Super Senior Cats

Looking After your super senior cat (15 years +)

It is an achievement to be proud of to have a cat which has reached this life stage – congratulations! Your partnership with your vet is now more important than ever for looking after your super senior cat. We can help you identify health problems in your cat early, keeping them happier, healthier and more comfortable in their twilight years. Early diagnosis of many common feline ailments associated with advancing age can mean reduced ongoing medication costs and less medical intervention generally. For geriatric cats, just as for geriatric humans, routine health checks need to be more thorough and more frequent to catch any problems as they develop.

Super Senior Cat Changes. Oxford Cat Clinic - Cat Only Vets in Botley & Marston.

Changes to look out for:

Reduced vision and increased sensitivity to bright light
Hearing loss
Increased thirst
Changes in appetite
Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
Changes in activity levels
Changes in breathing rate – including increased respiratory rate or effort or panting or open-mouthed breathing. Please note that this is a serious issue, and immediate veterinary help should be sought.
Changes in your cat’s poo. Diarrhoea, constipation, general changes in colour or consistency.
Subtle changes in mobility – cats hide pain well, but you can help spot pain responses by monitoring any changes to their “normal” behaviour. For example, reluctance to go upstairs or not jumping up on their favourite chair.
Overgrown and brittle claws require regular trimming.
Altered behaviour and apparent senility, such as reluctance to interact with family members and other pets.
Changes in coat quality

How to make your cat more comfortable as they age

Provide soft comfortable beds in various favourite places. Keep these areas warm; heatpads or heated beds can be much appreciated!
Beds/favourite resting areas should be easily accessible; place beds lower down or provide steps or ramps if necessary.
Ensure there is access to quiet hiding places where your cat will be undisturbed by children, other pets, etc.
Provide indoor litter trays – at least one on each floor of the house – in quiet but accessible areas within easy reach of your cat’s favourite rest areas. Big trays with shallow sides will be easier for your cat to get into.

Super Senior Cat Comfort. Oxford Cat Clinic - Cat Only Vets in Botley & Marston

How we can help you support your super senior cat

SILVER TAILS PLUS CLINIC– A 30-minute consultation with one of our qualified nurses. During this consultation your cat will be weighed and will receive a general check over of their eyes, ears, nose, teeth, coat, nails, legs and back, and intimate areas. They will also have their heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure taken. The nurse will then take a blood sample and collect your cat’s urine sample which your will have been asked to bring along to the appointment with you. All this information will them be handed to a vet for review. Once your cat’s results have been reviewed you will receive a callback from the nursing team if all is well. If the vet has any concerns, you will then be entitled to a follow up consultation with a vet.

SILVER TAILS HEALTH PLAN – If you take out our Silver Tails Pet Health Plan the cost of the Silver Tails Plus Clinic is included in the plan, but at a 10% discount!
SILVER TAILS CLINIC – The basic Silver Tails Clinic is provided at a reduced cost to the “plus” clinic described opposite. This is a purely nurse led clinic. It includes all the above but WITHOUT the blood test and any veterinary follow up would be at an additional cost. The urinary analysis and the blood pressure reading are included.

If you have any questions or concerns about looking after your super senior cat, feel free to call us to speak with one of the team.

01865 243000 (Botley Clinic) | 01865 950700 (Marston Clinic)

Need to see a vet in Oxford?

If your cat is ill, or you are concerned that they are just not quite right, then book to see one of our cat-specialist vets. If you’re not registered with us, then you can register here or give us a ring on 01865 243000.

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