Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thought I'd check in after posting about my cat in Jan 2008. He was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma and has been on lukeran and prednisone since then. After a couple-three rough months, he began doing much better, and today he seems to be thriving.

I take him back to the oncologist every 2 months and the blood results from his last visit a couple of weeks show that he remains in remission. He has regained some of his lost weight (actually, he was overweight before, so is about right now). He is completely off dry food at the vet's recommendation, so I feed him canned stuff and mix in a couple of things with it---the joint powder, fiber tabs and Missing Link.

He has a bit of a problem with constipation, so the vet prescribed lactolase, a stool softener. Any other, more holistic or natural, treatments?

I have noticed a couple of gradual changes over the past year or so, and while I am told this is normal for a senior cat (he is pushing 13), I thought I'd run this by you all for any opinions: he is a bit "bonier" than before and he doesn't jump as well as he used to (some jumps that he once made with ease, he misses on occassion, and some of the higher ones he just doesn't even bother with). I am told to expect that in an older cat, especially one with health issues like mine.

Behaviorally, he seems fine, though he sleeps more also. But he still goes out of his way to tease one of my other cats (a sweet but stupid 8 year old long haired female) for fun. And, about a month ago, he sneaked out onto the balcony and caught (and subsequently killed) a small songbird, something he has only done a few times over the years. So it seems the old boy still has the killer instinct in him after all.

Hi There,

It's wonderful to hear that your baby has been doing so well!

For the constipation I would try mixing a little bit of canned pumpkin in his canned food. The plain kind, not the one with spices. Some cats really like the added pumpkin and it is often very helpful in cats that tend to get constipated.

Cats normally lose muscle mass as they age, and they also tend to get arthritis, so the related changes that you have noticed are nothing to worry about.

Thanks so much for the update

Regards,
PHKitkat

Sounds like he is doing great. He may have a touch of arthritis and that could be why he jumps less, it hurts. My late kitty Onyx did that for the last 5 years of her life. She lived to 21 years old but she didn't jump up, she required a step stool or a lift up and she favored one hip/leg sometimes. She felt bonier too although she weighed the same her whole adult life.
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Tessa Foudini, Charlee, Spottie, ShyRaven, Buddy, Tuxie, Widdle Attila Sipowitz, Lizzie, Minnie, ET, Mylo,Salem, Wicca, Marmalade, Amelia, Rocket and Turbo (we iz NOT fosters) and the 5 porch kits, Mocha, Tigger, Cali, Torti and Smudge also Riley da goggie and Buddha da baby hamster too
Onyx,Tabitha and Samantha..always in our hearts & together again//Fly free Penny 12/12/07
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers