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The litter tray

worried about my old girl

9 replies

desperateforaholiday · 27/05/2013 07:45

My cat is 17 and im getting really worried about her, im taking her the vets this week.
She has turned very reclusive in the last 6 months, hardly ever comes in the house and she has stopped grooming herself. She's a long haired cat and her fur has always been her pride and joy but its very matted now Sad she won't let me groom her anymore.
I dont know what the vet will say but my stomach is turning at the thought of the worst. She's been with me since the day she was born (I had her mum but she sadly passed away about 10 years ago)

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cozietoesie · 27/05/2013 07:55

Yes - when they get older, you start to watch everything like a hawk.

On the grooming, well - the existing fur may need a (possibly sedated0 shave if it's really bad but have you considered that she might have a bit of arthritis which is giving her pain when she attempts to groom herself/turn on her spine to reach bits? Seniorboy (who is older than your girl) has that and it's been pretty well sorted with some easy-to-take medication.

Is she eating well etc? Oh - and does she have a tray in the house which she uses?

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cozietoesie · 27/05/2013 11:31

PS - and in light of her age, what sort of shape are her mouth and teeth in?

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desperateforaholiday · 27/05/2013 14:47

She hasn't got

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desperateforaholiday · 27/05/2013 14:53

She hasn't got many teeth left, she had to have a load removed about 7 years ago, the vet said she'd either been knocked by a car or kicked in the face. She eats about half a tin of cat food and some chicken everyday. I do put more out but she doesn't seem interested.

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cozietoesie · 27/05/2013 17:12

Ouch at the thought of someone kicking her. I'm not even going to discuss that possibility it makes me so annoyed.

I think I'd be getting her a senior health check at the vets. (Hope you have one who is sympathetic to older cats - although 17 is becoming more common these days.)

If she started to get fur mats then maybe they worsened and became intractable too quickly for her to cope with - and I'm not that surprised she won't let you groom her now. Snarls can hurt when they're tugged - remember having your hair brushed by someone else when you were young? A fresh start might be the best thing.

Looking at her age, there are a few things your vet might want to check - she'll probably want to do a blood analysis if there hasn't been one for a bit. A dental check is also called for eg in case one or more of those remaining teeth is starting to cause a problem. (If she had a sore mouth, for example, she might not only feel miserable but might be disinclined to use it to groom.)

There's also the possibility of some arthritis as I mentioned above. I've been trying to think why she should be staying outside as most older cats do the opposite - start to spend longer inside sleeping. And it's been rotten weather if you're in the UK. I'm sort of considering whether she has arthritis and is finding it difficult to poo. If she goes outside and doesn't have a tray inside, then if she was having problems, she'd stay out to deal with them if she was very clean by nature. It's all I can think of, really.

As I said, I think I'd have her to the vet for a check up. Tell the vet everything you've told us and see what transpires - and let us know how she gets on.

Other posters may have more suggestions.

Lots of luck.

Smile

PS - maybe try some slightly sloppier food if she hasn't got many teeth left but the vet will see if she's underweight if you haven't weighed her.

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cozietoesie · 27/05/2013 17:30

PS - there's also the possibility that she has come to associate being inside with you trying to groom her and it hurting. Best, probably, to stop any attempts to do that - indeed, I wouldn't stroke her body prior to the vets in case it hurts also - and just make inside a place of nice food and warmth. Plus some ear rubs if she comes close for them.

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desperateforaholiday · 27/05/2013 22:30

Thanks so much for your reply, I was fearing the worst. She is going the vets on Wednesday, we've used the same one all her life, but they do have different staff on from time to time.
I will let you know how she gets on.

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cozietoesie · 27/05/2013 22:38

Well my boy is older than your cat and still going pretty strong with the help of a vet who is perfectly calm about older animals and ready to think about their issues - many of which can be dealt with to give added years of good quality life. (The little blighter is snoring at my feet as I type.)

Wait and see what the vet says. I reckon getting the mats off will help a lot and who knows what other assistance the practice can give her.

Let us know how she does.

Smile

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cozietoesie · 30/05/2013 07:57

How did she get on at the vets, desperate ?

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