Written by: Alison Laurie, Senior Consultant, Crown Vets Inverness
Advancing age is not a disease; ageing is a very natural process. Although many complex physical changes accompany advancing years, age in and of itself is not a disease.
Even though many health conditions that affect older cats are not correctable, they can often be treated, then carefully monitored and controlled with medical treatments, a careful diet and adjustments to the home environment. The key to making sure your senior cat has the healthiest and highest quality of life possible in her older years is to recognise and reduce the factors that may be the high health risks, detect any disease process as early as possible, and control or delay the progression of any disease process if possible, and so improve or maintain the health of their ageing bodies systems.
What happens as my cat ages?
The ageing process is accompanied by many physical and also some behavioural changes:
All these are examples of some conditions that, though sometimes seen in younger cats; do become much more prevalent in cats as they age.
If you are concerned that your older cat may have any of these signs or symptoms do arrange an appointment with one of our vets for a general check-up. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important and can mean a longer and a better quality life for your ageing pet.
We run senior health clinics for older cats. At these senior clinics after a general health examination, which may involve urine and blood tests and a blood pressure check, you will be given advice and recommendations for your individual pet.
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