Hello, I’m Dr. Karyn! Learn my introduction to study extra about me and meet my 5 hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.
You may already know that my buddy, Clutch, enriches my life together with his quirky character and distinctive habits. There are additionally some methods during which he contributes to my already vital quantity of grey hair, and never too way back, a type of was having a spate of neurological episodes.
One morning, as I used to be chasing the ultimate dregs of cornflakes round my cereal bowl, I observed motion out of the nook of my eye. Clutch was lurking below a chair with a perplexed look on his face, slowly reaching one leg in entrance of the opposite, seeming confused about the place he was and what his limbs have been doing. His head was wobbling ever-so-slightly, and he didn’t appear to have the ability to get up. This odd conduct didn’t final very lengthy, however lengthy sufficient for me to seize my cellphone and take a brief video clip. Not as a result of I assumed it might make an entertaining TikTok submit, however as a result of I knew how helpful this form of footage will be when making an attempt to diagnose an issue.
Regardless of my preliminary intuition to PANIC!! I stored an in depth eye on Clutch over the following few days, searching for some other indicators or aberrations, and aside from his wobbly episode, all the things appeared to be utterly regular. Simply over per week later, he was at it once more, incomes himself a visit to work with me.
Operating ALL The Exams
I used to be lucky sufficient to be working at a veterinary hospital with a CT scanner on web site, and on condition that Clutch was absolutely insured, I wished to check for all the things. We drew blood, carried out a CT scan, and obtained a pattern of his cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a spot just under the bottom of his cranium. Other than a slight change in certainly one of his electrolytes, all the things got here again regular, which in some ways was a aid, however was additionally very irritating.
I even consulted a veterinary neurologist, solely to learn that Clutch’s scientific indicators have been “fairly uncommon.”
I’m certain you’ve had the same expertise, whether or not with your individual pet, your self, or a member of the family, the place there was one thing incorrect, however all of the medical exams got here again regular. It’s excellent news, but it surely doesn’t clarify what the issue is! As a vet, I usually must cope with the frustration of operating a barrage of exams, solely to have the ability to present nervous homeowners with an intensive listing of all of the issues it isn’t. This may be an vital course of in fact, but it surely doesn’t alleviate the emotions of irritation and helplessness.
One doable clarification for Clutch’s neurological episodes was epilepsy, a analysis solely supported by his in any other case regular check outcomes. However these episodes weren’t in step with the generalized seizures we might anticipate to see with epilepsy.
And Then There Had been None
Other than a slightly elevated sodium stage, Clutch’s check outcomes have been regular, and now, there have been no extra episodes both. That is nice information, or a minimum of it must be, proper? He was wholesome, no extra neurological indicators, and his blood exams, CSF evaluation and CT outcomes have been regular – this must be excellent news. However an unsolved thriller doesn’t sit effectively with me, and I used to be decided to resolve it.
A Ornamental Design Flaw
It was now a number of months after Clutch’s well being scare, and there had fortunately been no extra incidents. We have been making ready for the arrival of visiting household, and I used to be getting the spare room prepared for friends. I placed on contemporary sheets, checked all the things was clear and tidy, and that’s when it hit me: The salt lamp.
Not actually in fact, in any other case I may need been the one with a neurological downside, however the realization that this supposedly purifying lump of salt may need been our offender lit up brighter than the lamp itself. Why had it not occurred to me earlier than?
Conscious that not everyone seems to be as tolerant of cat hair on their… all the things, we at all times maintain the spare room door closed, however there have been just a few weeks, earlier that yr, after we had allowed the cats to entry the room whereas we have been doing a little repairs. And also you guessed it, these weeks have been proper across the time that Clutch began behaving unusually.
Why Blame the Salt Lamp?
For anybody that doesn’t know, consuming an extreme quantity of salt causes a shift in our electrolyte steadiness, which impacts how water strikes out and in of our cells. An excessive amount of salt basically dehydrates our cells, inflicting them to shrivel up like a wrinkled raisin. This makes us extraordinarily thirsty, and if we drink too shortly, our little raisin mind cells develop into massive juicy grapes too shortly, and this may trigger short-term, even everlasting, mind injury.
You won’t assume {that a} salt lamp can be all that interesting to a cat, however ask anybody who tries to place a bag of potato chips down as soon as they’ve began munching, salt is fairly moreish!
So although Clutch now not had entry to the lamp, I wasn’t taking any probabilities – it needed to go! Don’t fear – it discovered a loving dwelling in a brand new, pet-free dwelling.
But One other Lesson Realized At House
There are two constructive outcomes to Clutch’s transient and scary expertise:
- Realizing that Clutch is ok!
- Highlighting the potential hazard posed by salt lamps within the dwelling, one thing that served me effectively when introduced with the same case in a canine, one yr later.
It wasn’t one thing the canine’s homeowners had thought to say, however due to Clutch, it’s one thing I at all times keep in mind to ask, proving as soon as once more that my cats present me, not solely with laughter, cuddles, and a lifetime provide of cat hair on all the things, however with data and views I may need in any other case neglected.
Thanks, Clutch!
