What Is Inappropriate Mentation in Cats? Signs, Causes, and Treatment

Cats, unlike dogs, are discerning and less eager to please their owners. A cat probably won't come when called and rarely will even respond to its name. And while a rare forgotten trip to the litter box or food bowl shouldn't be cause for concern, when a cat seems unusually confused, disoriented, or uncoordinated, a visit to the vet is warranted. It could be suffering from acute sickness, a seizure disorder, or could have been exposed to an environmental toxin, causing a temporary lapse of normal behavior. Any abnormal behavior that continues for more than 24 hours or several times per week could be the result of a serious health issue. Note that a neurologic anomaly can only be diagnosed by a vet.

What Is Inappropriate Mentation?

Inappropriate mentation in cats refers to a host of disorders that can lead to disrupted cognitive functioning. This type of brain misfiring can result in memory loss, incoordination, and basic malfunctioning in everyday cat life. Sometimes these issues are small and acute, caused by temporary injury or inflammation. And sometimes brain disorders can be major, resulting in a compromised quality of life. Assessing the signs and discussing your concerns with your vet are the initial steps in the diagnosis and treatment of mentation disorders in cats.

Signs of Inappropriate Mentation

Cats learn by remembering, but a kitten who suffered an head injury early in life may have damaged the portion of the brain that affects short-term memory. A traumatic brain injury could account for difficulty remembering the location of food bowls or litter boxes. It can also explain an unsteady gait, incoordination, and balance issues. Traumatic injuries can also cause stunted growth. A new pet that seems to be on the smaller side for its age and breed, or a kitten who fails to grow, may have previously succumbed an injury. Seizure disorders can also cause disorientation, pacing, and confusion just following an episode. And old age can result in senility, presenting as forgetfulness, anxiety, and uncoordinated behavior. When witnessed over and over again, this could be confused for a more serious brain injury. Some infections (e.g. feline infectious peritonitis) cause damage to the portion of the brain that controls balance and walking. Affected kittens show severe trouble walking, but can otherwise live a normal and happy life.

Causes of Inappropriate Mentation

There is much debate over whether or not a cat can have a mental illness. If your cat's behavior seems off, it could be ill or could have a more serious problem with its nervous system. "Slowness" can be the result of brain damage due to injury, infections, environmental toxins, seizure disorders, genetic mutations, and even cognitive dysfunction in older cats. In the case of brain injury or infection, a functioning cat is a happy cat. If its setback doesn't interfere with your cat's daily functions, there's little you need to do about it. Get a firm diagnosis so you can take appropriate measures to prevent further seizures and neurological damage.

Cognitive dysfunction (or feline dementia) occurs most frequently in cats greater than 9 years old. If you adopt an older cat and feel like its personality is "off," it could be suffering from senility. In addition to general uncoordinated behavior, cats with dementia can also show unnecessary aggression and may display incontinence.

Diagnosis

At the vet's office, any potential brain injury is treated as an emergency, especially if it was a result of head trauma. So in addition to stabilizing your pet, the vet will perform an exam specifically looking at your cat's neurological system. The vet may determine an MRI or CT scan is needed. In the case of environmental toxin exposure—most specifically lead ingestion (which can cause a slew of neurological issues)— your vet will perform a blood test. If you cat has a seizure disorder, bloodwork is also recommended to rule in/out metabolic causes of seizures. MRI scans are done to rule out inflammatory conditions or tumors. Severe seizure cases require an EEG to measure the electrical activity in your cat's brain. For feline dementia, a vet will discuss your cat's full health history and, if necessary, perform blood tests to rule out other health conditions such liver or kidney disease.

Treatment

Any cat that suffers a potential head injury needs to be examined by a veterinarian. A vet will first stabilize the injured kitty using IV fluids and oxygen. However, a full recovery is not always guaranteed. After the injury, your cat may act different, lose its laser-sharp coordination, or have a change in personality. If this happens, the best you can do is provide a loving and supporting environment, reduce stressors, and eliminate unpredictable events as much as possible. Observe your cat's limitations and provide a lifestyle that works within them. Your veterinarian is an excellent resource for options.

Cats exposed to environmental toxins also need to be inspected by a vet, as the extent of exposure could be fatal. Treatment by a vet may include inducing vomiting, feeding your cat charcoal to absorb the toxin, administering IV fluids and medication, and time to process the toxin. If your cat has a full recovery, any neurological signs should eventually subside.

For seizure disorders (brought on by genetic conditions or other), a vet will prescribe medications to control the seizures. Most cats go on to live happy and healthy lives and any post-seizure temperament disorders should be alleviated.

There is currently no cure for feline dementia. Maintaining a good routine, providing options for exercise, and feeding your cat a high-quality food will help treat further decline. Supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, SAMe, and melatonin may improve brain function in older cats and aromatherapy with essential oils can ease anxiety.6 However some oils can be toxic to cats so you must seek your veterinarian's advice before exposing your cat to these products.

If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.

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Cat Vomiting, Diarrhea, Bloody Stool - Irritable Bowel Disease in Cats

Overview and Risk

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition that results when your cat’s immune system turns against the lining of their gastrointestinal (GI) tract, resulting in impaired absorption of nutrients and the ability to digest food properly. This wreaks havoc on your cat’s entire GI tract resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. IBD is one of the most common causes of persistent vomiting and diarrhea in cats. Unfortunately, the cause of this debilitating disease is unknown. It is seen most often is a problem in middle-aged or older cats though younger cats may be affected as well.

Symptoms

Any cat owner knows that vomiting and diarrhea occasionally happen. After all, what fun would owning a cat be without a few hairballs? With IBD, however, the vomiting and/or diarrhea become chronic, occurring regularly rather than occasionally. Cats with IBD don’t necessarily act sick, other than displaying GI symptoms.

If your pet has IBD, you may notice the following:

• Diarrhea

• Blood or mucus in stool

• Black, tarry stool (melena)

• Gas

• Straining to defecate

• Weight loss

• Increased or decreased appetite

• Lethargy

• Vomiting

• Accidents outside the litter pan

Diagnosis

Diagnosing IBD begins with a thorough physical examination and tests to rule out other possible causes of the diarrhea and/or vomiting. These tests may include the following:

• Chemistry tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and pancreatic function as well as sugar levels

• A complete blood count (CBC) to assess for infection, anemia, and other problems

• Electrolyte tests to ensure your cat is neither dehydrated nor suffering from an electrolyte imbalance

• X-rays of the abdomen to rule out GI obstruction, foreign body or masses

• An ultrasound to evaluate the integrity of your cat’s digestive tract, pancreas, and other organs

• Specific tests to rule out viral infections such as feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus

• Fecal tests to identify potential fecal parasites

• Special fecal tests, such as cultures and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing

• Intestinal biopsy using endoscopy, laparoscopy, or surgery to allow definitive diagnosis

Treatment

Upon diagnosing IBD in your cat, your veterinarian may recommend medications that will treat your pet's symptoms. These may include:

• Dietary modification to decrease antigenic stimulation of the GI tract

• Deworming to treat undetected intestinal parasite

• Antibiotics to treat overgrowth of bacteria

• Corticosteroids to minimize inflammation

• Others – probiotics, vitamin B12, antiemetic’s, additional medication to suppress the immune system

When treating IBD, it is very important to administer all medications prescribed by your veterinarian, as well as to follow any dietary guidelines he or she suggests.

Prevention

Unfortunately, there are no preventive measures that will protect your cat from inflammatory bowel disease.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

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Head Tilt and Disorientation in Cats

Idiopathic Vestibular Disease in Cats

Head tilt is a medical condition that may be indicative of a serious underlying disorder, usually of the vestibular system. If a cat is tilting its head frequently to either side of the body (away from its orientation with the trunk and limbs), this is an indication that the cat feels imbalanced. The cat may even struggle to retain a balanced posture and fall.

A common cause of head tilting in cats are disorders of the vestibular system, a sensory system located in the inner ear which provides information needed to hold the body in an upright position and move about confidently. In essence, the vestibular system "tells the body where it is in relation to earth— whether it is upright, up-side-down, moving, being still, etc.

Symptoms and Types

• Abnormal head posture

• Head tilt to either side

• Stumbling, lack of coordination (ataxia)

• Constantly falling over

• Eye movements erratic, apparent inability to focus

• Circling (turning in circles)

• Nausea, vomiting

Causes

Although the underlying cause for vestibular disease is unknown, the following factors may contribute to the condition:

• Ear injury

• Brain disease

• Metabolic diseases

• Neoplasia (abnormal tissue growth)

• Nutritional deficiencies (e.g., thiamine deficiency)

• Toxicity (e.g., use of toxic antibiotics in the ear)

• Inflammation of the central and inner ear canal due to bacterial, parasitic, or other type of infection

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a complete standard physical exam, including a blood chemical profile, a complete blood count, a urinalysis and an electrolyte panel. You will also need to give a thorough background history of your cat's health leading up to the onset of symptoms. The results of the blood tests are usually normal, though changes may be present depending on whether there is an existing disease, such as an infection. Further tests will be required to diagnose underlying systemic diseases like thyroid problems, and infections.

Nutritional status will be evaluated, and you will need to recount your cat's normal diet, along with supplements or additional foods you may have fed to your cat. Thiamine deficiency, for example, can be the result of feeding your cat food that does not have B1, the source for thiamine, in its ingredients. Thiamine deficiency can also result from over consumption of raw meats and fish.

To determine if an ear infection is present, your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your cat's ear canal and will take a sample of the material present within the ear canal for further testing. Visual diagnostic tools, X-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be required to confirm a middle ear disease. Another important test used to diagnose this disease is a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. (CSF is a clear, watery liquid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord.) The results of a CSF analysis is useful in the diagnosis of inflammation and/or infection within brain. A bone biopsy may also be performed is an advanced test to confirm the involvement of the bone due to tumor or infection.

Treatment

In case of severe disease, your cat may need to be hospitalized for treatment and supportive care. Fluid replacement therapy is required in patients with fluid deficits due to frequent vomiting. These patients don’t require a special diet except in those cases where some nutritional deficiency is present. For example, thiamine supplements are often required in patients with head tilt due to thiamine deficiency.

In some cases, surgery is required to treat the underlying disease. If an ear infection is present, your veterinarian will prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics that can enter and eradicate the infection in the brain and middle ear.

Living and Management

The prognosis is highly variable depending on the underlying disease. If the head tilt is due to involvement of the ear, chances for complete recovery are fairly high. In some cases, head tilt may persist. You will bring your cat to your veterinarian for regular follow-up examinations. Follow treatment guidelines strictly and give medications at proper doses and time. Incorrectly medicating your animal is one of the most preventable accidents with pets. In addition, do not use any drug of your own, or any drug that has not been approved by your veterinarian, especially in the ear, as it may complicate symptoms further.

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Reverse Sneezing in Cats

Reverse sneezing is a way for cats to clear irritants from the back part of their throat or nasopharynx. This type of sneezing is not done by humans, so witnessing it can be scary for pet parents. The back of the throat is where the nasal cavity opens into the oral cavity. When there are irritants or foreign materials in that area, animals will use reverse sneezing to try and get rid of the material.

What does reverse sneezing in cats look like?

When reverse sneezing, cats will often close their eyes, extend their necks, and make a snorting noise. If your pet is exhibiting these signs, it is vital that you ensure they are not coughing, choking, or having trouble breathing. These can all look similar and it may be difficult to distinguish the difference. Reverse sneezing is not a medical emergency as long as it resolves after a few seconds and the animal acts normal otherwise.

Why does a cat reverse sneeze?

This phenomenon is triggered by irritants to the naso- and oropharynx. These can be inhaled allergens (like pollen) or foreign material (like grass or weeds) that is inhaled or ingested. Occasionally, reverse sneezing can accompany excitement. The first line of treatment for recurrence is an antihistamine in case allergies are the irritating culprit. If the condition persists, a sedated oral exam will need to be conducted to look for foreign material. Finally, if clinical signs are persistent, general anesthesia with an endoscopic exam of the caudal nasal cavity and possible CT scan will be recommended.

The good news about reverse sneezing is that it is commonly self limited in animals. If it is persistent or affecting your cat’s quality of life, then further diagnostics and treatment measures should be explored.

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Let's talk about cat poop!

Healthy Poop in Cats

How often should a cat 'go'?

The general rule of thumb is that a cat should poop at least once a day. However, the frequency of your cat's bowel movements is affected by multiple factors including the age (i.e. kittens defecate more often than adults), diet, exercise, and health status (i.e. IBD, hyperthyroidism, parasites, CKD).

Because of this, the exact frequency of the bowel movement will be individual, and you should monitor for its fluctuations instead. If your cat's bowel movements start to differ from the normal frequency for longer than a day or two, it is advisable to pay a visit to the vet and resolve the cause of the change.

What does healthy poop look like?

Healthy cat poop should be deep brown in color (but not too dark nor black) and malleable in consistency (similar to modeling clay; it should be firm enough to leave little to no residue on the ground when picked up, yet pliable and not too hard). Poop should be passed in one piece or a few smaller pieces of somewhat cylindrical shape and segmented appearance. The odor shouldn't be too foul, although this can be variable.

Unhealthy Poop in Cats

The key signs to look out for in your cat's poop are the consistency, shape and color. The stool's consistency is directly influenced by the amount of moisture in it, which gives you an insight into the colonic health. The colon (or the large intestine) reabsorbs the remaining water and other key nutrients from the indigestible material, thus solidifying this material into the firm stool. The consistency of the stool can be descriptively scored to help you recognize if your cat's stool is healthy.

A comprehensive fecal scoring guide was described by Purina. According to Purina's guide, the consistency of the healthy stool can be scored on the scale from 1 to 7. The healthy stool (as described above) is scored with 2, while the stool that is too hard and dry is scored with 1. Scores from 3 to 7 are reserved for moist, mushy or liquid stools.

Hard stool (score 1) is typically a sign of constipation, which can be associated with dehydration, colon obstruction or certain metabolic and neurological conditions. Thus, if you notice that your cat is passing poop that is too hard in consistency, you should pay a visit to the vet and address the issue. The hard poop is passed in smaller, more spherical pellets which leave no residue on the ground, and the passing itself requires more effort.

Soft, mushy or liquid stools (scores 3-7) can be a sign of bacterial infections, intestinal parasites, or food intolerance. If your cat's poop is moist on the surface, thus leaving residue on the ground, but retains the shape and form when picked up, then its consistency can be scored with 3. This poop has little to no visible segmentation, but is not considered to be an alarming sign.

If the poop is so moist that it feels saggy and it loses form when picked up (but does retain a logged shape when passed), then the consistency can be scored with 4. Furthermore, if the stool is passed in a pile rather than the logs, then it is scored with 5. If your cat passes liquid stool with texture but no shape, then the consistency is scored with 6. Liquid stool without any texture nor shape is scored with 7.

Soft or fluid stool (as described by the scores 4-7), accompanied by a more frequent bowel movement, are referred to as diarrhea. While the causes for diarrhea are variable and often multi-factorial, this state is considered to be an important, sign of underlying problems and is a legitimate reason to consult with your vet. Sometimes, diarrhea can be caused by stress (i.e. moving to a new environment or bringing in a new pet), or food allergies and intolerance.

Other times, however, diarrhea can be a symptom of a disease, a bacterial infection, or even intestinal parasites. If your cat is suffering from diarrhea, make sure to closely monitor the frequency on your cat's bowel movement, so you can report it to your veterinarian. Keep an eye on other signs of disease and injury and the changes in your cat's behavior. This will be key for the diagnosis of the underlying cause.

Contact your veterinarian ASAP after spotting the symptoms, especially if diarrhea persists for more than two days and is accompanied by lack of appetite, lethargy, or vomiting. The veterinarian will diagnose the underlying cause and help you design a special recovery diet for your cat until it recovers.

The stool is a direct insight into its colonic health. It can help you recognize if your cat is eating the right diet and drinking enough water or if it's suffering from certain health problems. So, the next time you clean the litter box, make sure to quickly inspect if your cat's poop is healthy! A healthy cat is a happy cat.

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