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Take an arthritic cat to the vet?

RayzeRayze Registered User regular
edited April 2013 in Help / Advice Forum
My cat, Gracie, will be 15 in the beginning of May. She's started to develop arthritis in her hind legs and my mom was debating whether to take her to the vet. She has her good and bad days but recently, she told me the cat was running up the stairs and tipped backwards. She was there to catch her but obviously it's not a good sign.

Other than that issue, she seems to be doing well. Eating and drinking normally, interacts with the family as usual (aka being aloof). The last time she saw the vet was last year for her rabies vaccine and also had a general checkup.

Anyway, the question is, is it worth it to take her to the vet or are there alternatives to treating her? Money isn't the issue and I'll pay for the bills if I have to but we've never run into this situation before
I don't have a recent picture of her but but I'd say she was 7 or 8 in this one

graciecute.jpg

Rayze on

Posts

  • Magic PinkMagic Pink Tur-Boner-Fed Registered User regular
    I would call at least and see what your vet says; they could give her something to lessen the pain or problems she's having.

  • antheremantherem Registered User regular
    It can't hurt. If it's joint pain that's causing her problems, it's possible that the treatment might be just putting her on some Cosequin or something similar (which isn't terribly expensive as these things go) but you are better off having her checked out. Make sure to mention the tipping backwards thing.

  • ceresceres When the last moon is cast over the last star of morning And the future has past without even a last desperate warningRegistered User, Moderator Mod Emeritus
    If money's not a big problem I'm not sure why you wouldn't take her to the vet. You're not talking about just going "welp", walking her in the door, and having her put down, right? You just need treatment options at the moment. She sounds otherwise healthy, just like maybe she has some pain. Take her in and see what they say.

    And it seems like all is dying, and would leave the world to mourn
  • DruhimDruhim Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited April 2013
    While arthritis can't be cured, taking her into the vet will give you a better understanding of how advanced the arthritis is and then the doctor can give you advice on managing your cat's arthritis for a happier, longer life! :)

    Druhim on
    belruelotterav-1.jpg
  • RayzeRayze Registered User regular
    edited April 2013
    Yeah, she'll be be taken in this Saturday. She lives with my parents (I moved out a few years ago), and I think my mom is struggling a bit with how to handle this because we had another cat years ago who developed diabetes and she let him go on probably longer than he should have (even with medication, he lost a ton of weight, was listless and spent most of his days lying on the tiled floor).

    I know it's the right thing to do, I just needed validation. It's just hard watching a cat you've had for almost 15 years deteriorate but not know whether they're in pain (she has a good poker face)

    You can close the thread

    Rayze on
This discussion has been closed.
Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum