My Elderly Cat Is sSck

by Frab
(Metuchen, NJ, United States)

QUESTION

My cat is a domestic cat about 16 years old. He lives in our warehouse. He is eating less, vomiting after eating and his stools are extemely loose. His body is pretty sunken in, he is mostly bones. I am pretty sure he doesn'thave much time left. My question is could he be in pain?

ANSWER

Hi, Frab,

He could certainly be uncomfortable. Without examining him, I really couldn't say. However, the way you describe him certainly doesn't sound good.

There are a few diseases that older cats get that can make them have the symptoms you describe. Some of them are very treatable. You should take him to the vet right away to find out what is going on with him and whether you can treat it or if he is so uncomfortable with something untreatable that he should be humanely euthanized.

I'm sure you agree that cats are too special to make them suffer. Unfortunately, cats can be very stoic and can be in pain and never show it. I hope you'll have him checked out right away.

Best Wishes, Dr. Neely