 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion GroupsGeneral TopicsCat AnecdotesHealth and BehaviorRescue CatKB.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Cat Forum / General Topics / August 2006Worried about my old cat
My cat is 17 years old now. Just like every cat, at the onset of summer, he'd lose a pound or two, but now, he's lost more. I can feel every bone of his spine, he's getting scrawny. Sometimes, he's got a hard time swallowing and he pukes. I fed him what he likes best -- crumbled up salmon cooked in a presto mixed into gelatin -- but he ate the gelatin and left most of the fish. So I put the mix in a blender. It seems to suit him better. His heartbeat is around 180, which is faster that normal, I would think. Respiration is... fairly normal. He doesn't drink much either and has smaller pees, but fairly regularly. Though he's lost all his fat, he doesn't seem to have lost much muscular mass. Character-wise, he's still the same old son of a gun and still purrs when I take him on my lap, but he doesn't move much. Now, the heat wave has subsided and his eating habits didn't come back. As I write this, he's licking the juice of a tuna can. My aunt's cat, who was 18, died in a similar situation about a month ago, so I'm worried. OTOH, I don't really feel like taking a 17 years old cat to the vet, mainly that he didn't have a single shot since he was gelded. It's going to cost me a lot of money for not much result. As Jerediah puts it in Citizen Kane, "Old ago is the only sickness you can't look forward to being cured of." Still, if you've had old cats and have suggestions, I'm ready to do whatever I can. Could any natural product help? > My cat is 17 years old now. Just like every cat, at the onset of summer, > he'd lose a pound or two, but now, he's lost more. I can feel every bone [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > Still, if you've had old cats and have suggestions, I'm ready to do > whatever I can. Could any natural product help? Yes, I have had elderly cats. And despite your request not to receive this advice, you really need to take your cat to a vet. True, it may be that you will not learn anything. On the other hand, it may be that he simply needs some fairly simple (and inexpensive) medical intervention. Just like older people, some go on to very old age and some do not -- but you will not have a chance if you don't first seek a diagnosis. Incidentally, this is the first time I ever heard anyone refer to a cat as "gelded." Gelding is for horses. Cats are spayed or neutered, depending on gender. MaryL >> My cat is 17 years old now. Just like every cat, at the onset of summer, >> he'd lose a pound or two, but now, he's lost more. I can feel every bone [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] >"gelded." Gelding is for horses. Cats are spayed or neutered, depending on >gender. Another idiot too cheap to care for their 4 legged companion the way they should be and take him to a vet. I wonder if these morons would like to be treated the same way if and when something would happen to them !!!! I wonder sometimes if these really are legit posts or if these morons post this stuff just to get people going - a troll another words. My furbabies http://members.aol.com/larrystark/ <snip>> >Another idiot too cheap to care for their 4 legged companion the way >they should be and take him to a vet. I wonder if these morons would [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >I wonder sometimes if these really are legit posts or if these morons >post this stuff just to get people going - a troll another words. When I see something like that, I think first of lack of money - many people can't afford medical attention for themselves, let alone for their cat. The argument that if they can afford a computer and Internet account they can afford huge vet bills is flawed by the unwarranted assumption that everybody who posts actually has those things. College students often use free accounts and college owned computers. Others use friends' or library computers and Net access. There are also those who once could afford these things but are now out of work, retired, or otherwise living on an amount just sufficient to maintain what they have but not sufficient to pay for emergencies (I've been there more than once myself).  SignatureT.E.D. (tdavis@gearbox.maem.umr.edu) Remove "gearbox.maem" to get real address - that one is dead > <snip>> > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > they can afford huge vet bills is flawed by the unwarranted assumption > that everybody who posts actually has those things. Stop it right there! I own my computer. A superdooper monstuous thingy that I put together 5 years ago, mainly from old parts. I have a fridge too! So, I suppose I'm a millionnaire and I should pay whatever it costs to have a 17 years old cat examined by a vet. OTOH, if I hadn't taken this stray cat and if, by chance, he would have lived to be 3 months old, most probably he would have died before he was 2. That's what happened to hundreds of cats in the city in the last seventeen years and there's no way I would take more than one. So, all in all, I figure mine hasn't done too bad. Lots of other cats are waiting for the money. I had one on my window sill again last week: nice looking, very kind... and he could be dead by now: he was pretty thin too and it wasn't from old age. Now, if there are so many Ameuricans -- because real animal lovers are Ameuricans, aren't they? -- who'd be ready to spend money on a seventeen years old cat, why don't they send it instead to one of those countries where the US have spread havoc in the name of their Karl Rove - GW Bush "democracy"? From Vietnam and Chile to Kosovo, Irak and Afghanistan, the choice is wide and I do believe the money could be put to better use. But do those jellyfish brains care about humans? Are animals more than a mirror extension of their little self? Rather than the fact that I own a computer, that seems more like the question to me. Why does it always turn to political BULLSHIT If you want to spew political BULLSHIT go to the politics newsgroups this is a cat group World Politics has nothing to do with this cat group AND YES I AM A REAL AMERICAN , A REAL ANIMAL LOVER but being an American or from any nation has nothing to do with being a real animal lover that is in the heart. Either you have it or you don't and if you aren't a animal lover willing to spend every last penny you have on a beloved pet to save their life or maintain their life to allow them to live it to their fullest or at least give them a fighting chance than DON'T HAVE A PET. Now back to the other crap you spewed TAKE YOUR CAT TO A VET it sounds like kidney failure at least you can give the cat a peaceful end if it is near. And IMO never have another cat if you don't want the responsibility don't take it >AND YES I AM A REAL AMERICAN , A REAL ANIMAL LOVER but being an American >or from any nation has nothing to do with being a real animal lover that is [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >is near. And IMO never have another cat if you don't want the >responsibility don't take it If you can not afford have it cared for have it put down since it sounds like he is close to the end anyways. If you really care for it do not let / make it suffer needlessly. My vet (http://vethealthcenter.com/) charged me like $75 for the last injured stray that needed to be put out of it's pain. My furbabies http://members.aol.com/larrystark/ > Why does it always turn to political BULLSHIT Maybe if you were in Lebanon, Afghanistan or Iraq now, you'd think differently about what you can BULLSHIT. US BULLSHIT kills lots of people. < sniped for being political dumb a.s bullshit spewed by a moron> Why don't you go over there and help out instead of running your stupid mouth get off your lazy a.s and do something if you want to help those people out instead of being on your computer and running your mouth. Ohh but you won't for you are what we call a internet Rambo; just another dumb a.s ignorant piece of sh.t that comes to a newsgroup just to cause trouble Who else votes this a.shole is just a dumb f.cking troll Time for some TROLL BASHING 101 >> Why does it always turn to political BULLSHIT > > Maybe if you were in Lebanon, Afghanistan or Iraq now, you'd think > differently about what you can BULLSHIT. US BULLSHIT kills lots of people. just remember it's the a.sholes in charge. I'm american proud to be american but ashamed of what the ashholes in charge are doing. Just remember it's the government i have zero support in the war and always have. Just remember a good portion of american realize the prez is a c.nt. >>>My cat is 17 years old now. Just like every cat, at the onset of summer, >>>he'd lose a pound or two, but now, he's lost more. I can feel every bone [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > > http://members.aol.com/larrystark/ you sound like typical grade a prick. you don't know middleman's situation. It's usenet say what you want but you sound like an a.shole to me. At least learn more about the situation before you come across like that. not every1 is fortunate as you. I grew up in poverty as a kid and parents barely had food on the table. Think before you goddamn speak dick. >My cat is 17 years old now. Just like every cat, at the onset of summer, he'd >lose a pound or two, but now, he's lost more. I can feel every bone of his >spine, he's getting scrawny. >snip< 17 years is pretty old. He's lucky that you've taken good care of him all this time. If the vet is out of the question, the only thing you can do is make him as comfortable as possible, and encourage him to eat soft tasty food. >>My cat is 17 years old now. Just like every cat, at the onset of summer, he'd >>lose a pound or two, but now, he's lost more. I can feel every bone of his [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > him as comfortable as possible, and encourage him to eat soft tasty > food. Well, who knows, I wonder if I won't rescue him. Yesterday, not only he ate some of his salmon gelly, but some meat too, and he didn't puke the whole thing back. Today, instead of the meat, he ate about 15-20 grams of tuna. He's thin, but his eyes are clear, he purrs, he's stubburn as ever. He doesn't want me to take him down from the table where I put him while I have breakfast, he "jumps". (His front paws are a foot from the floor when he does :) I don't believe he'll live to be 25 years old, like some people pretend their cats did, but maybe he'll be OK for a few more months. "Middleman" <middleman@bellesetbutts.com> > < sniped for being posted by a moron>. What a dumb a.s piece of TROLL trash > "Middleman" <middleman@bellesetbutts.com> > > > < sniped for being posted by a moron>. > > What a dumb a.s piece of TROLL trash I believe Middleman approached our group because he is worried about his cat. He got attacked and lashed out about the horrible leadership void America is experiencing. He probably shouldn't have gone off-topic, but don't pretend you're angry at him is for trolling. You're a right-wing piece of sh.t who defends our despicable president. No amount of name-calling will change that. Now can we go back to talking about cats? >> "Middleman" <middleman@bellesetbutts.com> > >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > piece of sh.t who defends our despicable president. No amount of > name-calling will change that. Now can we go back to talking about cats? Hay you don't like it you can kill file all of us There was no attack by anyone just the truth being told but hey if you want to defend that piece of work go right on a head it is your stupidity Were do you see me defending the president in what above post do you see this. Is this something you imagined or think you see. YOU DON'T SO DON'T PUT f.cking WORDS IN MY MOUTH OR SAY SOMETHING THAT I AM NOT DOING!! Now we can go back to talking about cats but if you want to take it further Please feel free I haven't had a good chance to flame any one in awhile > Hay you don't like it you can kill file all of us There was no attack > by anyone just the truth being told but hey if you want to defend that [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > further Please feel free I haven't had a good chance to flame any one in > awhile Why is it those who defend the right turn out to be ignorant trailer trash like Matthew from Tampa? Did you want me to grade your post? You have big problems using punctuation, there was only one period and two exclamation points in your entire rant. Your use of the word Hay, is that some kind of inbreeding thing? You didn't mean a head, you meant ahead. You did the caplock thing which seems to be the domain of true morons. Writing down words isn't something you do very often it is obvious. Shall I go on? I bet you enjoy getting embarrassed in front of everyone. I'd rather be talking about cats. >> Hay you don't like it you can kill file all of us There was no attack >> by anyone just the truth being told but hey if you want to defend that [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Why is it those who defend the right turn out to be ignorant trailer trash > like Matthew from Tampa? I will wear that want to be insult like a badge of honor. If you have only done half of what I have done for animals. You would gladly wear it to. Did you want me to grade your post? You have big > problems using punctuation, there was only one period and two exclamation > points in your entire rant. Your use of the word Hay, is that some kind > of inbreeding thing? You didn't mean a head, you meant ahead. You did > the caplock thing which seems to be the domain of true morons. Writing > down words isn't something you do very often it is obvious. Shall I go > on? I bet you enjoy getting embarrassed in front of everyone. " I'd rather be talking about cats. " Than why did you continue and insult me instead of letting it go. You can't that was the reason. You just had to have a stab and try to look the hero. It takes a real man that wants to feel important about himself to have to correct someone's grammar. Then they try and turn into an insult. Oh boy is that the best you got. You really know how to insult a person ( NOT ). I am shaking in my boots! I feel so embarrassed (NOT). I am not from Tampa that is the server, idiot. The only person that gets embarrassed is yourself for defending a piece of trash. As I said before don't like what I have to say kill file me. Come on is that the best you can do I still don't see where you point out where I am defending the President. Which is where this problem extended from Politics. No matter what you are still defending an ignorant piece of trash. How does it feel? Do you feel important? Do you feel better about yourself not that you stepped up, said something and put your foot in your mouth? Do you want to go back to talking about cats? I have said my piece and willing to let it drop. Politics only bring out the worse in people and is never to be debated or discussed among strangers Ball is in your court. >>>"Middleman" <middleman@bellesetbutts.com> > >>> [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > Now we can go back to talking about cats but if you want to take it further > Please feel free I haven't had a good chance to flame any one in awhile you can also killfile if you don't like it. > You're a right-wing > piece of sh.t who defends our despicable president. No amount of > name-calling will change that. And no amount of reasoning will change him either. No wonder America is so desperate waging wars to pollute even more, unable to educate and care for its own people. Sometimes I think that pressuring the media to observe their supremacist white lies could change people's mind, but it's a really hard work. You always tell yourself "This time, I'm giving up!" Then comes another event that illustrates the low level scam so well, that you're at it again. But those people earn salaries in the six figures and they can't figure out how this could be if they were doing their job so bad. They're in their closed world, taking the news from the feed, giving every clown his photo opportunity to prove Karl Rove's theories right. Then, they pretend that their role is only to be professional witnesses. This is the result of schools in America not working since, ay best, the nineteen-seventies. If you're not too busy painting America with your broad brush of prejudice you need to enlighten us with the country of your origin so we can review how perfect it is. I thought you came here to discuss your cat, or was that just an excuse to launch an anti-American rant? > And no amount of reasoning will change him either. No wonder America is so > desperate waging wars to pollute even more, unable to educate and care for [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > This is the result of schools in America not working since, ay best, the > nineteen-seventies. <sniped> <sniped> And you are defending this piece of work You are going to end up just like him if you keep it up. > <sniped> > > <sniped> > > And you are defending this piece of work You are going to end up just like > him if you keep it up. i c we got a 'Bush' fan on our hands lol.... >> <sniped> >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >> like him if you keep it up. > i c we got a 'Bush' fan on our hands lol.... Nope Love America but not who is in charge How about getting back to what is in the subject line ?? No wonder people complain about these cat group going downhill !! >If you're not too busy painting America with your broad brush of prejudice >you need to enlighten us with the country of your origin so we can review >how perfect it is. I thought you came here to discuss your cat, or was that >just an excuse to launch an anti-American rant? >> And no amount of reasoning will change him either. No wonder America is so >> desperate waging wars to pollute even more, unable to educate and care for [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >> This is the result of schools in America not working since, ay best, the >> nineteen-seventies. > If you're not too busy painting America with your broad brush of prejudice > you need to enlighten us with the country of your origin so we can review > how perfect it is. The media I'm writing to are those of my country, Canada. With the George W Harper heading the country, you can imagine how ready I am to defend my country. America is just the spearhead of idiocy, followed pretty close by Israel, but we're not too far behind. We used to do better until now. >> If you're not too busy painting America with your broad brush of >> prejudice you need to enlighten us with the country of your origin so we [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > country. America is just the spearhead of idiocy, followed pretty close by > Israel, but we're not too far behind. We used to do better until now. I like Canada, but don't criticize America just because we have a complete moron as our president just now. He pisses me off as much or more than he does you, but I am not as pessimistic about the future as you are. Despite Bush's efforts the average American does want a cleaner environment and a cleaner government, unlike the culture of rampant corruption currently in place. Write to us about your cat, but if you want to rant about politics there are other newsgroups where it is appropriate. >>>If you're not too busy painting America with your broad brush of >>>prejudice you need to enlighten us with the country of your origin so we [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > I like Canada > I certianly don't like Canada these days. > but don't criticize America just because we have a complete > moron as our president just now. Are you sure he's not just the epitome of a trend? I mean there certainly are politically conscious people in America, but have you read some of William Blum's Killing Hope? http://members.aol.com/Bblum6/American_holocaust.htm It's hard to be optimistic after that. When Bush leaves, if there's not another coup after the present one -- remember Florida's -- ruins will be all that remains. Remember the debt, the state of education, the environmental issues, etc. How do you believe America will survive, and the same goes for Canada, of course, with all jobs moved to Asia? How much sacrifice do you figure it would take to bring back a heathy economic infrastructure to America, when fun is all girls... and boys want to have? I very much hope it wasn't, but in the present state of affairs, I'm very much afraid that: This is the end My only friend, the end Of our elaborate plans, the end Of everything that stands, the end I'm afraid, we've been out-smarted. No oil will grease us out of here. Have you read on the end of Rome? No, no. No need to read all Toynbee. Try the chapter in the Columbia History of the World. Also... haven't you heard about a certain concept called imperial overstretch by Paul Kennedy? (The Rise and Fall of The Great Powers.) Not really worth reading, unless you're really into it, but the expression sums up what the US are up to now. Err... Maybe you're still young and I shouldn't have told you that much. Sorry for your dreams. > He pisses me off as much or more than he > does you, but I am not as pessimistic about the future as you are. Despite > Bush's efforts the average American does want a cleaner environment Sure, but they'd rather ride a car than ride a bike. Check the figures. > and a > cleaner government, I wonder why they voted twice for this one. Even if the second time was obviously a fraud, it was close. > Write to us about your cat You should stop bringing up political subjects. You're incorrigible. Err... My cat? Which cat? Oh, yea, that cat! Well... This aft, with the humidex index, the temperature here was equivalent to 45°C and I was sweating like a porc in a sauna. Since I hadn't heard of him for quite some time, I thought maybe it was time to remove the corpse. So I went to his cage and I indeed saw there was some fur at the back. Not wanting to touch the cold body, I just moved the cage. And what do I see coming out? First a head, then a long left leg streching. He looks at me and kinda asks "What's up, doc?" as if there was no problem whatsoever. This cat is so meager that while I used to give him a loud slap on the bum to tease him, I can't do this anymore: he hasn't got any bum left. His legs seem long like those of a 2 years old cat. It's a specter... but he's still laughing at me! So, I'll tell you what. I'll keep you informed. The day he dies, don't worry, you'll hear about it. Until then, I'll try not to get stir crazy about animals like people on this group. >> If you're not too busy painting America with your broad brush of >> prejudice you need to enlighten us with the country of your origin so [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > pretty close by Israel, but we're not too far behind. We used to do > better until now. ONCE AGAIN DON'T BASH THE CITIZENS. I was defending you at first and go ahead bash our leadership it stinks but you make it sound like your bashing every1 in america and i take offense. So for argument sake f.ck you then. >> You're a right-wing piece of sh.t who defends our despicable >> president. No amount of name-calling will change that. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > This is the result of schools in America not working since, ay best, the > nineteen-seventies. if your lashing at our gov't fine, but if your lashing at american people in general f.ck you. Just wanted to clear that up., >>"Middleman" <middleman@bellesetbutts.com> > >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > piece of sh.t who defends our despicable president. No amount of > name-calling will change that. Now can we go back to talking about cats? yes but i am still in agreement president bush is a criminal enough said. > "Middleman" <middleman@bellesetbutts.com> > > > < sniped for being posted by a moron>. > > What a dumb a.s piece of TROLL trash you and what's his face should get together for coffee. prick. >> "Middleman" <middleman@bellesetbutts.com> > >> >> < sniped for being posted by a moron>. >> >> What a dumb a.s piece of TROLL trash > you and what's his face should get together for coffee. prick. Bite me not knocking him over politics but over his treatment of his cat well apparently I am one of those "silly americans" cause I just took my 16 yr old diabetic - who has been so and successfully treated for 7 years now - to the vet because she was loosing weight. We can't find a reason. I "wasted" money on blood work, and thyroid tests, and xrays.. Oh what a waste, cause frankly I want her around for another four years. Maybe she'll make it, probably she won't.. but damn it, I am going to give it a good try. Old age is NOT a reason for death. There are tons of treatable issues out there, that are pretty easy to find and pretty easy to treat. You asked for an OTC or "natural" remedy, but frankly with out knowing what is wrong with your cat, any suggestion would be fool hearty at best, and dangerous at worse. the normal heart rate in cats is 110-140. It SOUNDS like a thyroid issue, but it could be lots of things. Make a vet appointment, talk to the vet, and if you don't want to invest a lot of money in treatment, then discuss PTS, and spare the poor kitty from starving to death because it can't get the nutrients it needs. > My cat is 17 years old now. Just like every cat, at the onset of summer, > he'd lose a pound or two, but now, he's lost more. I can feel every bone [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > Still, if you've had old cats and have suggestions, I'm ready to do > whatever I can. Could any natural product help? > the normal heart rate in cats is 110-140. With a heartbeat of 110, your cats should get to 50! > It SOUNDS like a thyroid issue, > but it could be lots of things. Sounds like you've got no brains. It's his heart, dummy. You know, 17 years indoors, not chasing a mouse. Comes a heat wave, what do you think happens? I suppose you're still better off continuing to suggest people see their vets, but I don't believe I'm going to pay for a heart transplant. >> the normal heart rate in cats is 110-140. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > see their vets, but I don't believe I'm going to pay for a heart > transplant. ok disregard everything i said you just showed yourself to be a complete prick. FYI, in my experience with my cat it does actually sound like a thyroid issue. Some methimazole save our cats life. GOod luck. > FYI, in my experience with my cat it does actually sound like a thyroid > issue. Some methimazole save our cats life. GOod luck. "so cats with hyperthyroidism tend to burn up energy too rapidly and typically suffer weight loss despite having an increased appetite and increased food intake." http://www.fabcats.org/hyperthyroidism.html As I said, when it's too hot, my cat eats very little. No "increased appetite and increased food intake" But thanks for your good luck. Finally, I believe I'll take care of my cat myself. Today, I just wished I could handle the heatwave like he does. I'll put a can of tuna and some gelatin in the blender before the gelatin sets, and I believe he'll eat more. At night. >"so cats with hyperthyroidism tend to burn up energy too rapidly and typically >suffer weight loss despite having an increased appetite and increased food >intake." Over active thyroid. >But thanks for your good luck. Finally, I believe I'll take care of my cat >myself. Today, I just wished I could handle the heatwave like he does. I'll >put a can of tuna and some gelatin in the blender before the gelatin sets, and >I believe he'll eat more. At night. Need a vet to diagnos a thryroid condition. A number of medications are available but they have to be prescribed by a doctor (hence the vet.). >> the normal heart rate in cats is 110-140. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > see their vets, but I don't believe I'm going to pay for a heart > transplant. Sounds like my old cat when she had thyroid problems. If you are so sure it's a heart problem, why bother to ask!. > Sounds like my old cat when she had thyroid problems. If you are so sure > it's a heart problem, why bother to ask!. Because i was really wondering when I first asked. |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.