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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
(80,553 posts)2naSalit
(102,873 posts)Greywing
(1,188 posts)Prayers for you, Zeke.
belpejic
(801 posts)I had a 17 year old cat who also had a stroke. Hoping that your kitty can recover.
canetoad
(20,769 posts)irisblue
(37,524 posts)debm55
(60,705 posts)Last edited Tue Feb 24, 2026, 11:35 PM - Edit history (1)
alittlelark
(19,139 posts)😇
virgdem
(2,318 posts)JMCKUSICK
(6,068 posts)the energy in your touch.
nocoincidences
(2,489 posts)Loving healing vibes to him and a strong shoulder for you.
Metaphorical
(2,635 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
(2,960 posts)It's tough. Good vibes for you both.
Nanuke
(925 posts)KT2000
(22,159 posts)hamsterjill
(17,583 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
(31,180 posts)3catwoman3
(29,431 posts)Figarosmom
(12,049 posts)Hope he pulls out of it very well and has many more good years.
yardwork
(69,370 posts)niyad
(132,518 posts)hhhugggggggggs for you both.
LoisB
(13,044 posts)orangecrush
(30,339 posts)MustLoveBeagles
(16,460 posts)I hope your sweet boy recovers quickly.
OldBaldy1701E
(11,178 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
(319 posts)Sending love and prayers your way for Zekes recovery! ❤️🩹 ❤️🩹 😺
Fla Dem
(27,640 posts)MIButterfly
(2,706 posts)I hope Zeke fully recovers. I will keep a good thought for your precious Zeke.
Bayard
(29,727 posts)peacebuzzard
(5,871 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
(1,260 posts)I hope you can hold him close and hear his purr again.
area51
(12,696 posts)Silver Gaia
(5,364 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
(31,773 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
(687 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
(12,122 posts)HeartsCanHope
(1,681 posts)Sending healing vibes and Zeke, You and your family will be in my thoughts. Please give Zeke some loves from me.
Trueblue1968
(19,253 posts)My 5 girls are in Cat Heaven.
Dear_Prudence
(1,173 posts)for Zeke.
Trueblue Texan
(4,472 posts)This is the hardest part of being a pet parent.
Fla Dem
(27,640 posts)Danmel
(5,778 posts)He's lethargic and not eating. And it's snowing again and the roads are a mess.
Fla Dem
(27,640 posts)Response to Fla Dem (Reply #46)
Maru Kitteh This message was self-deleted by its author.
Maru Kitteh
(31,773 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
(25,843 posts)justaprogressive
(6,925 posts)The more time you spend with him now the better,
PCIntern
(28,387 posts)Im a cat guy myself. I hope it works out.
colorado_ufo
(6,253 posts)EuterpeThelo
(368 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
(8,839 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
(9,500 posts)I know how hard it is, I hope things get better.
CousinIT
(12,546 posts)
FemDemERA
(828 posts)Hope he will be okay.
TygrBright
(21,364 posts)We have a sick kitty as well - it's so difficult not to be able to instantly relieve their misery.
empathetically,
Bright
Danmel
(5,778 posts)They gave him a steroid injection, some sub cutaneous fluid and told us to watch him for 48 hours.
Maru Kitteh
(31,773 posts)and Mr. Maru. Thank you for giving an update. Love and kisses to sweet Zeke.
Raine
(31,180 posts)that he overcomes this and you have him longer.
Clouds Passing
(7,947 posts)traladeda
(52 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
(5,778 posts)He is hypertensive. He and my husband are on the same meds.
He ate this evening which made me happy.
Fla Dem
(27,640 posts)malaise
(296,214 posts)slightlv
(7,790 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
(37,524 posts)AltairIV
(1,046 posts)praying for Zeke's good health.
wendyb-NC
(4,696 posts)Our pets are our family. Keep him close, hold him and make him feel safe and secure.
Danmel
(5,778 posts)The vet started him on a step down steroid treatment. Keep him in your thoughts, we're hoping this will help our sweet boy.
On his chart, when they recorded animals disposition, they actually wrote sweet.
Vinca
(54,006 posts)traladeda
(52 posts)I've been thinking of you two.
Raine
(31,180 posts)Thanks for the update.