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Aha, vet visit tomorrow! Okay, then by all means use the Flower Essence. I like the Bach Rescue Remedy--it won't hurt, and could help a lot. Talk with the vet about vaccinations. The new feline vaccine recommendations are that after the initial "kitten" series, for adult cats that are otherwise...

Hi Sandi, Well bless you and Kitty. CRF is a devastating progressive illness, and owners who go the extra mile to home-treat these cats are wonderful. Your question is probably the hardest of all, because there's no single answer that applies to every situation. I talked a bit about this in...

As long as LoveyLou is not in pain, feels good and still is able to enjoy all the things he likes--you're not being selfish. One indicator of the cat "telling" you it's time, is when he decides eating is too much trouble; he acts depressed; he IS in pain; and/or he no longer indulges in the...

Good for you, getting Chichi a vet check. If she's not had an exam in three years, and she's 14 now, she's waaaaaaaay overdue, LOL! I know it can be tough convincing these kitties that it's for their own good. If she's going into the carrier on her own, when it's left out, that's a very good...

One more day to go on this visit and I hope you've enjoyed the exchanges as much as I have. Any other questions? Comments? Pressing concerns about your aging kitties? I don't want to miss anything! I wanted to thank everybody for being so cordial and friendly during my visit. This is a place...

Glad to hear the test was okay. I'm sure the other fur-kids will learn very quickly to adjust to her "moods." *s* amy

Giardia could cause the smell, but don't know about the heart murmur and the yowling. Heart *disease* accompanied by high blood pressure might be an influence. Your vet would have to run further tests on that. Giardia is a parasite, a protozoan (single cell organism)that lives in the small...

Hi Tess, These older cats get more short tempered the older they get, LOL! It may just be the age speaking. Or it could be subtle pain/discomfort that's putting her tail in a twist. For instance, cats that suffer from a bit of arthritis may not show many signs. Hypertension (high blood...

The Giardia vaccine is made for cats, too. It's worth a try! amy

Hi there, Those mournful cries do sound distressing. It's hard to say exactly what's prompting the call. There are a number of things that *might* prompt the meow. Older cats often suffer from some degree of hearing loss. When that happens, they may not be as able to keep track of your...

Sounds like you've got things well in hand--or, in "paw." Senior kitties are indeed special. I'm delighted to help showcase them. This Saturday, I'm giving a lecture/book signing at the SPCA of N. Texas with adoptions possible. Hoping we'll match up some lovely older pets with people looking...

Probably the best thing you can do to keep cats off of forbidden furniture/surfaces is to give them a better opportunity. This may also go a long way toward soothing upset kitty feelings at not being allowed in the bedroom I'd invest in a large, interesting cat tree with lots of nooks and...

Managing 4 different meals can be a hair-pulling dilemma. My sympathies! The last question first--is it worthwhile to change eating habits at this late stage? Well...I'm of the opinion that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If, however, it would help improve something that's not broke but maybe...

Bad breath usually is due to periodontal disease -- inflammation and infection of the gums and teeth. It often takes a thorough teeth cleaning by the veterinarian to get rid of the odor. But metabolic diseases also can cause nasty breath. Kidney disease and diabetes, for instance, can make the...

Hi Christy, In one of the first studies done on feline cognitive disorder (FCD), they measured cats' behavior in several categories: disorientation, interaction, sleep changes, and litterbox accidents. The survey found that only 3 percent of 11-12 year old cats were positive for more than one...

You're so right. Over time, we learn what to expect from our cats, and they also learn to anticipate how we feel and what we want out of the relationship. It's very comfortable, isn't it? All the angst of trying to communicate with the new whippersnapper is bygone days. Our older cats know us so...

I'd ask the veterinarian about weaning her off the lactulose. If it's simple constipation, I'd say the chances are good. But if she's had excessive problems or chronic megacolon as a result of the constipation, lactulose is one of the more common and useful treatments. Milk may be more readily...

~~and I agree, the very best thing to do is have her checked by the vet. At her age, there may be some health issues that cause her to urinate more frequently and be unable to reach the box in time. Diabetes and kidney disease are both concerns of older cats, and either one can prompt excessive...

I know it is hard to think of losing her. Everyone here has either been through that painful experience, or dreads it as much as you do. There are no words to make it easier. When we spend a decade (or more!) of time with these special kitties, it's not so surprising that they become a part of...

Hi Kikim, I won't argue about the "love" being a vital part of the equation for comfort. As for the feather pillow...that might double as a fun feline toy when they kick the stuffings out of it! I can just see feathers flying everywhere, and an innocent-looking kitty blinking amidst the...