The old(er) cat
“Cats have nine lives”. “Cats can become very old”. There are many stories about cats. Everyone will know someone in his or her surroundings with a cat which has become older than 20 years old. Unfortunately it also goes for cats that age is a heavy burden. Some cats get problems sooner, but cats should be considered “seniors” if they are older than 10-12 years. Of course, we cannot mention all diseases which might take place with older cats, but some diseases occur relatively often and can be recognized well. If a complaint is recognized early, there are (still) possibilities to do something about it.
Kidney failure
With older cats it relatively often occurs that the kidneys don’t function well anymore. We talk about the chronic interstitial nephritis: the functional kidney tissue is replaced by interstitial tissue. The kidneys cannot detoxify the blood sufficiently and the cats get ill. We notice a bad appetite, lots of drinking and urinating, regularly vomiting, listlessness, emaciating and a mothy fur. Finally, the cats become dehydrated, because of the fact that the urine is insufficiently concentrated.
The diagnosis is made by means of a blood- and urine examination. Recognition in time in case of kidney failure is important: we can administer a drip, give a kidney diet and take supportive measures like homeopathy Mac Samuel® Niertonicum) or medicines against sickness.
Heart problems
The most occurring heart problem with cats is a defect of the heart muscle, which we call cardiomyopathy. The heart muscle becomes thicker at the expense of the size of the heart’s lumen, due to which the circulation of the blood doesn’t proceed efficiently. This heart problem doesn’t only take place with old cats. On the contrary; it is a problem which is often seen with a young adult cat. With older cats we must pay attention to heart problems like heart valve problems and cardiac arrhythmia. Inflammation of the heart valves might occur due to inflamed gums because of teeth problems, but with older animals the heart valves might start functioning worse because they become stiff and/or get an irregular shape by a kind of wear. A too high blood pressure and a too fast functioning thyroid gland also have secondary effects on the heart function. The diagnosis is made by means of clinical research, possibly X-rays of the chest cavity and an echogram of the heart (and ECG). The treatment is determined based on the individual patient.
Thyroid gland
Older cats often have a fast functioning thyroid gland. As a result of usually benign tumors too many thyroid gland hormones are produced. This hormone drives the cat’s metabolism, due to which the cat might lose a lot of weight. The cat is hungry continuously and is therefore looking for food the whole day. These patients are often very restless. They make a driven, hyperactive impression. Not only the metabolism, but also the blood pressure and the heart frequency are driven. Finally, even serious cardiac arrhythmia might occur. The diagnosis is made by means of blood examination. Sometimes you can even feel the enlarged thyroid gland. The treatment possibilities are various: the defect part of the thyroid gland can be removed surgically, but there are also medicines which help reducing the production of thyroid gland hormones. You can also treat the thyroid gland with radioactive iodine. This, however, is a job for a specialist and is only done in some clinics in the Netherlands. Which treatment is chosen, depends on the cat’s age, the general condition, the heart condition and the owner’s choice.
Diabetes
The symptoms of diabetes might resemble a too fast functioning thyroid gland. These cats are also hungry and eat a lot but despite of that they lose a lot of weight. They drink and urinate much often. The diagnosis is made by means of blood- and urine examination. The treatment consists of administering insulin. With most cats this should take place twice a day. In order to be able to give the right dose of insulin, a regular blood sugar check is necessary, especially in the beginning of the treatment.
Hypertension
Hypertension is a too high blood pressure. A too high blood pressure often occurs with cats. The causes might be: kidney failure, a too fast functioning thyroid gland or an adrenal gland problem. We often diagnose it as a complication of another problem; the symptoms of the primary problem will strike the most. Sometimes, however, the consequences of a too high blood pressure come to the fore clearly: Especially sudden blindness is a symptom! Other cats show the total malaise. The diagnosis can be given easily if the right equipment is present. In our clinic a blood pressure measurement is done by means of a Doppler device. The treatment depends on the cause of the high blood pressure. A treatment in time can prevent a lot of problems!
Teeth
Of course healthy teeth are very important during whole life. It appears, however, that relatively more dental problems arise when cats get older. These problems vary from tartar and loose elements to neck of a tooth lesions and dental root abscesses with cats. An unhealthy teeth causes inflamed gums and mucous membranes of the mouth. Due to a strong blood circulation of the gums and the dangerous bacteriums which occur with such inflammations, also other organs are in danger. Especially kidneys and the heart can get damaged if an inflammation of the gums is not treated. A precise clinical examination of oral cavity and teeth will diagnose the possible problems. Depending on the seriousness of the problem and the total condition of the cat a treatment plan can be made. The disadvantage of a possible necessary anaesthetic must be weighed against the risks of bad teeth and inflamed gums. With older cats it might be useful to do a blood examination and/or to make an X-ray prior to the anaesthetic. Next to dental cleaning and a course of dental treatment it is often necessary to give an antibiotic cure.
Tumors
Certain tumors occur more often with older cats than with a young or young adult cat. A solid clinical research, possibly added with X-rays, echograms and/or blood examination might help to discover tumors early and to take the right measures.
Alert owner
If you are the owner of a senior-cat, what should you pay attention to?
There are some important points which you should observe with older cats:
• More drinking and urinating
• Urinating on strange spots
• Losing weight
• Behavior change
• Excessive eating
• Bad appetite
• Nasty smell out of the beak
• Difficulties with chewing
• Short of breath
• Lumps or swellings
• Frequently vomiting
• Bad sight
• Bad fur condition
If you notice one of these symptoms it is important to have your cat checked as soon as possible. Don’t wait too long, the faster you are the more successful the treatment!
You might also consider having your cat checked every half year. We will then do an extended clinical research and a blood pressure measurement. And if necessary, additional examination is done of course.