Ok, so im 20 and i live with my fiance. However i got a cat when i was bout 5 or 6 and she still lives with my parents. They didnt let me take her when i moved. My cat is anywhere from 13-16 years old, i cant exactly remeber how old i was when i got her. I have noticed a big decline in her activity over the last few months, she doesnt jump up onto beds/couches anymore and prefers to lay on the floor. my parents have a cat door so the cats (they have 3, my cat and her sister who are old and a 3 yr old) can go in and out as they please. My cat now has trouble going through it as she sort of has to jump through. Also she limps a little when walking.
She has always been an over weight cat, but i have started buying her special weight correction type biscuits over the past 6 months and she is looking much better.
My parents are too cheap to take her to the vets. They think "oh shes old, theres nothing they can do to fix it". They dont seem to get the responsibility that comes with having pets. I have asked them to take her to the vets to get a check up and to see what they think and that if they think she is in pain to get her put down.
I know the responsibility of having pets as i have 2 dogs, one who has severe skin problems and has been having vet care weekly for the past 14 months and 2 cats. I would take her to the vets myself but i just dont have the money at the moment as im expecting my second child.
Is there any special type of pet bedding (like those magnetic blankets they make for people, but for pets?), food, massage or anything i can do to help her?
i said if i could afford to take her to the vets i would, i can probably afford to take her in 2 or 3 months, but until then i need something to help her. i am expecting my second child in less than 6 weeks so am not working and have to take one of my dog for her yearly shots and my other dog requires weekly vet treatment which isnt cheap.
Also my parents wouldnt let me take her, so she becomes their pet and they should make sure she is well looked after and cared for. She is on senior food and the weight balancing food which i buy from the vets for her
February 5th, 2010 - 9:19 pm
Go to a (human) health food store and buy arnica gel. It is clear, odorless and flavorless and absorbs very quickly into skin and provides fast and lasting relief from sore joints and muscles in both humans and animals. You do need to get it into the skin (not hair) but this isn’t too difficult over the bony areas. It doesn’t have a sensation like a muscle rub, it just relieves the pain. The animal thinks its being petted or massaged while you put it in and never notices you put anything there. If for some reason they did lick themselves there, its not only harmless to them but works orally as well. I’ve used it for many types of animal joint problems and other injuries as well as myself and have been very impressed with it.
Educate yourself on pet food, don’t rely on the vet to advise you. Pet food companies pay vets worse than drug companies pay doctors. While the food may be good for weight reduction, it may not be the best for overall health. For example, a cat needs lots of protein, certain fatty acids and very few carbohydrates. Diet food is often high in carbohydrate and low in protein and fat. This causes an inflammatory response that makes arthritis symptoms worse. You may be better off giving her a smaller amount of a higher protein food. A mostly fish food is best for cats.
February 5th, 2010 - 9:19 pm
Euthanasia.
February 5th, 2010 - 9:19 pm
Well, she is your cat? Why can’t you pay for the vet bills if your parents refuse to? A vet can provide pain pills…glucosamine/chondroitin…even make sure that it actually is arthritis, and nothing else. Maybe even consider acupuncture (sounds weird, I know). I got acu. done on my 9 year old rabbit when he was having problems with arthritis. It added on 3 more pain-free years. After each treatment, he was running around doing lil jumps, flicking his ears, and just showing off how happy he was.
Is the cat on senior food? She could benefit from some quality senior food that has glucosamine added, too.
February 5th, 2010 - 9:19 pm
A glucosamine supplement would be good for the arthritis.
I don’t know a good brand for cats though.
I would feed better foods that are grain-free like Wellness, EVO, Taste of the wild. It would be even better for her to eat wet food because it would be better for her aging kidneys.
February 5th, 2010 - 9:19 pm
It’s difficult with cats because they’re sensitive to so many meds. I have a 17 year old that was showing signs of arthritis pain &
I’ve seen MUCH improvement since starting her on this product: http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Genesis-Resources-Feline-Pain-Plus-Formula/152011.aspx
I crush it up in her canned food twice a day.
Entirelypets.com also sells it.
Add:
These are great. All my cats like them: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3261+1883+8982&pcatid=8982
That site offers a good selection of heated beds, too.
Best wishes!
February 5th, 2010 - 9:19 pm
There are few anti-inflammatory drugs that can be given to cats, so veterinarians often recommend a nutraceutical containing glucosamine or other ingredients.
You can also do a lot in your home to help your arthritic cat access her favorite spots comfortably. Make sure food bowls are easily accessible. Choose litter boxes that are large, easy to get into and out of, and place them in the living area where your cat spends the most time. For instance, if your cat dwells mainly on the first floor, don’t put the litter box in the basement. Use a pet ramp or stair steps to help her access a favorite perch or warm space.
hope that helped
February 5th, 2010 - 9:19 pm
Murphy Rose is 23 yrs old and moves slowly these days. One of the things I tried for her was putting a Thermacare pad under her blanket and she slept happily! I encourage her to move all day long (I am a stay at home Catmom) and the only complaint she makes is that the other cat is looking at her!