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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMy cat Zeke appears to have had a mini stroke
Waiting for test results. I'm beside myself. He is the sweetest boy in the world. Everybody loves him and he loves everybody.
We think he's between 17 and 18 years old. We adopted him 13 years ago and the shelter said he between 3 and 5.
Please send good vibes for my sweet boy.
SheltieLover
(79,210 posts)2naSalit
(101,611 posts)Greywing
(1,170 posts)Prayers for you, Zeke.
belpejic
(789 posts)I had a 17 year old cat who also had a stroke. Hoping that your kitty can recover.
canetoad
(20,570 posts)bamagal62
(4,441 posts)irisblue
(37,211 posts)debm55
(58,943 posts)Last edited Tue Feb 24, 2026, 10:35 PM - Edit history (1)
alittlelark
(19,125 posts)😇
virgdem
(2,307 posts)JMCKUSICK
(5,719 posts)the energy in your touch.
nocoincidences
(2,484 posts)Loving healing vibes to him and a strong shoulder for you.
Metaphorical
(2,614 posts)She was 15, but she also had an autoimmune disease and bowel cancer. She held on for a few months after that, but it was pretty evident that she was fading.
Our other cat, Pumpkin, became very solicitous of her older pet sibling after that, never straying very far, and sleeping next to her to keep her warm. When Bright Eyes became too weak, Pumpkin would keep directing us to Bright Eyes, at which point we knew that it was time to take her to the vet one last time.
Her death hit us, especially my wife, hard, but in many respects it hit Pumpkin hardest. She slept next to BE's bedding for the next week, and she would occasionally cry out in confusion and sadness. In time, we grieved and moved on, but every so often we still slip up or say things that remind us of our tiny smoky gray cat.
Take time to grieve, and be conscious of the other pets in your house. Animals do grieve, I no longer doubt that.
Abolishinist
(2,933 posts)It's tough. Good vibes for you both.
Nanuke
(919 posts)KT2000
(22,058 posts)hamsterjill
(17,305 posts)Sending prayers and vibes to you and Zeke.
(Rescue person here). Many cats recover pretty well from strokes given some time. I have personally had one that did well after some observation and good care. I am hoping the same result for Zeke.
Please keep us posted.
Raine
(31,139 posts)3catwoman3
(29,116 posts)Figarosmom
(11,160 posts)Hope he pulls out of it very well and has many more good years.
yardwork
(69,163 posts)niyad
(131,240 posts)hhhugggggggggs for you both.
LoisB
(12,703 posts)orangecrush
(29,672 posts)MustLoveBeagles
(15,550 posts)I hope your sweet boy recovers quickly.
OldBaldy1701E
(10,848 posts)Our second doggie had one. He lasted another two years after it, though, and did not really have issues after it.
I hope your cat recovers.
RWB3
(5 posts)For Zeke from me and my boy Murphy Gato
NEOH
(281 posts)Sending love and prayers your way for Zekes recovery! ❤️🩹 ❤️🩹 😺
Fla Dem
(27,525 posts)MIButterfly
(2,433 posts)I hope Zeke fully recovers. I will keep a good thought for your precious Zeke.
Bayard
(29,200 posts)peacebuzzard
(5,850 posts)please let us know how he is doing....
I wouldnt be where I am without my little furry crew...and they send their best to your little one too...
LNM
(1,247 posts)I hope you can hold him close and hear his purr again.
area51
(12,625 posts)Silver Gaia
(5,335 posts)We have a dog who stroked last August and he is still with us. He doesn't walk without help, but has otherwise recovered. He is 15.
So, here's to hope!
Maru Kitteh
(31,515 posts)Please believe me when I say our hearts are with you. Im all too familiar with the panic and the pain. I know how special they can be.
Ilikepurple
(537 posts)We had an old dog a few years back who seemingly had a stroke, but it was old dog vestibular disorder and she recovered and only had one bad relapse. The emergency vet thought it was a stroke, but when we went to pick her up the next day changed the diagnosis. I know it can happen to cats too. Im not wishing either on your cat, but that could be whats happening?
StarryNite
(12,080 posts)HeartsCanHope
(1,606 posts)Sending healing vibes and Zeke, You and your family will be in my thoughts. Please give Zeke some loves from me.
Trueblue1968
(19,190 posts)My 5 girls are in Cat Heaven.
Dear_Prudence
(1,140 posts)for Zeke.
Trueblue Texan
(4,317 posts)This is the hardest part of being a pet parent.
Fla Dem
(27,525 posts)Danmel
(5,750 posts)He's lethargic and not eating. And it's snowing again and the roads are a mess.
Fla Dem
(27,525 posts)Response to Fla Dem (Reply #46)
Maru Kitteh This message was self-deleted by its author.
Maru Kitteh
(31,515 posts)some wet food with water at about a 1:4 ratio, (25% food 75% water) and get him the nutrition and hydration that way. If using dry food make it about 10% food and 90% water.
Is there anyone who can help you get Zeke to the doctor? I think DU would be happy to pick up the tab. I know I can throw in and would be more than happy to help.
City Lights
(25,598 posts)justaprogressive
(6,785 posts)The more time you spend with him now the better,
PCIntern
(28,165 posts)Im a cat guy myself. I hope it works out.
colorado_ufo
(6,216 posts)EuterpeThelo
(292 posts)My oldest kitty just turned 18 and she is the sweetest girl...my familiar. We had one that lived to 20-1/2 (we're on our 10th rescue cat now). I so understand your pain and fear. I wish you and Zeke all the best and hope so much that he will be OK.
Polly Hennessey
(8,743 posts)Remember, our cat babies are resilient and strong. I also hope your weather improves and you two will be at the Vets soon.
JoseBalow
(9,411 posts)I know how hard it is, I hope things get better.
CousinIT
(12,430 posts)
FemDemERA
(756 posts)Hope he will be okay.
TygrBright
(21,340 posts)We have a sick kitty as well - it's so difficult not to be able to instantly relieve their misery.
empathetically,
Bright
Danmel
(5,750 posts)They gave him a steroid injection, some sub cutaneous fluid and told us to watch him for 48 hours.
Maru Kitteh
(31,515 posts)and Mr. Maru. Thank you for giving an update. Love and kisses to sweet Zeke.
Raine
(31,139 posts)that he overcomes this and you have him longer.
Clouds Passing
(7,700 posts)traladeda
(51 posts)My cat had a few spinal strokes during her time on earth. She recovered from all of them, but the last two strokes took more of a permanent toll. Still, she was happy and I saw to it that she experienced all the things she loved every single day. Cats -- especially ones with hypertension -- tend to get them in the cervical spinal cord.
Feline ischaemic myelopathy with a predilection for the cranial cervical spinal cord in older cats
Katherine M Simpson
https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X14522050
Other spinal strokes are one and done.
Don't feel pressured by the doc to rush into any decision (unless this is the painful stroke -- "saddle thrombus" -- but Zeke would have let you know what to do.) All strokes are not the same and recovery is not uncommon in spinal strokes.
Danmel
(5,750 posts)He is hypertensive. He and my husband are on the same meds.
He ate this evening which made me happy.
Fla Dem
(27,525 posts)malaise
(294,887 posts)slightlv
(7,648 posts)I can only imagine the pain and worry you're going through. I've had cats all my life... all rescues. And even though most of them lived into their 20's, each one who got sick and/or died left me feeling so diminished and devastated. I pray the great Goddess Bast lays her paws lovingly on Zeke, and heals him so he has many more years with you...
irisblue
(37,211 posts)AltairIV
(1,022 posts)praying for Zeke's good health.
wendyb-NC
(4,655 posts)Our pets are our family. Keep him close, hold him and make him feel safe and secure.