March 29, 2009

Dear Obie,
My kitty, Moses, is eleven years old. Is that considered old for a cat, or is he still a kitten?
Signed, Carla
Baton Rouge, Louisiana


Dear Carla,
Moses probably wouldn't be considered a kitten, but that doesn't necessarily mean he is old, either. While many veterinarians would consider a cat to be a senior once it reaches seven years of age, many kitties are living well into their late teens, and even early twenties! Improved health care and better diets have a lot to do with this upward trend in longevity, along with cat owners who are proactive and who seek medical care for their cats when needed.

My human mommy and daddy had a cat named Tabitha who lived to be twenty years old, while their cat Misty passed away at eighteen and Lucky passed away at seventeen. By maintaining their health and making sure they received regular veterinarian check-ups, they were able to give those kitties long and happy lives.

As cats age, however, there are changes that may take place, and it is up to you as Moses' human to watch for those changes. Confusion, hiding, excessive meowing and wandering are signs that a kitty might have a condition known as "cognitive disorder." Cognitive disorder in cats is much like Alzheimer's in humans; in fact, post-mortem examinations of the brains of cats who appeared to suffer from cognitive disorder revealed the same twisted fibers, known as beta-amyloid plaques, seen in the brains of human Alzheimer's sufferers.

Obviously, regular trips to the vet for senior wellness screenings will help to detect problems early on, and may help make your cats journey into "senior citizen" status a gentle and happy one. If your cat exhibits any of these behaviors listed below, you need to consider that he or she might have cognitive disorder and get them to your vet right away. Changes in eating or drinking habits, changes in grooming habits, forgetting to use the litter box, strange vocalizations, confused by familiar and regular surroundings, changes in sleeping habits, even staring into space or at walls are all signs that there is a problem and they should be addressed right away!

My vets, Dr. Shimek and Dr. Slama at Hoffman Veterinary Clinic, recommend that all senior cats receive wellness exams twice a year. That way, diseases such as hypertension, arthritis, hyperthyroidism and retinal disease can be caught and treated early. This will help kitty age gracefully. It also helps diagnosis when cognitive disorder might be present, by eliminating other possible underlying problems. If cognitive disorder is diagnosed in your cat, anti-anxiety medication often helps, as well as your role in keeping kitty's life as stable and stress-free as possible. Never forget that cats are creatures of habit, especially as they get older.

Other things you can do to help your older cat are to provide an extra litter box for their use so they do not have to walk as far, and you may also need to provide canned food that has been warmed to make it more palatable. Also, using a water fountain helps remind kitty to drink, which is extra important as cats age.

My friends at Drs. Foster and Smith have provided the following checklist of symptoms to help you know when to get your kitty to the vet. Seizures, irritability, loss of appetite, deafness, fatigue, weight loss, swollen gums, frequent vomiting, difficulty swallowing, bleeding gums, sneezing, nasal discharge, greasy skin, offensive body odor, straining or coughing when breathing, and sores that do not heal are all warning signs. Call your vet immediately if you see any of these in your cat.

Carla, if you maintain his health, you can look forward to many more happy and healthy years with Moses!
Your friend,
Obie

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Several people have asked me for an update on my brother, Mackenzie. When Mackenzie was at Salem Friends of Felines, his name was Maurie, and he was the frightened black and white kitty who occupied the top cage just to the right when you entered the cat area from the thrift store. Well, Mackenzie is doing great! He chases me up and down the hallway and wrestles with me, and his favorite place is on the padded bench in the front window, soaking up the sunshine. He even loves to sleep right on top of my human mommy and daddy at night! He has really come out of his shell and is a happy kitty!

*****

"Of all God's creatures, there is only one that can not be made a slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat."
-Mark Twain

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Remember, folks, I am not a vet! I am a cat! Always talk to your vet before making any medical decisions regarding your cat! Please!