Cats are living longer and healthier lives, thanks to improved veterinary care, better nutrition, and the fact that a lot of pet cats are indoor cats. A cat is normally considered a senior between the age of 11 and 14, cats older than that are considered geriatric. senior cats normally require a lot more care then younger cats, and when problems occur, they can typically be a lot more severe or a lot more tough to deal with.
However, age must not be a reason to not treat an illness. Dr. Kristopher Chandroo, a veterinarian practicing at Orleans Veterinary healthcare facility in Ottawa, Canada, frequently hears the words “he’s too old” from clients when going over treatment plans. Dr. Kris believes that this may often be an excuse to not treat a cat when he becomes ill, or to marginalize what potential for health they have left. Not too long ago, Dr. Kris was faced with this issue when his own 19-year-old cat Zach lost control of his hindlegs (also known as ataxia.)
I believe that there is no single ideal answer when it pertains to making treatment decisions for a cat. So lots of aspects come into play: the cat’s temperament, the guardian’s comfort level with supplying any follow up care that may be required at home, and even finances. All any cat guardian can do is gather all the information related to the cat’s condition, and then take all of these things into consideration. Sometimes, the final decision comes down to listening to what your gut, or your heart, tells you. because in the end, you’re the one who knows your cat better than all the veterinarians in the world.
Dr. Kris made a heart touching video about the decision process he and his family went through when he was faced with Zach’s illness.
Zach passed away in April of 2016. Dr. Kris created a beautiful video to celebrate his beloved cat’s life.
Have you had to make tough treatment decisions for an older cat? What helped you make your decision?
You can find a lot more information about Dr. Kris on his website, .
Ingrid King
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21 comments on Age is Not a Disease
debbie says:
January 8, 2018 at 8:40 pm
U mention using Buprenex for pain of choice. However, Vera my older 16yr old was given this n she seem not be able to rest for 4 hrs n drinked tons of water n fell asleep by the water bowl. I know all cats r not the same so I was wander if she must ever have this pain med again?
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Ingrid says:
January 9, 2018 at 6:23 am
Some cats can react with hyperactivity to opioids like Buprenex, Debbie. I would go over alternative medications with your vet.
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Susan says:
January 16, 2017 at 7:31 pm
I have an appointment for Topaz, who will be 16 in February, on Thursday 1-19 to have her teeth cleaned.
In 2014 she had I-131 treatment and I was told afterwards that she had kidney disease.
I have changed vets and my current vet does not believe she has kidney disease based on checking out her last four or five test results . We did a urinalysis (1.019 certain gravity) and blood work (her potassium, lymphocytes and red blood count were slightly low and her BUN was slightly high. her creatinine was 1.9 everything else was normal including her T4) on December 23.
I am giving her clindamycin capsules once a day, today, tomorrow and Wednesday and for seven days after the dental surgery on Thursday. She will get penicillin the day of. I am anxious sick about it but at the same time I don’t want her suffering because her teeth are bad. She has not had them cleaned considering that she was eight years old.
We put her on Clavamox after the blood work in preparation to have her dental done but her appetite significantly decreased and I stopped after seven doses.
I hope I am making the ideal decision. She only eats canned food and her appetite is great.
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Ingrid says:
January 17, 2017 at 6:10 am
It’s impossible not to worry when a cat has to undergo anesthesia, but anesthesia can be safely tailored to the needs of senior cats. This post by a feline vet describes the things you must ask your vet before any dental procedure, I hope it helps: All my best to you and Topaz, Susan.
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debbie says:
January 8, 2018 at 8:27 pm
The same with my kitty that is over 16yrs old. She is not in pain with her teeth n she will let me brush them often while she just wants to eat the cat paste. However, she does have couple bad ones but too scare for her to go under with he age. overly protective mom.
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Kerri says:
January 9, 2018 at 1:07 am
I agree, but if indergoing anaesthetic make sure the vet jeeps them on fluids as well. This makes it much easier for the cat to recover anullnull