Diseases in Old Cats

Cancer

• Your cat may develop a form of feline cancer that occurs with old age. Cancer can affect various parts of a cat's body, including the stomach, liver, blood, bowels and others. The primary symptoms include weight loss and loss of appetite, wounds that do not heal and discharge (or bleeding) from the nose, ears, eyes or in the cat's stool. These symptoms also come with personality changes. If you suspect your older cat has cancer, take it to the veterinarian immediately. Note that an early diagnosis will increase your pet's survival rate.

Kidney Failure

• Kidney failure is an issue in older cats that is serious and requires veterinarian attention as soon as symptoms are noticed. When a cat experiences kidney failure, the kidneys are unable to filter any of the waste products in the blood as it normally does. This, in turn, creates high levels of blood toxins, which may eventually prove fatal. Most cats do not show symptoms of kidney failure until about 30 percent of the kidney is functioning. Those symptoms include loss of appetite and weight loss, excessive thirst, bad breath and vomiting. As the disease progresses, cats may also experience seizures or a comatose state.

Dental

• It's common for older cats to experience various dental diseases and ailments, such as tooth decay and mouth ulcers. Watch for symptoms such as loss of appetite, difficulty when eating and/or swallowing, weight loss, bad breath and drooling. Dental diseases are not as harmful as some other diseases in older cats, but they require immediate attention to ensure overall health and happiness.

Skin Problems

• The way your cat looks greatly reflects its internal health. So while your cat's outer appearance may not seem important when considering its health, it plays a vital role. Skin problems can include thinning hair, an increase in fur under the collar, and dull, dry or oily fur. Watch your cat's behavior in regard to its skin and fur. If your cat picks or sucks at its fur, that can be a sign of stress and poor health. Also, it is common for cats' skin to lose elasticity or to heal at a slower rate as it ages. This is not cause for serious attention, but should be noted the next time you visit your veterinarian.

Diabetes

• Another common ailment that targets aging cats is diabetes. Diabetes is caused by the degeneration of cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Low levels of insulin affect the blood cell's ability to pick up glucose (or sugar) from the blood. Cats with diabetes often experience excessive thirst/urination, diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration, large appetite and weight loss. If you suspect diabetes in your cat, seek veterinarian assistance immediately. Diabetes is a treatable ailment in cats that requires a large amount of the pet owner's time and attention.