Caring for Your Senior Cat

Cats over 10 years of age are prone to many age-related diseases. Although these diseases vary considerably in prognosis and ability to treat or even cure, there are some similarities.  I instruct owners to monitor seven basic symptoms: 1) weight loss, 2) increased water consumption, 3) increased urination, 4) vomiting more than once a week, 5) diarrhea more than once a week, 6) coughing, and 7) changes in appetite.

If you see any of these changes in your cat, I highly recommend you see your Veterinarian.  The diseases your Veterinarian will screen for include, but are not limited to: hyperthyroidism, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer and heart disease. The typical diagnostics for an older cat include blood work, urinalysis, and whole body x-ray.

Diabetes can be controlled with insulin injections (much easier than it sounds).  The progression of heart disease can sometimes be slowed down with appropriate medications.  Chemotherapy can be used to "buy time" with some cancer patients.   Cats, in general, handle many of the chemotherapeutics well.  Kidney disease patients can have the quality of life improved with diet changes, subcutaneous fluids, and appropriate medications.  The prognosis for liver disease is based on the cause.  Therefore, it is important to monitor closely for these diseases and catch them as early as possible for the best outcome.

-Dr. Sue Marshall, Feline Medical Center, Inc.