Conference misery::feline_v1

    I'd bring the cat to the vet for a checkup. The cat may have a lowgrade
    fever, or an absess; or a bladder infection.
    
    Deb

    Is this cat a hunter?  Maybe there is something in the cellar that
    he wants to stalk (mice, small rodents, hippopotami, etc.) and have
    captured his attention.
    
    What to do in this case I haven't any idea, except maybe check it
    out yourself and set a few traps?
    
    Having the vet look at the cat is probably a good idea, too.
    
    Maybe he's just hitting the catnip a bit too hard ;^)
    
    MM

	 Is the cellar dark? Maybe the daylight is bothering his eyes? I
     agree with the others - a call to the vet is probably in order.

    re.: .3
    
    I agree that it sounds like your feline buddy has developed some
    sort of eye problem.  Even though the basement is darker than the
    rest of the house during the day it may still be bright enough to
    cause some discomfort (cries of pain).  Definitely should be followed
    up by trip to the vet.  May require a veterinary ophthalmologist
    although these tend to be few and far between.
    
    Good luck.  Hate to see our friends in pain.

    Well a trip to the vet revealed nothing. However,
    I was somewhat put off by the vet who seemed to think that
    a major change in behavior was in my mind.
    
    I am continuing to mointor him as to weight, temperature
    etc.
    
    One thing that occured to me is that this cat is the one who walks
    in walls. The cellar has a place where he can get into the space
    between the cellar ceiling and the upstairs floor. This space
    is filled with fiber glass insulation. Several times he forgot
    how he got in and proceeded to tear himself through the batting.
    
    I stapled the batting firmly to keep him from doing this again.
    
    Could this be sometype of a reaction to the fiberglass?
    
    (The stuff made me itch for days after stapling)
    

    Suzie,
    
    I think that was the clue we needed.  Fiberglass fibers are intensely
    irritating and some of them are too small to be easily seen.  I'll
    bet dollars to donuts that your cat has small fibers in his eyes
    and that they are irritated as all h*ll.  Call either Angell Memorial
    or Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine and find out who has a
    veterinary ophthalmologist on staff.  Call the V.O. and tell him
    the symptoms you have presented here plus the wall and ceiling
    crawling.  He will probably want you to come in for an examination.
    The fibers can actually imbed in the eye and stay around for quite
    some time, possibly lead to infection.
    
    Wall and ceiling crawling is definitely a habit to break.
    
    Good luck,
    
    Frank

    Your vet should be able to administer the basic "eye trauma" test,
    but that would only show something if there was a scratch on the
    cornea itself. Would fiberglass cause trauma, or would it just be
    in the eye area and cause discomfort, or both?
    
    I agree with .6 - fiberglass is murder.  This could be the root
    cause.
    
    Bryan

    When people work with fiberglass, they're supposed to wear gloves
    and eye covering.  The fibers penetrate through the skin.  There's
    no reason to assume felines would not be affected in the same 
    manner.  I concur with the previous noter who suggested you con-
    tact Tufts and a V.O.  I'd also suggest you get yourself a new
    vet.  There's nothing worse than a vet trying to tell you there's
    nothing wrong with your cat when you know damn well that there
    is.  I'd don't pay a vet good money to feel I have to justify my
    concerns with my animal.
    
    Donna

    Thanks folks. I am calling Tufts as soon as I finish here.
    
    Will let you know.
    

	 You might  also  try  Dr.  Alan  Bachrach in Lincoln. He 'does'
     animal eyes. 

		Kathy
    

    A million votes for Dr. Bachrach.  He's office is listed under Vet.
    Ophthamology of New England, in Lincoln, MA.  Tell him Chauncey
    says HI!!
    
    He's the only vet eye doctor in the area, and also is the professor
    of vet ophthamology at Tufts.  And he's so nice with the critters!
    
    Mary

Does anyone know what the final diagnosis was?

						.wIx.

    Dr. Bachrach is WONDERFUL.  Don't hesitate.

    Just realized that I never updated this note.
    
    It was evidently due to the wall walking as he had scratches
    in both eyes. Medication cleared it up and he is now fine.
    

    Good!!!