Old boy seems very slow. Vet?

[Ginflinger]

Our cat is 16 and has a long-established heart murmur. He's been slowing down over the last year or so - getting a bit rickety, losing weight. Vet keeps an eye and generally happy with him.

For the last week, though, he has been really inactive. Too tired to come for usual cuddles. Eating twice a day, not finishing food though, and not demanding food. (Unheard of.)

Vet is "emergency mainly", but would see him, albeit reluctantly. Thing is he loathes the vet - gets incredibly stressed.

Not sure whether to watch and wait, or try to get him seen.

I'd appreciate any advice about signs of discomfort to look out for, and wonder whether you would take your cat in in similar circumstances.

Poor old boy. Thank you.

I would take him to the vet if there’s been a significant decline in his behaviour

Can you ring your vet and discuss it? Make the decision whether you should take him after that?

Try another vet. I wouldn't wait. When a cat's behaviour changes, it means something's up. Hope he gets better soon.

Thank you all. He was thoroughly sick in the night. Seems perkier today. I'll take him in.

I’d find another vet, our highly strung Bengal was much better with female vets if I warned them he’d need careful handling. He was still monumentally pissed off I’d taken him in but he didn’t need a general anaesthetic for a blood test to find out if his kidneys could handle a general anaesthetic.

Let us know how he gets on.