The Ultrafit Older Cat

by Bessant, Claire; Viner, Bradley

• ISBN13: 9780812098563
• ISBN10: 0812098560
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-02-01
• Publisher: B E S Pub Co

Summary

This volume covers a multitude of topics, including: the seven ages of cat, how to keep every cat in peak health, what owners can do to help their cat live longer, how to spot and deal with medical problems, advice on maintaining a healthful diet to meet the older cat's needs, advice on coping with bereavement, and more.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1
1 CAT YEARS	2	(10)
Keeping the kitten in Your cat	2	(1)
Ageless aging	3	(2)
Holding back the years	5	(1)
Calculating a cat's age	5	(1)
A reproductive marathon	6	(2)
Normal body changes with aging	8	(4)
The seven-year switch	9	(2)
Prevention is better than cure	11	(1)
2 NINE LIVES?	12	(18)
Feline enemy no. 1	12	(3)
Preventive care--start young	15	(1)
What about breeding?	15	(2)
Vaccinations for health	17	(3)
Feline panleukopenia	17	(1)
Cat flu	17	(1)
Feline leukemia	18	(1)
Feline immunodeficiency	18	(1)
Annual boosters	19	(1)
We are what we eat	20	(3)
Meat to live	21	(2)
Let's talk about sex	23	(1)
Queens	23	(1)
Toms	23	(1)
Obesity and the neutered cat	24	(1)
Worming/flea control	24	(1)
Tooth care	25	(1)
Luxury lifestyles	25	(1)
Speedy treatment--owner care	26	(2)
Powers of positive thinking	26	(2)
Insurance for peace of mind	28	(2)
3 STAYING IN THE PINK	30	(9)
First, find a verterinarian	30	(2)
Specialists	30	(1)
Getting there	31	(1)
Prevention is the best cure	32	(1)
Senior pet programs	32	(1)
Advanced anesthetics	33	(1)
Health checks to make at home	33	(3)
Physical warning signs	34	(1)
Behavioral warning signs	35	(1)
Get advice early	35	(1)
Collecting a sample	36	(1)
Nursing a sick cat	36	(3)
Dealing with incisions	36	(2)
The role of TLC	38	(1)
4 A-Z OF SENIOR AILMENTS	39	(21)
Aortic thrombosis	39	(1)
Anemia	39	(1)
Arthritis	40	(2)
Blindness	42	(1)
Bronchitis	42	(1)
Cancer	42	(1)
Constipation	42	(1)
Convulsions	43	(1)
Cushing's disease	44	(1)
Cystitis	44	(1)
Dental disease	45	(1)
Diabetes mellitus	45	(3)
Digestive upsets	48	(1)
Ear disease	48	(1)
Heart disease	49	(1)
Hepatitis	49	(1)
Hyperthyroidism	50	(1)
Incontinence	51	(1)
Jaundice	51	(1)
Kidney disease	52	(2)
Liver disease	54	(1)
Loss of balance	54	(1)
Obesity	55	(1)
Overactive thyroid	55	(1)
Overgrown nails	55	(1)
Paralysis	56	(1)
Parasites	56	(1)
Pharyngitis	57	(1)
Renal disease	57	(1)
Respiratory disease	57	(1)
Rhinitis	57	(1)
Sinusitis	58	(1)
Skin disease	58	(1)
Strokes	58	(1)
Tumors	58	(2)
5 FELINE CUISINE	60	(8)
Food, glorious food!	60	(1)
Special needs	61	(4)
Kidney disease	61	(1)
Obesity	62	(1)
Constipation	63	(1)
Diabetes	63	(1)
Diarrhea and/or vomiting	63	(1)
Cat flu	63	(1)
Feeding after surgery	64	(1)
Urinary problems	64	(1)
Catering for your cat	65	(3)
6 BEST BEHAVIOR?	68	(19)
Hunting for old cats	68	(3)
New tricks	69	(1)
Old games	70	(1)
Keeping fit through play	71	(1)
Young at heart	71	(1)
On the home turf	72	(2)
Born under a wandering star	72	(2)
Preserving the status quo	74	(1)
Good grooming	74	(1)
A social function	74	(1)
With a little help from my friends ...	74	(1)
Growing old disgracefully	75	(12)
On best behavior	75	(1)
Security at night	76	(1)
Pains of solitude	76	(1)
Pavlovian skills	76	(1)
Rejuvenating sleep	77	(1)
Not mousing but dozing	77	(1)
Learning to say no	78	(1)
Cozy corners	79	(1)
House-training habits	79	(1)
Security problems	80	(1)
Caught short	81	(1)
Litter boxes	82	(1)
Cat doors	83	(1)
Covered litter boxes	83	(1)
Allowing for accidents	84	(1)
Containment	84	(1)
Staying content and vigilant	85	(2)
7 OLD FRIENDS	87	(19)
Will you still need me?	87	(1)
Will you still feed me?	88	(1)
When I'm 64	88	(1)
Laid-back life	89	(1)
Cat calls	90	(4)
Quality time	90	(1)
Finding a voice	91	(1)
Learned helplessness	91	(1)
Power politics
Feline strategies	93	(1)
Mutual understanding	94	(3)
The comfort of cats	94	(1)
Switching senses, new priorities	95	(1)
Social butterflies	96	(1)
Special relationships	97	(1)
Top cats	98	(4)
Indoors	98	(1)
The cat that walks by itself?	99	(1)
Power shifts	99	(1)
Bringing in new cats	100	(1)
Outdoors	101	(1)
To die with your boots on ...	101	(1)
... or hang up your guns	101	(1)
General behavior changes?	102	(1)
Do pets grieve?	102	(4)
Making it better	103	(1)
The inconsolable cat	103	(1)
Cross-grieving	104	(1)
A new lease on life	104	(2)
8 THE LAP OF LUXURY	106	(17)
How to pamper your older cat	106	(10)
Warmth and comfort	106	(1)
How to make your bed	107	(1)
... and lie in it	108	(1)
A question of balance	109	(1)
A place in the sun	109	(1)
Keep young and beautiful	110	(1)
Letting themselves go	110	(1)
Extra attention for longhairs	111	(1)
Claws, gums, and anal area	112	(1)
Ins and outs	112	(1)
Safety outdoors ... and in	113	(1)
Going away	114	(1)
Boarding facilities	114	(1)
East, west, home's best	115	(1)
Moving	115	(1)
Competition	116	(1)
Coping with physical problems	116	(7)
Blindness	116	(3)
Deafness	119	(1)
Amputation	120	(1)
TLC: the vital ingredient	121	(2)
9 LETTING GO AND STARTING OVER	123	(10)
Considering euthanasia	123	(2)
What is involved in euthanasia?	124	(1)
How is it done?	124	(1)
A natural death?	125	(1)
Deciding on a resting place	125	(3)
Leaving the body with the vet	125	(1)
Hoem burial	126	(1)
Cremation or casket?	126	(1)
Pet cemeteries	127	(1)
Cremation	128	(1)
Obituaries and personal reminders	128	(1)
Reactions to loss	128	(3)
Shock and disbelief	129	(1)
Anger	130	(1)
Guilt and bargaining	130	(1)
Deep sadness	130	(1)
Acceptance	131	(1)
The refuge of therapy	131	(1)
Starting again	131	(1)
On a cat, aging	132	(1)
Appendix	133