Problems in elderly cat

[Sleepingboynexttome]

My cat has lived a long life. She has had diabetes that we have kept under control with insulin but now her kidneys are starting to fail and she’s drinking lots of water. The vet suggested that we put her on ‘kidney food’ rather than ‘diabetes food’. We are happy to try that, has this happened to anyone else? Was the food helpful?

Secondly, she’s developed arthritis. I have no idea how much pain she is in. She’s not moving much but that’s also because she’s old. She passes her days on the bed/sofa and moves only to eat or use the litter. She still loves cuddles and purrs lots and does not show signs of pain but I know that cats often hide their pain so I’m worried about that. The vet has suggested vitamins pills that are absolutely useless as are massive and if I break them up into food/water she doesn’t eat/drink so that’s a load of wasted money. They also suggested a shot of painkillers each month, which we are happy to try. Do you have a cat with arthritis? Has anything helped? Maybe a heated blanket? She always moves into a sun area if there is any.

Thanks a lot. We had her for more than 10 years but she’s older than that so I’m dreading what’s (hopefully still slowly) coming.

Your cat is so lucky to have such a lovely owner. You are doing all the right things.

Aww, my cat is old too.
She has anti inflammatories from the vet for her arthritis, they definitely seem to make her walk and climb the stairs more easily. We give her steroids sometimes too which perk her up all round, though they are for a persistent cough which we don’t have a diagnosis for.
She has a heated bed, it’s got an electric heated pad built in and she loves it, it’s always where you’ll find her if the rads are off and no lap is available.

Our bed is very similar to [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermo-Kitty-Heated-Cat-Bed/dp/B07KGLGLD8/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=heated%2Bcat%2Bbed&th=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1647121144&sr=8-8 ]] one. It’s cosy and washable too, which is handy these days!

www.amazon.co.uk/Thermo-Kitty-Heated-Cat-Bed/dp/B07KGLGLD8/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=heated%2Bcat%2Bbed&th=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1647121144&sr=8-8

Our arthritic cat has prescription YuMove with the capsule contents mixed in with sardines or mackerel in tomato sauce - Kitty crack!

Yes, I had a cat who had heart problems and also arthritis. He was 16, and I loved HIM SO MUCH. He had metacam (iirc) which syringed in quite easily, and it definitely eased his pain. But he did continue to get sicker: his heart issue was getting worse. He did love us, and was very cuddly and purry and loved all hot things. But he was declining.

There did come a point however where I had to decide that his quality of life had gone down so much that had to do the kindest thing, and have him pts. Which was awful, of course. Knowing when to make that decision is so hard

Sorry, I should have added: if your vetnis talking about food changes, that is very different to talking about pts! I wasn't suggesting you do that! But it is always important to be aware of quality of life.

We had an elderly cat with arthritis and she had metacam daily which definitely helped her move a bit better and seem happier.

She also had a self heating bed which she loved.

Oh no, thespottezebra I understood what you meant! I think that I will have to make that decision at some point but today is not that day so I want to make her as comfy as possible.

I’ll definitely buy the pain medicine then.

She’s love sardines but she really can’t due to the diabetes 😅 her absolutely favourite food is asparagus and I give her a little the rare times I buy it but recently it upset her stomach so much that I wonder whether she’s past her ‘asparagus days’.

Thank you for the bed ideas, I’m definitely going to give it a try! She can’t do the stairs anymore and won’t (never has) settled on our laps but my husband always laughs when he sees me carrying her everywhere and positioning her within ‘cuddling arm’ distance. Here’s a photo just in case you need it…

We have microwave wheat bags that really help rather than an electric heat pad as it's a different kind of warmth.

Oooh I can find those too! I have a microwaveable sloth with wheat inside to try! Thank you!

Asparagus! Cats are weird.
Yours is beautiful.

Could she have just the tomato from the sardine? Mine love the sauce which is what I mix the meds into.

My boy loves asparagus, cauliflower, sugar snap peas, broccoli probably lots more too 🤦🏼‍♀️

I cannot not eat vegetable stir fry in the same room as he even loves sweet chilli sauce as does girl cat!

Several people have suggested non steroidal anti inflammatories (eg metacam). Those tend to be a very bad idea if there is any degree of renal failure.

I’ll buy only the anti inflammatories the vet will give me as they know the cat.

I’ll also try the pills’ powder in a little ricotta cheese, that she loves, as I’ve never tried tomato sauce with her, or maybe A little ‘spring water’ from the tuna tin! Good ideas!

Here’s sloth and cat. Not quite clear if she’s pleased with that but at least she’s not moving away from the warmth!

The problem with standard pain relief/anti inflammatories like loxicom, metacam, rheumocam is they are hard on kidneys which is why your vet hasn't prescribed them already

What stage kidney failure did they say she's at? My beloved 20 year old had diabetes for the last 2 years of his life, likely due to the steroids he'd been on since 16 for stomatitis. He went into kidney failure but it happened so quickly that it was only a week from diagnosis to us having to help him find peace as he wasn't responding to IV fluids and basically was too tired to carry on, which was devastating.

Renal food is quite unpalatable so if your cat doesn't take to it, ask your vet if it isn't too late to try a phosphorous binder like ipakitine also so you can continue with normal food but he won't absorb as much from it.

I've had quite a good experience with arthri aid, it's a liquid you put on food for dogs and cats, it's about £20 a bottle on amazon and although it said a few weeks to see the benefit I did notice it sooner.

Thank you so much startinggrid, I’ll check carefully everything you said. The vet didn’t tell us how far advanced her disease is. In a way I would almost prefer if, when it’s time, she goes downhill fast as I will not be able to miss the sign and we will have to act. Now I’m scared that I can’t understand how much in pain/uncomfortable she is.

If it helps, my FUSSY (emphasis on that!) cat will eat these in preference to dreamies and beg for them

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seraquin-Veterinary-Joint-Supplement-Turmeric/dp/B003ZJ8FAA/ref=ascdfB003ZJ8FAA/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=414890237006&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15740669600199696466&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007000&hvtargid=pla-682327197559&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=95385941729&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=414890237006&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15740669600199696466&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007000&hvtargid=pla-682327197559

@pawpaws2022 boy cat managed to get into the cat treat cupboard and destroyed the box and pill packaging to get to the YuMove supplements for girl cat he is truly "unique"

🤣🤣🤣
Thank you!

My elderly cat (about 15 years) has arthritis and occasional kidney issues, she receives a steroid injection every three weeks and a painkiller injection called Solensia (9 months on it seems very safe and there have been no side effects). She's delighted with herself! She was never very playful but since starting on solensia she loves a quick game a few times a day. Gabapentin was hard on her but no difficulties with the solensia. Chatting with other pet owners at the vet I've heard similar happy stories from both cat and dog owners!

[quote RandomMess]@pawpaws2022 boy cat managed to get into the cat treat cupboard and destroyed the box and pill packaging to get to the YuMove supplements for girl cat he is truly "unique"[/quote]
I have a cat food topper that is chicken liver powder and nutritional yeast. Not my cat broke in the cupboard for it and tipped it on the floor, rolling around in it and licking himself
My cat "WTF"

🤣🤣🤣🤣

😆😆😆😆😆 my girl has so many WTF moments a new boy, he is erm not like her deceased brother.

Fortunately he is pretty respectful of her and patiently endures being told off for existing on a fairly regular basis. He is just a bit that she very rarely wants to play!