Kitten - Obsessed with Shadows
Discussion
It sounds like an obvious one - A kitten obsessed by moving shadows?! Surely not! It's essentially nature's laser pointer ... However there some strange circumstances around this.
Basically, Zelda is around 8 months old and has never shown any interest in shadows. She loves to play and has several favourite toys - I actually have a Catit Senses Super Roller coming tonight!
However when she visited the vets to be fixed, she came out with a small scab on her neck. The vets believed that she may have caught herself on something when playing, or has scratched the area a little too much.
Fast forward a few weeks and the scab is weeping, bleeding and bordering on becoming an open wound. This time the vet believes it to be very localized eczema and provides us with a steroid cream, which is to be administered twice a day. Unfortunately due to where the scab/wound is located, Zelda can scratch and lick at it.
Approximately 2-3 days after visiting the vets, Zelda has been obsessed with shadows. She has been like this for the last 2-3 days! Any shadow. Any room. She even tries to attack my shadow projected onto the wall! I don't know if she is finding the experience entertaining or frightening. Possibly the former, but we're both concerned at her radical change in behaviour.
Is this right? Should we re-visit the vets? The cream we have is called Isaderm. I can post photos of the open wound if required. It's healing well now, so is there a chance that this behaviour might change once the steroids have passed through her system? Otherwise, is this just typical kitten behaviour and she has suddenly discovered a love for shadows? Any help is hugely appreciated!
Anyway, here's Zelda with Sir Squibbington the squirrel!
Basically, Zelda is around 8 months old and has never shown any interest in shadows. She loves to play and has several favourite toys - I actually have a Catit Senses Super Roller coming tonight!
However when she visited the vets to be fixed, she came out with a small scab on her neck. The vets believed that she may have caught herself on something when playing, or has scratched the area a little too much.Fast forward a few weeks and the scab is weeping, bleeding and bordering on becoming an open wound. This time the vet believes it to be very localized eczema and provides us with a steroid cream, which is to be administered twice a day. Unfortunately due to where the scab/wound is located, Zelda can scratch and lick at it.
Approximately 2-3 days after visiting the vets, Zelda has been obsessed with shadows. She has been like this for the last 2-3 days! Any shadow. Any room. She even tries to attack my shadow projected onto the wall! I don't know if she is finding the experience entertaining or frightening. Possibly the former, but we're both concerned at her radical change in behaviour.
Is this right? Should we re-visit the vets? The cream we have is called Isaderm. I can post photos of the open wound if required. It's healing well now, so is there a chance that this behaviour might change once the steroids have passed through her system? Otherwise, is this just typical kitten behaviour and she has suddenly discovered a love for shadows? Any help is hugely appreciated!
Anyway, here's Zelda with Sir Squibbington the squirrel!
Steroids can cause some odd behaviours (more common for oral meds than topical though) have you checked the data sheet for side effects.
Steroid cream should only be used 5-7 days as it will slow healing down. Would probably be sensible to chat to the vets about her behaviour. (any diet change?)
It can be a normal behavioural trait but just a bit surprised at the sudden onset of it.
Steroid cream should only be used 5-7 days as it will slow healing down. Would probably be sensible to chat to the vets about her behaviour. (any diet change?)
It can be a normal behavioural trait but just a bit surprised at the sudden onset of it.
bexVN said:
Steroids can cause some odd behaviours (more common for oral meds than topical though) have you checked the data sheet for side effects.
Steroid cream should only be used 5-7 days as it will slow healing down. Would probably be sensible to chat to the vets about her behaviour. (any diet change?)
It can be a normal behavioural trait but just a bit surprised at the sudden onset of it.
Thanks for your help, Bex! Steroid cream should only be used 5-7 days as it will slow healing down. Would probably be sensible to chat to the vets about her behaviour. (any diet change?)
It can be a normal behavioural trait but just a bit surprised at the sudden onset of it.
We've stopped using the steroid cream and the sore seems to be healing well. It's hard to miss her shadow related antics, so hopefully this might pass in the next couple of days. If not, I'll contact our local vet. No real change in diet. All her dry food is Arden Grange and her wet food is James Wellbeing. I'll keep an eye on her and see how things go! Thanks again!
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