Is this it?

[willowsmom]

I just wanted to ask a quick question:

I have an almost 11 year old cat who has been acting stranger and stranger lately. He is starting to bat at things that aren't there. He's been doing this for a few days now. Another thing that has happened a couple of times to my knowledge... is he'll hold his tail rigidly curled out to the side and his back legs step very tentatively and "off".

He's lost a lot of weight as he's gotten older, but his appetite and thirst are still "normal".

I want to take him to a vet, but I'm concerned with tormenting him with tests if he's not in pain and just going to pass quietly at home. He doesn't ride in the car well and he hates the poking and prodding and strangers at the vet's office...

I dunno what I'm trying to say. I suppose I want to know if anyone has gone through something similar - should I be preparing for the inevitable? Or should I just bite the proverbial bullet and take him to the vet and hope for the best.

[mattemma04]

I have not had any cats do what you mention. How is your kitty doing now? Did you do the vet route?

If the vet finds cancer or a long term issue needing meds how will you want to deal with that? I love my kitties too,but like you I am reluctant to do vets if it really wont help.I did this with a parakeet and just ended up killing her faster.My friend does pills and shots for her cat for I think kidney issues.She will do anything to keep her cat alive longer.

I don't think there is any right or wrong.As a pet owner you make the choice as to what you feel would be best.

Hope all is well.

[lonegirl]

Originally Posted by willowsmom

I just wanted to ask a quick question:

I have an almost 11 year old cat who has been acting stranger and stranger lately. He is starting to bat at things that aren't there. He's been doing this for a few days now. Another thing that has happened a couple of times to my knowledge... is he'll hold his tail rigidly curled out to the side and his back legs step very tentatively and "off".

He's lost a lot of weight as he's gotten older, but his appetite and thirst are still "normal".

I want to take him to a vet, but I'm concerned with tormenting him with tests if he's not in pain and just going to pass quietly at home. He doesn't ride in the car well and he hates the poking and prodding and strangers at the vet's office...

I dunno what I'm trying to say. I suppose I want to know if anyone has gone through something similar - should I be preparing for the inevitable? Or should I just bite the proverbial bullet and take him to the vet and hope for the best.

Ok....11 is still relatively "young".
The tail and stepping thing sounds like he has some arthritis perhaps along his spine. an x-ray can confirm this. It used to be thought that cats don't get arthritis...but it has come to light in recent years that this is hooey.

The weightloss and normal eating...could be hyperthyroidism....weightloss even with great appetite. A quick blood test would help rule this or other diseases out. My cat had this and it is simple to treat with meds.

Seriously....take him to the vet and get a complete physical, geriatric profile, and possibly radiographs. Vets are there to help!!! It's only fair to your kitty. Not knowing doesn't make a problem not exsist...it just allows you to ignore it by saying "I didn't know". Too often people bring their pets to us too late, when there is no option but humane euthanasia and had they not been afraid "to know the inevitable" they could still have their pet...many "old cat" diseases are treatable and with treatment the cat can have many more enjoyable years.

[shesaidboom]

I agree with the pp. 11 is not very old for a cat. I know it's hard to put them through exams and tests when they really hate it, but it could be something that is easily treatable and not life-threatening at all. With many cats living to 20, he could have half his life left to live.