with IBD did the exact same thing at times.
 
Critter Mom said:
If it were my kitty I'd look to check for cardio-pulmonary and musculoskeletal issues as well as digestive ones. (Musculoskeletal problems can sometimes make it rather painful to breathe more deeply, as I know from personal experience. :( )
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This is also something I was thinking of, thanks, you're making me look at it more seriously! I'd say it's definitely thoracic, but I know I always underestimate how high the stomach is ;-)
He has quite a bit of arthritis on his back, but mainly lower. He's always been a noisy breather and he kind of grunts and whines and wheezes. My first stop will be the osteo, I'll ping her on Monday.
 
It's always good to get as much checked as possible - hopefully to rule things out! :)

I've been thinking further about Quintus. Does this spasm/tensing occur primarily after meals? Also, does it only happen when he is reclining or lying down (i.e. oesophagus horizontal)? If yes, then maybe GERD might be something to check for? (I have difficulty swallowing sometimes - feels like food gets stuck above the stomach and won't go in - and though transient it's really quite painful.)

Be sure to let us know how things go with the osteo visit, Stephanie.


Mogs
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Hi Stephanie,

It's much more pronounced in the latest videos, alright. To my eye at least, it does seem to be the upper part of the body that's involved. With him occasionally lifting his head a little during a spasm it looks as though there may be some discomfort - so difficult to tell with cats.

Is there any correlation between feeding time and appearance of clinical signs? (Just throwing ideas out here to see whether there might be a GI basis to the spasming.)

Are you able to get him in for a check-up tomorrow?


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Is there any correlation between feeding time and appearance of clinical signs? (Just throwing ideas out here to see whether there might be a GI basis to the spasming.)
Click to expand...

I've tried to see if there was, and it seems that it's more pronounced after food. I have witnessed him doing it when he hadn't eaten for hours, though. This morning, he doesn't seem to be doing it (at least not much, for the little time I can observe).

I am definitely contacting the vet osteopath to get her on board today.

Other than that he really seems to be doing good...

Thanks for your messages! Feeling less alone and worried this morning (always easier than around midnight).
 
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