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Sounds like your cat is getting into something every 10 days

I guess it's possible idk how to find out To add, we have had him in a mostly bare room for 2 weeks straight before. Just to notice if the pattern repeated. And it did.

Dr Scotty at Springfield Vet specializes in geriatric feline medicine

Can you give the group a general run down on what’s going on? Not a vet but sometimes a different perspective can help

Sure I'll update the body of the thread

Possible b12 deficiency, doesn’t show up on standard blood tests

OK I'll ask for it! Thanks for the lead

I once had a kitten that would crash like that, in cycles. Turned out to be a birth defect of the liver, something that normally changes after birth, but did not for this kitten. But again that was a very young cat, who never had the years of normalcy that your cat has had. I'm adding the story because I remember the vet saying something about the build up of toxins, that would normally be filtered out by the liver, they'd get very high in this cat, he'd crash, recover, repeat in a few days. That was years ago, at a different vet. We're at River City Veterinary now. They are amazing, knowledgeable and kind. Good luck.

We had a great experience with Dr Tucker at Stratford Hills. Our cat wasn’t eating and we tried an appetite stimulant and anti-nausea type drug after blood work didn’t show much. We also did an extra pancreatitis panel (it can manifest in different ways) - have you done that?

ETA: even though we lost him Dr Tucker kept giving us ideas of what we could try next without suggesting we spend zillions of dollars. He never gave up which I really appreciated.

I’m 99% sure it’s called Manakin-Sabot vet clinic.. just keep going down broad towards Satterwhites. They have neurologists there for cats (we went a few years ago) and some super specialized doctors. So sorry gosh don’t you wish they could talk!!

I appreciate it! No did not do any pancreas tests, thank you so much

I have overall had a good experience at Stratford Hills. The one time that my cat was very sick and they couldn't figure out the cause after doing every test imaginable, they sent me to VVC's internal medicine specialist Dr. Laia.

I would look for an internal medicine specialist at a vet hospital versus a cat specialist. I love Dr Miller from when I lived in charlottesville so I drive to her when needed, but there may be someone similar in richmond if your cat doesn't travel: https://vavetspecialists.com/veterinarian-charlottesville-va/

Our regular vet is Dr Jones and he's great but hard to get into if you're not an established client right now. We have also used the emergency & specialist vet at VRCC in Manakin Sabot, our old man unfortunately passed but I would still highly recommend them based on how thorough they were in finding what was wrong.

What about the home environment? I know you said you all are keeping him in a bare room, but is it possible the cat is getting exposed to things in the air (essential oils? candles? plug in air fresheners? etc)?

Have you switched out all the litter, the toys, etc?

Sounds somewhat environmental which won't always show up on bloodwork either.

Also, if you didn't know: The SPCA has all sorts of resources like behavioral helplines. It may be worth a call to see if this sounds familiar to them given all their experience? They may be able to pinpoint something based on that.

I appreciate you, it could be we will change that too

Lots of scents are super toxic to cats and other animals due to the essential oils put in them! Definitely a good idea to eliminate it all together :)

Years ago my cat had a mysterious illness and the first thing the vets asked was if I burn essential oils, because they see a lot of cats come in with issues from that! Really good to know, not that I burn them, but you never know when the knowledge could help another cat owner.

That’s a specialty center and they provide excellent service!

I’ve been taking my cats to Wellesley Animal Hospital in Short Pump for well over a decade and I can’t say enough nice things about Dr. Mark and his staff. They are not cheap, but I haven’t found a better option. You are guaranteed to get thoughtful/thorough care. ❤️