Senior Cats Need Frequent Veterinary Check-ups
by Joelle Steele
Cats need the most medical attention when they are kittens and when they are seniors. It’s the same with humans. But too many pet owners don’t notice that their 10 or 12 or 15 year-old cat is suffering until it’s too late. This is partly the fault of the human not paying close enough attention to their cat, but it’s also the fact that cats have an instinct for self-preservation. They are both predators and prey, and doing their best to look strong and healthy prevents them from being the latter. So they can look healthy when they are not. That’s why all cats, especially senior kitties, need regular and frequent veterinary checkups.
I already had three cats, but in March 2020, I adopted two 13 year-old female littermates. They had belonged to a friend and I had known them since they were tiny kittens. But my friend retired and moved away, and I saw her and the cats less frequently. She loved her kitties, but she didn’t notice the things I immediately did when I went to pick them up and take them to live with me. I had them for only eight days before I had them both euthanized. Two sweet little cats who should have been diagnosed and treated earlier on. One had metastasized round cell cancer, was hyperthyroid, and had a urinary tract infection and kidney disease. The other was grossly overweight, was severely arthritic, could barely walk, could not bathe herself, was diabetic, and also had advanced kidney disease.
Why did I euthanize them? Two reasons. First, I won’t allow an animal to suffer just so that I can have them be with me longer. Second, I have dealt with treating these infirmities before, and it was extremely expensive, hard on the cat, hard on me, and ultimately unsuccessful. To me, if you love an animal and it’s that sick, you have to know when saying goodbye is the better choice for them and for you.
I have had 18 cats in my life, not counting the ones who were family pets when I was growing up. As of 2022, I have three: two males, 3 years and 4 years, and one female, 18-1/2 years old. I have adopted cats at all ages, some as old as 15 and 17. The first thing I do when I adopt a cat at any age is take them to the vet for a full work-up. Treating a problem early on is the key to keeping a cat healthy. But, even then, there is the possibility that something will happen later on. So, regular checkups are mandatory in my cat family. And when they are old, as my 18-1/2-year-old Tansy is, they need to be carefully watched for any signs of illness. If something appears to be wrong, I immediately schedule a visit to the vet.
It is expensive to take a cat to the vet and have blood work, xrays, urinalyses, etc. But when you first adopt a cat, you have to understand that this is your responsibility as a pet owner. Cats are living creatures and you have taken on the role as their caregiver, provider, and protector. You are their parent, and you have to be prepared for these expenses. When I was ill back in the 1980s, my cat Twinkle needed an expensive surgery and I didn’t have the money. Fortunately, the vet let me work off part of the bill: I cleaned cages at night for three months.
That experience taught me an important lesson in putting money aside for the care of my cats. Just a little bit every month adds up very quickly. Think about where you spend your money — smoking, eating out, daily Starbucks, a six-pack of beer every week? The money you waste on these things could be saved to take care of your cat children when they need it. And nowadays there’s also Care Credit (honored by some veterinarians), which is a credit card that can be used for medical care of your pet as soon as they need it, before they exceed reasonable care and the costs involved.
Love your cats enough to observe them closely for signs of illness, and love them enough to prepare yourself financially to take care of them at the first sign of disease or injury.
This article last updated: 04/01/2020.
The articles on this website are informational only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice or treatment. Cats are not “one size fits all.” They are different in terms of breed, age, health, lifestyle, and tolerance for different foods and other substances.
