What did the vet say when you took her in for a check up ?He would have been able to test her hearing.

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In addition to Ianthi's suggestions, I would consider a degree of senility. My Nellie screams and I am sure she gets confused as to where she is, where I am, has she eaten or not? etc etc I always reply to her howls ( even if I am asleep at the time!! ) and go and pick her up, feed or fuss as appropriate. This seems to settle her.

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Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!

Because she only does this when going upstairs it's possible it could be something to do with her balance. Or inner ear balance ... something like Vertigo (but mild as I'm sure you would notice other symptoms). Not sure on other conditions to do with the inner ear, but I know when I had inner ear infections going upstairs would cause me more pain, yep just that very slight change in altitude

Definitely worth getting your cat checked over thoroughly by your vet.

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Hi
When we took her to the vet for her jabs and health check it didn't occur to us that she may be deaf and so didn't mention it to the vet.

She is doing everything that she normally does except for this howling. It is not as if she is in pain more like she is calling and that is why we thought it was linked to when my son went away. As for her being confused and then speaking to her to re-assure her, she can't hear us.

I tested her out the other night by whistling at a pitch which I know she and my other cat hate. I got no reaction. At other times she has run towards me ready to lash out at me.

Jan

I actually meant what did the vet say when you took her for this "howling" to find out what may be behind it.As Ianthi said this could be a symptom of a physical problem which may need attention.

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My old cat suki was also a howler, she used to howl tho just walking to you. As she got older tho she used to sit in front of the washing machine (it wasnt on) and howl, she also did it to the walls, she was about 22 and we always used to say that it was dementia and also we would swear that she saw shadows and thought they were us, as soon as she heard our voices she would move towards us.

Its like an adult tho, pitiful to see x

I owe Sooty's nighttime howling a lot, as it was what made me take him tothe vets (he us generally very talkative and will call for us, but not the way he was doing it). The vet did a bstch of tests incl fir hyperthyroidism, but it turned out to be chronic renal insufficiency, caught very very early on which is good if it's a change in behaviour and you are worried your vet might not have picked up on something, go to another vet for a second opinion. After all, you know your cat and if her behaviour (incl toilet, eating, drinking etc) hasn't otherwise changed it's likely to only be a bit of dementia, but go with your gut feeling and if you are still worried get a second opinion, it's better to err on the cautious side if you are in any doubt.

My vet did say that signs of dementua are more common in the evening or night, this is apparently applicable to humans and animals alike and is described as evening confusion

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Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011