Thank you for all the advice I really appreciate it. Thanks again
Our kitty Calamity Jane made it to 21 years 4 months and was just as you describe your kitty, except the blood.
For her last 2 years we gave Cammie sub-q fluids to help her kidneys. Our vet was wonderful in helping us give her as much comfort as possible in her dotage.
Your vet will be your best resource in helping kitty as Opus writes so well. You are as important as CML writes, Cammie loved her daily brushing and did not mind a little help with the personal hygiene cleansing.
Good on you for giving kitty such a good, long life.
Hi A,
Opus is the best with advice, and I would agree with everything she has said. Please do check out the blood, that is very concerning.
If the blood is not an indication of something serious, then all she needs is your love and care until she let's you know her time here has come to an end....and You will know, especially if she stops eating....but until that time she may enjoy a little beauty day!! When our little old ladies become too arthritic to groom themselves they do look pretty pathetic, (don't we all when we get very old) along with the weight loss....BUT! ...you can help her feel beautiful again by grooming her yourself. Cats are very fastidious about their upkeep, Kinda like those Palm Beach Blondes. They begin to give up when they cannot take care of themselves (unlike the PBB, they cannot find a new husband) and a real act of love would be for you to brush her every day, but use a cloth or very soft brush, so as not to hurt her fragile skin and bones.
She will love these final acts of love and bonding, and they will for sure
brighten her day!
Give the Dowager Queen a big Smooch from a contemporary oldie--CML
What a loving post, Opus!
wow 23 yrs young...amazing!!! shows how well a mommy you have been.
this is a very hard call, I am extremely worried about the blood, loosing blood from anywhere is a huge concern. have you had a vet check lately? other than the blood I would tell you to allow her to age since she's eating and appearing normal, although cats hide pain very well so its really really hard to tell if they are experiencing it or not....some Vets are able to measure their blood pressure, if high that does indicate there is pain..but many Vets don't have the equipment to do this.
I would keep a very close eye on her....and monitor the blood, try and tell where its coming from...are her bowel movements still normal? check her bottom after she uses the litter box and look for tell tail signs of blood in that area...if she's bleeding from her nose it can very well be a tumor...but that being the case they usually lose their sense of smell too and when that happens they no longer eat...cats have to smell their food or they won't eat it.
so other than a Vet check or keeping very close watch on her for more signs I can't really advise you what to do. after 23 yrs you know your kitty better than anyone and I think you will feel when the time is right....she's had many grand years and its best to let her go with dignity before theres any suffering...
our best to you both, let us know how it goes..we are all pet parents here and know how hard it is to say goodbye..
Opus♥