Complete Care for Your Aging Cat

by Amy Shojai

  Pet cemeteries provide a “formal” burial arrangement. That

  may include the plot, casket, a gravestone or marker with inscription,

  or even a burial service. These cemeteries can be expensive, though.

  Cremation has become a popular choice particularly for urban pet

  owners. It’s typical y less expensive than a cemetery. The pet’s ashes

  can be kept in container of your choice in your home, garden, or even

  scattered in a memorial ceremony. Ask your vet for a local referral for

  a pet cemetery or crematorium service.

  Funeral ceremonies, memorials such as planting a tree, or making

  a charitable donation in memory of a beloved pet offer wonderful

  memorials for the departed cat. Some veterinarians wil make a paw

  impression for you, or you may wish to keep a lock of fur. There are no

  wrong choices. “Little things like that real y help an owner through the

  grieving process,” says Dr. Garrett. A formalized type of memorial can

  be particularly helpful to children. “We have to show children that

  bereavement is a loving process of remembrance,” says Dr. Sife.

  After the death of a cat, some people want another cat right

  away while others may never be ready for another pet. Each person

  has a different timeframe. But cats seem to have their own timeframe

  and often our “next” feline love chooses us. It’s not uncommon for

  owners to say that the deceased cat “sent” the new one. If that

  happens—rejoice, and enjoy your new friend, not as a replacement

  but as a legacy to her memory. After al , other cats need you, and such

  unselfish love should not be wasted.

  Death is a natural process. It wil come despite our best efforts to

  delay the inevitable. But it does not have to be scary, or painful, or bad

  —dying can, in fact, be a beautiful, loving experience for both you and

  your cat. “We are the best memorials that we can create for our pets,”

  says Dr. Sife. “If we can make our lives better because of them, that is

  a wonderful tribute.”

  Comfort Zone

  Memorializing your cat can be a comfort to you and tribute to her life.

  Memorials can be expensive purchases, such as a grave marker, or

  something as simple as creating a scrapbook ful of memories. There

  is no right or wrong way, and creative remembrances that are

  individual to your cat wil mean the most.

  Write a letter or poem to your cat. Tributes can be posted at

  Rainbow Bridge or other sites. She can even be honored in a

  “virtual” pet cemetery.

  Donate money in your pet’s honor to a worthy animal

  organization.

  If your friend is grieving, send a note of sympathy. Hal mark

  launched its Pet Love Greetings line in 1995 that includes

  sympathy cards, and other cards are also available. You could

  purchase a blank card with a cat il ustration on the front and

  send a personal note.

  Commission a portrait from an animal artist

  Inscribe a headstone, grave marker, or other keepsake with

  your cat’s name. Pet memorial slate stepping stones, custom

  engraves slate and glassware for pet memorials, and photos of

  your special cat can be made into wal plaques.

  Make a paw print impression. Kits are available that include

  molding clay that’s baked in the oven.

  Caskets, boxes, urns and containers for cremation remains are

  another option. You may wish to save the pet’s tag, lock of fur,

  toy, or cremated ashes.

  Golden Moments: Midgie’s Legacy

  Five-year-old Midgie came to live with Wendy Braun of Albany, New

  York, ten years ago. The frightened black and white cat lost her owner

  and needed a new home. It took a little over a month to bring the

  beautiful cat out of her shel , and then Midgie claimed Wendy as her

  special person.

  When chronic medical problems required Wendy to be

  hospitalized, Midgie refused to move from the door until she returned.

  Wendy says it made an important difference in her wel being. “I

  believe Midgie was sent to me,” she says, and as each year passed,

  the bond between the two became stronger.

  Then last April, Midgie began wheezing, and the veterinarian

  diagnosed asthma. “I told myself medication would take care of her.

  But something told me she didn’t have a whole lot longer to live,” says

  Wendy.

  Wendy’s brother recommended she put the cat to sleep, and get a

  healthy cat that needed a home. “But she was my best friend,” says

  Wendy. The cat had been there for Wendy during her own il nesses,

  the death of close friends, and an extremely traumatic separation and

  divorce. Their deep love and special relationship made the thought of

  losing Midgie even more difficult. “It was the first time in my whole life

  that I cried,” says Wendy. She was determined to support her friend

  during this time of need.

  Midgie fought being medicated, so Wendy devised creative

  schedules and a treatment box that the cat readily accepted. Wendy

  also learned to value the affection they shared during crises as much

  as the love felt during the peaceful times. “That’s a hard lesson to

  learn when you’re frightened,” says Wendy.

  Eventual y the cat stopped fighting and relaxed. “It was a whole

  different love. She literal y put herself in my hands,” says Wendy, stil

  moved to tears at the memory. Knowing the end was near, Wendy

  asked her veterinarian what to expect. “I had never seen an animal

  die, and Midgie didn’t need me being hysterical,” says Wendy. “She

  needed to draw on the love that I had for her rather than my fear.”

  Midgie died at home, in Wendy’s arms, and felt her friend’s love

  until the end.

  Dealing with the aftermath was difficult because other people didn’t

  understand or support her feelings. Wendy chose to honor the cat’s

  memory, despite what others thought. She took three days off from

  work, sought out grief counselors, posted to Internet message boards

  to talk about her loss, and slowly the pain grew less as she began to

  dwel more on happy memories.

  A box with a picture of a tuxedo cat that looks like Midgie holds

  her ashes, and has a place of honor in Wendy’s office. The

  medication box the has become a planter memorial to the cat, and

  Wendy is making a scrapbook to hold pictures, a lock of her fur, and

  special favorite toys, like a feather Midgie loved.

  “Cats bond with us at a level that most human beings don’t get to.”

  Wendy knows that Midgie wil always be a part of her heart. “I miss her

  quiet steadfast, peaceful mature nature. Even though it’s sad she’s

  gone, I’ve learned to enjoy her legacy,” says Wendy. Midgie taught

  Wendy how to grieve, and then heal without giving up on love. “You

  can love in death as wel as life.”

  PART TWO: A-to-Z HEALTH CONCERNS

  ARTHRITIS

  Arthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints. It’s caused by

  inflammation and degradation of the cartilage that results in

  increasing pain that interferes with mobility. Unlike dogs, cats with

  arthriti
s often show few if any symptoms until the condition has

  become severe, says Kathleen Linn, DVM, an orthopedic surgeon at

  the University of Wisconsin (now at Western Col ege of Veterinary

  Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada). She attributes that to

  the cat’s lighter weight and athleticism. “Cats are very good at

  protecting things that hurt. They can have terrible arthritis on X-rays

  and you’d never know.”

  Because of their habit of hiding infirmities, cats are less likely

  to be diagnosed with arthritis—but that doesn’t mean they aren’t

  suffering, says Dr. Little. You just have to look for the condition. “I see

  a lot of cats with arthritis,” she says. “In the past it was attributed to

  getting old, when in reality Kitty may not want to go down three flights

  of stairs to get to his litter box because his hips hurt. We have to start

  realizing there may actual y be a medical reason that can be treated,

  instead of just blaming it on old age.” Recent surveys suggest up to 75

  percent of senior cats suffer from some degree of arthritis.

  Morris Animal Foundation has funded a pilot study at the

  University of Montreal to look at both the behavior and anatomy of cats

  to diagnose the disease. Dr. Eric Troncy, professor at the University

  of Montreal says MRI is much more sensitive in showing structural

  changes in the limbs of cats, which can help veterinarians identify joint

  disease. In animals with the disease, the normal cartilage cushion in

  the joint breaks down, and the bones rub against each other, but the

  resulting damage may not be visible on traditional X-rays.

  Cats with arthritis walk differently and put more weight on their

  unaffected limbs. The researchers wil develop a pain scale and a

  quality-of-life scale with gait analysis and telemetered locomotor

  activity monitors. This is the first study designed to validate both the

  objective and subjective pain of feline arthritis, and may lead to more

  effective diagnosis and treatment.

  Senior Symptoms

  Cats rarely vocalize from pain. “They’re very stoic creatures,” says Dr.

  Linn. “Owners frequently don’t think their animals are in pain until

  they’re having a real y tough time getting around.”

  Overal reduction in activity, sleeping a lot, and simply not

  moving at al , especial y in the morning. Movement warms up the

  joints and mobility often improves later in the day.

  Reluctance to jump up onto, or off of the couch, the bed, or the

  countertop, or use the stairs.

  Failure to groom

  Limping or holding up a paw or leg

  Specialized tissue cal ed cartilage cushions the ends of the

  bones that form joints, and al ows the bones to move freely against

  each other. A joint capsule encases the cartilage and contains a fluid-

  producing membrane that lubricates and maintains cartilage health.

  The natural motion of the joint pumps this synovial fluid where it’s

  needed.

  Injury to the cartilage from trauma, such as broken bones,

  predisposes the cat to arthritis as he ages. Damage and inflammation

  develop when the bones fit imperfectly in the joint and erode the

  cartilage when they rub together. Damaged cartilage releases

  inflammation-causing enzymes, which interferes with elasticity, and

  the ability of the joint capsule to nourish and repair itself. The resulting

  pain causes cats to stop moving, and that causes even more damage

  when loss of motion reduces the distribution of the synovial fluid.

  Loose or torn tendons are more common in dogs but can also

  occur in cats. Tendons and ligaments normal y hold the bones in

  place, and tears cause joint instability that leads to arthritis. For

  example, a torn anterior cruciate ligament can cause knee instability

  that eventual y results in arthritis.

  It’s hard to say which cat breeds are more prone to arthritic

  changes because no specific studies have been done. Greater weight

  places more stress on the joints, so larger cats such as Maine Coon

  cats and those that are overweight tend to have more arthritis. Any cat

  can develop it, though, and they become more prone the older they

  get.

  The most common area affected is the hip, which may

  develop as a consequence of dysplasia. This is a

  developmental disease in which the hip joints do not fit

  correctly. Lightweight and athletic cats often compensate and

  may never show problems, but as they age, they’re more likely

  to experience discomfort. Elbows, back, and knees also may

  develop arthritis. Affected cats typically have trouble keeping

  themselves well groomed because it hurts them to stretch and

  flex to reach everywhere.

  Arthritis usually is diagnosed based on symptoms and X-

  rays. Once arthritis is diagnosed, therapy consists of any one

  or combination of surgery, physical therapy, medical

  management (drugs), weight control, and acupuncture.

  Nonsurgical Treatment

  James L. Cook, DVM, an orthopedic surgeon at University of

  Missouri, recommends a triad approach to the nonsurgical

  management of arthritis. This includes weight control, exercise, and

  pain relief such as medication, acupuncture or other therapies.

  The first thing to realize is that a cure is not possible. Arthritis won’t

  get any better once the damage has been done. But the severity of the

  symptoms can be lessened. “Our goals are to decrease pain,

  increase function, and increase quality of life and slow down

  progression,” says Dr. Cook.

  Owners have to monitor the cat’s treatment in order to measure

  success. Improvements can be subtle, so keep a chart that logs and

  compares progress of symptoms, says Dr. Cook. That record helps

  the veterinarian decide if a particular therapy is helpful or not, and

  adjust the treatment accordingly. Since you live with your cat, and are

  more closely attuned to his wel being, your input is vital to helping the

  cat maintain quality of life. “The last thing I want to do is change things

  that may be working,” says Dr. Cook. You can use a form such as the

  Arthritis Report Card to keep track of the cat’s status.

  Age-Defying Tips

  Arthritis almost always develops as a result of joint injury earlier in life,

  so prompt repair or treatment prevents problems later. Once your old

  cat has any degree of arthritis, you can slow down the progression

  and even reverse some of the signs, says Michael G. Conzemius,

  DVM, a veterinary surgeon at Iowa State University.

  Keep kitty active. Low-impact exercise is ideal to help keep

  joints from stiffening. Entice him with a treat or ribbon lure to

  keep him moving.

  Keep cats thin. Added weight puts more stress upon joints.

  Regular exercise along with a reduced-calorie “senior” diet

  helps reduce or control weight.

  Weight Control

  “Weight loss for cats is important,” says Dr. Linn, and is probably

  the most critical aspect of the triad approach. “A lot of cats look like

  basketbal s and always have a hard time getting around,” she says.
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  “Weight loss is almost always the first and most important thing.”

  Great care must be taken with reducing diets, though, because a

  crash diet in cats can cause life-threatening liver problems cal ed

  hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease. If the cat is already at a good

  weight, he should maintain it, says Dr. Cook. “We give owners the little

  Purina body condition score, and tel them we want them somewhere

  around a 4 or 5, which is the leaner ideal on that scale.”

  Exercise

  The second part of the triad is moderate exercise. “It’s better for

  them to get up and move around than to just lie around the house al

  day,” says Dr. Linn. Dogs are easier to exercise, and swimming is

  considered an ideal activity for loosening arthritic joints. Cats, though,

  rarely care for water sports and may also be reluctant to walk on a

  leash. “Slow walks on a leash is fairly low-impact. It doesn’t bang on

  the joints,” says Dr. Linn.

  Even old cats can learn new tricks, though. Choose a figure-8 style

  harness and get the cat used to the idea first simply by petting him

  with the leash and harness. This helps him associate pleasant things

  with the equipment and also identifies them with his own comforting

  scent. Leave the halter and leash out in the room for him to sniff and

  investigate at his leisure. Try to entice him into a chase game with the

  end of the leash--if he identifies it with a toy, it won’t seem so scary.

  After a day or two, fit the halter on the cat, leave on for a minute,

  reward him with a game or treat, and then remove it. Repeat this

  exercise several times a day over the next few days, gradual y

  increasing the amount of time he wears the halter. Final y, hook on the

  leash, pick up the end, and fol ow your cat around the house. Once

  he’s used to this, you can begin to guide him with gentle tug-releases

  on the leash to keep him moving. A halter and leash al ows your cat to

  be safely walked around the house or even in the backyard, which

  may inspire him to exercise a bit more to investigate al the new

  smel s and sights.

  Teaching a reluctant cat to accept the halter and leash takes quite a

  bit of patience. A more painless method capitalizes on the cat’s own

  instincts. “About the most useful way to get a cat up and moving is to

  play,” says Dr. Linn. “Find something she wants that gets her attention