By Dr Siân Burwood MA VetMB MRCVS – Small Animal GP and Veterinary Writer
One minute your cat is full of energy and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, then before you know it, the years have passed and you’re living with a much older animal. Whilst there are many aspects of getting older that are ‘just one of those things’, there are also many conditions that are important to treat so your older cat still enjoys a good quality of life. As the changes related to these diseases can creep up on us, many veterinary practices will offer senior cat clinics where the early signs of aging can be spotted. All of these conditions carry better outcomes if they are picked up early, and so far from ‘looking for problems’, keeping an eye on things is well worth the effort.
When is my cat considered to be a ‘senior’?
The average domestic cat lives for 12-14 years, but most vets are used to seeing cats live well into their late teens and even early twenties.
According to International Cat Care, a cat is:
- mature when they are 7-10 years old (equivalent to a human in their 40s or 50s)
- senior when 11-14 years old
- Super senior when 15 years plus
If your cat is over 7 years old, your vet will be on the look out for any changes that might be related to aging, and senior cat clinics may be offered to you to help look for trends in vital organ function.
It’s worth knowing that as a species that evolved in the desert, some of a cat’s body systems work harder than others (most notably the kidneys that work to preserve water), so not every bit of a cat will age at the same rate.
What sorts of diseases should I be aware of in my senior cat?
Older cats develop a fairly typical set of old age diseases which include:
Dental disease
It’s highly unlikely that your cat will be brushing their teeth twice a day like you, so over time plaque will build up, leading to gingivitis and bad breath. This can become very sore and cause issues with eating or infection.
- Osteoarthritis
Arthritis is inevitable for all of us as we age, as shock absorbing cartilage wears away and bone rubs on bone. This happens faster when there has been a previous joint injury or fracture. Osteoarthritis often gets missed in cats as they show signs less obviously than dogs.
- Kidney disease
As mentioned above, cats’ kidneys start to lose function from around seven years of age, meaning that they cannot retain water in the body as well. You only see signs of kidney disease when around 75% of the kidney function is lost, and even on blood tests that figure is around 65%. This is why early detection is essential to help preserve the function that is left.
- Hyperthyroidism
An overactive thyroid gland is a very common problem in older cats, is very serious if not diagnosed, but also very easily treated if picked up early. Thyroid hormone controls a cat’s metabolic rate (how fast the bodily functions are done), so these cats are often very hungry but lose lots of weight, often have diarrhoea, and ultimately develop heart disease that can lead to fatal blood clots.
- Hypertension
High blood pressure is very common in older cats, and may be present on its own, or often at the same time as kidney and thyroid issues. Untreated, it can affect the function of all other body organs, but when diagnosed early is very readily treated with medication.
- Cancer
Unfortunately almost all types of cancer are more common in older animals, but are always more treatable the earlier they are picked up.
What might be checked at a senior cat clinic?
Senior cat clinics are often run by Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs). Whilst they are not allowed to diagnose or prescribe medications, these indispensable members of the practice team have the knowledge, skills and time to be able to collect all of the following information, and know when to pass on to a vet if there is something of concern.
- History
So much of assessing your cat is in the taking of a thorough history. Little things that you might not have realised are a problem (like your cat sleeping more) might actually be the key to understanding that something needs attention.
- Weight
Any change of body weight greater than 5% is worth investigating, and part of why regular checks to spot trends are important. Weight loss can be an early sign of diabetes, kidney disease or osteoarthritis, whereas weight gain can make these conditions worse if they are already present.
- Blood tests
Many of the conditions we are looking for in senior cats can be assessed by a simple blood test that most practices are able to run in house. Taking only 1-2ml of blood from a single needlestick can quantify blood sugars, kidney function, liver function, protein levels and thyroid hormone levels. Some practices will also assess for signs of anaemia or infection.
- Urine tests
Most practices will ask you to take a urine sample to your appointment, or will help you collect one there. The concentration of urine says a lot about how well the kidneys are working and the presence of glucose or protein can indicate diabetes or kidney failure. Senior cats are also prone to asymptomatic urine infections which these tests can pick up.
- Blood pressure
An experienced nurse in a quiet room can easily measure your cat’s blood pressure and learn if they have hypertension that needs treating.
- Dental check
Most of us are probably not brushing our cat’s teeth twice a day, and so the development of plaque and gingivitis with time is inevitable. A nurse will be able to assess your cat’s mouth to see how much gingivitis there is, and whether it is causing pain or infection that needs addressing with a dental.
- Mobility scoring
Osteoarthritis can be hard to assess in cats as they seem to just get quieter and more withdrawn. Mobility scoring looks at how your cat moves, their coat condition and how well muscled they are to see if there are any subtle signs of arthritis that needs treating.
Isn’t my cat just getting old? What can realistically be done?
Veterinary staff all know and understand that the last thing that a caregiver wants is to have their older cat ‘messed with’. Rest assured that if any recommendations are made from your senior cat check, it is because we know they will make a significant difference to your cat’s quality of life, and will help them to live longer, happier lives.
- Pain relief
Old age is not a crime, and the very least we can do for our senior cats is provide pain relief if they are sore. Many older cats suffer in silence either because their caregivers are unaware of their pain, or because they are worried about medication side effects. There are many safe and affordable options that can make a real difference to your cat, so it’s always worth asking what would work for your feline friend.
- Other medications
Conditions such as hyperthyroidism and hypertension can be easily treated with medications which are available in tablet and liquid forms.
- Diet
Changes to your senior cat’s food, either just to an age appropriate diet or to a more specific prescription one for their conditions, can have a real impact on how easily treated a disease is and how fast it progresses.
- Home adaptations
Just like us as we get older, making some simple adaptations to the house can make a big difference to how easily your cat can get through their day. Cats with arthritis might benefit from having their food and water lower down, and cats that have to wee more often will thank you for extra litter trays. International Cat Care have some great articles about this on their website (along with many others) – visit www.icatcare.org.uk
- Knowledge is power!
If all your cat’s results are normal…fantastic! It is never wasted time to know that your cat is healthy, and means that if changes are picked up in future that you know they are super early and so more likely to be treated easily.
Conclusion
Whilst extra trips to the vets may seem like a strange thing to do for your seemingly healthy cat, for senior cats over 7 years old, a visit to the clinic can be a simple way to pick up many treatable conditions early. Spotting trends early can be the difference between a long happy life where a condition is managed well, or the heartbreak of saying goodbye. Speak to your vets about what they are able to offer to your senior cat.
If you’d like to talk, ask questions, or just need support, we’re always here. Call us on 07942 077180 or email info@pawsovertherainbow.co.uk