Questions about older cat [Archive] - Discuss Pets @ PetLovers.Com

dlaura

10-08-2007, 10:00 AM

Our cat, April, is 15 1/2 years old and has never been a particulary heavy cat. She has always been on the lean side, but recently she seems exceptionally so to me. We've been pampering her no end and feeding her constantly all day long - no exaggeration here - she doesn't like her food to get the least bit dried out so we give her half a small can of food and the rest when she asks for more. She is eating about 2 1/2 - 3 cans of the small 3 oz. cans a day, dry food and a few table scraps in between and is still thin. Although she may have put on a lb or two I am concerned that with the way she is eating she is still thin. Any ideas on what may be causing this would be greatly appreciated.

Her fur had also started to clump at her hind end and she has always been extroadinarily good about keeping her fur groomed. Hubby cut out the clumps and her fur is growing back in nicely.

Another strange thing she has started doing is taking naps in the bath tub. Also sleeping on the wooden dining room chair. I am wondering if maybe she has arthritis and the coolness of the tub helps. There are meds for dogs when they develop arthritis - are there any for cats?

I am planning a trip to the vets this coming weekend. Just wondered what thoughts/advice you all might have to offer. Thanks in advance.

beasgal

10-08-2007, 10:38 AM

My cat Mackey was just diagnosed with diabetes. He had become very thin in the last couple of weeks, although he eats like a pig. This is just a thought. He had other symptoms as well; lethargy, excessive thirst, excessive urination.

dlaura

10-08-2007, 10:42 AM

Hmmmmm..........well she does sleep a lot, but cats do sleep a lot in general so it is hard to tell. Hubby & I have been commenting that it seems like we have multiple cats with the litter box cleaning. The litter box is scooped before we go to bed and by morning there is about 6 or more urine clumps in the litter -- is that a lot? We are constantly cleaning the litter morning, noon and night. I haven't seen her drinking excessively, but then she usually drinks water when no one is watching. Prefers the dog's water bowl.

beasgal

10-08-2007, 10:46 AM

Mackey was drinking all the water out of his bowl and then starting on the dogs bowl. I was filling his water bowl about 4 times a day (the size of a human soup bowl). We were also cleaning the litter box daily due to all the urine and that was a lot compared to before he got sick.

salukigirl

10-08-2007, 11:11 AM

im not sure about medications for arthritis. just excersizes. i know its scary but your cat might just be getting old :( is there anyway she could have gotten a parasite? if you dont notice any extra urination or excessive drinking then i would lean more towards a parasite or something like that rather than diabetes. diabetes is almost characterized by excessive drinking and urinating it seems like. does she have diarrhea or the opposite - constipation? that is scary when they eat and eat but dont gain weight. parasites dont necessarily get in their system from only going outside either. if you step in something outside, track it in on the floor and she eats it....then she could have something like that.

dlaura

10-08-2007, 11:23 AM

Yes, it is scarey to think it is just because she is getting old. However, I just didn't want to assume it is because she is getting old and then find out later, possibly when it is too late, that it was something else. So a vet trip is in order here. I think it can wait until the weekend though.

special

10-08-2007, 05:13 PM

Definitely a trip to the vet and blood work. Can you take her sooner? I woudn't put if off if possible. She may have hyperthyroid disease, which is treatable, or diabetes or any other number of things. Even in a thin already cat, quick weight loss can be very dangerous.

As for arthrits, there are pain meds out there...for dogs. My vet does not like to use them for cats, but my mother has a cat taking Metacam, which is an arthritis medicine for dogs.(the dose is adjusted for a cat, of course)

When my senior cat developed arhtritis I put her on Cosequin for Cats which is Glucosamine, Chondroitin and manganese, just like people (myself included) take. It is a supplement you don't need a prescription but of course always check with your vet before giving your cat any medicine or supplement.

My cat has been on the Cosequin for cats for three years now. When I started her on it there was DRAMATIC improvement within only a few days though the box says up to two weeks to begin seeing improvement. And she is still moving quite freely. I highly recommend it.

I'll be watching to hear what the vet says.

dlaura

10-08-2007, 07:53 PM

I will try to make it in sooner - but not sure if I can. My boss is out having surgery and I hate to take off when I am needed at the office. We'll see though - maybe Weds afternoon I can get her in.

TurtleIam

10-08-2007, 08:25 PM

My cat, Sid had arthritis. Our vet suggested glucosamine & chondroitin. I would get the capsules so that I could just open it up and pour out 1/2 the capsule. The capsules were 250mg of Glucosamine sulfate and 200mg of chondrotin sulfate. Normal human dosage is 2 capsules, so I would use 1/2 of one capsule. It worked wonders for him.

Hope this helps. If the arthritis is bad they can do steroids for a week or so, then the glucosamine/chondroitin.

Angelfire

10-08-2007, 09:56 PM

My cat had started eating a lot and drinking more water also but my story does not have a happy ending. It turned out she had one kidney totally inclosed in a cyst. We did have her operated on in hopes the other kidney would kick in but it didn't. I had wished I would have had taken her to vet sooner but I just thought cause it was getting close to fall that she was just trying to fattin up a bit like all our animals do before winter hits. There are so many different things that can cause cats to do thing out of the ordinary that now I keep a very close eye on Fuzzy and Polo even though they are young. I had a beautiful cat that lived till she was 19 and Pepper was only 11 when had to put her down and some days I still miss that silly little cat that would walk around and smack the dogs for no good reason. Now she has both of our Rotties to smack around again. Keep us posted.

krazy4birds

10-09-2007, 12:53 AM

Keep us posted Diane..... I am curious too

Luna123

10-09-2007, 07:46 AM

As special said. The cat needs a trip to the vet for some blood work. Hyperthyroidism can cause a cat to eat a lot and loose weight, they also vomit with this disease. An older cat typically will loose lean muscle mass as well.
Some arthritis medications are not good for cats with underlying kidney disease.
I would discuss all of this with your vet and have them come up with a plan for your cat.
Keep us posted. :)

dlaura

10-09-2007, 08:06 AM

Thanks everyone for you thoughts. I really appreciate all of your replies. Will let you know what the vet thinks.

dlaura

10-12-2007, 05:06 PM

OK, I just wanted to update everyone - The vet suspects hyperthyroidism and did some blood work. April's thyroid is enlarged and her heart rate is very, very fast. She used to weigh between 7- 8 lbs and she is 5.8 lbs at the moment and this is after she had put on a bit of weight this last week or two. So, we will hear from the vet either tomorrow morning or Monday with the blood test results and make a plan from there. If she does have this it will mean being on medication for the rest of her life and another CMC (or CMAC - I forget the exact name) in about 4 weeks to see how April is doing if we put her on the med.

I just want to say thanks to you all for encouraging me to get her to the vet. Hubby felt she was fine and I was torn, but I decided to listen to you all and my instinct that something was wrong. I hope we can help her and have her for many more years.

I would love to hear about this disease from anyone who has knowledge about it.

Thanks to you all!

tiffers

10-12-2007, 06:55 PM

I would love to hear about this disease from anyone who has knowledge about it.
Wow. I'm just now seeing this thread... :( Sorry, dLaura.

Hyperthyroidism is an overreactive thyroid gland, very common in cats, not so much in dogs. The disease causes the gland to produce way too much T4 (thyroid hormone-thyroxine). Generally, the treatment consists of taking Methimazole to decrease the thyroid hormone synthesis and blocking the conversion of the hormone. If left untreated, the kitty could experience heart failure (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), liver/kidney disease, and generally severe muscle wasting and debilitation. There's really no reason not to treat, it's just a single pill a day, some UA's and CBC's and T4's to make sure everything's working properly and you're kitty will go on for much longer.

dlaura

10-12-2007, 08:12 PM

Oh, I sure hope so TIffers. She has been the best kitty and we want her with us for as long as possible.

tiffers

10-12-2007, 08:21 PM

Oh, I sure hope so TIffers. She has been the best kitty and we want her with us for as long as possible.
Just keep up with the lab maintenance (sp?) so that you'll be able to catch other things before they've progressed too far. Wish you the best! :)

special

10-12-2007, 08:34 PM

dlaura, I am glad you took her in earlier. Now, if your cat will not take the pills there is a transdermal form of the medicine (I'm not going to try to spell it!) You rub into the ear. If you go this route it is important to wash the ear before applying the next dose. (I learned this from a friend who was treating her cat this way)

I also know there is a cure for this disease, depending on how old your cat is (did you say 11?) 11 is not too old. I know a cat who went through the radiation treatments when she was 13, and the disease was cured. She is now 20 years old, and never has had a recurrance of the hyperthyroid disease. It's expensive, and she'd be away form you for a couple weeks, but it is an option.

This cat I speak of has CRF now, though,but has been maintained for over two years on subq fluid therapy. She is not my cat. but I can probably get info on the radiation treatments from her person, if you are interested.

dlaura

10-12-2007, 08:42 PM

dlaura, I am glad you took her in earlier.

Thanks special, I am glad I did also and appreciate your encouragement that I do so.

The vet didn't seem to think hyperthyroidism could be cured. That if it turns out to be that she will probably be on meds for the rest of her life. April is 16 1/2 and has been a wonderful cat. I will do everything I can to keep her with us for as long as possible. Although I will not keep her past when she is in pain or anything. I am hoping that with all the options there are today that we can have a few more years with her.

I really appreciate everyone's support in this.:)

special

10-12-2007, 08:53 PM

Oh, well 16 1/2 yes I think that would be too old to put through the radiation treatments. I too hope she goes on for a long long time now that you know what your are dealing wiht and can treat her.

dlaura

10-13-2007, 11:53 AM

Heard from the vet this morning and April's overall health seems OK - except that she does have hyperthyroidism. The vet has prescribed Methimazole tablets 5mg (Tapazole) every 12 hours. In 4 weeks we bring her in for a blood test to see how she is doing. I have already scheduled the appointment.

Any thoughts on the meds or dosage will be appreciated. Thanks again for everyone's help and support.

dlaura

10-22-2007, 08:40 AM

Update - April is doing better. Her fur is becoming softer and back to condition it should be. It is amazing as she seems to be reminding Bob in the evening about an hour prior to pill time and taking it with the milk as if she knows it is helping her.

Concerns:-- She seemed to moderate in her need for constant food and is resting more comfortably. Her breathing seems more calm and she is awake more of the day now. However, yesterday she seemed to be resorting to being hungry all the time and we are still feeding her upon demand the demands are increasing again. It looks like she is just starting to put back on the weight she had lost and maybe that is the reason. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

salukigirl

10-22-2007, 11:08 AM

thats good that she is doing better. :)

did the vet give you an ideal weight for her? generally you should be able to lightly press along her body and feel the ribs. not poking out of anything. but if you cant feel them shes probably overweight. the only time i really get worried is if she is eating and NOT putting on weight. cats need diets just like people sometimes lol and i usually just equate it to how humans go through the same cycles. if she keeps eating and not gaining weight thats when i would get worried. maybe you just need to only feed her at certain times. (i know its hard cause shes youre baby).

dlaura

10-22-2007, 11:18 AM

thats good that she is doing better. :)
the only time i really get worried is if she is eating and NOT putting on weight.

Yes, I totally agree. That was the big, big symptom that made me take her to the vet in the first place. Poor April was eating, eating, eating, eating and still losing weight. At least to my eyes and my eyes didn't fail me there. :) A healthy weight for April was between 7 - 8 lbs and for a creature so small to begin with going to 5.5 lbs is a lot of weight to lose. She is showing many signs of improvement and for that I am so very thankful. Thank you for your thoughts salukigirl.

salukigirl

10-22-2007, 11:29 AM

wow lol my cats are fat! my old cat was 20 lbs normally. hera is 8 lbs at 7 months, consuela is 6.5 lbs at 6 months and zeke is 5 lbs at 5 months. however, consuela is part bengal so shes gonna be a big one.

she is very lucky to have such a caring mommy. im sure if she could talk she would tell you that :)

tiffers

10-22-2007, 09:22 PM

It may be because her thyroid supplementation is making her feel better, and she's more apt to eat when she feels better. It may be just that simple. :)

dlaura

10-23-2007, 10:08 AM

Thanks Tiffers. She has been on the meds for 10 days now and there is a remarkable difference in her already. I guess the vet is giving her body a month to adjust to the meds and stuff as she wanted her next visit to be in a month. So, I probably have to expect flucuations. It makes me feel so good when she tries to follow me outside and asks to go out as this is an indication she is feeling better. She isn't always getting to go because we don't want her to wander off when she is due for a med.

tiffers

10-23-2007, 10:09 AM

She's getting there, definitely getting there. That's awesome! :)

katiebug

10-23-2007, 10:51 AM

Hi dlaura,

I just saw this thread. My parents have a senior cat that has hyperthyroidism too and takes the same medication. She has been on the medication for about two years now with no side effects or problems. She got very thin when she was first diagnosed but within a month or two of being on the medication she gained all of her lost weight back, and now she is back to normal. Your kitty is probably eating to compensate for the lost weight. My parents cat was eating and eating when she was first diagnosed but was still losing the weight, she seemed to be starving constantly. That was our first sign to take her in to the vet. Then she continued to eat and eat and eat for those next few months until she got back up to her normal weight again. Once you get the routine going of giving her the meds, everything should go smoothly. My parents take their senior cat in for bloodwork every so often but so far she's been doing just fine and they think she still has a good amount of life left in her! I just wanted to share with you, don't worry so much and keep her on the meds and as long as she's still eating she should be fine.

dlaura

10-23-2007, 11:02 AM

Thanks Katie! That is very encouraging and sounds exactly how April was. How old is your parent's cat? I can't tell you how frustrating it was to keep feeding and feeding her and still see the sunken in sides. It clued me in big time that something was terribly wrong. She isn't back to normal weight yet, but last night I picked her up and was thrilled to feel the difference from just a little over a week ago!

katiebug

10-23-2007, 11:06 AM

We don't know exactly how old she is because we got her when she was full grown already - a stray. But we think she was probably 14-15 when the hyperthyroidism set in, and so she's probably 16-17 now. And she's strong and doing fine. My parents have had cats that have medical conditions live to be 20 years old with continued monitoring and keeping up with their medications. It sounds like your kitty is doing much better already.

dlaura

11-04-2007, 12:44 PM

Just thought I would do a quick update on April. She continues to do well and we can't get over how much she has cut down on her eating but continues to maintain the weight she put back on. April's vet check-up is this coming Saturday, where they will again do blood work and see how much she has improved. We are pretty sure she will remain on the two pills a day routine because when she is due again later in the early evening she comes to hubby about a half hour before and demands her med. I truly believe she realizes the meds are helping her. Thought I would also share some pics I took today. :)

This is April with our 28 year old son who April feels is her charge and believe me she looks after him well.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/MVC-002F-14.jpg

April getting a scratch from her favorite person - our son.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/MVC-006F-9.jpg

dlaura

11-04-2007, 12:47 PM

Last two, I promise. LOL

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/MVC-007F-7.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/MVC-001F-14.jpg

tiffers

11-04-2007, 04:09 PM

Aww...she totally loves him. :) And I love orange and white kitties!

nanamouse

11-04-2007, 04:40 PM

Pretty cat and nice looking son! I like the way they both have the same contented expression on their faces, they're a good pair.
I'm glad she's doing better and that she's no longer fighting the meds, thats got to be a lot of stress off you.

KooperDooper

11-04-2007, 04:58 PM

This is one topic I know about :) hehe
I had a cat rocky and rusty which I was always feeding I got these cats when I was about 4 so of course a little kid is going to feed them alot lol well I had them till I was 14-15 years old and let me tell you they were pretty big well I found out since my cats were eating so much people food that they got diabetes and the were pretty big and they were always sleeping they would play anymore just eat and sleep and then they both got really sick a couple months apart from each other and lost all their weight my cats were about 26 lb and when I took to them to the vet when I went to put them down rust was 7 pounds and rocky was 9 pounds.....

I put rusty and rocky to sleep around 2 years ago... and now I have a 3 year old simese cat that is at a good weight and is doing just fine!!

Cats get bored so they eat alot so make it a little more difficult for them... stick their food up somewhere were they have to work to get their food...put it in a toy.... only put about a cup of cat food in their bowl a day and they will be set! And stay away from the people food it's not good for them... maybe a little treat now and again but try kitty treats instead of people food!

dlaura

11-10-2007, 10:08 AM

Just a quick update - April returned for blood work today and the vet was please with how she was looking. She has put on almost 2 full pounds and was very cooperative with having blood drawn - unlike the last time. So we will continue with her meds as usual until the blood work is back but the vet feels we are pretty much right on at the moment.

nanamouse

11-10-2007, 12:18 PM

I'm so glad she's accepted the new routines in her life and that it's showing good results.

dlaura

11-12-2007, 10:03 AM

I'm so glad she's accepted the new routines in her life and that it's showing good results.

Thanks nanamouse. So are we! BTW I love your avatar. :)

dlaura

11-12-2007, 12:57 PM

UPDATE: Saturday April had follow-up blood work done and vet called today with results. April is within the norm on everything. We were concerned because she drinks and pees a lot - but vet felt that is also good sign.

Thanks again for everyone's support on this thread!