Elderly cat, lots of issues

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simpleesylvia

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My 82 year old mother just moved in with me and brought her 18 yr old cat, Seanna.  I already have a 4 yr old terrier mix and an 11 yr old cat.  Integrating Seanna is going to be difficult to say the least. Seanna is hiding out in my mom's room because she is afraid to come out. She hisses and growls at the other animals because she is very afraid. Additionally she is extremely gaunt and rather than try to integrate her and get her the veterinary care she needs, my mother wants to put her down. I had Seanna sleep with me one night because I wanted to give my mom a break and try to integrate her. Seanna was so afraid that she urinated in my bed sometime during the night. Seanna also smells bad so I gave her a bath that same night prior to letting her sleep with me. My pets are curious mostly and of course Kitty (Antiguia) is somewhat territorial, but it's a big house = plenty of room to share.  I need support and advise. Either way she needs a vet visit. My mother's neglect of the cat's medical needs is an example of my mother's complacency to properly handle issues which is a major reason why had her move in with me (took years to convince).  So do I make an appointment for medical or euthanasia? 
 
white shadow

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Hi Silvia and welcome to the forum !

I'm on the run, so just a few quick points for now.

Forget the "integration" thing for the short term. Keep Seanna in your Mom's room with all her needs (food, water, her bed/toys/etc, and the litterbox as far away from the food/water as possible. Don't let the other animals in there. Cats need a safe space after a move of any kind, later they need a slow introduction process if 'things' are to work out well.

I wouldn't even have euthanasia in my periphery for now. I would start out by finding a cat-only Vet and book time for a "Senior Wellness Exam". Forget vaccinations or any of the other 'trappings' that often flow from general vet visits - a competent feline Vet shouldn't push those things anyway. That thorough examination with blood and urine testing will give you the basis on which you and your Mom can make fair and balanced decisions.

Skinny and old are both common traits in senior cats (the 'skinny' doesn't have to be so, the age, well, not much chance of escaping that one!) - neither nor both together are reason alone to make a final decision IMO.

I'm sure there will be lots more to talk about.
 
catsallaround

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If you have the money for medical I would start with full bloodwork to see how she stands.  Also see how her teeth are as taht can be reason she smells-from her bad breath going onto her coat while grooming.

Keep the cat in one area to limit what she will pee on and to not start your pets to start peeing to compete!
 
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simpleesylvia

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Thank you for your support. This issue has been dominating my thoughts for several days.  I was overwhelmed and confused! I was feeling guilty all around like I am causing my mom and/or her cat to suffer because I did not have an immediate solution. I will take your advise and start with a senior wellness exam :) 
 
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simpleesylvia

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I got her an appointment for for Friday. The cost of the check up is very low; I am pleasantly surprised.  She has been hiding under my mom's bed and seems to be angry with all of us. My son came over and she was her normal self with him.  I'll update on Friday.
 
catsallaround

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Good luck.  To go from only pet and a quiet home to being in a room where she has so many new sights and smells is a lot for any cat let alone one who is older and more set.
 
betsygee

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simpleesylvia said:
 
I got her an appointment for for Friday. The cost of the check up is very low; I am pleasantly surprised.  She has been hiding under my mom's bed and seems to be angry with all of us. My son came over and she was her normal self with him.  I'll update on Friday.
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I'm glad to hear you got an appointment.  That will be a good starting place!
 
white shadow

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simpleesylvia said:
consider the veterinary skill issue first. With your dog and your own young cat, a GP Vet can cover the basics....when it comes to any kind of complication in a cat, general practitioners most often (as seen over and over on forums such as this) drop the ball. Not all cat-only Vets are competent nor near-perfect, but they do offer the best chance for finding competence in feline medicine.

At the very least, don't make any final decisions there and then on Friday. From personal experience that still haunts me to this day, I can say that certain regrets are some that I would hope no one else should have to carry around.

.........and, she is not angry.......her world has been turned upside down - she's terrified. That's remedied with peace and quiet and the sense of a safe space.
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simpleesylvia

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White Shadow said:
 
If you've made this appointment with a regular, general practice Vet.......perhaps the old saying 'you get what you pay for' may prove true again - hopefully not.
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I did not find a Cat Only vet. I live in a smaller city with a weak economy. That may be why it so inexpensive for this specialty exam. Their website specifically mentioned Geriatrics care and they have good reviews. So that is why I selected this particular vet over my usual one. I did try to follow your advise all the way but in this case, I have to take what is available or drive a long distance. Thank you for all of your support.  :)
 
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The check up is pretty cheap. But be prepared the lab bills usually are not. I too have a cat who is about 18. She still eats/ drinks. But doesnt take care of yer fur. So i have to brush her or her hair matts up.
 
catsallaround

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I would not worry about the exam being cheap.  It may be that way so owners will take the dogs in for HW meds or rabies shots if they are issues by you.  My brother pays 39 and his vet is never over booked and wait time is very short or on time.  I pay 65 and always 20 minute wait and short exams.  
 
white shadow

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simpleesylvia, that expression I used comes out of another time, another era. I'm questioning myself now for having used it, because I sense it may have conveyed a pejorative - which wasn't my meaning. It used to be that those words were offered as sage advice, words of caution. I'm sorry that it may have come across differently..

Vets will charge what the economy will bear, so that could certainly explain a "low" fee schedule. I've had a doubling of ours here in ten years and just now a new referral hospital has opened - this in a remote isolated area but,  with a new super-heated economy.
 
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