16-year-old cat is feeling her age

Dear Dr. John, My cat is approaching 16 and things are starting to change that have me concerned. About 8-9 months ago, I noticed that she was starting to have trouble jumping up on the bed, sofa, and other areas.

I took her in to see my vet. They did bloodwork and took x-rays informing me that she showed signs of arthritis, and they put her on Solensia. It seemed to work minimally but I have kept her on the medication.



She developed some hair loss on her belly which apparently can be a side effect. Lately, she has been drinking twice as much water as before and her weakness is now more of an uncoordinated walk with occasional staggering. Could these two signs be related? I worry about diabetes since a previous vet had told me that her being overweight could contribute to that developing someday.

What should I do now? Could the arthritis medication be causing this, and should I discontinue it? P.H. Dear P.

H., Old age does bring on all kinds of changes. I am sure that your local veterinarian started the cat on the medication for arthritis for good reason.

One side effect of the Solensia is hair loss as you have noted but I do not think it has anything to do with an increase in thirst or her lack of coordinated walking which sounds like ataxia. I would not discontinue the medication without discussing this with your veterinarian. If your cat has a history of being overweight then diabetes is definitely worthy of consideration especially given the increase in her water intake.

One of the clinical signs associated with diabetes in cats is ataxia caused by diabetic neuropathy. It primarily affects the rear legs and leads to what you are describing and an inability to jump as well. As for what to do now, I would schedule an appointment soon.

Bloodwork should be repeated as well as a thorough neurological evaluation. If the cat does have diabetes, then she can be started on insulin injections and appropriate diet. This may well lead to an improvement of the clinical ataxia.

The exam and tests should give you the answers. Good luck. Dr.

John de Jong is President of the World Veterinary Association. He owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic and can be reached at 781-899-9994..