My senior cat has brief pain spells. Is this normal for her age?

Unfortunately, there aren't any over the counter medications that are safe for pain in cats. Even Tylenol could be deadly. My concern is that this may not be arthritis. Arthritis can be hard to diagnose in cats, and is often underdiagnosed, because they are so good at hiding the symptoms. Other disease processes, like kidney disease, liver disease, or masses in the abdomen can also cause similar symptoms. I would recommend saving up some money to have Lil Miss examined by a vet.

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.

I would have Nurmal (love her name!) checked out by a vet. Sudden changes in behavior in a senior cat can point to medical problems such as hyperthyroidism and arthritis (pain may make her cranky). I recommend getting a physical exam, geriatric blood panel, and urinalysis. These tests will help the vet identify if she is suffering from a medical illness. Should one be found, the vet can discuss treatment options with you. I would take her into the vet on Monday if possible. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Hi there. Older cats can sometimes develop arthritis or other chronic orthopedic issues as they get older. You don't mention if she is declawed or not, but if she is, this would be even more common. I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam when you're able to - if she does have arthritis, there are prescription pain medications that can be used long-term to make her much more comfortable, just like an older human with arthritis issues. In the meantime, you could also try adding a daily joint supplement such as Cosequin along with an omega-2 fatty acid supplement such as Welactin to her food each day. These can both be helpful for arthritis issues in both dogs and cats.

Many cats show signs of osteoarthritis on radiographs as seniors even when they don't seem to be obviously painful. Since this is a recent change I'd recommend seeing your vet for a physical exam. If they agree that your cat may have arthritis they might recommend a joint supplement like Dasuquin or a trial of pain medication to see if it helps with mobility.

I'm sorry that Lilly isn't her normal self lately! You are correct that if she fell hard, that could be the reason why she isn't as active lately. She could be painful, even though she is still running and walking normally as cats can be good at hiding their pain. Lethargy can also be caused by a medical problem, such as systemic illness, infection, or inflammation. Given this has been going on for a week now, I'd recommend having Lilly seen by a vet for a health check. It's also way good to have a cat checked out by a vet when they are acting differently than normal. The vet can let you know if she is in pain or if there is a medical cause behind her change in behavior, and how best to treat it. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. The vet can prescribe safe medications as needed. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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.