![]() Turn the sound up and you’ll hear the growling:īut how is this different from just a regular cat hissing or a shy cat with dilated pupils? It’s different because the above symptoms occur nearly constantly in cats that are victims of ongoing neglect and/or abuse. Take a look at Lucy and Sunshine, each on their first day in my home. Twitching the tip of the tail – Even at rest, if not in REM, the tip is twitching.Hissing – Sometimes at the air, and not even directed at you.Growling – Very consistent, even if you aren’t near the cat.Constant stare downs if you are in the room – Regardless of how big the room is and regardless of how close you are to the cat.The result is ongoing symptoms like these: A cat will be more sensitive to those excited signals in the brain, even when the abuser isn’t present. It can change the brain, and it will make a cat more easily go into fight or flight. One thing we do know that causes anxiety is repeated abuse and/or neglect. Is it the same in cats? The hereditary piece is so hard to study because we often don’t know a cat’s father. For humans, it’s believed to be hereditary or caused from traumatic events. Sometimes, we perceive things that aren’t actual threats as threats. What drives the anxiety in the brain? Obviously, what’s supposed to happen is an increase in excitability when there is a threat so that we (or cats) can get away from it if necessary. What if there was a pill to control that anxiety, make the cat feel safer and calmer, allowed them to get meaningful rest, and actually see things for what they are? And what if the pill has minimal short- and long-term side effects? Wouldn’t it make sense to at least try it? What’s Going on in the Brain? Sunshine dreams of mice and birds while knowing she’s safe. I will share my experience to hopefully arm you with knowledge you can use to have conversations with your vet if you think your cat needs gabapentin for any reason. ![]() Please do not administer drugs to your cat without your vet’s blessing and a prescription. During my series on Medicine & Cats, I covered gabapentin a bit, but I wanted to devote an entire post to explaining what life is like for overly anxious cats, and how this drug helps them cope and heal.ĭisclaimer: I’m not a vet or certified behaviorist. This drug helps our furry friends either go through basic things, like a car ride to the vet, or more complicated psychological issues from neglect or abuse. I want to share why you don’t need to be afraid of gabapentin and how it’s another tool we have as cat owners and fosters to use when needed. Others so aggressive, they lunge, spit and try to bite me on the regular. Sometimes, they are just so scared and shy, they barely move. doi:10.2460/javma.251.4.If you follow me on a regular basis, you know I work with a lot of disturbed kitties. Effect of a synthetic feline facial pheromone product on stress scores and incidence of upper respiratory tract infection in shelter cats. Sugarcane fibre may prevents hairball formation in cats. University of California Davis Veterinary Medicine. Cornell University Feline Health Center.Ībnormal Eating Habits in Cats. United States Food & Drug Administration. Osteoarthritis in Cats: A More Common Disease Than You Might Expect. Cornell University Feline Health Center.įeline Dental Disease. doi:10.1515/macvetrev-2016-0098įeline Behavior Problems: Destructive Behavior. Talamonti, Zita & Cannas, Simona & Palestrini, Clara. University of California at Davis Veterinary Medicine. Otherwise, make sure your cat's litter box is spotless and that it has enough toys and playtime with you to stave off boredom. ![]() Consider trying a synthetic kitty facial pheromone to relieve stress and soothe your cat.
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