Old cat howling and whining all the time

rusvik

rusvik

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Jan 21, 2011
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I'm visiting parents and their old cat (19 years old), has begun howling and whining all the time. Literally every time it is alone for a minute or two. When it's not alone, it just wants to sleep next to someone. Does little else all day.

Also has begun drinking a lot of water (kidney?) and doesn't eat as much. Has arthritis in one leg and is now sort of unstable when walking at times.

Any vets or cat people here can diagnose? It's maddening to listen to and it would be great if there was some medication for the illness or if it can't be cured, then just relieve the pain and chill out. I'm not a fan of putting down an animal which is still fairly able.
 


He's hurting for some reason. The large amount of water and lack of food lead me to believe it's kidney or liver disease. :(

Is he vomiting? If he is, it could be hyperthyroidism, and in that case a small amount of pepcid AC can help.

Baby food is helpful if he isn't eating, so is broth.

He will need to go to a vet and get blood work done to be sure of his illness.

Keep him warm, keep him close, and let him feel the love, that's what's best for him now.

Take care, and my best to you and your parents.
 
Douglife said:
Baby food is helpful if he isn't eating, so is broth.
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Sounds like a good idea, will try that.

Will take it to the vet but they're very expensive here, begins at $150 for just a consultation, probably will end up something like 500-600 for a checkup and I will probably have to pay since my dad has the farm raised viewpoint on older animals.
 
rusvik said:
Sounds like a good idea, will try that.

Will take it to the vet but they're very expensive here, begins at $150 for just a consultation, probably will end up something like 500-600 for a checkup and I will probably have to pay since my dad has the farm raised viewpoint on older animals.
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I'm in California. A visit to the vet for a basic "what's up with my dog, doc?" costs about $60.* That include a prelim exam. Geriatric screening may cost another $100.





* prices vary considerably by vet.
 
I had a cat that we had to put down about two and a half years back that made it to 16-17. Just a guess cause we got her from the pound and the vet estimated she was probably 3 when we got her.

In her last year she drank a ton, and would often puke it up. She started having a hard time going to the litterbox, as if she couldn't squat the right way any more, and began shitting around the apartment. The shit alternated between super solid and explosive diarrhoea. We only buy the very best food for our animals but nothing she ate agreed with her. She would vomit a lot. She began having seizures, tremors that would start at her head/front legs and work their way to her tail.

We hospitalized her once for a couple nights because she was dehydrated and and they did a variety of blood tests but couldn't find the source of the problem. That was a €350 vet bill. Brought her home and there was a short period of what seemed to be improvement and then she just kept getting worse. She was a big cat. A huge brute with a big head, big feet, etc. but she started losing weight. When we took her back to the vet he looked at her and said, this isn't your cat any more. He said we could do more of the same sort of treatments, but in the end, would it really improve anything or just prolong the inevitable?

There comes a point where no amount of money you throw at the problem is going to fix things. 19 is pretty old for a cat and good long run. You can try some broth, baby food, some steamed chicken with rice... but this really isn't going to solve things if the cat has a disease of the kidneys or liver, cancer, neurological problems, dementia, etc. and is in pain and suffering.

You really ought to take it to the vet to at least get a professional opinion.
 
I never had a pet. Just don't like them so much. But what you brothers write in this thread - is deep deeply human touching. Thank you.


.
 
The cat I grew up with turns 15 this year. She's awesome, but I only get to see her a couple times a year and she's starting to slow down. I'm really going to miss her when she goes. We were tight back in my school days.
 
I don't think a regular, scheduled vet visit would run you $150 in and of itself. The tests can really add up fast though. Might be worth calling around and asking. I'm sure there are some affordable vet offices out there.

ER vets on the other hand, are damn expensive. I've had to take my dog to the ER vet on several occasions and it is far from cheap. I think the last time ran me about $500.
 
GimpSpack said:
haha you can tell Rusvik's old as fuck.
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You can't tell actually. Had that cat for a long time and grew up with it. Wanted a dog though, but parents wouldn't have it.

Cat is doing better actually. I think it's just old cat behavior. I also think the hearing is pretty bad. Sort of like your old relatives shouting 'WHAT!!!!' into to your ear.

Veritas said:
Your cat is really old, 19 is getting up there, I don't know what the VET might say. Either way, it sucks, sorry man
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Yes, it is getting up there. I still think there's a couple more years left. I am not going to be the one to put it down though. If it begins to be hurt, I'll get some morphine and up the dose slowly.
 
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