She eats her meals and drinks plenty, but now sleeps most of the day.
2007-02-20 08:32:03 · 28 answers · asked by Candy 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
If she is still eating, drinking and urinating fine, and seems to be okay, just sleepy, you don't need to put her down.
2007-02-20 08:35:36 · answer #1 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
As cats get older their T4 levels drop. Some older cats with T4 levels in the midrange
or even in the lower half of the range for T4 are actually hyperthyroid because their individual "normal" value is very low. We have seen this problem mostly in cats that
are 15 years or more of age.
Thyroid hormone levels can vary a lot over time in cats and some cats with
hyperthyroidism can be detected simply by repeating the total T4 test at a
later time. Usually it is best to wait at least a week and some endocrinologists recommend waiting a month.
It is possible to test for hyperthyroidism using more specific testing if it seems warranted. There are two ways to do this. One is to draw blood and test for free T4
levels (the free T4 is the portion of total T4 that is circulating in the blood system
without being bound to anything). It is possible for the free T4 to be high while the
total T4 is low. This test is also occasionally misleading because some other conditions, most notably kidney failure, can cause rises in the free T4 levels. An alternative test
is T3 suppression testing. The test takes three days, on the first day blood is drawn
and saved under refrigeration so it can be compared with blood drawn on the last day. Oral T3 (Cytomel Rx) is administered every 8 hours for 2 days and the morning the of the third day. Then blood is drawn again within 8 hours of this pill. The T4 levels in the two samples are compared. In cats with hyperthyroidism, the T4 level in the second sample should be below 20nmol/L.
Of course, there is also a strong possibility that your cat doesn't have hyperthyroidism, so it is important to evaluate the overall situation. If weight loss continues and can not
be explained by other lab results or physical exam results then it would be a good idea
to test for mild or hidden hyperthyroidism. Other signs that might indicate hyperthyroidism are increases in activity level, increases in vocalization, vomiting or
regurgitating frequently, heart rate increases and sometimes other behavioral changes (increased aggression, changes in urinary habits such as an increase in marking behaviors) and sometimes increased drinking and urination.
There is not a great deal of risk in being patient and waiting for further developments
if hyperthyroidism is present, so there is no strong need to eliminate the possibility through further testing in the absence of supporting clinical signs. I have been trying
to figure out what percentage of older cats that we see with unexplained weight loss may have this problem and do not really have a firm idea at this time.
2007-02-23 12:47:36 · answer #2 · answered by Miss Karen Roe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only you can decide on this one. You know your cat better than any of us. Talk to your vet and they will help you to decide as they know her history. She's an old lady she's going to sleep a lot. She may be diabetic as she's losing a lot of weight and drinking plenty.
My dog's14. He's Diabetic, got a heart murmur, has pancrinitus, had testicle caner last year, going blind and deaf. Most people would say that I'm cruel for keeping him going and a lot do say that I'm stupid for paying out what I do.
I know my dog and have monthly check ups. My vet also knows him well and I know when the times right he'll tell me. My dog also sleeps alot but I know he's still happy.
Good Luck in what ever you decide.
2007-02-20 11:00:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is possible at this older age your cat has an over or underactive thyriod problem, my cat is living (quite happily) with this problem. With an over active thyroid, she will be eating more food and losing weight as she burns up the energy quicker, you may also find that she gets more grumpy from time to time.
Cats have 2 thyroid glands, one can be removed and can help or solve the problem, unfortunately, the second is very close to an important nerve and shouldnt be removed without great risk to your cats health. A course of cat thyroid hormones will then be prescribed by your vet, and will need to have a thyroid hormone tablet every day as she will no longer producing her own.
Only a blood test from your vet will be able to determine this,
This is the stage my cat is in at the moment.
She is happy, has gained weight and still well loved after 19 years.
And remember old age cats (and dogs, and people!) tend to sleep a lot more!
2007-02-20 11:16:36 · answer #4 · answered by Neil G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unexplained weight loss in elderly cats can be an early sign of poor health. I would suggest a trip to the veterinarian’s office for a check up as so as is conceivable. Even if your feline friend is sick many illnesses are now treatable even if not curable. It’s also very possible your cat is simply exhibiting a sign of old age. After all, an 18 year old cat is roughly equivalent to a 84 year old human. I definitely think you need to see the vet and do a little research on geriatric cat care. I’ve included a few sites to get you started. Remember, there’s no need to give up on your pet just yet. But perhaps most importantly, as the owner, and therefore caregiver, of a geriatric cat you need to maintain a positive outlook and try to make your cat’s life as comfortable as possible while still enjoying her company.
2007-02-20 09:06:45 · answer #5 · answered by chattybluecat 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, when a cat reaches old age they usually lose weight and become tired and sleep alot. I am speaking from experience . Our cat is nearly 20 years old, she has lost alot of weight although she still eats ( although not as much as she used to ) and drinks alot. She spends most of her days sleeping. The vet said she is not suffering, she is just very old and like all old people and animals there bodt funtions are wearing out. She drinks alot because her liver is weak but as I said she is not suffering. Obviously at that age you must expect that her days are nearing an end but the best thing for her is to be comfortable, plenty to drink and food available when she wants it. You have obviously given her a very good life and I'm sure you love her alot and she loves you too. Let her spend her remaining, days..weeks..months or even years living as normaly as possible and when her day comes she will probably be at home, a place she knows and loves and with the person she wants to be with.
2007-02-20 08:50:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
if she is eating, drinking and sleeping she sound quite content.
I too have a cat of nearly 18 and sometimes I feel she is a little thin. Then I worm her. Simple.
I would listen to your vets advise about the end of her days. Also a cat will go away to her favourite place if she is ready to die.
I would say, enjoy her middle to old age. Cats can live a long time and she sounds very happy and content to me.
Try worming her. I bet she puts weight on.
Just enjoy her and listen to your vet.
2007-02-20 09:53:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't be so hasty!! Yes, she is getting old but as long as she is not ill (doesn't sound like it) she could have a few years left yet. My cat is around 18 and still going strong even though she's not as active but this is normal. Maybe give her extra vitamins etc. to make her immune system strong and boost her energy levels.
2007-02-20 08:37:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
She's obviously very old and fading slowly, but as long as she's happy and not in bad pain, you should give her the happy retirement she deserves.
Take her to the vet for regular check ups to make sure there's no underlying problem, but other than that just let her grow old peacefully.
If in the future she is in pain, your vet will advise her to be put to sleep. Only then would it be the right thing to do.
2007-02-21 02:47:32 · answer #9 · answered by Keira H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take her to the vet if you are worried but I don't think it's time to say goodbye she is old so she sleeps more like old humans do I had a cat like that she was exactly the same as yours and lived to 23
2007-02-20 08:35:55 · answer #10 · answered by friendofb 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If she is still eating and drinking allright and all of her obvious functions are working eg urinating and pooing, i think that you should give her longer. it is probably just with her old age. Its like in humans, when you get old, you generally start to go frail and lose weight. i think that your cat should be allright. if she loses a dangerous amount, you can always take her to the vet and see what he/she thinks. I hope your cat lives a few more healthy years, and good luck for the future. You must have really taken fantastic care of her for her to live to that age, remeber cats age 7 times faster than humans
2007-02-20 09:44:53 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋