I apologize in advance if this is rambly and incoherent... but I am trying to be prepared to make decisions for our geriatric Grumpus. You guys were a huge help to us when he came to live with us, so I figure who better to ask, right?
Quick backstory- Grumpus showed up on our porch a year and half ago as a stray who was pretty much emaciated and not that far from death's door. Blood tests at the time showed nothing seriously wrong but dehydration, so he has been on the mend with us and doing well. He is pretty old, the vet said at least 11, but compared to our 12 year old, I would say he's probably closer to 15. (eyes are completely covered in cataracts, including a few tears, wobbly gait, etc.) He has always been unsteady on his feet, and not the most active of guys, but he has been getting around pretty well the last few months and even climbing onto the lower furniture.
However, the last month or so has not been great. He decided the litterbox was entirely optional, which earned him a trip to the vet. Unfortunately, he is not an easy cat to examine and so we did a urine test and that's about it. He got a shot of antibiotics just in case, but no signs of infection from the urinalysis. (they gave the shot at the vet because we couldn't get a sample from him at the time and I had to bring that in later) He is using the litterbox sometimes, but not always (Note- we would never consider his litterbox issues as a reason to send him home over the bridge)
He is also having a lot of issues with his legs. His hind legs have always been weak, but recently he is having a lot of trouble getting them underneath him. Occasionally, they seem to not work at all and he will pull himself across the floor with just his front legs (only on the hardwood, he seems to be okay on the carpet) He is stumbling a lot more, and falling over at times. He is not climbing on the furniture anymore, and is now sleeping on the floor. He climbed onto the couch on Saturday for the first time in a couple weeks right after his bath, but has otherwise only been on the floor.
I've started giving him cosequin the last few days, and we have moved his litterbox, food, and water all into the front room where he likes to be. I am reading some reviews on heated cat beds since he likes being near the heater vent and he's been sleeping on the floor.
From what we can tell, he doesn't seem to be in pain, and seems quite happy most of the time. But his hind legs have me worried quite a bit. The last time they went out on him (generally if he is trying to move quickly while on the hardwood) was entirely awful and heartbreaking, though he was walking fine a few minutes later.
Any advice? How will we know when it's time? Should we take him back to the vet for another exam, keeping in mind that he can be difficult to handle, and doesn't care for the 30 minute drive there?
Quick backstory- Grumpus showed up on our porch a year and half ago as a stray who was pretty much emaciated and not that far from death's door. Blood tests at the time showed nothing seriously wrong but dehydration, so he has been on the mend with us and doing well. He is pretty old, the vet said at least 11, but compared to our 12 year old, I would say he's probably closer to 15. (eyes are completely covered in cataracts, including a few tears, wobbly gait, etc.) He has always been unsteady on his feet, and not the most active of guys, but he has been getting around pretty well the last few months and even climbing onto the lower furniture.
However, the last month or so has not been great. He decided the litterbox was entirely optional, which earned him a trip to the vet. Unfortunately, he is not an easy cat to examine and so we did a urine test and that's about it. He got a shot of antibiotics just in case, but no signs of infection from the urinalysis. (they gave the shot at the vet because we couldn't get a sample from him at the time and I had to bring that in later) He is using the litterbox sometimes, but not always (Note- we would never consider his litterbox issues as a reason to send him home over the bridge)
He is also having a lot of issues with his legs. His hind legs have always been weak, but recently he is having a lot of trouble getting them underneath him. Occasionally, they seem to not work at all and he will pull himself across the floor with just his front legs (only on the hardwood, he seems to be okay on the carpet) He is stumbling a lot more, and falling over at times. He is not climbing on the furniture anymore, and is now sleeping on the floor. He climbed onto the couch on Saturday for the first time in a couple weeks right after his bath, but has otherwise only been on the floor.
I've started giving him cosequin the last few days, and we have moved his litterbox, food, and water all into the front room where he likes to be. I am reading some reviews on heated cat beds since he likes being near the heater vent and he's been sleeping on the floor.
From what we can tell, he doesn't seem to be in pain, and seems quite happy most of the time. But his hind legs have me worried quite a bit. The last time they went out on him (generally if he is trying to move quickly while on the hardwood) was entirely awful and heartbreaking, though he was walking fine a few minutes later.
Any advice? How will we know when it's time? Should we take him back to the vet for another exam, keeping in mind that he can be difficult to handle, and doesn't care for the 30 minute drive there?