Friday, September 18, 2020

My Old Lady, a Little Older

This week’s worry is Josie. I wrote not too long ago, after her most recent visit to the doctor, that Josie was, with the exception of the infection she was then suffering, in very good shape for a sixteen year old cat. I think that has changed.


I have noted what I think is a sudden deterioration in my Chubs’s condition. She seems more frail than she had been even a week ago. She is moving more slowly, and she is much more hesitant when deciding to drop to the floor from the bedroom cat-trees.


I am once more giving her joint-medicine, though only thrice a week, and I have brought the small staircase from the sitting room couch and put it beside the bed. No one has used those steps since Cammie could see, and now the cats have four methods of ascending to and descending from the bed (three staircases, and straight across the computer desk to the cat-trees via the window ledge.) Josie often drops off the near side of the bed to get to Cammie’s bowl for a drink of water, and this will give her a less abrupt route. However, I think I need another means to make getting down from the cat-trees easier, as well.


My old lady is eating Z/D hard-food now almost exclusively. She went off of soft-food when she came back from the doctor the last time. She doesn’t eat a great deal, though I provide it whenever she asks and often when she doesn’t. I don’t think she resorts to the communal bowl of Orijen hard-food at all, and I can’t leave any Z/D out where Josie can get to it during the day because Neville would suck up the contents in a minute. But the Z/D hard-food kept Cammie going for several years before she decided that she liked the soft variety of the brand, too (which Josie does not.)


The Great White also seems a bit confused at times, going to the water-bowl and then standing, staring off into space, as if she has forgotten why she walked there. She sometimes needs food pointed out to her several times, even after she requests it. These may appear little things, and have innocent explanations, but when they come as changes to routine behaviour, questions must be asked.

I may take Josie to the doctor again; further tests might reveal what has happened to her. In truth, I suspect that age has caught up with her suddenly, as it does with many humans. But I will watch her and, if the situation warrants it, take her to the hospital. This is the part of having a cat that no one tells a prospective cat-owner about, yet it is, in many ways, the most important period of a feline life, the part at which they need their human the most. I don’t want to let my old lady down.




15 comments:

  1. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news, but I'm glad that you were able to notice the change in Josie so quickly. I think you're right to consider a visit to the vet. The sooner we can figure out what has caused the sudden change in Josie, the sooner the problem can be treated. Meanwhile, Josie feel better soon Sweetheart, and John please keep us posted regarding how she is doing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Purrs and hugs to them both. Yes, sadly, things sure do change quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That sweet girl. I’m sending her my best wishes. Hopefully, she’s just slowing down a bit. You certainly deserve a respite from any more partings.

    Whatever happens, I know you won’t let her down. She’s lucky to have you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm sending my good thoughts and prayers too, that's there's nothing drastically wrong with Josie and that it's "only" old age catching up with her. She's in the best possible hands. ❤️🙏

    ReplyDelete
  5. You never will. You are incapable of that. I am sending her my very best love and blessing. I'm fond of her, as I am of all your dear ones. I hope it is just something that usettled her temporarily. You don't think Jessel's coming and going was hard on her in some way? Could she be wondering where Raleigh is? Cammie? Is she snuggling in more when you are seated? When bed time comes?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ohhh Josie you just get some rest sweet girl and take it easy.
    Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. You're cats are so lucky to have you! It's a little scary hearing how Josie is moving so slowly in such a small amount of time. You are diligent and hopefully the vet can give you few answers. Hope everyone has a restful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am sorry to hear this. Could she have jumped down to the floor and landed awkwardly, and that has made her movements more hesitant? Of course that doesn't explain the confusion. I hope the vet can find what is wrong and make things easier for her. I send my best wishes to both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It certainly isn't that 16 is so old in a cat's life, but it gets to be an age where things change. I do hope Josie is with you for years to come and just needs a change in comfort and care more than medicine to make her comfortable as she ages. Like humans, cats do get old enough to appear to be forgetful. I have a difficult time coping with my cats aging only because it breaks my heart. We out live them and never ever forget them. Wishing Josie the best and you too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Purring for Josie to boomerang right back around!
    Hugs for you, John, as you monitor your sweet ladycat.

    ReplyDelete
  11. We're purring and praying for Josie. And sending you hugs, too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You won't let her down John, ever. I hope that there isn't anything seriously wrong and it's just natural aging. The kitties their purrs.

    ReplyDelete
  13. josie; I have many a day when I just wonder and wander and I am not quite the jumper I used to be { ask the statue that got in MY way when I tried to jump up on the table } hhhmmmppphhhh...

    though knock wood throw salt I'm well otherwise.

    what say we find a cozy comfy spot and chillax two gether as da boyz say, and talk shopping ~~~~~~~~ hugs from dai$y =^..*= ♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  14. When I noticed Buddy Budd was getting older it also seems all of a sudden. He started pulling up onto the bed rather than jumping. He would jump down with a loud bang much to my worry. It would just depend on whether he was in a hurry or not. Until he stopped eating he was pretty fit and would come up and down at will. Josie we wish you well

    ReplyDelete