My beautiful ragdoll, Juliette, is 17 years old. She has been relatively healthy throughout her life, aside from a few dental extractions in her later years and some likely arthritis. However, her age is beginning to become fairly apparent. She is my first and only cat I have ever owned, and I want to do the best I can at ensuring her quality of life in her senior years. If anyone would share their experiences in caring for an elderly cat, senior cat enrichment, or ideas to promote comfort, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Unfortunately, we are beginning to deal with some health issues. Earlier this year, Juliette was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism after I noticed her losing weight despite a large increase in eating/drinking. Our vet has prescribed mediation for the hyperthyroidism, and while her thyroid hormones, appetite, and thirst have returned to normal, she not not regained any weight. I have read from many that although medication was helpful, many didn't notice their cat fully bounce back and regain weight until radioiodine (I-131) therapy, which can cure the hyperthyroidism.
We recently went to a consultation appointment at a veterinary hospital to learn more about the radioiodine therapy. During the appointment, I learned that due to the radioactivity I would need to isolate Juliette after the treatment and minimize my contact with her for six weeks, which I'm sure would be very hard on her. Additionally, the hospital would perform a thyroid scan before treatment to determine the correct dose to administer her. Although the scan is not invasive and the hospital vet did not agree that anesthesia was necessary, they said it was unfortunately the hospital's policy. Obviously, anesthesia for a 17 year old cat is also a confounding concern. The hospital suggested a blood test, urine test, echocardiogram, and ultrasound to determine her risk. We came back with numerous findings including IRIS stage II chronic kidney disease, intervertebral disc disease, mild thickening of part of the small intestine, and small liver nodules. The hospital vet recommended we begin a diet specific for kidney disease, although did not elaborate further. The confusing part was they approved us to be added to the radioiodine therapy schedule, but when I pressed about the anesthesia concerns they kept reiterating how many risk factors Juliette has against her. I know we can't predict the future and I wouldn't expect them to tell me that everyone will be 100% fine, but approving us (indicating they were comfortable with proceeding) but then to scare me with all the things against her seemed contradicting. They would only say she has many risk factors, but no indication of whether this is 5% risk or 95% risk. Is the vet comfortable with a patient like us, or if it were their own cat would they think it was too dangerous? I left the appointment feeling pretty disheartened about our new (and many) diagnoses and how to know what is the best decision.
I am going to try to find a new primary vet for Juliette to discuss these many issues with. Our primary vet of many years retired. The clinic was bought out by a new vet, which we continued to see, but I haven't been as happy with them in their ability to communicate (not informing me teeth were extracted during a cleaning), maintain records (such as known medication allergies), and listening to my concerns (hyperthyroidism can mask kidney disease and when I insisted on bloodwork I was told her kidneys were fine). For now I would like to focus on determining an appropriate diet for her kidney disease and easing her arthritis and intervertebral disc disease, so that her quality of life is maintained and she is as comfortable as possible. We are on the schedule for radioiodine therapy, but luckily it is not for two months yet, so I have time to think if it is really the right option for us. I am less concerned with the small areas of thickened small intestine and liver nodules, as it was explained this was a common occurrence in older cats and usually benign.
And that brings us to the end of our story! I would love to hear anyone's experiences with any of these diseases, making decisions to provide the most comfort and quality of life for an elderly cat, or particulars on choosing a vet for a senior cat. I am very sad with the idea that we may not have too much time left together, but I want to do my best that the time left is happy and comfortable for her.
Thank you!
Unfortunately, we are beginning to deal with some health issues. Earlier this year, Juliette was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism after I noticed her losing weight despite a large increase in eating/drinking. Our vet has prescribed mediation for the hyperthyroidism, and while her thyroid hormones, appetite, and thirst have returned to normal, she not not regained any weight. I have read from many that although medication was helpful, many didn't notice their cat fully bounce back and regain weight until radioiodine (I-131) therapy, which can cure the hyperthyroidism.
We recently went to a consultation appointment at a veterinary hospital to learn more about the radioiodine therapy. During the appointment, I learned that due to the radioactivity I would need to isolate Juliette after the treatment and minimize my contact with her for six weeks, which I'm sure would be very hard on her. Additionally, the hospital would perform a thyroid scan before treatment to determine the correct dose to administer her. Although the scan is not invasive and the hospital vet did not agree that anesthesia was necessary, they said it was unfortunately the hospital's policy. Obviously, anesthesia for a 17 year old cat is also a confounding concern. The hospital suggested a blood test, urine test, echocardiogram, and ultrasound to determine her risk. We came back with numerous findings including IRIS stage II chronic kidney disease, intervertebral disc disease, mild thickening of part of the small intestine, and small liver nodules. The hospital vet recommended we begin a diet specific for kidney disease, although did not elaborate further. The confusing part was they approved us to be added to the radioiodine therapy schedule, but when I pressed about the anesthesia concerns they kept reiterating how many risk factors Juliette has against her. I know we can't predict the future and I wouldn't expect them to tell me that everyone will be 100% fine, but approving us (indicating they were comfortable with proceeding) but then to scare me with all the things against her seemed contradicting. They would only say she has many risk factors, but no indication of whether this is 5% risk or 95% risk. Is the vet comfortable with a patient like us, or if it were their own cat would they think it was too dangerous? I left the appointment feeling pretty disheartened about our new (and many) diagnoses and how to know what is the best decision.
I am going to try to find a new primary vet for Juliette to discuss these many issues with. Our primary vet of many years retired. The clinic was bought out by a new vet, which we continued to see, but I haven't been as happy with them in their ability to communicate (not informing me teeth were extracted during a cleaning), maintain records (such as known medication allergies), and listening to my concerns (hyperthyroidism can mask kidney disease and when I insisted on bloodwork I was told her kidneys were fine). For now I would like to focus on determining an appropriate diet for her kidney disease and easing her arthritis and intervertebral disc disease, so that her quality of life is maintained and she is as comfortable as possible. We are on the schedule for radioiodine therapy, but luckily it is not for two months yet, so I have time to think if it is really the right option for us. I am less concerned with the small areas of thickened small intestine and liver nodules, as it was explained this was a common occurrence in older cats and usually benign.
And that brings us to the end of our story! I would love to hear anyone's experiences with any of these diseases, making decisions to provide the most comfort and quality of life for an elderly cat, or particulars on choosing a vet for a senior cat. I am very sad with the idea that we may not have too much time left together, but I want to do my best that the time left is happy and comfortable for her.
Thank you!