elfination

This afternoon, I put on just enough clothing to be decent to take KB out for a walk. The second we got into the sunshine, I felt pretty PLEH, so we went back in right away. (I’d had a headache and felt really OFF all day.)

I sat down at my computer and a few minutes later heard him meow. I looked over and saw something I’ve never EVER seen before….

He was awkwardly crouched, like he was trying to stand but just couldn’t quite. His head was bobbling all around like a toy. His eyes were twitching back and forth (nystagmus) rapidly. He kept turning his head around, like he was trying to get the world to hold still.

I’ve seen animals have seizures, and that was my VERY first thought. I grabbed my camera and videoed about 30 seconds of what was happening, because in my experience seizures only last a couple minutes at MOST. I figured when he’d stopped seizing, I’d calmly take him (and the camera) directly to a vet. Like a normal, collected human being.

Well, after about 3 minutes, it hadn’t stopped. His eyes wouldn’t stop twitching. He even came to me, staggering around. So I grabbed him in a panic, grabbed his leash and my keys, and got in the car straight away. I was no longer a normal collected human being, I was a freaked-out mother.

Would you believe the first TWO veterinary offices I stopped at didn’t have doctors there?!?!? WTF!!!! …in the parking lot at the second office, KB tried to walk on his own but simply COULD NOT STAND. He kept falling over. He was upset that I carried him again, because he WANTED to walk. (It had been about 5-7 minutes of me driving around, and he was still status.)

The receptionist at the second office called other clinics to find someone who could see us right away. KB flopped on the floor and heaved a big sigh and I realized his eyes weren’t twitching anymore. (another 3-5 minutes?). The receptionist confirmed I’d be right along to some *other* vet, gave me directions, and off we went.

The third vet was super-nice. On the way to the third vet I realized I didn’t have my phone to tell Barrett what was going on or give the third vet info over the phone so we could check in faster. But KB was pretty normal when we got there. He stood on the counter and looked around, not bobbling his head at all. Annnnd…..THAT was about the time I realized I didn’t have my purse (or any money!) with me. I apologized as they showed me into a room. They said no problem, because they’d noticed I wasn’t wearing shoes, either. (uh… wow, I hadn’t noticed, actually.)

Anyway, I explained what happened, and said maybe he had some ear problem? (After all, he had that gross polyp removed from his left ear when I found him). They confirmed there’s a little bit of an infection but nothing that would cause a seizure, in the vet’s opinion. She confirmed the usual stuff: He’d eaten today, he hadn’t eaten anything bad for him or got into any chemicals, the other 3 cats are fine, etc etc.

She said it could be a seizure, let them know if it happens again… but it was so strange that he’d be reactive. It could have been a seizure in just some smaller part of his brain… His pupils changed size between inside and outside (like they should have)…. he was sniffing for treats in the car, nuzzling me and purring a little, even though his eyes wouldn’t hold still and his head was still bobbling around.

The “seizure” lasted, in total, about 12-15 minutes…. which is WAY longer than I’ve ever thought they could last.

To be sure…this freaked me out beyond all compare. This is MY kitty! he’s like, the best cat EVAR!! I know, everyone will beg to differ… but he’s the kitty I always wished for when I was little… a kitty who could go everywhere with me like a kitty-dog… the kitty who knows my mind and whose mind I know…

Thankfully the vet’s office was REALLY nice about my lack of money, they sent me home with a receipt and my promise to come back and pay them (plus, they have my address)… they kind of chuckled about my being barely dressed and having no shoes on. At least there’s that.

*Sighs*

If anyone has some reassuring info about this sort of situation, it’s welcome.

Oh, yes… he’s curled up sleeping happily, not upset about life. He seems much better now.

–Em