Advice re. an elderly cat [Archive] - SV650.org

Speedy Claire

07-01-10, 09:45 PM

Haven`t a clue about vetinary stuff so if anyone has any experience i`d welcome any advice. My poor old cat was limping badly when I came in from work tonight but I didn`t take him to the vets as he`s nearly 18, totally deaf but still lovely and I`m fearful that if his leg is broken the vet will just say put him to sleep. He was weight bearing on it a little earlier but as the night`s gone on he won`t put it down at all. He doesn`t seem to be in pain and will let me touch it, there`s no swelling and I can`t feel any deformity so if it was a broken bone would he be in pain? and if it is broken would a bone heal in a cat that age?

Any advice appreciated as I don`t really want to have to take him to the vets and possibly face making a horrible decision :(

husky03

07-01-10, 09:48 PM

the vet will manipulte the joint,possible socket/hip damage would not be noticed otherwise-bite the bullit mrs and take him-i know it hard to do but at the end of the day you have final say in the treatment not the vet

Speedy Claire

07-01-10, 09:52 PM

The leg seems to be bent from the knee (if a cat has a knee?) it`s just hanging there limply... don`t know if that helps much?

Specialone

07-01-10, 09:52 PM

Any arthritis?

Speedy Claire

07-01-10, 09:54 PM

Any arthritis?

Not that i`m aware of, he`s quite spritely considering his age but he is very thin and following blood tests he`s been on thyroid medication for the last couple of months.

missyburd

07-01-10, 10:06 PM

It's possible he's just bumped it but as he's clearly a fragile old dear a bump can obviously turn into something more serious. Chris's 15 year old labrador went through something similar a few weeks back, he suddenly had a right limp and every now and then would whimper and cry. We felt his leg and couldn't detect anything much as far as swelling or broken bones were concerned. We ended up taking him to the vets in the end and she said it was likely to be arthritis what with the cold weather and all. She gave us some Rimadyl for the lad and apart from the odd limp now and then he seems fine. I'd get your cat checked out really Claire, it might be something or nowt but it will put your mind a rest once you know what the problem is. If it's worse than you thought then it's always your decision to put him out of his misery at the end of the day.

Speedy Claire

07-01-10, 10:18 PM

Thanks Maria, your post is very reassuring. I`ll see how he is in the morning and decide what to do then. The practical side of me says he`s had a good life, he costs me enough in medication each month as it is and if it is anything serious it wouldn`t be fair to put him thru an anaesthetic then the soppy side of me screams out and wins!!

Thank again and i`ll see what tomorrow brings x

Specialone

07-01-10, 10:21 PM

missyburd

07-01-10, 10:27 PM

I`ll see how he is in the morning and decide what to do then
If it's only just happened then definitely wait and see over the next couple of days to see if it appears to get worse or persists. Maybe provide a hot water bottle in a towel to sleep on, just in case it is the cold?

Speedy Claire

07-01-10, 10:37 PM

Many thanks guys... good idea re the hot water bottle, will tuck one in his igloo bed :D

Von Teese

07-01-10, 10:46 PM

Claire, I would definately take him to the vet

Is it worse after he has been lying down then gets up or is it worse after he has been mobile on it?

It is possibly arthritis brought on by the extreme cold but you really do need to get it checked over and then if it is your vet can prescribe some painkillers that are also anti inflammatories to help with the inflammation in the joint.

If he seems happy in himself despite the sore leg then fair enough but if he is moping about, off his food then you must do what is right for the cat and make the ultimate sacrifice of your feelings for his comfort xxx (sorry sweetie).

anna

07-01-10, 10:50 PM

I know it sounds silly and I could be entirely wrong, but it might be worth just checking the paw.

If something has embeded itself into the paw then it might favor not putting weight on it and walking as if the leg was hurt.

As others have said though, it is worth a trip to the vet.

Specialone

07-01-10, 10:51 PM

Forgot to mention, my mother-in-laws cat was similar age and very unstable on his feet, not limping, but wobbly.
Vet prescribed steriods, he was like a cat half his age, made a huge difference, he lasted about another 18 quality months but eventually the inevitable happened and had to be put to sleep.
Just to keep in mind if the vet dont mention it.

Phil

Speedy Claire

08-01-10, 07:50 AM

I`m going to try and get an appt this morning. Last night he was hobbling and eating but today his little routine is totally out. He usually jumps off the bed and races downstairs for food but this morning he hasn`t even got off the bed and his paw looks swollen. He always jumps up at the bathroom sink when I`m brushing my teeth so he can have a drink of water from the tap.... today he hasn`t and that with not eating is a real giveaway that something isn`t quite right.

Von Teese

08-01-10, 08:11 AM

If the actual paw is swollen it could be possible that he has a foreign body in it???
Hard to really say etc

Good luck hon, I know how upsetting it is when your pets are injured / unwell xxx

Kate Moss

08-01-10, 08:49 AM

Awww poor kitty. If i told you I was limping, in pain and off my food and drink, you would tell me to go to the Dr's wouldn't you?! I think thats what your little cat needs! Hope you manage to get an appointment and a caring vet. I'm sure they will try and fix the problem with other means before suggesting anything more drastic. Let us know how you get on.

Kate x

Littlepeahead

08-01-10, 11:18 AM

If nothing else the vet can reassure you and then give him an anti inflammatory shot which will make him feel better. Hope it all goes OK. I was awoken this morning by Cromarty, or should that be Vomity, barfing up a furball at 5am. Who needs an alarm clock. Then he got back into bed demanding cuddles.

Warthog

08-01-10, 11:23 AM

Vets are committed to doing the best thing for every animal. They are not hell bent on putting everything with any slight ailment down. Go to the vet, and they will suggest the best course of action.

mr.anderson

08-01-10, 11:47 AM

Vets are committed to doing the best thing for every animal. They are not hell bent on putting everything with any slight ailment down. Go to the vet, and they will suggest the best course of action.

+1, my girlfriend hates having to put animals down, and on a personal and professional level will do everything to help it.

Speedy Claire

08-01-10, 04:22 PM

Well it was good news and I didn`t need to make any decisions. She didn`t x-ray it but the vet thinks it`s a sprain and a touch of arthritis so he has some anti inflammatories. Have to admit the lower half of his leg does look at a bit of an odd angle and he`s not weight bearing on it at all but he`s eating again :D

anna

08-01-10, 04:32 PM

Good news that he is eating again hope he gets well quickly.

missyburd

08-01-10, 04:33 PM

That's great news Claire, sounds almost exactly what Bill had. Good old anti-inflammatories, they do seem to work very well, another of our dog pals is on them and at 15 he's almost a changed dog hehe.

Specialone

08-01-10, 06:22 PM

Cool, those anti inflammatories should do the trick if thats the problem.
As with most animals, eating is a window to how they are feeling, off food is a big indicator because thats all they are programmed to do to survive, so they only obviously stop when somethings up.

Phil

Speedy Claire

08-01-10, 08:09 PM

I managed to force the anti inflammatory down his throat without losing a finger and he`s eaten some chicken. Still won`t weight bear and just keeps looking at me in such a pathetic way with his little paw hanging in mid air. At nearly 18 I know I won`t have him for much longer (I had to have his brother put to sleep last year thru cancer) but I`ve had him from when he was born when his mother decided my bed was a good place to give birth and despite his deafness and what the vet said is dementia he still enjoys life and likes to play so i`ll keep hold of him for as long as I humanely can.

Thanks guys for all your advice and well wishes.... it really does make you feel so much better x

Von Teese

09-01-10, 07:45 AM

Awww hope his paw gets better soon!

Just keep an eye on him and his comfort levels and give him lots of love, thats all a cat really wants from life anyway!

Littlepeahead

10-01-10, 03:18 PM

Hope puss is feeling better today. I have been trying to sort out lots of old clothes and stuff for the charity shop but kept getting unasked for 'help' with Cromarty climbing into the wardrobe/storage box/bin bag etc.

And I just went to put a wash in and this is what I found

http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?albumid=509&pictureid=3861

Von Teese

10-01-10, 03:48 PM

Ohhh nice towel warmer LPH ;)

maviczap

10-01-10, 04:01 PM

And I just went to put a wash in and this is what I found

http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?albumid=509&pictureid=3861

Yes, its 'Slinky Malinky' - lovely looking cat - do not disturb though!

Littlepeahead

10-01-10, 05:15 PM

My husband has just got in the shower and dumped his dirty t-shirt, socks and pants on top of the cat on his way to the bathroom, the cat still hasn't moved.

maviczap

10-01-10, 05:34 PM

My husband has just got in the shower and dumped his dirty t-shirt, socks and pants on top of the cat on his way to the bathroom, the cat still hasn't moved.

Then he's puuurrrrrfectly happy - the cat that is :p

It'll be tea time soon, then he'll get up :smt005

Miss Alpinestarhero

10-01-10, 06:06 PM

I managed to force the anti inflammatory down his throat without losing a finger and he`s eaten some chicken.

Thats great news, im glad to hear your cat is ok :) You probably know this already, but if you find it a struggle to give your car his tablets, you can always crush it up and mix it into his food. It works a treat whenever I have to give my cat tablets!

sarah

10-01-10, 09:10 PM