So I think I need to take my old moggy for a check-up but because of her (perceived) age, I’m struggling to get the vet to take me seriously.
There are some low-level symptoms in my cat that have been bothering me:
· Loss of balance – leaning to one side for a few seconds when rising, wobbling
· Staring into space
· Tremors
· Episodes of rapid breathing / wheezing with tongue slightly protruding
· General lethargy
· Episodic leg spasms / sensitivity along the spine
To me, this is a fair list of things that merits looking into but I’ve mentioned some of these issues in previous consultations and my vet doesn't seem interested as long as the cat is still eating and toileting normally. I always come back from the clinic feeling like I’ve made a fool of myself.
Mostly, I just get “she’s an old cat, old cats are like this”, maybe 10 days of Loxicom for possible arthritis, a blood panel and that’s it. When I mentioned tremors, I couldn’t show evidence of it in the moment (it’s like a twitch) and the vet said “Dozens of things could cause tremors. If it’s not affecting quality of life, leave it be.” About the balance, I got “Her ears look ok, don’t worry about it”. Just a general attitude that this is standard elderly-cat-territory. Is it? Am I being OTT? The tremors are long-standing but the balance issues, wheezing and staring are recent. I don't know what the 'quality of life' threshold is really because no, she doesn't seem obviously ill and is still eating etc but cats hide pain. I don’t trust myself anymore.