Why did my 14 year old cat go to the vet?

To use this feature subscribe to Mumsnet Premium – get first access to new features see fewer ads, and support Mumsnet. My beautiful and beloved 14-year-old cat, who has been with me for over half my life, went to the vet on Friday because she was a bit lethargic and less interested in her food over the past 3 weeks or so.

When to take mother cat and her newborn kittens to the vet?

If you haven’t already done so, after one week, take the mother cat and kittens to your veterinarian for a well-check. If the mother cat was not vaccinated, this would be a good time to do it. Also, she might get treatment for roundworms, to protect both her and her kittens.

How to keep mother cat and her newborn kittens warm?

The mother cat can keep the babies warm, but if she leaves to eat or use a litter box, the kittens can get cold. Chilling is one of the most critical dangers to newborn kittens. 1 Provide blankets, a heat lamp, or a heating pad to ensure the kittens stay warm. Use a large enough box to comfortably hold the mother cat and her kittens.

How to take care of an older cat?

Your older cat’s internal temperature gauge can get a little off. Perhaps your fuzzy feline used to tolerate cold temperatures well, but now he’s wimpy about winter. To keep him comfortable, regulate the temperature in his environment and give him a warm snuggle space.

Why does my mother cat refuse to nurse her kittens?

There are a few severe conditions to keep an eye out for in your mother cat. Mastitis is a bacterial infection of the milk ducts, which occurs when the mother cat’s milk production gets blocked by inflamed mammary glands. The teats become swollen and hot, with apparent “bruising,” and the mother cat may refuse to allow the kittens to nurse.

Is it OK to visit a mother cat with her kittens?

Let the mother cat set the pace for your attention. If she has been your pet for a while, she may welcome your visits. A rescued stray or fostered cat may prefer that you stay away. As long as the kittens are nursing frequently and appear to be thriving, they will be OK.

How big is the tumour on my Cat?

The vet found a huge tumour in her torso – between the ribs, over the whole abdomen, probably the same size or larger than my hand just in terms of the surface it covers. You can feel it through her skin – a very hard, unmoving lump.

How did my cat die from a tumour?

The cat eventually died in his sleep the night before he was due to be pts. Dog had a huge fast growing tumour and was in too much pain, so it took us a couple of weeks to be truly sure it was time as she would rally, then get worse. It’s coming up to a year now for her. Still hurts, but it’s worse thinking of how muych pain she was in.

Can a cat lose weight if she has lymphoma?

my cat has lymphoma and chemotherapy and steroids have shrunk her tumours – so she’s gone from losing weight, being sick and generally lethargic to completely back to her usual self. From the sound of it though, her tumours are smaller than your cats

How old do cats have to be to get cancer?

About 20 to 30 years ago, this virus led to cancer development in young cats (2 to 5 years old). With the advent of virus testing, vaccination against FeLV and selective breeding, the cancer caused by this virus has diminished greatly.

How old is a 16 year old cat?

By age 16 your cat’s physical and mental development is very much like that of an 80-year-old person. She has definitely slowed down physically (relative to her prime adult years)and may have developed a number of health problems.

What kind of tumor is on my Persian cat?

Basal Cell Tumors are the most common type of skin tumor in middle-aged to older cats. Thankfully they are benign. These small, firm masses are usually found around a cat’s head and neck. Siamese, Himalayan, and Persian cats are most commonly affected.

What are the symptoms of a feline skull tumor?

Spinal Cord: This condition is caused by feline lymphosarcoma. As the tumor grows it puts pressure on the spinal chord. Symptoms are some type of paralysis or weakness. Skull (Cat skull tumors): This type of tumor is known as an osteosarcoma which is the most common type of “primary” tumor in cats.

Can a male cat take a male kitten?

For the rest of their lives together, Topaz really did treat the big black cat as his dad. Of course, there’s a certain protocol involved with 2 male cats (one older, one young) meeting for the first time. In her book It’s A Cat’s Life, Anitra Frazier describes the meeting between her male cat, Big Purr, and her foster kitten, Ralph.

How long does it take a male cat to mount a female?

When near a female in heat, experienced males may run straight to the female and mount her in as little at 16 seconds. Less experienced males are more cautious and may make a softer mating cry to her and sniff around her rear end.

What to expect from a 10 year old cat?

She might not decide to climb the cat condo quite as often or leap from that high bookshelf onto the couch. Mentally, she’s still sharp, but at this age it may take her longer to adjust to changes in her routine or environment. In fact, she may not handle any stress well, and even act fearful of anything new or different.

What happens when a senior cat gets confused?

You’ve probably already noticed an increase in catnaps, another indication that your cat is getting a little older. Like most senior animals, aging cats can develop dementia, and from this point on, your cat is at increased risk. It is harder for him to learn new things and adjust to change now, and he may get confused more easily.

What’s the right weight for a Maine Coon cat?

Ideal Weight for Cats. A Siamese cat may weigh as few as 5 pounds, while a Maine Coon can be 25 pounds and healthy. Your vet can let you know if your cat is overweight, but there are some signs you can look for on your own, says Melissa Mustillo, DVM, a veterinarian at A Cat Clinic in Maryland.

What happens to a cat’s temper as he ages?

Even if he has been an angel his entire life and never scratched a soul, his temper will be shorter. If you have other animals in the household, you may notice them all undergoing behavioral changes. This is because animals develop a natural pecking order, and as your cat ages, his place in that order may change.

How old is a 16 year old cat in human years?

The formula for calculating the equivalent age is fairly simple: the first two years of a cat’s life equate to 24 human years and every year thereafter is equivalent to 4 human years. For example, a 16-year-old cat would be equivalent to an 80-year-old human. See our information on how to tell your cat’s age in human years.

How old do cats have to be to be considered an elderly cat?

In recent years, feline ages and life-stages have been redefined, cats are considered to be elderly once they reach 11 years with senior cats defined as those aged between 11-14 years and super-senior cats 15 years and upwards. When caring for older cats it sometimes helps to appreciate their age in human terms.

When to take your senior cat to the vet?

If anxiety problems persist or get out of hand, your veterinarian can prescribe medication to help. Your cat will need to see the veterinarian at leasttwice a year now for a checkup. Your veterinarian will want to do a complete geriatric workup, which will include a complete physical exam and evaluation of blood, urine and stool samples.

When to consider euthanasia for an old cat?

If the prognosis is poor or gave and your cat’s quality of life is declining, euthanasia may be suggested. When a cat ages, a greater burden is placed upon its internal organs. Old age is not so much the killer as are the complications that arise during your cat’s last years. When your cat is aging, you may find:

When to take your cat to the vet?

But still, this is a time when it is critical to keep a close eye on your favorite feline and watch for behavior changes that may signify health complications. Then, if anything develops, be quick to consult your veterinarian. No doubt, you’ve noticed your cat is slowing down. That process will only continue and become more noticeable as he ages.

How many cat years are equal to human years?

Then every year of human is equal to 4 Cat Years. However, this depends on how active your Cat is, and use our cat years calculator to convert their age. This calculator will give you a rough estimate of cats’ age to human years. That old chestnut about one cat year being the equivalent of seven human years is just plain wrong.

What to do if your cat has been sick twice?

If your cat has been sick once or twice but otherwise appears well: Remove food for two hours, but continue to provide water After this time, try offering a teaspoon of their usual food or bland low-fat cooked food such as chicken or white fish Then go back to your usual routine

How old is a 15 year old cat?

But other times that’s not how it happens. Consider a cat I treated several weeks ago. She was 15 years old. The owner reported that she had seemed perfectly fine — except for drinking more water than usual — up until two days before she was brought in.

Why do seemingly healthy Old Cats suddenly get sick and die?

As I mentioned, the early symptoms of chronic diseases are subtle and can be hard or even impossible to detect.

What are the signs that your cat is sick?

What are the signs of cat vomiting? If your cat is going to be sick, you may see drooling, lip licking, excessive swallowing, retching and contractions of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm. Your cat may also hide away in a quiet area when she feels nauseous. What are the main causes of a cat being sick?

How to tell if your cat is dying of old age?

Telltale Signs an Old Cat Is Dying 1 Indications a Cat Is Dying of Old Age. According to the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine,… 2 Signs of Death for Specific Diseases. Geriatric cats can die from several types… 3 Treatment Considerations. The severity of your cat’s symptoms will increase during… 4 The Aging Cat. When a cat ages,…

What kind of tumor does a Persian cat have?

A benign growth of these cells is a basal cell tumor. A malignant growth is a basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell tumors are common in older cats. Domestic longhair, Himalayan, and Persian are the breeds most at risk. Tumors may develop almost anywhere on the body.

What are the signs of an older cat?

Older cats frequently develop arthritis in their joints, making it harder to jump up on the back of the couch, climb the cat condo or get into and out of the litterbox. Vision and hearing loss are also common. You’ve probably already noticed an increase in catnaps, another indication that your cat is getting a little older.

How old do cats have to be to have disorientation?

It’s estimated that disorientation occurs in at least 40% of cats aged 17 years and older. Disorientation may be reduced by increasing the predictability of your cat’s environment and schedule.

What does it mean when a cat has a lump on its back?

They may be itchy or red. About 10% of these tumors are cancerous. Fibrosarcomas are cancerous tumors that can appear anywhere on the body. Rarely, they happen as a side effect to any injection that is given. If your cat has a lump at the site of a recent shot, let your vet know.

How long does it take for a cat to die?

Dying in cats is a process which can take weeks or months. This article looks at common signs a cat is nearing the end of life and how you can help.

Is it possible for a cat to come back?

My outside cat Natasha was away from our home for over 5 months. Then 1 day before my baby shower she returned, like nothing happened and has never left again – that was 29 months ago. So keep hope alive. Cat’s are also so versatile, they often ‘adopt’ new families. And they often return after long periods of time has elapsed.

In addition to hoarseness, if your cat is displaying a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, lack of appetite, lethargy, or yellow or green discharge from the eyes or nose, take them to the vet so medication such as antibiotics can be prescribed.

When did I choose to let my cat go?

After tolerating chemotherapy well for almost seven months, he declined rapidly, and instead of choosing more aggressive chemotherapy and blood transfusions, which might have given him some more time, I choose to let him go.

Why did my Cat Run Away will she come back?

She doesn’t have a collar on because my dog rips it off of her when they play. And she’s not micro chipped well, because she NEVER goes outside. But if she does come back, she’ll be micro chipped 20 minutes later. She is my BABY. What else can I do? And how long do spayed, female cats tend to run away for?

When to take a cat with hyperthyroidism to the vet?

The veterinarians at the emergency clinic had restarted Hobbs on his feline hyperthyroidism treatment and instructed his owner to take her kitty to a local veterinarian in 2 weeks for a thyroid blood level. As I listened to her story, I had to bite my tongue, freeze an understanding smile on my face, and breathe deeply.

What are the signs that an old cat is dying?

There are many common age-related diseases of cats: 1 Hormonal disorders 2 Kidney disorders 3 Cardiac disorders 4 Liver problems 5 Arthritis 6 Impaired nutrient absorption 7 Impaired immunity 8 Dental disease

When does a cat become an older cat?

Generally, once your cat is over 12 years old, it is an ‘older cat’ and its needs and habits change. Popular belief has it that one year of a cat’s life is equivalent to 7 human years.

Can a 10 year old cat lose weight?

However, in many cases aging cats lose weight without evidence of organic disease using readily available standard diagnostic methods. Recent evidence has indicated that some 30 to 40 percent of cats aged 10 to 12 years have low fat and protein digestibility and subnormal serum cobalamin (vitamin B-12)…

Who is the oldest cat in the UK?

United Kingdom: Oldest living cat: 16 Scooter March 26, 1986 April 2016 30 years Siamese cat: male United States: 17 Missan 1985 29 years female Sweden: 18 Squeak 1987 29 years Calico cat: female United States: 19 Margo March 18, 1991 August 2020 29 years female United States: 20 Cola November 1985 28 years Black cat: female United Kingdom: 21 Soot

How old do cats have to be to have cognitive decline?

It’s estimated that cognitive decline—referred to as feline cognitive dysfunction, or FCD—affects more than 55% of cats aged 11 to 15 years and more than 80% of cats aged 16 to 20 years. Memory, ability to learn, awareness, and sight and hearing perception can all deteriorate in cats affected with FCD.

When to worry about your previously sociable cat has started hiding?

If you have cats that are naturally less social, it might be harder to tell when to worry about their hiding, but if you have super-sociable cats like mine that follow you everywhere, the signs will be quite clear. Now when I say there might be “something wrong,” I don’t necessarily mean something to do with their health.

How often should I take my senior dog to the vet?

As your dog ages, take her to the veterinarian at least twice a year for a complete geriatric workup, including a thorough physical exam and blood tests. Your veterinarian also may want to perform other screening tests, as well as examining her urine and stool.

Can a 14 year old Labrador Retriever still live?

14-Year-Old Labrador It is highly unlikely for a Labrador to live until this age. However, it is not impossible A 14-year-old Lab will likely experience significant symptoms of aging.

Is the vet still sad about her dog’s death?

This vet adds that she’s still sad after all these years – particularly about about her “very best dog of all time.” “Hunter was was euthanized years ago, and I still miss her. We did everything together: she came to work with me, we camped together, and I haven’t had a dog like her since.

How did a veterinarian lose his pet cat?

He adds that after he lost his pet dog, he lost two cats as well. “One was an elderly girl that had to be put down due to deteriorating health,” says this veterinarian. “The other cat was run over by a car a couple of years later.

How to know when it’s time to take your cat to the vet?

Call your vet to help you decide when the time has come. Keep a diary of your cat’s level of suffering and pain. When the “bad days” outnumber the “good days” — days when your cat can get up and move around or breathe easily — it might be a good time to talk with your vet about ending your pet’s suffering.

Is it expensive to have vet treatment done on an old cat?

But once the treatment is over, the disease is gone. Although this would be stressful for both of us, I believe it’s the best option in the long term. It is, of course, expensive: At the clinic here in Seattle, the cost is around $1,000.

Can a 17 year old cat have dental disease?

Tara: In the article, she tells the story of a 17-year-old cat with advanced dental disease. The cat’s caretaker was reluctant to put the cat under anesthesia because of concerns about her general health … Thomas: After all, the kitty already had kidney disease and hyperthyroidism…

Why does my cat have fluid in her lungs?

Viral infections, such as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) may cause fluid build-up around the lungs due to leakage from blood vessels. Viral diseases may compromise the cat’s immune system and make them more susceptible to bacterial infection. Bacterial or fungal invasion of the lungs may cause pneumonia.

How to tell if your cat has ingested a foreign body?

Most pets that have ingested a foreign body will exhibit some of these clinical signs: 1 Vomiting. 2 Diarrhea. 3 Abdominal tenderness or pain. 4 Decreased appetite or anorexia. 5 Straining to defecate or producing small amounts of feces. 6 (more items)

When to take your cat to the vet for dehydration?

Dehydration may indicate a serious underlying problem. If you suspect that your cat is dehydrated, take him to a veterinarian immediately. You may be able to detect dehydration at home by gently lifting the skin on the back of your cat’s neck or between the shoulder blades-unless your cat is seriously…

How do you drain fluid from a cat’s chest?

This is done by draining the fluid from the cat’s chest with a needle. Certain conditions such as chylothorax can cause as much as a quart of fluid to build-up in the chest. Once the fluid is gone, the lungs can expand normally and breathing returns to normal.

What does it mean when a cat has fluid in the lungs?

Fluid in the Lungs in Cats. 2 min read. Pulmonary edema refers to fluid buildup in the lungs and is often associated with pneumonia, although there are many other possible causes. Normal lungs have fluid that is moved from the lungs into the internal space of the body, an on-going process for normal healthy function.

What to do if a cat has fluid in the SAC?

If the cat is diagnosed with cardiac tamponade, immediate pericardiocentesis (drawing the fluid out of the pericardial sac with a needle) is essential; however, this is rarely needed in cats. Cats in respiratory distress will be stabilized with the use of administered oxygen and an oxygen cage.

How to test the temperature of CAT IV fluid?

Lastly, massage the bag to make sure any cold or hot spots dissipate, then test the temperature of the fluid by running some of it over your wrist, as you would with a baby bottle. It should be warm, but not hot. OK, your bag is ready to use. You need a way to hang it, though, and a wire coat hanger works great for this.