Care of Senior Cat

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The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d Lesson 6: When It's Time to Say "Goodbye" From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats I hope that none of us will have to put this lesson into practice for many, many years. On the other hand, the fact is that most of us will outlive our cats, and the time may come when we will have to make the toughest decisions we'll ever have to make: letting a treasured cat go. A valued Cats Forum member, CatHelper, who lovingly manages her own hospice for cats, says it all, most eloquently: "It's normal to want to do everything humanly possible to save a life, and that's important. Doing everything humanely possible to ease suffering is much more important, and sometimes, when the treatment is worse than the disease, and the disease is beyond any chance of a cure, that means letting go. Knowing when to let go is the most important thing of all. Give them every good day they have coming, but know when that last good day has been spent." ~ K. Sacksteder Saying Goodbye Knowing When To Let Go Like most of us, when I realized my 19 year old Shannon was approaching the end, I prayed that he would go quietly in his sleep, with no stress or pain. Sadly, that was not to be, and the night came when I had to make the terrible decision to let him go. Kari Winters, published author and active rescuer, has written a beautiful article with all the resources you need to help you when and if that decision becomes necessary. Dealing With Loss You'll think you will never recover, and you'll vow to never get another cat. But the day will come when the sun will shine again, and when you least expect it, a furry creature will sidle up next to you, put a furry pad on your arm and look up into your face with eyes you will swear reflect the soul of the cat you've lost. Before then, however, there is a natural grief process that you must go through. As for those people who tell you, "It was only a cat," pity them, for they obviously have never known the unconditional love which cats give so freely. Some Important Pages to Bookmark Resources You May Need in the Future The link above points to my Subject Library, a huge resource section listed (more or less) alphabetically. Other Resources you may want to save are: A-Z About Cats (The Site Map for my site) A-Z Food Brand Ingredients Feline Health Resources Behavior and Training Cats Glossary (with pronunciation keys and audio pronunciation files) The About Cats Forum If you didn't join at the beginning of this course, be sure to do so now. Our caring forum members come from a wide background of experience and knowledge, and will be happy to help you with any future problems or concerns. Many of them have experience with elderly cats, and have dealt with or are presently coping with many of the same things you've encountered with your older cat. You'll find loads of support on the Cats Forum Coda: Feedback on the Course How Did You Like the Class? Your feedback is important to me in helping to make this class as complete and understandable as it can be. I'd like to know your opinions. Did you like it? Was it too long or too short? Were there any important basics that you felt were missing? Please complete the form linked here, and I'll be in your debt. Although the form asks for a name and email address, you can choose to remain anonymous. In any case, I'll respect your privacy, and you won't be added to any mailing lists by virtue of completing the form. Thank you! This email is written by: Franny Syufy Cats Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum Missing a lesson? Click here. About U. is our collection of free online courses designed to help you learn a new skill, solve a problem, get something done, or just learn more about your world. Sign up now, and we will email you lessons on a daily or weekly basis. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the About.com 'The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d' email. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com Advertisement

The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d: Lesson 5: The Comfort Factor

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The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d Lesson 5: The Comfort Factor From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats Much like human senior citizens, geriatric cats need a bit more attention and help from their caretakers in order to enjoy the quality of life they deserve in their advancing years. They have served us well, and we need to reward that lifetime of devotion with some well-deserved pampering. Heck, who of us, at any age, don't appreciate a pedicure or a gentle brushing out of our hair? Provide a "Home Spa" for your Senior Kitty An Overview Imagine yourself living at a luxurious spa, where you'd receive regular manicures, facials, exercise, massage, and food designed to keep you fit. This is exactly the kind of treatment you'll want to give your senior cat, for both his physical and psychic well-being. Nail Care Trim his claws at least once a month, using these detailed instructions. Then follow up the "manicure" with a gentle massage of each pad, followed by a massage of each leg. Use a delicate pressure and move your fingers in a circular motion. Keep Coat Clear of Tangles and Mats Over a period of time, lack of self-grooming will cause mats to develop, which are not only unsightly and painful, but can provide a harboring place for bacteria and fleas, with resultant skin irritation. You can help prevent this by brushing your cat regularly - once or twice a day is ideal. But when mats develop, use the techniques in this article to remove them. Exercise and Play Even sedate old guys get a little frisky now and then, but you may have to make the first move to encourage him to play. Longtime skills will quickly come into play when a tempting bird on a string or other wiggly prey makes an appearance. Regular play will help keep muscles supple and joints lubricated, and will also help prevent depression. Precede the play period with a warm-up massage for added benefit. Here are some of my favorite interactive toys for cats. Minimizing Stress Stress and the Older Cat Stress can have as debilitating an effect on cats' health as it does to that of humans. Stress can come from many sources, and in older cats any form of change can be a stressor. Try to keep any optional changes to a minimum, and when changes must be made, use these tips to help minimize stress. Preview of Last Lesson The sixth and final lesson will approach a subject most of us don't even want to think about: the eventual loss of our cat. "When It's Time to Say Goodbye" will deal with making that rough decision, as well as learning some coping techniques to use during the necessary grief process that follows. Sad, but very essential reading. This email is written by: Franny Syufy Cats Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum Missing a lesson? Click here. About U. is our collection of free online courses designed to help you learn a new skill, solve a problem, get something done, or just learn more about your world. Sign up now, and we will email you lessons on a daily or weekly basis. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the About.com 'The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d' email. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com Advertisement

The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d: Lesson 4: Behavior Issues With Your Oldster

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The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d Lesson 4: Behavior Issues With Your Oldster From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats We are fortunate to have Amy Shojai, CABC as the Contributing Writer on Cat Behavior. In her first eight months, Amy has written over 100 behavior articles for this site. Some of these are as applicable for Seniors as they are for growing cats. Here's help for the most common behavioral issues in older cats. Old Cat Behavior and Senility This award-winning article helps us understand the medical reason for older cats behavior problems. From Amy: "Old cat behavior can be due to senility, technically called Feline Cognitive Dysfunction. Signs of kitty senility can be vague and confusing, and mimic other disease or behavior conditions such as feline separation anxiety or petting aggression. These kitties, usually over the age of fifteen, often develop litter box problems." "In the past, these symptoms would have been brushed off as a normal part of aging, but feline cognitive dysfunction is a medical condition. Cats with cognitive dysfunction develop a starch-like waxy protein deposit (beta amyloid) in the brain. This affects pet cats in the same way that Alzheimer's disease affects people--and it breaks our hearts when a beloved pet no longer recognizes us and turns into a stranger." Aggression After Vet Visit If you have a multi-cat home, aggression after a vet visit can occur, and since older cats are more prone to veterinary visits, they can often be the victim; adding even more to stress of leaving the home. Amy offers 6 Tips to Stop After Vet Visit Aggression, to help you understand and prepare for this possibility Separation Anxiety Geriatric cats with senility may suffer from separation anxiety, simply because they don't recognize you. From Amy: "Cat separation anxiety requires behavior modification and desensitization to soothe upset kitty feelings and reverse problem behaviors. Cats may go for years without issues, and then suddenly act out when your work schedule changes and keeps you away for long hours. Vacations also tend to trigger feline separation anxiety. Think of separation anxiety as a form of grief. Cats don't mean to 'act bad,' they just miss you so much they can't help themselves". Petting Aggression Older cats sometimes developed severely matted fur, which is painful, and petting exacerbates the pain. Enter Petting Aggression, a fairly common type. From Amy: "Of the several kinds of cat aggression, none confuses, frustrates and frightens us as much as petting aggression, also called status-related aggression. The cat begs for attention, loves the petting, but then bites you after only a few strokes. These cats use the 'leave me alone' bite to stop interactions such as petting, being lifted or approached, or moved from a favorite perch." Litter Box Forgetfulness Litter box avoidance is one of the most common behavior issues in cats. Old ladies and gents, who may be senile, compounded by kidney problems, may simply forget to use the box, and pee or poop on the nearest soft surface. Arthritic Seniors may find it difficult to climb into the taller boxes Re-training these oldsters would involve much the same processes as with younger cats, and Amy has also addressed the problems of seniors in this article. Coming Next In Lesson 5, we'll address The Comfort Factor: A Kitty Spa Treatment for your cat. Much like human senior citizens, geriatric cats need a bit more attention and help from their caretakers in order to enjoy the quality of life they deserve in their advancing years. They have served us well, and we need to reward that lifetime of devotion with some well-deserved pampering. This email is written by: Franny Syufy Cats Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum Missing a lesson? Click here. About U. is our collection of free online courses designed to help you learn a new skill, solve a problem, get something done, or just learn more about your world. Sign up now, and we will email you lessons on a daily or weekly basis. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the About.com 'The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d' email. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com Advertisement

The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d: Lesson 3: Diseases That Target Senior Cats

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The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d Lesson 3: Diseases That Target Senior Cats From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats We're learning that cats are much like humans with their aging. In addition to conditions like arthritis, dental problems, hearing loss, and vision loss, other, potentially more serious diseases find easy targets in aging cats whose immune systems may not be as active as in their younger days. Today, we'll study some of these diseases and learn how to spot the warning signs, and how to help our old gentlemen and lady cats fight them or live with them. The Most Important Lesson Know When to Call Your Vet Judging from the number of urgent health-related questions I receive by email, or posted on the Cats Forum, I have concluded that many people don't know when to call the veterinarian. "Franny's Three Rules," along with a number of tips, may help ease your mind, and some of them may save your cat from needless suffering. These tips are applicable for cats of all ages, but are particularly important for older cats. An Overview Diseases That Target Senior Cats Diabetes, kidney disease, heart problems and cancer number among the more serious diseases that can strike the elderly cat. On the plus side, many of these conditions can be treated successfully, and your cat can continue to live a relatively normal life. Further Details Disease Profile: Chronic Renal Failure CRF is probably the cause of death in more older cats than any other cause. The kidney's nephrons, which filter and reabsorb the fluids that balance the body simply start shutting down and toxins build up in the blood. Fortunately, the kidney can survive with only 25% of the nephrons working actively. Even more fortunately, there are many things you can do to help your cat live reasonably comfortably with CRF. Disease Profile: Feline Diabetes Mellitus Feline Diabetes Mellitus presents as one of two types: Type 1, caused by the insufficient production of insulin, and Type 2, related to the body's cells inability to handle insulin efficiently. Although diabetes can strike cats of any age, it is more prevalent in older, obese cats, and is found more often in male cats. Learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of cats with feline diabetes. Disease Profile: Feline Hypertension Hypertension (high blood pressure) in cats is almost always associated with either kidney disease, hyperthyroidism or certain heart diseases. (This is called secondary hypertension). Unlike humans, stress does not seem to be a factor in feline hypertension, and primary hypertension is rarely seen in cats. Although hypertension was uncommon in cats at one time, since cats are living longer today, it is seen more frequently than in previous years. Disease Profile: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Often referred to as HCM, this disease is a thickening of the heart muscle, and is believed to be largely genetic in origin, with several breeds considered suspect. It is found most often in middle-aged cats, and in males. Although there is no known cure for this condition, with prompt diagnosis and early treatment, cats may live on for years after diagnosis. HCM is often associated with Hyperthyroidism in cats. Disease Profile: Feline Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism, also known as "hyperthyroid disease," occurs when the thyroid gland enlarges, and starts producing excess amounts of thyroid hormone. This anomaly is usually caused by a benign tumor on one or both of the thyroid gland's lobes. Although thyroid tumors can be cancerous, the chances are only 2% to 5% of malignancy. My own hyperthyroid cat, Bubba, died at 18.5 years from hyperthyroidism related side effects. Preview of Tomorrow's Lesson Tomorrow, we'll explore "The Comfort Factor," and explore ways to improve our fuzzy old guys' and ladies' quality of life. We may not be able to extend their lives indefinitely because of serious medical problems, but there are many things we can do to help ensure quality living for our treasured senior cats. This email is written by: Franny Syufy Cats Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Missing a lesson? Click here. About U. is our collection of free online courses designed to help you learn a new skill, solve a problem, get something done, or just learn more about your world. Sign up now, and we will email you lessons on a daily or weekly basis. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the About.com 'The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d' email. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement

The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d: Lesson 2: Optimizing His Health and Well-Being

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The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d Lesson 2: Optimizing His Health and Well-Being From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats Although cats are subject to many of the age-related diseases and conditions which afflict humans, they can't tell us what hurts, so it is up to us to be aware of the possibilities and to monitor their health constantly. In addition, there are many precautions we can take with younger cats to forestall problems as they age. With careful management in partnership with your veterinarian, you can help your cat enjoy his golden years to the maximum. Age-Related Conditions in Cats An Overview In cats, just as in humans, body parts start to wear out after a certain age. Arthritis rears its ugly head; eyes may not see quite as well, hearing deteriorates, and teeth that have not been properly cared for begin to deteriorate, causing painful mouth conditions. Some of these conditions can be forestalled, through diet and diligent maintenance, and others can be helped through veterinary intervention. Oh, my Aching Bones! Disease Profile: Osteoarthritis Senior cats that exhibit the symptoms of aching joints may be afflicted with Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease. Excess weight may be a contributing factor, and weight control (including exercise) is an important part of any treatment program for Osteoarthritis. Safe Weight Management This article is a review from yesterday, since weight control plays a part in both overall health, and in relief from arthritis. If you feel comfortable with what you learned, you can skip it. Otherwise, read it again. As cats age and become more sedentary, they often tend to gain weight if continued on their normal diet. Although this normally happens between the ages of six and eight, sometimes older cats become obese. Even younger cats, if allowed to eat excess amounts of high-calorie foods, may gain weight excessively. Excess weight can be contributary to a number of conditions, including not only arthritis, but also diabetes and heart disease. Cats Don't Wear Dentures Institute a Dental Care Plan to Save Those Precious Teeth It is never too late to start a dental care program for your cat. Your first step should be a complete oral examination by your veterinarian. Older cats are susceptible not only to tooth loss, but also to painful oral lesions. Once the immediate problems are resolved, a commitment to dental care will protect those valuable teeth for life. Other Dental Resources: How to Clean Your Cat's Teeth How to Examine Your Cat's Teeth and Gums Top Dental Care Products Hearing Loss Disease Profile: Hearing Loss Cats can compensate for early degrees of hearing loss, so sometimes their human companions are unaware of the problem until complete deafness occurs. While hearing loss in senior cats may be irreversible, there are ways you can make life easier and less stressful for them in a silent world. Reduced Vision and Blindness Disease Profile: Eye Problems and Blindness in Cats Seeing a treasured cat go blind, either gradually or suddenly, can be a devastating experience, because we tend to equate vision loss in cats with human blindness. We need to remember, though, that cats are terrifically resilient. Cats don't need seeing eye dogs to find their way around, nor do they need to learn braille in order to communicate. Try not to despair if your cat should lose his vision, but learn the things you can do to help him find his way around and lead a normal life. Assignment and Preview of Tomorrow's Lesson Your assignment today is, if your cat is 10 or older, to make an appointment for a checkup if it's been more than six months since his last vet appointment. Otherwise, practice your observation skills; watch for symptoms, and start that dental program if you've neglected it in the past. Next, we'll talk about some more serious diseases that target senior cats. In the meantime, don't forget to take your questions to the Cats Forum, and have a great day with your cat! This email is written by: Franny Syufy Cats Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum Missing a lesson? Click here. About U. is our collection of free online courses designed to help you learn a new skill, solve a problem, get something done, or just learn more about your world. Sign up now, and we will email you lessons on a daily or weekly basis. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the About.com 'The Golden Years - Care of Your Senior Cat V2.d' email. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com Advertisement