Common Illness's and Diseases in Older Cats

With the advancement in medical technology, veterinary care, and feline nutrition, cats are living longer and healthier lives. The average life span for an indoor cat is fourteen to seventeen years, and more cats are now living into their twenties. And if you raised it as a kitten, then the cat will be more like your child than your pet. Outdoor cats, on the other hand, have a significantly reduced life span because of the many dangers and hazards they are exposed to. As cats are living longer, many are showing signs of diseases common to older cats. The most common are arthritis, liver disease, and urinary incontinence. As a result of their longevity, veterinarians are treating these diseases common to cats twelve years and older that they didn't see much of only a few decades ago.

You don't have to be a cat to understand how painful arthritis can be. Arthritis isn't characterized by pain only, often times there is swelling, stiffness, and inflammation. Arthritis occurs more often in older cats, but is seen in younger cats with birth defects and other cats who have suffered injuries to their joints. You can tell if your cat may have arthritis because your cat may not seem as agile and will gradually tire and slow down over time. After exerting itself, your cat may might become lame and be extremely sensitive to touch around his affected joints. In the advanced stages of arthritis, your cat may not be able to move around at all. But, even though arthritis isn't "cure-able" it can be treated to make your cat's life a little easier. If your cat does have arthritis, don't be tempted to give them over the counter medicine. It can be fatal for cats!

Urinary incontinence is also another common disease in older cats. Urinary incontinence is defined as involuntary urination which can be caused by various things including injury or a disease of the urinary tract. As the sphincter muscles surrounding the urethra deteriorate with age, this disorder primarily affects older cats as they age. Along with old age, urinary incontinence can be caused by abnormal stress in the cat's environment at any age. Infections, urinary tract crystals, and tumors can all cause your cat to become incontinent. If you think your cat may be incontinent, see your vet immediately!

The third most common disease in older cats is liver disease. The liver is one of the most important organs in a cat's body. It regulates the levels of most of the chemicals in the blood. It regulates the amino acid levels and helps clear the blood of certain toxins, like the toxins cats lick off all over their body. Signs your cat may have liver disease include: diarrhea and vomiting, weight and appetite loss, lethargy and irritability, and if really serious seizures can occur. Bacterial or viral infections, parasites, and other toxic substances can injure your cat's liver. Keep your cat indoors, feed it a vet-approved diet, and keep other toxic substance and plants away from your cat to lessen the changes of your cat contracting liver disease.

Unfortunately, seeing arthritis, liver disease, or urinary incontinence is common in older cats. Because we are able to care for our pets with newer technology and better food, our pets are living longer. But with old age comes the problems associated with such a long life. Although arthritis does not have a cure, there is medication to keep your cat at ease. But with more serious and life threatening diseases like liver and urinary incontinence, seek your vet immediately! After caring for my cat for over ten years, he's become more like my little kid. A little kid that stays cute forever.