Senior cat not eating, unsteady. What to do before vet visit?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear that Tilly is not doing well. Lethargy and loss of appetite can be signs of significant disease in cats. These signs are common across multiple diseases including diabetes mellitus which is very common in cats, especially when they enter ketoacidotic state (DKA). Because of this I would strongly advise that Tilly be seen by a veterinarian tonight if possible. Your veterinarian may want to start with blood and urine testing. Other tests may be recommended based on what they find on physical examination and discussion with you. I hope this help and that Tilly gets better soon.

If 22 years of age is accurate, that is definitely very old. While cats can live considerably longer than dogs, that is still pretty far past the average lifespan. That being said, I would still advocate taking her into the vet to be examined to see if anything can be done to either make her more comfortable, or to offer you some information as to her quality of life moving forward. Some of the most common issues we see in older cats include kidney disease, thyroid disease, lymphoma (particularly of the gastrointestinal tract), and liver problems. Some of these are addressed with medication while others are far less treatable. I certainly wouldn't advocate just letting her go at home. If anything, if they feel she is in pain then they can make her transition much more peaceful. Hope this makes sense.

Poor Lilly sounds extremely ill, and I would have her seen by a vet immediately. When a cat doesn't eat for at least three days, they develop a fatty liver which is fatal without treatment. She could have a number of serious problems wrong with her causing her anorexia, such as kidney failure, liver failure, severe dental problems, or even cancer. I would have her seen by a vet now for a physical exam, geriatric blood panel, and urinalysis to diagnose what may be causing her symptoms. Once a cause is found, the vet can discuss treatment options with you.

I'm sorry to hear that your kitty isn't doing well. Before considering euthanasia, I would recommend taking him to the vet for an exam and some basic lab work to find out what is causing these issues. Some problems, such as hyperthyroidism, are very treatable with medication once a diagnosis is made.

I’m so sorry to hear about Scruff :( unfortunately, she sounds serious enough that there is nothing I would recommend for doing at home. Keep her warm and encourage drinking. Consider carecredit.com - it’s a line of credit you can apply for instantly online and can be used for human or animal healthcare. It’s generally low or no interest for 3-6 months and is accepted at many vet hospitals. If you are approved, go to the nearest 24 hour ER clinic. Be warned that dependinf on her underlying condition and status on arrival, the doctor may recommend intensive measures (hospitalizing IV, etc.) or humane euthanasia. Unfortunately, sometimes there is no realistic “in-between” option. I’m so sorry again and hope for peace no matter the outcome.

CJ really needs a vet visit when you can manage it. In older cats hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease are possibilities and require bloodwork to diagnose. The good news is many of the conditions can be treated or managed but you need a diagnosis in order to determine the best treatment. Some areas may have low cost clinics or many vets accept Care credit http://www.carecredit.com/apply/ I would contact local humane societies to see if they can offer any suggestions. Some have programs that may help with vet bills. Good luck and thank you for using PetCoach.

Your kitty needs to be seen by a vet. These are concerning symptoms in an older cat. They can become dehydrated very easily. Not eating can be caused by numerous things including things with the gi tract itself and diseases of any other organ system (kidneys, liver, etc). Your vet can perform an exam and then likely will recommend starting with bloodwork +/- xrays. This is the best plan to figure out what is going on and to get your kitty feeling better. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!