It is official Mika (14 years) has Arthritis. She does not want to jump gates or jump onto/off the bed. I have steps the Yorkies will sometime use. Mika is now using them regularly. Today she refused to jump a baby gate- I can raise most of the baby gates several inches off the ground so she can get under but then so can the Yorkies
. She cried at the gate- When to check on her. She had food and water, bed was clean, litter looked good. I then lifted her over the gate and she was happy and walked away. The baby gates are pretty low- 18 inches to max of 24 inches in height for all the gates- So lower gates is not possible. I can easily and will happily pick her up and down all she wants. She has earned it. She is a seasoned kitten and puppy raiser. She never had kittens of her own but has raised my others I have fostered. She taught all my yorkie puppies to be nice to kitty. She has ruled with an "iron paw" as a Regal Queen.
Her gait has been getting stiffer especially the last 1-2 months. She is eating, drinking, and acting normally otherwise- She was always a Regal Queen- Above play but happy to bird watch and lounge all day. So her quality of life is not vastly affected. She loves to be in steam- Pot on stove with boiling water, teacup, or bathroom. All you have to say is "Bathtime Mika- Time for your asthma treatment" and she goes quickly to the bathroom. I have been lifting her into towels piled behind the tub for years- She enjoys the steam not an actual bath. She lives her life on her terms. Always has- No one makes Mika do anything.
Thankfully she is not a finicky or picky eater. She loves her wet food but always has and the vet says her teeth are in great shape. I always give them more wet food in hot weather.
It just hit me this morning that is all that she is old
Anything I can give her/supplement with to make her more comfortable. She saw the vet 2 months ago for her yearly exam. He does not think me bringing her in more often unless ill would benefit her. He said older dogs should be brought in every 6 months but he would rather leave older cats be.
I wonder if I can give her some oral supplements before I jump to injectable (Adequin) She only eats cats food and occasionally some real fish or chicken.
The vet said I can try fish oil (Salmon is best) and Cosequin (Glucosamine/Chindrotine). I can also add Vitamin C and Vitamin E, too if I wanted.
Just really wondering what others do.
Sorry for the length.