Help!!! My Cat....

[oat02351]

About, well over a year ago when I moved I left my cats with my family. The older cat, about 16 or 17 now is loosing massive amounts of fur from both her sides. It just hangs in clumps and what's more the cat is so thin. Her coat was always so full. Is this a sign of serious neglect or is it something to do with age and deteriorating health? She's not as strong as she used to be either but, that is more than likely age. The other cat that is a few years younger is big and fat, seemingly very healthy. Both of these cats live full time outdoors because they tear up furniture. The winter might not have been too good on the old one... again I don't know, help !!

Thanks in advance for any advice...

 

[Jynarik Slushy]

She's not just shedding some of her winter hair?

It does sound like her age is catching up with her. Neglect can probably be put out of the frame unless you are truely suspected that they would harm her.

 

[b.a.t]

About, well over a year ago when I moved I left my cats with my family. The older cat, about 16 or 17 now is loosing massive amounts of fur from both her sides. It just hangs in clumps and what's more the cat is so thin. Her coat was always so full. Is this a sign of serious neglect or is it something to do with age and deteriorating health? She's not as strong as she used to be either but, that is more than likely age. The other cat that is a few years younger is big and fat, seemingly very healthy. Both of these cats live full time outdoors because they tear up furniture. The winter might not have been too good on the old one... again I don't know, help !!

Thanks in advance for any advice...

It sounds like her kidneys are packing in. I have a tabby cat and he was just like that last year, i was so scared it was something serious. When we went to the vet, she said because he is 15 yrs old his kidneys aren't working properly, don't worry it is treatable with tablets. Only thing it may cost.

 

[oat02351]

It sounds like her kidneys are packing in. I have a tabby cat and he was just like that last year, i was so scared it was something serious. When we went to the vet, she said because he is 15 yrs old his kidneys aren't working properly, don't worry it is treatable with tablets. Only thing it may cost.

...money is something I don't have and I doubt they would put a great deal into a cat that's already that old. Thanks for the tid bit though. If had a choice I'd care for her here but, she's an outdoor cat and we have a bunch of house plants and nice furniture. I could keep her in the basement but, what kind of life would that be for her... plus he has a ton of music gear down there

 

[b.a.t]

...money is something I don't have and I doubt they would put a great deal into a cat that's already that old. Thanks for the tid bit though. If had a choice I'd care for her here but, she's an outdoor cat and we have a bunch of house plants and nice furniture. I could keep her in the basement but, what kind of life would that be for her... plus he has a ton of music gear down there

I don't mean to sound condescending, but does that mean when you get old and you may need a little looking after then people shouldn't bother because your too old.

 

[Billnew]

I don't mean to sound condescending, but does that mean when you get old and you may need a little looking after then people shouldn't bother because your too old.

It's a balancing act.
To help the old friend to continue living and spend vast amounts of money on it,
and possibly prolong suffering, or have the animal put down.

If possible we would all do what we can but eventually the cost will get to be to much. Thousands of dollars a year.(Kidney dialysis) At least $30-40 a month for medicine if that will help. (heart medicine and diaretics)

In the end we have to look at what we can afford versus what is best for the animal.

When it comes down to it, Do we treat the old animal or do we want to eat.

A very hard choice but it must be humans must come first.

 

[Morning Dove]

First you need to get a diagnosis of what is wrong with the cat. Loss of fur and weight could be a lot of things. At that age, the kidneys are a first consideration. I had a cat at 14 lose kidney function. We let him live until it was unbearable for both him and us to see what was happening, and then had him put down. He didn't lose his fur, but he did lose weight. He didn't suffer until the end.

 

[oat02351]

I don't mean to sound condescending, but does that mean when you get old and you may need a little looking after then people shouldn't bother because your too old.

I didn't mean it that way... I was saying I can't afford to do anything and I'm doubtful that they would because to them she's just an old cat. It kills me to go over and see the cat like that. They actually, one day when I went over recently didn't have any cat food. So I gave her a can of tuna and got my head chewed off for giving a cat "solid white tuna". I tried to explain that they didn't have cat food but, she wasn't hearing it.