Senior & Geriatric Cats

 ... is your older cat suffering in silence?

Did you know that 30% of cats over 10 yrs of age are suffering from kidney disease?  

Don't miss the subtle clues that your ageing cat needs veterinary care. 


Waiting for obvious signs of ill health can limit treatment options and more importantly your cat's quality of life! A senior checkup every six months helps take the guess work out of owning a senior cat

The senior cat life stage is from 11-14 years of age and after that point we tend to refer to cats as geriatric. It is the typical period in a cat's life when owners mistakenly put any noticeable changes down to “getting old”.  Frequently several things can go wrong at the same time in older cats; however, most of these are treatable and should not be ignored. 

So frequently owners say they would rather not know if their cat has disease as they seem "ok". Yet often it emerges through the course of my visit that they had noticed plenty of symptoms but put it down to "old age". Old age is definitely not a disease! Sure, with advancing age, comes increased risk of diseases such as arthritis, kidney and thyroid disease and of course, cancer. All of these conditions have one thing in common - they are best identified early and owner education is definitely the key.

More than ever veterinary medicine is advancing year by year. Today there is a good chance that symptoms of many old age illnesses can be successfully controlled with treatment. This means lots more cats leading longer and happier lives! Cats deserve the chance to benefit from technology just as we would if we needed medical treatment, rather than being neglected and suffering in silence because they don't cry out in pain as owners expect they would. In my experience many owners are simply unaware of the current treatment options and base their decisions about what is best for their elderly cat on out-dated advice or experience with an elderly cat 5-10 years ago.  

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About Old Cat Wellness Check Ups

The aim of my old cat "wellness" initiative is to provide your cat with a customized care program that best fits both of your needs. It is a stage in your cat's life when the aim is to keep them comfy and happy - ideally for a long time.  I do not believe in extending length of life at the expense of quality. Together we can work on practical ways to give your cat a dignified later life. Sometimes this may include medications, special diets, adjusting their environment to cope with reduced mobility or just being mindful of the early symptoms of disease. 

Essential parts of  an "Old Cat" Wellness Check:

Annual booster -  a vital reminder of the immunity started in the earlier years and tailored to your cat's individual risk factors whilst taking into consideration your ageing cats reduced immune system function. Once again it may not be that your cat needs all vaccine components.

Diet adjustment - reduced salt and phosphate levels, increased calories, GAGs for joints, prescription diets where appropriate

Review parasite control measures

Assess for normal age-related changes:

• Altered sleep patterns
  
• Changes in vision
  
• Appearance of brown spots in the iris (coloured part of the eye)
  
• Decreased sense of smell
  
• Thick/brittle nails
  
• Decreased lung and heart reserve
  
• Decreased digestion and ability to absorb nutrients
  
• Loose, less-elastic skin
  
• Reduced ability to handle stress
  
• Changes in behaviour

Assess for common diseases of older cats:

• Dental disease
  
• Kidney disease
  
• Diabetes
  
• High blood pressure
  
• Thyroid disease
  
• Cancer
  

Above left:    Thick, old cat claws that do not retract
Above right:   360 degree in-grown claw  (ouch!)

• Senile "dementia" - ageing changes in the brain can lead to disorientation, reluctance to interact with family members/other pets, forgetfulness with toileting routines, vocalization etc

• Arthritis, muscle wastage, heart/lung diseases and reduced vision are particular causes reduced activity/mobility and can lead to reduced water intake, dehydration and constipation which is made even worse by failing kidneys. Accidents outside the litter tray and poor grooming are also common issues that can be related to these conditions.
  

• Overgrown claws - claws need extra trimming as they can grow into the foot pads causing significant pain and foot pad abscesses. This can also reduce grip when jumping/climbing exacerbating mobility issues potentially leading to falls and fractures. Long claws can repeatedly catch on carpets/clothing leading to unnecessary trauma of already arthritic joints.

• Appetite reductions, eating less or changes in food preferences – declining gut function and reduced activity levels can alter calorie requirements. Older cats have a reduced sense of taste & smell and an increased likelihood of dental disease or other illness all of which affect their desire and ability to eat.

• Deterioration in hearing and vision can mean older cats are more likely to be startled and will take longer to adapt to changes in the household such as moving furniture, new pets. There may come a time when a previously outdoor cat needs to become an indoor cat to avoid accidental injury. Deaf cats can cry during the night or when left alone but this can occur with other diseases so should prompt a checkup.
  

Don't forget that the purpose of wellness checks is not to cause you undue concern but to allow us both to focus on identifying ways to make your cat's life as easy and comfy as possible. 

Ways to adapt the home environment for older cats 

• Provide soft, warm and comfy bedding in your cat's favourite resting places - a heat pad or hot water bottle can be a well received comfort. 
  
• Create extra hiding areas and pick quiet, accessible locations where your cat is unlikely to be disturbed by other pets/children. Although most cats prefer higher places to rest, older cats may find access hard so either use ramps/steps to assist access to these areas choose spots lower down (avoid draughty areas)
• Handle with care - muscle weakness and sore joints can mean your cat is more fragile.
• Pay extra attention to grooming and check nails regularly - I can teach you how to trim nails or we can incorporate a trim into a visit. Provide a variety of scratching surfaces/posts - vertical/horizontal as arthritic cats can change their preference.
  
• Provide indoor litter trays - one on each level of the house ensuring there is enough for one per cat plus one extra to avoid conflict. Choose softer cat litters. Larger trays with lower sides may be best to improve accessibilty
  
• Water - Keep your cat well hydrated. Extra water bowls, wet food, tuna spring water, broths etc
  
• Feeding - Offer smaller, more frequent meals. Have a variety of foods in stock to pander to changes in preference. Warming the food increases the lovely vapours and stimulates the appetite in an older cat with a failing sense of smell and taste.
• Grooming - brush and comb your cat more regularly, but bear in mind they may be a bit more sensitive in their older age
• Lots of attention and TLC! 

Find out about the other life stages...

Kittens    

Adults