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these antioxidants lived significantly longer and were healthier. However beware: there are many pet supplements on sale nowadays but many have no evidence to support the claims they make on the packaging. Some can even be harmful or contain poor quality ingredients. We would be happy to advise you on what diets/supplements are recommended 2. Environmental enrichment Stimulating the mind can be done in a number of ways such as providing company, interaction, food hunting games and play - because we care 3. Reducing anxiety Senility in older cats. Once a cat shows significant signs of CDS, they cope poorly with changes in their environment and day-to-day life, so consistency is key. Changes that need to be made should be done slowly, with much reassurance. Very elderly cats with advanced CDS may actually find comfort in having their area of access restricted, for example, to a small, quiet, comfortable ‘safe’ room where they have easy access to everything they need and are not disturbed. The synthetic pheromone Feliway and anti-anxiety supplement Zylkene can both help cats to cope with daily life and CDS – please feel free to discuss these with us. As you can see there is a lot that can be done for elderly cats nowadays and it is so rewarding to be able to provide them with a better quality of life. At Elands, we strive to keep you informed so that you may choose the best care for your feline companion. St John's Church, London Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN13 2TE email: [email protected] Tel: (01732) 452333 Fax: (01732) 741614 Branch: 1 High Street, Kemsing, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN15 6NB Tel: (01732) 761650 http://www.elandsvet.co.uk Consultations by appointment open: 8.30am to 6.30pm Mon-Fri 8.30am to 1.00pm Sat Emergencies 24hrs phone: (01732) 452333 Just off junction 5 of the M25 Elands Veterinary Clinic. St John's Church, London Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN13 2TE (01732) 452333 Senility in Older Cats * Changes in activity: e.g. aimless wandering, pacing, increased sleeping Is your cat is unwell, senile or just getting old? * Inappropriate vocalisation: often loud crying at night The strange things that cats do when they get old are often not ‘just old age’. It is now well known that dogs, like humans, suffer from changes to the brain as they age. There is evidence to show that lifestyle adjustments and medications can slow down these changes and improve quality of life. However, not everybody knows that cats show similar age-related brain changes and that there are ways we can help them cope with this ageing process and even slow it down. * Altered response to food: often decreased (sometimes increased) interest in food ‘Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome’ (CDS) is the term used to describe the changes that occur in a cat’s brain as it ages, which are similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s disease. Feline specialists are currently researching this area of veterinary medicine, so it is one in which we are likely to see further advances in the near future – great news for cat welfare! As many as 28% of cats aged 11-14 years and over 50% of cats over 15 years will develop an age-related behavioural problem, so being able to address these problems can have a significant positive impact on their well being. The most common changes are: * Disorientation: either spatial (space) or temporal (time) e.g. forgetting where the litter box is or when the last meal was * Altered social interaction with the family or other cats: e.g. seeking more attention or increased aggression/ irritability * Changes in sleeping patterns * Inappropriate defecation/urination and house soiling * Decreased grooming Does my cat have Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS)? There are other medical conditions that can mimic CDS, or be present simultaneously, and these may need treatment. It is important that they are investigated, where necessary, so that the correct treatment is given and frustrating failures are avoided. These medical conditions include: * Arthritis: This should never be ignored, as it causes constant discomfort and restricts mobility more than a cat will let on – cats are notoriously subtle in their signs of arthritis (see leaflet ‘Arthritis in Cats’) * High blood pressure: (this may be associated with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism or diabetes). This is often not accompanied by any symptoms, so blood pressure measurement is often indicated. If left untreated, it can cause sudden blindness or brain damage and puts extra strain on the heart * Chronic kidney disease: A very common feline problem which is present in 30% of cats over 10 years of age. Kidney disease can respond well to management and some cats can live years after diagnosis with a good quality of life * Urinary tract infections: As in humans, some bacterial urine infections can produce toxins that affect behaviour and mimic dementia – this is one of the first things a human doctor will check in an elderly patient showing any change in behaviour. Cats are no different! * Over-active thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism): This can cause anxiety, vocalisation, weight loss, irritability and altered behaviour * Pain or discomfort of any origin: e.g. arthritis or dental disease * Reduced vision or hearing * Various other disorders: gastrointestinal and liver disease, brain disease, infections During a consultation, pet owners are often asked questions about appetite, drinking, toileting, behaviour and mobility. This information, together with a complete examination, will help us to determine whether an underlying medical condition may be present. It may be appropriate to perform blood tests and/or urine tests and to measure blood pressure (which can often be done while you wait). Sometimes further tests may be required. We are always happy to discuss these with you and to provide estimates. What can be done if my cat has CDS? Because we are only starting to understand CDS in cats, there have been few studies into exactly what causes it and how it can be treated. Some things, however, do help: 1. Diets rich in ‘anti-oxidants’ Human research shows that those of us who eat plenty of anti-oxidants (such as those found in fruit and vegetables) have better brain function. The same seems to be true of dogs and cats. There are a number of different anti-oxidants, including vitamins E and C and omega-3 fish oils, which are beneficial in the treatment of dementia. Obviously we can’t expect our cats to eat their 5-a-day fruit and vegetables and excessive antioxidants can be dangerous. Certain diets now include these anti-oxidants at appropriate and safe levels or suitable supplements are available. A study of 90 cats over 5 years showed that those on a diet that contained