Common Illness's and Diseases in Older Cats

With the advancement in medical technology, veterinary care, and feline nutrition, cats are living longer and healthier lives. The average life span for an indoor cat is fourteen to seventeen years, and more cats are now living into their twenties. And if you raised it as a kitten, then the cat will be more like your child than your pet. Outdoor cats, on the other hand, have a significantly reduced life span because of the many dangers and hazards they are exposed to. As cats are living longer, many are showing signs of diseases common to older cats. The most common are arthritis, liver disease, and urinary incontinence. As a result of their longevity, veterinarians are treating these diseases common to cats twelve years and older that they didn't see much of only a few decades ago.

You don't have to be a cat to understand how painful arthritis can be. Arthritis isn't characterized by pain only, often times there is swelling, stiffness, and inflammation. Arthritis occurs more often in older cats, but is seen in younger cats with birth defects and other cats who have suffered injuries to their joints. You can tell if your cat may have arthritis because your cat may not seem as agile and will gradually tire and slow down over time. After exerting itself, your cat may might become lame and be extremely sensitive to touch around his affected joints. In the advanced stages of arthritis, your cat may not be able to move around at all. But, even though arthritis isn't "cure-able" it can be treated to make your cat's life a little easier. If your cat does have arthritis, don't be tempted to give them over the counter medicine. It can be fatal for cats!