This is Buddy at 18 y.o. now...sad.

[Marci and Buddy]

so he's been diabetic for almost 5 1/2 years now. Half that time his bg has been under 200. once or twice a week he's seen 40, or 500.
He's been having subQ fluids for 1 year now--1.5 unit once a day.. I freelance at home ,
and have pretty much given up anything that looks like a life to caretake him. Not complaining .
But recently (past 3 months) he's stopped purring. and hasn't played in years. Pee, poop, and preen are OK.
This month he spent most of it in the closet sleeping . or sleeping in hs hammock by the window. I miss him.
Dose this sound like old age? Never had an old cat. I know he is comfortable(who wouldnt be when served 3 meals a day in bed).
But hard to believe he's enjoying life. I dont know if there is any pleasure in it for him any more.
Until 2 years ago he liked to walk around the building and never really slept alot.
His last vet visit was 6 months ago, but I'm not sure these behaviors are due to illness or just plain old age.
also, I 've always tested often . usaully 6 times a day. that means I have pierced his right ear 12,000 times!
his other ear doesn't bleed readily, and he hates me to touch it, but now his ear is all crusty and red and thin .
I'm thinkng i need to prick another spot. would anywhere on his pad work? front or back? I'm thinkng my boy is just plain tired of being poked at .
I know it sounds funny but other than FD and CRF, he's healthy...meaning he was doing fine until a month or 2 ago, now he seems depressed.
if anyone here has had an older cat I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts on this and your experiences.
As always ,I am forver grateful to this site and all of you who have helped me bring my Buddy this far in life.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I am saddened that Buddy is not more lively. I think he is just getting old. Based on my experience it very cat dependent. My Lightning was 19 1/2 when I said goodbye last December. He was lively, for his age, even then. I said goodbye because he had oral SCC and he seemed miserable since it progressed to bleeding.
My Thunder is about 17 and he is not that lively but still is OK.
Patches has spent the her entire time (9 1/2 years) in my bathroom she only occasionally comes out. She is very friendly when when I come in. I build a shelf that I place over part of the tub that has her bed on it.
Yes you can get blood from the paw. You just have to be more careful about infection.

 

[BJM]

What does the vet say?

 

[Marci and Buddy]

larry -when you s ay Thunder is not thta lively...
does he sound the way Buddy sounds? how much does he sleep? Buddy sleeps 22 hours a day.
BJM-- havent been to the vet in 6 months-he's not sick-I think he' s just old.
guess i'll take him in shortly for his 6 month check up.

 

[Grayson & Lu]

Sorry he's not being more active, but it sounds mostly like old age. It's hard to accept that they aren't the youngsters we remember them to be. Sending you and Buddy hugs that this is just a blip and he's feeling/acting more like himself soon.

Lu-Ann

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Marci, it may just be the "winding down" part of old age. They do get less active, sleep more. If he is eating the same amount with the same interest as before, pooping and peeing and grooming there probably isn't anything acute wrong, but he could have something more subtle going on. Is he hyperT and on meds for that? He may need a dose adjustment. He may need subQ fluids at a different rate/amount if his CRF has progressed. At this age and with a change in daily routine a vet check up is advisable.

Another possibility is that his hearing and/or eye site is failing and that makes him feel safer hidden away in the closet. Can you get him to purr if you stroke him gently? Beau is doing very poorly, but he does still purr when he eats and when he gets on my lap. He sleeps a lot, wanders around the condo, but doesn't go out on the balcony or look outside. He is nearly blind, but his hearing is ok. Beau is, supposedly, nearly 16 and I know the end is not far away. It is a daily assessment of quality of life at this point.

None the less, you have done wonders for him and 18 is nothing to sneeze at. That is a good, long life already. I am not saying that to dismiss any concerns you have for him, just to say that if the time is coming it isn't premature.

Wishing Buddy, and you, well.

 

[Marci and Buddy]

Thanks for your reply Sheila.
I did take Buddy to the vet today. will have urine and blood results next week.
His site and hearing are fine. Mainly he is just very lathargic. Which is so unlike him.
And he NEVER purrs anymore. happened so suddenly.
I am reassurred by your comment 18 y.o. is nothing to sneeze at, in fact he's probably closer to 19.
I'm very sorry about Beau not doing well. I'm comforted by the thought of how well loved he is-hope you are too.