Golden OldiesGolden Oldies

The care of older cats in sheltersThe care of older cats in sheltersMaggie Roberts BVM&S MRCVSMaggie Roberts BVM&S MRCVS

Director of Veterinary ServicesDirector of Veterinary Services

Cats ProtectionCats Protection

OverviewOverview

The issuesThe issues The diseases of older The diseases of older

catscats Assessing quality of Assessing quality of

lifelife Practical tipsPractical tips

How old is an elderly cat?How old is an elderly cat? In veterinary terms a cat is geriatric at 10 years.In veterinary terms a cat is geriatric at 10 years. In lay terms an elderly cat is 12 years onwards.In lay terms an elderly cat is 12 years onwards. The average life expectancy of a cat is 14 years.The average life expectancy of a cat is 14 years. Many cats now reach their late teens and early 20s.Many cats now reach their late teens and early 20s. The world’s oldest cat is Lucy who is 39 years old!The world’s oldest cat is Lucy who is 39 years old!

The issues for rescueThe issues for rescue Cats are living longerCats are living longer More elderly cats now More elderly cats now

coming into shelterscoming into shelters More likely to have health More likely to have health

problemsproblems More difficult to find More difficult to find

homes; longer average homes; longer average staystay

Increased resources Increased resources (time and money) needed (time and money) needed for older catsfor older cats

Too many cats needing Too many cats needing help overallhelp overall

How can we deal with more old How can we deal with more old cats?cats? Selective or balanced Selective or balanced

intakeintake Sometimes owners need to Sometimes owners need to

make hard decisions make hard decisions Assess and make Assess and make

decisions on older cats decisions on older cats promptlypromptly

Promote the positives of Promote the positives of ‘mature’ cats‘mature’ cats

Agree to pay some of the Agree to pay some of the costs if the cat has costs if the cat has

a health problema health problem Sanctuaries?Sanctuaries?

Advantages of older catsAdvantages of older cats Developed characterDeveloped character Less work than taking on a kitten.Less work than taking on a kitten. Quieter and more sedate. Quieter and more sedate. Less likely to wander.Less likely to wander. Seek human contact more. Seek human contact more. Good pets for elderly/ housebound people.Good pets for elderly/ housebound people. ““Feel good factor” in helping a Feel good factor” in helping a

needy cat.needy cat.

Most elderly cats require more regular Most elderly cats require more regular veterinary treatment.veterinary treatment.

They need to be monitored more closely. They need to be monitored more closely. Owner needs to monitor these cats so Owner needs to monitor these cats so

suitable owners need to be targeted.suitable owners need to be targeted. Adopter is likely to have the cat for less Adopter is likely to have the cat for less

time. time.

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Geriatric diseaseGeriatric disease Cats aged 10 years +Cats aged 10 years + Most age-related disease is chronic (long term) and Most age-related disease is chronic (long term) and

cannot be cured.cannot be cured. Many diseases can be controlled well with modern Many diseases can be controlled well with modern

medicine and close monitoring.medicine and close monitoring. The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the better, as The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the better, as

more can be done.more can be done. Regular health checks are vital for older cats.Regular health checks are vital for older cats. More than one disease may be presentMore than one disease may be present

Common Diseases of Elderly Common Diseases of Elderly CatsCats

Renal diseaseRenal disease HyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism HypertensionHypertension ArthritisArthritis SenilitySenility Dental diseaseDental disease BlindnessBlindness DeafnessDeafness CancerCancer

Renal (kidney) DiseaseRenal (kidney) Disease One of the most common One of the most common

diseases of elderly catsdiseases of elderly cats Usually chronic renal failure Usually chronic renal failure

as a result of the natural as a result of the natural ageing processageing process

Damage to the kidney cells is Damage to the kidney cells is irreversible so kidney function irreversible so kidney function deteriorates over timedeteriorates over time

Waste products build up in the Waste products build up in the bloodstream and can cause bloodstream and can cause damage to other body tissues damage to other body tissues

Renal disease - signsRenal disease - signs Increased drinkingIncreased drinking Increased urinationIncreased urination Poor appetite Poor appetite Weight lossWeight loss Anaemia Anaemia Poor coat Poor coat Vomiting Vomiting Lethargy Lethargy DepressionDepression Halitosis (bad breath)Halitosis (bad breath) Fits or mouth ulcers when very severeFits or mouth ulcers when very severe

Renal Disease -Renal Disease - DiagnosisDiagnosis

Blood tests Blood tests Urine tests Urine tests X-rays or ultrasoundX-rays or ultrasound

Renal Disease – TreatmentRenal Disease – Treatment Fluid therapyFluid therapy Medication e.g. anabolic steroids, Medication e.g. anabolic steroids,

vitamins, appetite stimulants, benazeprilvitamins, appetite stimulants, benazepril Prescribed diets with reduced levels of Prescribed diets with reduced levels of

protein and phosphorus protein and phosphorus

Renal Disease - Prognosis Renal Disease - Prognosis

Damage to the kidneys is irreversible Damage to the kidneys is irreversible Tend to deteriorate over a period of time Tend to deteriorate over a period of time With the help of treatment, affected cats With the help of treatment, affected cats

can often maintain a good quality of life can often maintain a good quality of life for several months or years for several months or years

HyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism A very common disease A very common disease

of older catsof older cats Caused by an Caused by an

overactive thyroid gland overactive thyroid gland

Excess Excess thyroxinethyroxine is is produced produced

Cats with Cats with hyperthyroidism have hyperthyroidism have an increased metabolic an increased metabolic rate rate

Hyperthyroidism – SignsHyperthyroidism – Signs

Increased appetiteIncreased appetite Increased intake drinking Increased intake drinking Weight lossWeight loss Behavioural changesBehavioural changes RestlessnessRestlessness Increased vocalisation Increased vocalisation Vomiting Vomiting DiarrhoeaDiarrhoea Poor coat condition Poor coat condition Enlargement of one or both of the thyroid glands Enlargement of one or both of the thyroid glands

(goitre) (goitre) Fast heart rateFast heart rate

HyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism – Diagnosis – Diagnosis and Treatmentand Treatment

Diagnosed by a blood test (T4)Diagnosed by a blood test (T4) Oral medication - given long termOral medication - given long term Thyroidectomy - surgery to remove one or both Thyroidectomy - surgery to remove one or both

glandsglands Radiation treatment with radioactive iodine -Radiation treatment with radioactive iodine -

very expensive and requires a long period of very expensive and requires a long period of hospitalisation in isolationhospitalisation in isolation

HyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism - Prognosis- Prognosis

Fairly good if diagnosed earlyFairly good if diagnosed early Needs regular monitoringNeeds regular monitoring If left untreated, there can be secondary effects If left untreated, there can be secondary effects

in other organs e.g. the heart or liver in other organs e.g. the heart or liver Once stabilised, cats will often live several Once stabilised, cats will often live several

more yearsmore years

Hypertension (high blood Hypertension (high blood pressure)pressure)

Can occur spontaneously Can occur spontaneously May be secondary to another condition May be secondary to another condition

such as hyperthyroidism, heart disease or such as hyperthyroidism, heart disease or kidney diseasekidney disease

May affect the eyes, kidneys, heart and May affect the eyes, kidneys, heart and brainbrain

HypertensionHypertension - Signs- Signs

Blindness or changes inside the eye such Blindness or changes inside the eye such as bleedingas bleeding

Disorientation Disorientation SeizuresSeizures There may be no obvious signs in the There may be no obvious signs in the

early stages so all geriatric cats should early stages so all geriatric cats should have their blood pressure monitored have their blood pressure monitored

HypertensionHypertension - Diagnosis- Diagnosis

A thorough clinical A thorough clinical examination, which examination, which includes the eyes includes the eyes

Blood pressure is Blood pressure is monitored monitored

Further tests to Further tests to eliminate any underlying eliminate any underlying disease disease

HypertensionHypertension - Treatment- Treatment

Treat any underlying condition first Treat any underlying condition first Medication e.g. AmlodipineMedication e.g. Amlodipine Prescribed diets containing reduced levels of Prescribed diets containing reduced levels of

sodium sodium Regular monitoring is vitalRegular monitoring is vital Outlook is dependent on regular monitoring Outlook is dependent on regular monitoring

and what the underlying cause isand what the underlying cause is

OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis Inflammation of joint(s)Inflammation of joint(s) Also known as Also known as

degenerative joint disease degenerative joint disease (DJD) (DJD)

Can be due to long term Can be due to long term wear and tear and ageing wear and tear and ageing or may be secondary to a or may be secondary to a previous injuryprevious injury

Very common in old catsVery common in old cats

Osteoarthritis - SignsOsteoarthritis - Signs

Stiffness (worse after rest or in cold Stiffness (worse after rest or in cold weather)weather)

Reduced motility (jumping less)Reduced motility (jumping less) Lameness (much less common than in the Lameness (much less common than in the

dog)dog) PainPain Not groomingNot grooming Often bilateral (both sides)Often bilateral (both sides) The hips, elbows and spine are most The hips, elbows and spine are most

commonly affected commonly affected

OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis – Diagnosis and – Diagnosis and TreatmentTreatment

Diagnosed by examination and x-raysDiagnosed by examination and x-rays Long term anti-inflammatory medicationLong term anti-inflammatory medication Weight management Weight management Moderate exerciseModerate exercise Adapting lifestyle and homeAdapting lifestyle and home Dietary supplements e.g. glucosamine Dietary supplements e.g. glucosamine Surgery (if previous injury)Surgery (if previous injury) Alternative therapies e.g. acupuncture, Alternative therapies e.g. acupuncture,

magnetic collarsmagnetic collars Treatment makes a huge difference to Treatment makes a huge difference to QOLQOL

SenilitySenilityCats are living longer so Cats are living longer so senility is more commonsenility is more common

Possible causes Possible causes Increased blood pressure Increased blood pressure Brain disease e.g. brain tumourBrain disease e.g. brain tumour Behavioural issues such as separation Behavioural issues such as separation

anxiety anxiety Similar brain changes to Alzheimer’sSimilar brain changes to Alzheimer’s

Disorientation or confusion Disorientation or confusion Change in social Change in social

relationships relationships Forgotten learning Forgotten learning

patterns e.g. no longer patterns e.g. no longer using litter trayusing litter tray

Excessive vocalisationExcessive vocalisation Changes in normal routine Changes in normal routine

– eating, sleeping, – eating, sleeping, grooming etcgrooming etc

Senility - SignsSenility - Signs

Senility – Diagnosis and Senility – Diagnosis and TreatmentTreatment

Diagnosed by ruling out other problemsDiagnosed by ruling out other problems Diets enriched with antioxidants or Diets enriched with antioxidants or

supplements supplements Environmental enrichment and Environmental enrichment and

adaptation adaptation No drugs licensed to treat senility in cats; No drugs licensed to treat senility in cats;

some may help reduce the signs e.g. some may help reduce the signs e.g. behavioural drugsbehavioural drugs

Condition with gradually deteriorateCondition with gradually deteriorate

CancerCancer Any organ or body Any organ or body system can be affectedsystem can be affected More common in elderly More common in elderly cats cats The most common type of tumour in the cat is The most common type of tumour in the cat is

lymphosarcoma, which can occur at a wide lymphosarcoma, which can occur at a wide variety of sites variety of sites

Treatment depends on the type of tumour but Treatment depends on the type of tumour but in old cats quality of life must be the priority in old cats quality of life must be the priority

Extensive or aggressive treatment should Extensive or aggressive treatment should not be undertaken lightlynot be undertaken lightly

Assessing quality of lifeAssessing quality of life

Eating and drinkingEating and drinking MobilityMobility ContinenceContinence PainPain Ongoing medical/behavioural problem Ongoing medical/behavioural problem

(cure or control?)(cure or control?) Mental well-beingMental well-being Adequate care and environmentAdequate care and environment Will it ever get homed?Will it ever get homed?

Assessing older Assessing older catscats

Ideally need background Ideally need background informationinformation

Thorough examination by a vetThorough examination by a vet Blood pressure monitoringBlood pressure monitoring Blood/urine tests (geriatric Blood/urine tests (geriatric

profile)profile) Observe and monitor closelyObserve and monitor closely

Practical Tips in the ShelterPractical Tips in the Shelter

Routine and familiarity are especially important to Routine and familiarity are especially important to an elderly cat.an elderly cat.

Try to keep all resources (e.g. food, water and litter Try to keep all resources (e.g. food, water and litter tray) fairly close by and accessible.tray) fairly close by and accessible.

Provide gentle games in order to keep it stimulated.Provide gentle games in order to keep it stimulated. Groom the cat regularly especially if they are Groom the cat regularly especially if they are

arthritic, using a soft brush.arthritic, using a soft brush.

Regular veterinary health checks are vital to pick Regular veterinary health checks are vital to pick up the early signs of disease. up the early signs of disease.

Monitor carefully especially eating, drinking and Monitor carefully especially eating, drinking and weight.weight.

If paying for on-going treatments, clearly define If paying for on-going treatments, clearly define what you will and won’t pay forwhat you will and won’t pay for

Ensure there are a number Ensure there are a number of soft, warm and quiet of soft, warm and quiet resting places with easy resting places with easy access. access.

Avoid communal pens Avoid communal pens Use low-sided litter trays Use low-sided litter trays

Thank You!Thank You!