Cat Diseases In Old Age

As our beloved house tigers get older, certain diseases become more common. Read here which cat diseases are common in old age and what else is worth knowing about health in the autumn of life.

Cat Diseases In Old Age: A Necessary Evil?

Cats are considered “old” from around the age of 8 years. This is a rule of thumb because, of course, animals do not all age the same way. On average, large-breed cats will age faster than smaller animals from mixed matings. More and more cats are now reaching the age of 15-20 years, which was different in the past (different food, less medical care, etc.).

Of course, not every cat becomes seriously ill in old age, but signs of aging (e.g. due to altered metabolic processes) cannot be prevented. Some diseases become more common with age. At the same time, they can be avoided or mitigated by keeping a few things in mind.

Cat Disease Or Signs Of Old Age?

This is part of aging in cats:

• Her enthusiasm for new adventures and exercise wanes.
• They become conservative when it comes to setting rhythms and are less able to cope with stress and change.
• They don’t find food as attractive as they used to.
• The sleep-wake cycle has changed.
• Sometimes they seem confused and meow for no apparent reason.
• Hearing, sight and taste can all decrease.
• The changed metabolic processes make the skin drier or the fur looks dull.

However, these pure signs of aging cannot always be distinguished at first glance from serious cat diseases in old age. So always play it safe and consult a veterinarian if your cat’s behavior changes noticeably!

Cat Diseases In Old Age: Which Ones Are Common?

These are typical diseases in old cats. The links hide a lot more information about symptoms and treatment.

• Kidney insufficiency: In this disease, the performance of the kidneys gradually decreases. Before symptoms appear, they can already be detected with a blood and urine test. This is why preventive medical check-ups are so important in order to be able to intervene at an early stage! Its progression can be significantly slowed down with diet and medication.

If the renal insufficiency then becomes visible, there are symptoms such as increased drinking, reduced appetite, nausea, weight loss, and poor coat quality. It is a chronic condition that requires lifelong management.

• High blood pressure (caused by renal insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, or for no apparent reason) without treatment leads to blindness or damage to the brain, central nervous system, heart, and kidneys.
• Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) often leads to increased eating and still weight loss and high blood pressure. It is easy to detect with a blood test and can be treated with various medications (tablets, juice, ointment). This prevents further damage to the eyes and heart, for example.
• Dental disease: Untreated tartar leads to loose teeth and gum inflammation. FORL in cats usually starts in middle age but is often not diagnosed until later.
• Joint diseases, especially osteoarthrosis: Cats often only show “slight” changes in behavior, such as cleaning less, although they are in severe pain.
• Heart disease (such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) tends to cause fewer visible symptoms in cats than in dogs. If there is a suspicion of heart disease during the listening, this should be clarified promptly with a heart ultrasound. In this way, therapy can be started early and the negative consequences can be significantly slowed down.
• Tumors (benign growths and cancer) such as lipomas, fibrosarcomas, and lymphomas. Investigate if the cat’s weight loss is unclear. The treatment of tumors in cats is now very complex and offers life-prolonging and palliative measures that can ensure the cat’s quality of life over a longer period of time.
• Cognitive dysfunction (dementia in cats) is a classic age-related disease. An old cat with dementia shows, for example, disorientation, forgetfulness (demanding food shortly after feeding), uncleanliness, changes in the wake-sleep rhythm, loud meowing, especially at night, and much more. Presumably, brain regression and changes in brain metabolism with the formation of deposits are involved in the primary form (similar to dementia in humans). It can occur as a secondary consequence of high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism, but it can also be caused by brain tumors.

Avoiding stress, but maintaining age-appropriate activity, medication, and good management of the litter box, in particular, will help relieve symptoms.

• Eye diseases: Especially glaucoma and cataracts, but also blindness and retinal diseases.
• Adiposity (obesity) is to be regarded as a disease because adipose tissue produces hormones that influence metabolism. Significant weight loss (especially in very old cats) should also be compensated for. Both can be treated with high-quality diet feed.
• IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) with diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss has usually been around for a long time but can change its “face”, i.e. its symptoms, with age. The treatment must respond accordingly.
• deafness
• Chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), diabetes (diabetes): Proper nutrition and a good dose of medication are important for both. They are much more common in obese cats.

Other diseases in old cats are infections with parasites, fungi, or other pathogens. This is due to an age-related reduced immune response.

Also, younger cats can of course suffer from the diseases mentioned above, but the likelihood increases with age.

Cat Diseases In Old Age: Gladly In A Double Pack

Many old cats are “multimorbid”, meaning they suffer from more than one disease. These influence each other: For example, when treating hyperthyroidism, renal insufficiency can suddenly become visible, the symptoms of which were previously covered up. Also, drugs sometimes interact with each other, or treating one condition worsens another (treating inflammation with certain drugs: e.g. cortisone makes diabetes worse).

So the “management” of older cats with various medical conditions is complex and requires expertise. In addition, a certain amount of perseverance is necessary, because chronic diseases are often incurable and must also be closely monitored. Adjusting the medication will prevent or lessen the recurrence of the symptoms.

Cat Diseases In Old Age: Prevention And Support

Very important: A good diet that is adapted to the needs of the cat in old age and in the case of certain diseases (e.g. kidney problems). In addition, the cat should be neither overweight nor underweight. Normal weight with a healthy diet also has a positive effect on other diseases and the basic health of the cat.

From the age of about 8 years, the cat should be presented to a vet once or twice a year for a check-up on an empty stomach. This includes a thorough general examination, blood, and urine test, and a blood pressure measurement. In this way, illnesses in old cats can be recognized and treated at an early stage. This reduces their negative effects and significantly extends the cat’s lifespan.

Cat Diseases In Old Age: When Is It Too Much?

Despite increasing signs of aging and illness, a cat can have a life worth living and enjoying. Modern veterinary medicine offers a number of ways to maintain quality of life for a long time. In cooperation with you as the owner, the cat can be given a nice old age. The feeding area may need to be rearranged or you may need to add more litter boxes. There is also increased grooming, clipping of claws, or medication.

But there may come a time when it makes sense to put the cat to sleep. But how do you find the right “jump”?

Some questions you can ask yourself are e.g.

• Can the cat no longer pursue its basic needs (eating, drinking, litter box) or only with pain that cannot be treated?
• Does she no longer show any zest for life and interest in e.g. habits and social contact that she has grown fond of?
• Does she have more bad days than good days?

If you are worried that your cat is in a very bad way, please contact your veterinarian in confidence and discuss this with him!

Cat Diseases In Old Age: Conclusion

When our beloved four-legged friends get older, they suffer – like us – from signs of aging and increased diseases. Regular check-ups help with early detection and give your darling a long and comfortable life.