Caring for an elderly cat

FOREWORD

SECTION 1 | introducing the older cat

When is a cat considered to be ‘old’?
How does feline age correlate with human age?
How does ageing affect a cat?

SECTION 2 | general advice for elderly cat care

Introduction
Nail trimming
Grooming
Hairballs
Dental checks
Monitoring toilet habits
General warning signs
What is the best diet for an elderly cat?
How can appetite be encouraged, when needed?
How can thirst be encouraged, when needed?
What special needs do disabled elderly cats have?
Stimulating the older cat – making life fun
Making your home and garden ‘elderly cat’ friendly
Making sure your cat is identifiable if lost
Adopting an elderly cat
Acquiring an elderly cat
Settling in a new elderly cat
Introducing additional cats
Introducing a new kitten to an elderly cat
Introducing a new adult cat to an elderly cat
Catteries and older cats
House sitters
Visitors and celebrations

SECTION 3 | health care of the elderly cat

Optimising health care of the older cat
Recording your cat’s weight at home
Subclinical health problems
Health checklist for carers and veterinary professionals
Your relationship with your veterinarian
Common health problems of the elderly cat
Blindness and visual deficits
Bowel, liver and pancreatic problems
Brain tumours
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS)
Constipation
Deafness
Dental problems
Diabetes Mellitus
Hyperthyroidism
Osteoarthritis and mobility problems
Overgrown nails
Systemic hypertension
Tumours
Urinary tract infections
How can cats with multiple problems be managed?
Nursing the sick elderly cat
Hospital and boarding cattery stays for elderly cats
Medicating elderly cats
Nutritional support of the sick cat
Collecting laboratory samples from elderly cats
Typical laboratory reference ranges
Safe anaesthesia in an elderly cat
Complementary therapies

SECTION 4 | common behavioural problems and how to tackle them

How to identify ‘problem’ behaviour
Ruling out medical illness
Employing a behaviourist
House soiling
Night-time vocalisation
Attention-seeking behaviour and over-attachment

SECTION 5 | assessing quality of life in your elderly cat

Assessing pain and suffering
Euthanasia
Feline bereavement
The stages of grief
Will a new kitten help?
Tips to help your cat through the grieving process
Carer bereavement

SECTION 6 | case reports

Charlie, winner of Scotland’s Oldest Cat Competition, as told by Sarah
Poppy, as told by Vicky
Shakira, as told by Vicky
Sam, as written by his carer Gina

SECTION 7 | useful websites and further reference sources

SECTION 8 | converting SI units to conventional units and vice versa

Glossary of terms used by veterinarians

Sarah qualified as a veterinarian in 1993 and has worked as a feline-only clinician for more than twenty years. Sarah has authored and co-authored a number of other Vet Professionals publications including ‘Caring for a cat with chronic kidney disease, ‘Caring for a cat with hyperthyroidism’ and ‘Caring for a cat with lower urinary tract disease’. Sarah currently lives in Scotland with her family (including one cat, Sooty) and enjoys seeing both first opinion and referral feline patients. 

Vicky’s career started in veterinary nursing and she has worked as a Pet Behaviour Counsellor for many years. Vicky has authored several books on feline behaviour which have been best sellers in the UK and abroad. In 2008, Vicky was voted the ‘Nations favourite cat author’ by readers of ‘Your Cat’ magazine. 

Professor Danielle Gunn-Moore, BSc BVM&S PhD MACVSc MRCVS, RVCS Specialist in Feline Medicine, University of Edinburgh, UK
This book is an essential read for all owners of elderly cats and anyone else who lives with these special felines. It will also be of immense benefit to veterinary nurses, animal behavioural councillors, veterinarians, owners of catteries, cat sitters, people who work in pet shops and anyone else in anyway involved in caring for cats, especially older ones.

It explains why elderly cats are so special, and why they have extra needs that must be individually tailored to each cat. It details how cats change with age, why increased veterinary attention is needed, what diseases are most common and how to treat them. Perhaps most importantly, this book explains how we can keep our elderly cats more comfortable in their old age, so that their quality of life is as good as it possibly can be. It concludes with an insightful discussion on deciding ‘end of life’ issues, followed by some heart-rending Case Histories. I can whole-heartedly recommend this book to all cat lovers who want to do the very best for our precious ‘old soul’ kitties.

Donna Lewis, Registered Veterinary Nurse and former President of the British Veterinary Nursing Association
Sarah and Vicky have outshone each other this time, this book is a must have to any cat owner, as it will prepare everyone for when their cat gets older, I have enjoyed reading this book, and at times I could have sworn a chapter or two had been written by my own cat, any cat owner will have to hunt high and low to find a better reading and understanding of the elderly cat than this, I could write more but I have to make a few adjustments to my house to make sure my own elderly cat is comfortable and happy. Big thanks to Sarah & Vicky for this wonderful insight into the elderly cat.

Kayleigh McGill Murdoch, Veterinary Nurse at Inglis Healthy Pets clinic, Dunfermline
This book will offer comfort and reassurance for the owners of the elderly cat. From simple tips for environmental changes to giving owners an insight to the potential medical problems that may occur, and some common clinical signs that accompany them. Owners will gain an understanding that these changes are common, and won’t be as hesitant to get their elderly cat checked.

Vet Professionals publications are all authored by veterinary professionals who have specialised in their field of expertise. Veterinary specialisation typically involves several years of additional study and examinations. In the field of feline medicine, there are currently only 13 UK-recognised Specialists. View a list of current UK-recognised Specialists (all disciplines).