OLD CAT MOOD CHANGE, TWO LUMPS ON THROAT AND DRY COUGH

I would appreciate some advice...

I have a 17 year old female cat, I took her to the vet a week ago because I had noticed a change in her mood and activity.  Little things such as she used to wake me up for her breakfast at 6am, she would meet me from the door.  She has stopped all of that and sleeps most of the time.

Over the past 2 weeks she gulps after her food which she has never done before and wakes up coughing like to cough up a hairball but there's nothing there and Faith has never suffered with hairballs.  I've also noticed two tiny lumps on her throat, they are only small the size of perhaps a human whitehead.  The past two days she has stopped using her scratching post, I've tried spraying some catnip on it as that always drove her crazy but she has no interest.

As I had only been to the vet last week I phoned them today and they have told me not to worry and have put it down to her old age.  Please advise, am I over reacting?  I can't bear to think of her in pain.  Any ideas on her symptoms very much appreciated too.

Kind regards,

Faith's Mum x

Hi Faithie, and welcome to TCS.

Honestly, it could be anything including the normal aging process.  I'm surprised your vet didn't do any further testing on her.  

It's impossible to diagnose her with such vague symptoms.  Is there a reason your vet did not go further with trying to diagnose her?  Did they do anything to help with her pain?

Can you try a different Vet? Honestly, I would. I would take her records from your Vet and get a second opinion. 

It could be age, but it also could be something else. I think you owe it to both your cat and yourself to find out what is going on, so you can make plans.. 

that is just me.. but.....

She could be in pain.. she seems it.. she needs help...

((hugs))