Unsure about senior cat

[Bridget]

Seems like I would go to a cat forum for this, but I get more thoughtful and intelligent answers from you guys. My oldest cat, Snowball, is 16 1/2 years old. Her health has been going downhill, but she has been enthusiastic about her meals. Until this morning. I think it may be her teeth because for the last two nights, she wasn't interested in the dry food I give her at night, but was still avidly eating her canned. This morning she wouldn't even get up to investigate the canned and when I gave her a treat, she picked it up in her mouth several times, but kept spitting it out. My feeling about Snowball is that I want her to have quality in what is left of her life, but it isn't my goal to keep her with me forever, if that makes sense. I take her to the vet if she seems to be in discomfort or pain, but not for every little thing, as it stresses her. I figure I will wait and see if she eats at lunch time and tonight and then if not take her tomorrow. I think if it is her teeth as I suspect, I will not put her through extensive dental work at her age. If a simple fix or pain meds can't take care of it, I will probably have her put to sleep. Am I right about this and thinking straight?? It's funny the past couple months Snowball and Heidi have made their peace with each other; Snowball became an upstairs cat, instead of staying in the basement and Heidi stopped chasing her!

[wolfstraum]

Bad teeth can be a major health problem for an older cat! My 18 year old Bengal had her teeth cleaned/pulled last fall...she can still eat dry if it appeals to her, Earthborn seems to be a hit! She also eats wet mostly....

I was ready to put down an apx. 15 year old former feral I captured and adopted.....the vet did a major cleaning on her and she lived about 4 more years....

Get the cat in for bloodwork and schedule a dental.....would be my advice.

Lee

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

And keep in mind that cats can't go without eating for long, like dogs sort of can. They will develop hepatic lipidosis and then you've got a lot more to work on.

Try some baby food and see how that goes and I would also consider what Lee is saying on top of that.

[clearcreekranch]

I am not a fan of Science Diet, but the vets have a critical care formula that looks like liver pate. I was going to put my 17 year old cat to sleep a few months ago because he quit eating on a Fri, so I took him in on Mon. I signed the paperwork and everything, she came with the shot and I asked her if there was anything else I could do so she gave us antibiotics, I used a humidifier and fed him the food.

He had refused everything but started to gobble this up within a couple of hours.

So my advice is to try to find out what is going on and get some of the Science Diet Critical care food.

Oh, and he is still around!

[Bridget]

Thanks. Maybe I'm being too negative. When they get this old, I tend to think of every little thing as "the end." My husband reminded me that even old cats can catch some bug that isn't a big deal. I think if she doesn't eat her lunch, two meals missed, I will call the vet and get her in as soon as they can do it.

[kiya]

One of my cats is 18 now I worry about him all the time. Maybe your cat has an abscess in her mouth. I hope she feels better soon.

[Bridget]

Thank you. I do worry about Snowball. When I fed her her lunch, she went right to her bowl and lapped, but only drank the juice and left most of the meat. I am still thinking teeth. But then I gave her a little milk, which she always liked, and she sniffed it and walked away. She doesn't seem to be in discomfort. I am still trying to decide whether to try to get her in at the vet today or wait till tomorrow.

[JakodaCD OA]

I just lost my 18 year old kitty, (I also have her sister who is in fine shape

I would take her to the vet, it could be something as simple as a hairball Or at this age, it could be diabetes, kidney failure, etc.

Atleast the vet can give you an idea of what's going on, Mine wasn't in discomfort either, but she was definately heading that way

[Bridget]

I decided to take the middle of the road approach and have my husband offer Snowball food again when he got home from work, as he gets home earlier than I do. He did and he called to tell me she ate it right away! That was really her only symptom of illness, so I guess for now everything is ok. Thanks.

[wolfstraum]

Jean had a good suggestion with baby food....get turkey or chicken baby food - BUT!! very important !!!! look at the ingredients - make sure there is no onion powder in it....

At her age, I would take her in for a check up and blood work....renal failure is what gets the older cats usually....if you get some values now, and get the teeth checked, you may have her a few more years....I was really afraid to take Kinu (my Bengal) in at 18 for a dental - but she came through with flying colors...yes, at 18.5 she is a bit more frail, and sleeps alot...but she is not showing any signs of anything critical at all...a friend who feeds raw has a nearly 23 year old cat who has never needed a dental and still has all its' teeth pretty much.

Good luck!!! Hope she is just being picky!

Lee