Elderly Cat… several things to keep an eye on, health wise, for our senior babies and highly recommend checking in with your vet regularly for blood work and general geriatric wellness check ups. In Connecticut we have a great veterinary group that specializes in ‘Just Cats’ and that is the name of the establishment. Easy to remember!
My little man Rembrandt is nearing 17 and we have been to the vet fairly frequently (every 3-6 mos) since he was 15. He was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and while it is treatable it is not something to let go undetected. I have learned that an untreated thyroid issue can lead to heart injury among other things and can be a cause of death if left untreated.
My white fluff was the easiest feeder all through his life until this disease struck. Now it is a struggle to get him to eat but I think I’m starting to figure out that he likes super mushed up food. So now I’m taking the flavors he likes and blending them up to baby food texture. It’s still not an ideal intake at this time but I think it is at least helping. Still working out the kinks.
Be sure to observe your fur balls for any changes in behavior so that a professional health care provider can rule out or address any issues. Early detection is the best preventive measure. – Purr Out!
UPDATE: 8.16.18 – Good News!! After several days of disinterest in food, I finally found something my old man likes and thought to share. He is devouring Weruva ‘Cats in the Kitchen’ Pumpkin Lickin’ Chicken. YAY and Phew!!! The last few days have been scary and this is such a huge WIN!!
UPDATE: 10.22.18 – Upsetting News 🙁 After another round of blood work it appears Remy’s thyroid levels are still not in a good place. We will be upping his doses of medication beginning tomorrow. To add on to this and what I’m so upset about right now, is that his kidney levels are in a bad place… We will be getting a urine test done to rule out any UI issues. Additionally, we will start him on a special diet (which I PRAY he EATS!) beginning today.
This is my best buddy and I’m in tears right now because I feel like I went about this all wrong. In retrospect I should have done the 3 day visit where they zap it all out and correct it instantly but I was afraid the stress of being away from me in the hospital for so long would be hurtful to him. I wish I could go back and change my mind and maybe then his kidneys would not be in the bad space they are in right now.
Kidney disease kills, we are living on borrowed time, all of us but when you know that something is eating your body away it is even more pressing to make each moment count. I’m so grateful I have had so much time with Remy and I’m going to do everything I can to keep him here with me for as long as I can so long as he is comfortable. The very thought of losing him breaks me into pieces.
He is the last of what I call my ‘Cali’ family. My family when my precious Cali was with me. She was the most beautiful, loving, smart, well behaved, sweet and playful angel. Cali was a dog, but I hate calling her that but you need a reference so there you go. She was my child as all of these beautiful animals I have the honor of taking care of are to me.
My first pet as an adult was Madison. He was the most special cat anyone had ever met. He was a domestic short haired cat with blue eyes and loved to hug everyone. Everyone absolutely loved him, not doubt. Then I got my Cali girl. She was an American Eskimo and Madison did not like her nor she him but they tolerated each other. I added a stray named Piccolo who I found near a dumpster as a kitten.
Piccolo would walk with Cali and I. She was precious but I’m sure I wasn’t as attentive to her as I should have been. I lost my Madison and nearly lost my mind from the pain. So grateful to have Cali and Piccolo to help me through but he left a massive gap in my heart for sure.
I then got Matisse from the adoption shelter. He was a beautiful long haired domestic cat. He used to hop instead of run!… six months after I got Matisse I ended up finding Rembrandt (my Madison look alike)… So 3 cats, 1 pup and me… Cali was trained to break up the cat fights and made sure that they all got along fabulously!
So this was my beautiful brood.. and now I only have Rembrandt left to remember them all with… It was a special time for us all to be together.
Sure, I have Toulouse and Sinjin in the mix now with Rembrandt but they aren’t my shadow, they don’t grab my arm towards them and try to eat the food out of my hand or off my fork, they don’t talk to me when I’m doing the dishes and they don’t pat me gently on my face to wake me up, they don’t walk me down to the door when I leave the house and they don’t meet me at the door when I come home and well… I’m just upset and rambling but I had to write…
Now, I’m going to wipe these tears up, throw away all the tissues that are piled up next to my keyboard and get my positive vibrations humming. I gotta think positively and that we can help him! He just woke up, time for loads of loving!!