cat dementia

MagicCats

paddypaws101 wrote: »

An interesting thread for me as I am pretty sure my old boy of 17 has some issues with dementia. He is often confused when he wakes up and yowls for me to re-assure him ( vet checked BP, also not HT ) he also 'forgets' where to go for a pee and often uses the rugs...oh dear! Apart from that he seems in pretty good nick for a 17 year old.
Magicats....Could you explain what happened with your cat's dementia that lead to PTS? ( I am not criticising your decision, more wanting to be prepared for possibilities )
virgo149....I can only find info on use for dogs for bronchitis for that drug, do you have any links for info in use for cats or for dementia ( again, I am not questioning the correct use, just would like more info so I can ask my vet about it )
Thanks

Sure, happy to help.

Basically over the course of six months or so he became more distressed at night, yowling and the likes. We had him checked at the vets who found he had thyroid issues which can present itself in these sort of symptoms. After treatment began he settled slightly. Then he started to go down hill again.

Often we would see him facing the wall just starring at it for long periods of time. Then in the nights he'd yowl and get confused as to where he was. After this he stopped using his tray. He would forget where it was, then if he found it he'd struggle to get in.

Our vet suggested two things. The dementia obviously, but also the possibility of arthritis which may be a reason for not getting into the tray. Sadly there's no cure for dementia, and he wasn't a candidate for arthritis treatment as his kidney function was well off.

We did try dementia treatment for 6 weeks (Activate) but he didn't get much better. What made our mind up was seeing the state he got himself in after we went away for a weekend. My neighbour feeds our cats twice daily when we're away and she was concerned about him. He had been sick a few times and messed everywhere. We though he was maybe ill, but the vet said it was probably the stress of being alone with just the other two cats as he always looked for my partner for comfort.

The advice online for dementia in cats is to confine them to one familiar room with their tray, toys etc. we just didn't have the heart to do that. One room 24/7? That to me would drive a normal animal (or human!) crazy let alone a poor cat who has dementia.

After a long chat with our vet he suggested that putting Felix to sleep might be the kindest thing. He was never gong to improve; he'd only get worse until we lost him completely, much like what can be seen in humans.

It was so tough I cried for days. The pain was physical as well as mental. I felt like a stone was on my chest. My partner and I thought we'd let him down, failed him, and spent some serious time beating ourselves up over it.

Now looking back we know we did the right thing. He was a lovely boy who was clearly heading into an abyss of confusion. He was scared. We we able to take that fear away and let him go with dignity. If I ever become diagnosed with dementia I would want the same.

So that is our story. I hope it explains our decision and nobody thinks badly of us. All we wanted was for Felix to be contented, and believe me, with the dementia he was anything but. He's peaceful now.

RIP Felix



**Edit** This picture was him before he got unwell. In the end he was a shell.

meritaten

I dont really have any advice pukkamum sorry. both my cats were rather eccentric and I am not sure I would have noticed if they had dementia.
I understand though that your cat has started wandering away - a feature of human dementia sadly. could you warn neighbours to watch out for him and to text you or ring you to let you know if he seems to be 'out of bounds'?
might be worth thinking about medication hun? the new alzheimer drugs seem to work wonders in humans in the early stages!!!
I am sure that when the right time comes to PTS you will know - although there are always regrets and 'should I haves' then it would be better than an RTA dont you think?

rising_from_the_ashes

Some great advice given and not got anything useful to add .... just wanted to say (((hugs))) really - it's so hard when they get old / or become ill knowing what it the best thing to do.

Hopefully with the warmer weather, it'll be easier to keep an eye on her when she's out - and you could certainly try giving her a yell on a regular basis so she stays closer. Best of luck

rita-rabbit

I would get some feliway & plug it in well in advance of going away. If the pet is a lone pet it may be kinder to have your Mum host when you are on holidays & take familar things (maybe a once used towel of yours that it can snuggle - ie that you used so they can sniff you) & feliway plug in. That's what I did with mine for safety purposes.

penny_pincha

About 4 years ago my 18 year old cat developed dementia. I found this site very helpful http://sue-cartledge.suite101.com/does-your-cat-have-alzheimers-a42499

She did some of the things your cat is doing. She would howl at the wall, at an open door waiting for someone to open it, walk into things and not realise how to walk around them, got very affectionate to some of my other cats when previously she kept at a distance, got stuck places and not be able to work out how to get out and soil in the middle of a room even though her litter tray was nearby and the door to the garden was open.

I finally got very worried when she did get stuck in a little used part of the garden on a very hot day. It was only that my son wanted something out of the nearby garage that I was down there and heard her calling, otherwise I think she would have overheated. I didn't want her to die in pain and a lingering death if she got stuck or disorientated again, so I took her on a one way trip to the vets.

She had been a rescue cat and had a long happy life. We brought her home & lay her in her favourite sunny spot.

Februarycat

My cat is 21 and I think she has slight dementia, she seems to walk into things, walks in her food bowl, misses her tray etc, but luckily she does not go out now, only if Im in the garden she will wander out but she is very unsteady. She is eating well and still likes a fuss, but I think she is now on borrowed time. Im hoping she will go in her sleep, as I cant bring myself to have her put down and I have no partner to take her for me.
I have not been away for about 3 years as I cant leave her with my neighbour as she would fret, she use to when she was younger and not eat for the whole week.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do, its not easy.

ellzx

Hello,

I have a 15+ ish rescue cat whos got kitty alzheimer's she also blind, deaf and has arthritis - though this sounds awful she is actually a very happy cat!
She was found cowering under a bench and was brought in very unwell. She shares our flat with 2 other cats who are 2 and 9, though they are not friends with her they are happy to share a home with her.
She walks around the flat happily thou she bumps into things, and she does have her screamy moments but she is happy and loves cuddles.

I mean the good thing is that she doesnt remember that she bumps into things.

I guess you have to think about their quality of life to others Jo (our cat) may seem like a lost cause but to us to know her we know shes happy and she is spoilt rotten!

If you need any advice or anything please pm me

I know this may sound strange but there maybe someone (like me!) who would adopt her via a charity with a non destruction policy (thats how i got Jo- it means her vet bills are paid as shes a long term foster)

See how things go dont rush into anything.

Consider this for your garden http://www.katzecure.com/
im sure you can make something yourselves thats much cheaper!

All the best :A