oscarandlucy
Member Since 2010
Hi again!
Oscar and I spent a great deal of time on this board when he was first diagnosed. He has been diet-controlled for the last 4 years (March 19th is the actual 4th year anniversary) and doing well. He is a rescue cat but we estimate his age at about 18 years. Up until the current problems, he ate Wellness grain-free chicken and turkey and Evo 95% Chicken and Turkey.
About six months ago, Oscar started showing signs of dementia, subtle things like more vocalizations and having a panic when he couldn't find me. More recently, it has gotten much worse - he has started forgetting to eat. At first, I thought it was just normal age-related changes in appetite. But he started losing weight and no longer runs to his automatic feeder when he hears it turn.
To test his appetite, I tried bringing the food to him. He eats a bit and then walks away. But, if I immediately reintroduce the food, he eats again. Each time making his little "good food" noises, as if he hasn't been eating for the last ten minutes. He does the same with the water bowl, demanding fresh water even though I just refilled it 5 minutes ago. He is starting to have trouble with the water bowl, forgetting how to drink and getting water up his nose which results in sneezing.
His energy level when awake is excellent. He still climbs up and jumps down from furniture to get where he wants to be and goes for walks up and down our corridors. He is affectionate and purry and still will not let anyone sleep beyond 6:00 am.
At this point, he is eating about 200 calories/day made up of a mix of baby food, wet foods which are <5% carbs, calorie dense and low phosphorous (his kidneys are borderline), a teaspoon or so of butter and a soft-boiled egg yolk. His meds are miralax/restoralax 1/8 tsp bid (with lacutolose rescue when needed), 1/4 tablet pepcid.
We were at the vet this morning. She found him in general good health, but took blood to screen just in case. He has lost 1 kg (2.2 pounds) since September, mostly muscle wasting on his back and hind legs. She thinks this is all about dementia.
She cautioned me off baby food saying it is too high protein for a borderline kidney cat. Not sure what to make of that.
He showed her how strong he was by needing 4 techs to hold him down so she could draw blood (this from a cat who weighs 9.5 pounds!). I think it is like the aggression you sometimes see with dementia.
So, this long post to ask for any advice or tips or thoughts on any aspect of dealing with a cat with dementia, diet-controlled diabetes, borderline kidneys and chronic constipation....YIKES!
Especially, how do I shorten meal times and tips for getting him to eat when I am not home to follow him around with food. (He does not feed during the night or on his own at all anymore.)
Thank you so very much!
Oscar and I spent a great deal of time on this board when he was first diagnosed. He has been diet-controlled for the last 4 years (March 19th is the actual 4th year anniversary) and doing well. He is a rescue cat but we estimate his age at about 18 years. Up until the current problems, he ate Wellness grain-free chicken and turkey and Evo 95% Chicken and Turkey.
About six months ago, Oscar started showing signs of dementia, subtle things like more vocalizations and having a panic when he couldn't find me. More recently, it has gotten much worse - he has started forgetting to eat. At first, I thought it was just normal age-related changes in appetite. But he started losing weight and no longer runs to his automatic feeder when he hears it turn.
To test his appetite, I tried bringing the food to him. He eats a bit and then walks away. But, if I immediately reintroduce the food, he eats again. Each time making his little "good food" noises, as if he hasn't been eating for the last ten minutes. He does the same with the water bowl, demanding fresh water even though I just refilled it 5 minutes ago. He is starting to have trouble with the water bowl, forgetting how to drink and getting water up his nose which results in sneezing.
His energy level when awake is excellent. He still climbs up and jumps down from furniture to get where he wants to be and goes for walks up and down our corridors. He is affectionate and purry and still will not let anyone sleep beyond 6:00 am.
At this point, he is eating about 200 calories/day made up of a mix of baby food, wet foods which are <5% carbs, calorie dense and low phosphorous (his kidneys are borderline), a teaspoon or so of butter and a soft-boiled egg yolk. His meds are miralax/restoralax 1/8 tsp bid (with lacutolose rescue when needed), 1/4 tablet pepcid.
We were at the vet this morning. She found him in general good health, but took blood to screen just in case. He has lost 1 kg (2.2 pounds) since September, mostly muscle wasting on his back and hind legs. She thinks this is all about dementia.
She cautioned me off baby food saying it is too high protein for a borderline kidney cat. Not sure what to make of that.
He showed her how strong he was by needing 4 techs to hold him down so she could draw blood (this from a cat who weighs 9.5 pounds!). I think it is like the aggression you sometimes see with dementia.
So, this long post to ask for any advice or tips or thoughts on any aspect of dealing with a cat with dementia, diet-controlled diabetes, borderline kidneys and chronic constipation....YIKES!
Especially, how do I shorten meal times and tips for getting him to eat when I am not home to follow him around with food. (He does not feed during the night or on his own at all anymore.)
Thank you so very much!
