A cat question: Not sure if this is OK in GD, but here goes

[karlrschneider]

Mods: move this if you need to, I'm allergic to the Lounge and
I don't think we have a pet forum here at DU, or at least I can't discover one.

A few weeks ago, we noticed our kitty (male, neutered, 3 yo, seemingly completely healthy) developed a weird sensitivity to being stroked
right on his backbone the last third or so back toward his tail. When
we do this, lightly, he pulls his head back and looks straight up, the
head shakes (vibrates, almost) and he emits a very loud sort of raspy purr. Also he 'squats' down in the back and his eyes do a lot of
weird rolling/movement. I can't tell whether he 'likes' it, or if it's
just freaking him out some way! Oh, also, after a few strokes, he
starts drooling copiously (that's how I discovered this a while back, was doing it to him when he jumped onto the couch by me and I got a wet shoulder)

It's as if some nerves right on his backbone have gotten re-routed directly to his brain somehow, it's REAL weird. We're wondering if
he may have fallen out of a tree and hurt something back there, or maybe was close to a lightning strike (he has suddenly become afraid
of thunder, hides under the bed...up until recently he would walk around outside in a thunderstorm and never seemed bothered)

Like I said, he seems to be in perfect health otherwise, good appetite, fat as a pig 'cause we overfeed him in winter - that is about to change. Anybody have any ideas? :D

[mzteris]

1. PET group

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=243

[CottonBear]

2. Call your vet tomorrow.

We have a pets group. Look in the DU groups. That said, you may get an anwere but it will probably be call your vet ASAP. Could be a nervous system problem.

Pets Group:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=243

[arcane1]

3. not sure if this helps, but here goes-

my kitty sometimes drools copiously when she's getting a really good petting, and I asked a vet about it back in 1995 (kitty is 12 now).

She said the drooling is nothing to worry about, it means that the cat is enjoying it. 12 years later, she still drools sometimes. Not if you just scratch her head once or twice, but if you pet her for a few minutes or more...


does he react this way if you just touch him there? Or is it only when he's being pet?

[blue cat]

4. Yes, I think it must be normal

I have two cats, male and female, and both act weird when I rub the lowest part of their spine. The female purrs and swings her head from side to side and licks anything around her. The male moves his jaw and head.

[blue cat]

6. To clarify

I think that they like it, in a weird way.

[Warpy]

5. First , click on DU groups, then scroll down to PETS

and repost this in the pet group.

I'd take him to the vet. This behavior is beyond usual cat weird. The vet might be able to turn something up during a neurological exam.

In the meantime, unless you like getting drooled on, don't touch him there. I'd hazard a guess that he likes it, though, because he's not giving you a warning nip. Cats are usually pretty clear when they don't like something.

[karlrschneider]

7. Oh, okay thanks everybody, I didn't check for the pet group

thoroughly enough! Sorry...

[Caoimhe]

8. Get him checked out but

my guess is that he just REALLY loves that butt rub move, and he loses himself in it. Hard to blame a kitty for grooving on a good back rub. Drooling is pretty normal, some are worse than others. Have his teeth checked but outside of having bad teeth/gums he's probably just happy. Cats are so easily over stimulated. If you go to far, they will generally nip at you or scratch you. Up to that point, it's free game. Enjoy your sweet kitty.

[patrice]

9. Cats are like that, though yours sounds a little extreme maybe.

Kind of common wiring pattern amongst those of us who have backbones.

[diddlysquat]

10. We have a vet here in the DU membership

that sometimes get involved with the answers in the pet group. When you post there, they may get involved.

[SPKrazy]

11. The Question The Vet Will Want To Know

how much money you willing to spend?

if it is neurological, there may not be much that can be done

it doesn't sound like anything to worry particularly about. Is the cat incontinent, having seizures?

Good Luck

[karlrschneider]

12. No incontinence or seizures...just that odd little thing....thanks

..

[acmejack]

13. He's getting off on it!

Nothing at all wrong with him he is loving it big time. If he didn't like it you'd be the the first to know!

[Betsy Ross]

16. Totally agree

Our boys loved being rubbed at the base of the tail. Butts in the air, something to rub their heads against. They get extremely turned on then turn around a bite me in their excitement. Absolutely normal.

[peacebaby3]

14. I think he is just enjoying it, but it is better to be safe than sorry..so

I would still check with the vet tomorrow. My cats do the same thing sometimes based on your description, but I noted it in them when they were still young and since your cat is 3, I would have thought he would have had this reaction before.

I'd check just to be sure.

[zoeb]

15. I have a wand massager I use on my shoulder

when my cat hears me using it, she comes running to have it ran down her backbone and then she begins drooling. She likes the blow dryer too, stands on the sink and I use the cool setting on her...weirdest cat I ever had.

[proud patriot]

17. I'm locking this thread

The text of this thread will be reposted in
the pets group .

proud patriot Moderator
Democratic Underground