The Geriatric Cat

Question 1

What common conditions will senior cats have?

Answer 1

Hyperthyroidism
Hypertension
Chronic kidney disease
Feline cognitive dysfunction
Dental disease
Degenerative joint disease
Diabetes mellitus
Intestinal lymphoma
Inflammatory bowel disease

Question 2

How can we structure consults for senior cats?

Answer 2

History taking and weighing
BP measurement
Clinical exam
Diagnostic tests if required (refer to vet)
Recommendations
Summarise and arrange revisit
Use discussion to break up appt. with fearful cats

Question 3

What senior diet recommendations can we make for older cats?

Answer 3

Reduced energy/fat - reduced mobility so reduced requirement
Reduced calcium and phosphorous - potential for kidney issues
Increased fibre
Encourage wet over dry to increase water content, but gradual changes to reduce GI impact

Question 4

How can we calculate % weight loss of older cats?

Answer 4

% change = (difference in weight / original weight) x100
5-10% significant, less than can be monitored monthly

Question 5

What systemic effects can hypertension have in older cats?

Answer 5

Ocular damage - retinal oedema/haemorrhage/detachment
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Progressive renal failure
Neurological signs - bleeding into CNS, ataxia, disorientation, seizures, coma/sudden death

Question 6

How can we carry out a clinical exam on an older cat?

Answer 6

Nose-to-tail
Examine gait (use videos from owners etc.)
Auscultate systematically
Observe resp. pattern and rate
Check for thyroid goitre
Examine muscles and joints for asymmetry and ROM