늙은 고양이들을 위한 송가.

Cat Years & Human Years

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
15	24	28	32	36	40	44	48	52	56	60	64	68	72	76	80	84	88	92	96

Use this handy chart for quickly finding your cat's age in human years. It will help you understand the physiological changes your cat encounters as she ages, as well as anticipate and forestall age-related health problems before they start.

As a general rule of thumb, a cat who is 10 years or older should be considered middle to senior aged, and a consultation with your vet is in order to determine the best health care maintenance program for your cat as s/he ages.

What things should I expect as my cat ages?
Each cat, like each human, is different. Here are some general things to watch for as a cat ages.

Slowing down - Admittedly, this can be hard to discern for many cats!
You know your cat best -- do you notice any of the following:

sleeping more than usual?
Not wanting to climb the cat condo as much?
Any difficulty grooming the "hard to reach" areas?
Difficulty going up or down the stairs, jumping up or down off of favorite perches, etc.?
Reduced hearing - Cats can experience hearing loss. The loss may be barely noticeable, or, as in the case of some cats, the hearing loss can be total. Always have your vet examine your cat's ears if there is question of hearing loss -- to rule out parasites, infection, growths in the canal, or other medical problems that could interfere with normal hearing.

Cloudy or "bluish" eyes - Like dogs, cat's eyes often show a bluish transparent "haze" in the pupil area. This is a normal effect of aging, and the medical term for this is lenticular sclerosis. Vision does not appear to be affected. This is NOT the same as cataracts. Cataracts are white and opaque. Vision can be affected by cataracts, and your vet needs to be consulted (see "when is it time to see the vet?" below).

Thinning of the iris - Also known as iris atrophy, some cats eyes, particularly those lighter in color, may appear to be "moth-eaten" as they age. This does not appear to affect vision, but some cats may become more light sensitive. Increased pigmentation in the iris may indicate a risk for malignant iris melanoma, and should be checked by your vet.

Muscle atrophy - Mild loss of muscle mass, especially the hind legs, may be seen with old age. If your cat is having trouble walking, see your veterinarian. Some cats with Diabetes Mellitus can have nerve problems and become "dropped in the hocks" and have trouble walking, see your vet if your cat is having trouble standing or walking.

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The following list denotes signs that should be seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Change in appetite - Any change in appetite - eating less or eating more - should be checked out by your veterinarian. Many illnesses can cause a loss of appetite. A fairly common age-related disease of cats that can cause an increase in appetite is Hyperthyroidism. This condition is caused by a tumor of the thyroid gland, which is benign 98% of the time. Cats can exhibit many signs with this condition, including, but not limited to: weight loss (may be extreme), increased appetite, vomiting, increased heart rate, increased activity levels (old cat suddenly acting like a kitten again). There are treatments available for this condition. If your cat has exhibited any of the above signs, see your vet for an examination. Cats should be fed a diet appropriate for their age and general health (some cats require special or prescription diets).

Change in urine output and thirst - Cats should not drink more water simply because they are old, it is summer time, or the heater is on in the winter. The most common causes of increased water intake are kidney disease and Diabetes Mellitus problems. Urine leakage or having "accidents" out of the box also signals problems, either with infection, loss of sphincter control, or other underlying disease.

Bad breath, bleeding gums - Good dental health is important not only for the teeth and mouth, but overall general health! Bad breath happens to cats, too. Tartar, tooth loss, and oral ulcers are usually the cause of bad breath, and painful as well. Oral cancers, infections, metabolic diseases (kidney disease, Diabetes Mellitus) are also potential causes for bad breath and oral health problems.

Arthritis pain - There are many medications available today to help ease the pain and discomfort of arthritis. See your veterinarian to discuss what medication is right for your pet.

Sudden blindness, hearing loss, head tilt / staggering - These signs can be seen with a variety of causes - infection, poisoning, age-related, cancer, etc. and your vet should be consulted to find the cause and begin any necessary treatment. Note: some cats can develop cataracts in just a few days, with sudden onset diabetes. See your vet as soon as possible.

Cognitive Dysfunction - Cats, like people, can experience age-related dementia. There is a treatment available that may help some cats. Most of the studies and data on this condition and medical treatments for it are for dogs, but information on cats is starting to become available. Common signs (and treatment available) are outlined in this previous article.

This list isn't all-inclusive. If your cat is "not himself or herself", then it is time for a check up at the veterinary clinic!

How can I keep my pet more comfortable in his senior years?

Regular checkups and communication with your vet will ensure that you are doing all that you can medically to help your pet enjoy the senior years. To help your pet at home, here are some pointers:

Provide a comfortable clean bed - there are many "orthopedic" beds available now at pet supply stores to ensure comfortable rest.
Provide fresh water daily (note changes in water consumption) and a healthy, age-appropriate diet.
Ease distractions - senior pets can be easily startled by or become fearful of: kids, loud noises, and general commotion as they age. Conditions such as arthritis can make the cat fearful of getting hurt (or the potential to get hurt) with sudden movements of kids or being stepped on.
Are there any web sites, support groups, or other places that I can learn and share about my senior pet?
Yes! Here are a few places to start learning more about caring for a senior cat:

Please stop by the Forum and visit the "Senior Pets - advice, support" area to ask questions, seek advice, or share a tip that you have for helping your senior cat live a happy and comfortable life.

 

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Twilight Time: The Long Goodbye

When you know it is "time" but aren't quite sure

사진은 필자의 고양이, 헤르만 (허미)

그의 늙은 고양이.

Welcome to the twilight time. That bittersweet time when you know that the end is near, the time to say goodbye is at hand, but you are left wondering: "how will I know when it is really time to put my pet to sleep?"

The "how will I know it is time" question is a common one for vets and one of the most common questions asked on this site. Of course, there isn't one clear-cut answer for this question. The nature of the disease or condition, the general health of the pet, and the household/living situation all play a part in this process. As can be expected, it is a very personal decision. A decision that I would never answer for anyone else, but have tried to provide guidelines.

I have several resources on this site on the topic of euthanasia, pet loss and grief, and how to recognize the signs that the time is near. Even with that knowledge, when I was faced with saying goodbye to my most favorite cat, Herman Roosevelt Quinn, all of those suggestions flew out the window.

I had a while to say goodbye, having diagnosed his hyperthyroidism one year prior. I was considering I-131 therapy, an excellent treatment option for hyperthyroidism, but his kidneys were showing early signs of failure, and so he was not a candidate for that treatment. We opted for daily Tapazole® pills, and that suited him just fine.

In this last year, Herman enjoyed whatever he wanted to eat (one side benefit of hyperthyroidism, good appetite) and the love of his family: human, feline and canine! Despite this, he lost weight. He lost some of his sass. He lost most of his hearing. He used the litter box a lot (increased thirst and urination, primarily from kidney failure). He still had that sweet quizzical look and purring "meow" every time I looked at him, though. Even when sound asleep, he would uncurl and meow-purr a greeting.

So how would I know when it is time? Once a "robust" cat (ahem) who was perpetually on a diet, it was hard to see him so much smaller in size. Other than that, he wasn't in any noticeable pain or discomfort and was eating fairly well, considering. Kidney failure can go on for years, and with his hyperthyroidism nicely under control with medication, I wasn't sure of the time we had left.

Then it happened. A subtle change, but undeniable. He went on a hunger strike. Still interested in food, even begging for food (life-long habits die hard), but nope. He would just walk away, likely nauseous due to the disease processes.

My husband was surprised when I mentioned that it might be time. "He still seems the same, and he begs for food each morning." Then we discussed how much Herman was actually consuming, and it was a different picture.

As the cat who had been with me for almost 17 years, through thick and thin, I wanted him to have some dignity. I didn't want to wait until there was some sort of emergency; a definite, without question have-to-do-it-now situation. That is really hard; when your pet is still cognitive, loves being scratched under the chin and alert.

Here are the steps I did to prepare for the inevitable and ease into that Final Goodbye.

Call ahead to a vet (or vets) of your choice

Pick a time when you can speak clearly and ask about their procedure. Ask questions. Do they do a sedative prior to euthanasia? Will you be able to choose if you want to stay with your pet? How are the remains handled? What are good (i.e. quiet) days and times for this procedure to take place? Are you able to expedite things by pre-paying and filling out necessary information beforehand?

Consider other family members

For us, we had the kids say goodbye at home. Our neighbor boy also wanted to come over and bid farewell, and that helped with closure for our kids, too. For Herman, I needed to not be worrying about my kids, so we arranged for friends to watch them during this time. It was also better for the kids to say goodbye in a calm, quiet environment. This is a personal decision, everyone is different. Talking over this event with kids prior to the appointment will ease the transition, whatever plan you choose.

Have someone drive you to the appointment, if possible

This may sound extreme, but this allows you to focus on your pet on the way there and not worry about driving afterward. After, if you need to get a cup of coffee or go for a walk, it is nice to have company to talk to.

Yes, it was a very sad day, saying goodbye to this special cat. Having made plans ahead of time saved a lot of grief-guilt, though. The staff knew just what to expect, and had everything ready when we got there. I can say that it certainly helps not to have to talk and explain things when you are trying to keep it all together.

As always, time helps ease the pain of losing loved ones. Take your time, be kind to yourself, and if you feel that the loss is too overwhelming or interfering with the regular function of your job or regular life, please reach out to friends or seek professional grief counseling. There are many free telephone hotlines and resources available.

Goodbye, Herman Roosevelt Quinn.
DOB: Around January, 1992. Not sure.
He was brought in by animal control, hit by a car, on July 2, 1992.
About 7 months old. Stole my heart that day.
Said goodbye on October 4, 2008.