Elderly cat problems

[TheSilveryPussycat]

My lovely lady is aged 17. She became increasingly wobbly over the last fortnight, and the vet says it is spinal arthritis. He also did various tests, and her kidneys are not what they were.

He gave her a cortisone injection and she seems happier, we are going back to vet next week. He said she was v v likely to have been in pain, I feel awful as she has been yowling but I thought she was just getting more imperious in her old age

I am wondering about the likely course of things for her (and me).

Vet says to feed her Whiskas Senior and fish.

She is asleep in the garden. She has been such a comfort throughout her whole life even when she brought home live presents, I owe her a lot...

Seniorboy is 18 and has some arthritis (he had taken to dropping the odd poo outside his tray because his high squat was becoming more painful and difficult for him - and wasn't jumping much if at all.)

His vet, who is very active with elderly animals, has put him on daily liquid NSAIDs for the condition. (Plus daily laxatives to ease his pooing.) The NSAIDs can have a detrimental effect on the kidneys in long term use but it was just a judgment on my part - a shorter time free of pain or a longer time with a lesser quality of life. So far, he's a happy trooper and his kidneys are holding up OK.

I've found that the biggest problem with him is getting him to eat and keeping his weight up - so he gets pretty well what he wants to eat. (Within reason and having regard to its chemical content and whether he's getting enough essential nutrients.) I wouldn't be restricting your girl's diet too too savagely. Nice food is a big thing to older cats. One of their joys.

As to the likely course of things? Well maybe she hasn't got so long to go so I'd make it jolly and pain free for her with the usual lots of TLC. I think that's all you can do really when they become so much older.