Older cat problems: any way to help her?

We adopted an older stray cat last fall who vetted out fine. Lately, she has not been using the litterbox, she has dry scabby growths on her skin, and a very smelly sinus infection. I will be getting her to the vet today, but I worry.





Is there some way I can help her feel better? Or are we just going through old cat syndrome? (She's about 11-13.)

Older cat problems: any way to help her?
Sounds like old cat syndrome to me. We have a 15 year old cat who is in a very similar boat. She won't use the litter box except on rare occasions. She sneezes like you wouldn't believe -- we have snot on our walls in the places she likes to lay. I haven't notice scabby growths -- I do see the occasional sore though. She has chronic ear infections. The vet just tells us she's old . . . said we can run some tests if we want but she doesn't have a whole lot of time left. Our vet is a realist and said in his opinion it's a waste of money but it's our decision. We just love her, clean up after her, and let her go on.
Reply:Eleven, or even thirteen, is not really old for a cat. Eleven is like about 59 in humans, and thirteen is like about 67 in humans.





I don't think kitty is declining from advanced age. I think she's sick, and I hope today's vet vist will get her started on the road to recovery.
Reply:You didn't mention if she was peeing outside the box or defecating. Sometimes the root problems are different.





If it is peeing, you might have the vet check her urine for a bladder or kidney infection. If it is defecating, she may be stiff and uncomfortable climbining in and out of the box.





I would get some Cat Attract Litter, which is specially scented to draw them back to the box. And if the sides are quite high, and you notice she has difficulty getting in and out, buy a new box with low sides.





The sinus infection can be dealt with through antibiotics. I have no way of knowing what caused it, but if she is vaccinated, and not in contact with other cats, it may be just an older, weaker immune system. You might try getting some Lysine capsules at a health food store or online, and putting the powder from one in a quart of water. Shake well before filling her dish. It may not mix well, but the cat won't mind.





As for the skin condition, that too can be many things from dry skin, to food allergies, to a flea allergy. Your vet may want to do a skin scraping to check for mites.





Unless they can identify a cause like mites, the best option is to change her diet to a food without grains, especially corn. There are venison or duck based chows that you can get. She might also benefit from canned food if she is not getting it. This adds moisture to the diet, when many cats do not take in enough through drinking.





Also, if it is a skin disorder, she may benefit from getting some Omega 3 Fatty Acid capsules and breaking one over her canned food and mixing it in. This makes her coat and skin healthy, and gives her a gloss.





There is no reason at all that she can't come back and enjoy many more years with you. She just needs a little help to get there.
Reply:Have you changed the brand of litter you use lately? She could be not using the litter because it smell bad to her and that is what has caused her sinus condition.Get an unscented litter and soothe her by holding her and hugging and massaging her.Keep the humidity up in the house so she can breathe more easily.
Reply:She's getting older, but she's not really an 'old' cat yet!!


Ours is 17.. Sinus infections shouldn't be smelly, as far as my thinking goes, but hey, I'm not a vet so I'm glad you're taking her. My guess would most likely be a rotting tooth or gum infection..


She'll feel much better once the vet has begun treatment for whatever is causing her grief. With all the symptoms you have described it could be a multitude of things, I'm sure the vet will suggest the right treatments to make her well again. Just keep loving her, give her a warm, protected spot to sleep and a well balanced diet and she'll know you're there for her. She's probably got a few good years left in her still, all the best!