Please help-my 20 year old cat is biting her paws to the point that they bleed.?

Question

Vet says she is just senile--she acts fine otherwise, but is eating next to nothing. She also has a meow that sounds like a sore throat. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't want her to suffer, but she still seems vital and attentive. ALLhelp appreciated.

A pet you've had for 20 years is like family.

Answer 1

You are right on that score. I had a terrier for 11 years and she seemed like a member of the family.

Re what you said about the kitty's meow sounding like a sore throat, maybe there's an infection there. Take her to the vet and he will have a look at her. While you are there, also tell him about the paw biting and tell him how much she bites the paws. There should be something that he could do for the paws until they heal. To me, it sounds like they itch and the biting is the only way your cat has of trying to make the itch go away so maybe there's something there. Maybe you might try a new vet if you think this one will give you the same answers. Sometimes it takes a new vet to see something the regular one has missed.

If the vet does nothing about the paws, you might try putting a little Neosporin cream on them. This is an antibiotic cream and will not hurt the cat. I put it on a cut on my foot and my puppy licks it off and it hasn't hurt her yet although I wish that she'd stop. The Neosporin will help the paws to heal and maybe the cat will stop biting them after that. However, as I stated earlier, it sounds like the paws itch and the cat is biting them because she can't scratch them and of course this makes them bleed. So you should ask the vet if there is any infection there. If he says no, try the Neosporin.

I hope that you find help for your poor cat.

Answer 2

It is possible that she just isn't quite right anymore, but there could also be a real reason for her biting her feet. Arthritis at her age is a major possibility. See if you can convince your vet to give you some pain meds for her. There really isn't anything over the counter that is safe for cats so you need to go through the vet. Given her age, and the level of discomfort she seems to be in, I would think any possible side effects would be worth the risk. Like you said they are a family member and if she can be comfortable for whatever time she has it is worth it.

If that doesn't work out, try finding a vet that practices eastern and western medicine, acupuncture can do wonders for pain and other neurological issues.

Answer 3

Oh poor kitty. 20 years is a long, wonderful life for your kitty. It's quite possible that her time on earth is coming to a close. Animals know when their time has come and they do things lik ceasing to eat and drink, hiding, becoming lethargic, etc. I've never heard of compulsive paw biting though. It's possible your kitty is indeed senile. She doesn't know what's going on around her. Just make her as comfortable as you can since these may be her last few days. If at any time you see her in any kind of pain or suffering, you know what you have to do. It's heartbreaking to say goodbye, but it's such a gift to be able to end a loved one's suffering and give them peace. I wish you & your kitty the best.

Answer 4

She is most likely on the verge of passing on. Cats act out when they know they are ready to go. I would watch her carefully because she will try to hide when it is time. I watched this happen to my mothers 23 year old cat. He was a joy and a great part of the family so when it was his time, we let it happen naturally as if he were human, held him until the end and buried him with love.

I am sorry this is happening to you, it is painful and hard to see but it is the cycle of life and inevitable. Your cats paws probably hurt due to arthritis and you know how it is when you hurt, some pain is easier to deal with than others. I know when my hip hurts from arthritis I would rather stub my toe and feel that than the hip! See if your vet will allow her to be given any pain meds like 1/2 an aspirin. Or, at the Tractor Supply Store, they have tryptophan in a tube, it is a natural sedative you can give your cat to make it relaxed (same natural drug that is in turkey, you know, the one that makes everyone lazy after thanksgiving dinner!).

Good luck and love your pet til the end. Make sure you have a nice picture of it and save its collar to hang on the frame, it is a nice memorial to your beloved family member.

Answer 5

A 20 year old cat still has teeth. The thing to do is have her put to sleep as hard as that might be. It would be the most humane thing to do at this point. Things will only get worse. My cat was 16 years old and started biting us. She got diarrhea all the time and anywhere it happen to hit her. They just reach a certain age and everything starts falling apart. I feel for you, and it was hard for us too, but sometimes the hardest thing is the best.

Answer 6

I wouldnt necessarly have her put to sleep... We had a cat that lived till about age 24/25. As long as your cat seems otherwise happy, I wouldnt put her down just because she acts strangely. Instead, take her to a vet and find out if there's anything you can perhaps cover her paws with..

WAIT!! I have an idea!! there's a product that they make for wires called bitter yuck.. it's made from rosemary extract and is 100% non toxic. I use it to stop our two cats from eating my headphone wires (so far they've destroyed 6 pairs) what if you put a drop on each paw where she bites?? it tastes terrible to cats and might discourage her from biting them ... You can get it from petco and perhaps petsmart..

Jesse

Answer 7

don't put her down, that's cruel. It may be that she has an allergy or maybe she has fleas, fleas will make a cat or any animal go nuts, I have a cat too and he had fleas a while ago and he was just bonkers, he tried to scratch himself on anything that would suffice. But definately take her to a very highly recommended vet. Not just some joe shmuck. Treat your cat well she's not a kitten anymore.

Answer 8

Are you positive she's bleeding from the vagina? Did they prescribe Claxamox for a bladder an infection? if so, she's probable bleeding from the urethra. appears like your kitty desires a distinct antibiotic. If the bleeding is vibrant pink she ought to visit the emergency vet immediately. If it truly is pinkish urine take her on your vet first component contained in the morning. do not call for an app't.- merely be there even as they open. period in-between, you want to inspire her to drink as a lot as achievable. try fowl broth, the water from canned tuna, some thing like that. maximum acceptable desires! >^..^<

Answer 9

Congratulations! if your cat has lived 20 years with you, means your family and you have treated him soooo well!

It´s natural all the new things are appearing right now!, indeed he´s old, but you may feel sooo proud for giving him a WONDERFUL LIFE!

Answer 10

Cats do not normally live that long. You've got a little old lady that's well past her better years. If she's not eating, then she's hurting. Putting her down is probably the kindest thing you could do.