Is there a cat equivalent of this board, as I have a query relating to my elderly cats health?

good question, does anyone know of one? I have all kinds of cat questions. It is so hard finding answers.

Hi, I had a look on Google and the first site shown on the first page and the last one on first page looked almost okay. Though not very many postings on the first and the last have shut one of their boards down because of misuse. Funnily enough I have been worrying tonite about my old cat (22 year old lady) and am thinking of taking her to the vet "just in case". (She hates it so I only take her now if really necessary normally to get her claws cut). If I can be of any help please let me know.. you never know I'm definitely more knowledgeable on cats LOL Regards Gina

Hi there Gina, nothing really specific. It will be her 16th birthday tomorrow (Happy Birthday Sheba). She's never been a fat cat, but is really thin and scraggy looking. Her coat lacks lustre, she is a long haired tabby. She eats well and frequently and is apparently fit, jumping in and out high windows and still bosses the labs about! She is wormed and flea treated. She seems happy, purrs and jumps on laps for a cuddle. Its just her weight and frequency of eating. Last weeks vets in practice had a similar skinny looking stray and they said it was thyroid problems. Like you, I don't want to drag her off to the vets and stress her out for no good reason. I also feel that at her age an operation wouldn't be a good idea, and feel I should leave any intervention unless she seems to be distressed or uncomfortable which she doesn't. Any thoughts or solutions please?
Lorna

Hiya. Could just be old age. Puss, my cat, feels quite greasy now (she is a black and white lovely mog). She is 22 this year, NEVER stops eating (and drinking) and you can pick her up now with one finger. I am sure that this part is old age cos when I took her to the vet less than six months ago she said her heart was absolutely fine (even though she cant manage the stairs too well now because she is a bit stiff in the joints) and that she most probably has kidney trouble which couldnt be treated really at her age as it is what happens to old cats but the vet wasnt unduly worried. She was satisfied with her although I am alarmed sometimes at how thin she is. I am taking her again later this week or early next to have her claws cut as I dont like to do it myself and I will let you know what she says. Your cat sounds fine to me just getting old and as long as she isnt losing weight very quickly (cos perhaps you may sometimes be worrying about the same thing as me but dont want to say the word) I wouldnt worry too much, BUT I am not a vet just someone with an old cat like you!! If she is losing weight week by week I would take her to the vet asap.

Just a thought but please dont panic as I am sure this isnt so with your cat but I did have a long haired tabby who started drinking too much and losing weight and eating a lot (she was called Piggy cos she was always a big cat and always ate a lot). I took her to the vet and she was diabetic. She lived for 4 years after that but I had to inject her with insulin every day. It wasnt very satisfactory and I would never do it again. I think I ended up keeping her alive too long because I was selfish and didnt want her to go. It is easier with dogs than cats apparently when they have diabetes. But as you dont say that your girl is drinking a lot I wouldnt think it was diabetes. (Re the thyroid, the vet took her gland out to help her put on weight but it didnt make an iota of difference to Piggy). Piggy was always my favourite cat out of the 3 I have had and I still miss her after 7 years.
Regards Gina

PS My cat takes extract of mussel to help her bones as she is a bit stiff now but yours sounds really fit still LOL.

My Dad finally relented and had his 20 year cat put down last year. She too was losing weight despite eating and I was very annoyed that the vet tried to treat her! However, it was only when growths started appearing on her legs that he made the decision but she was simply wasting away in front of him.

I do feel for your dad. My cat is just getting thinner as she gets older and there is a big difference IMO between this and rapid weight loss which happened with both Piggy with diabetes and my first cat who had cancer and who I could just tell was not well even though she was quite young. She didnt jump around as usual etc and so I knew something was up. I dont think vets should try to treat older cats with anything intrusive. Giving mine the mussel extract though has helped her such a lot with her joint problems and she is quite happy at the moment. Cats do seem to change their habits when they are ill and become very less active and "look" ill. I am of course talking about my 3. Regards Gina.

Hi Lorna,
I would take her to the vet so he can look her over. Thyroid problems can be very serious if left untreated. My beloved 18 year old cat was put to sleep last year. Among other things, she had an enlarged thyroid which was actually making it difficult for her to breath. She was also very thin. I n view of her age, the vet said it would be unfair to operate. We still miss her even though we have a 'replacement' - and 4 gorgeous kittens!!!
Sharon

Have you tried www.petplanet.co.uk They have a cat board as well as a dog board.

Helen

I use www.petplanet.co.uk

I am part of the cat chat there and you have an on line nurse you can chat to about any problems and they are really friendly. As well as Molly my BC, I have two cats and it's great to chat with other about them.

Julieann

Hi JulieAnn, just went into the petplanet and AOL chucked me out so am going back in now....my fingers went straight to favourites and this site first LOL. May be see you there. And Lorna I am sure will find it very useful to have the nurse on hand Many thanks Gina

PS sorry it was petplanet it was one Admin suggested so I shall now try them both.....vrooooomm.........gone LOL

There is a very new cat discussion board at http://www.showcat.co.uk/. It has just been started up by a friend of mine in the last couple of days. If you are quick you could be the first poster