My 15 year old cat is missing some fur. I'm concerned. Mr. & Mrs Kawell?

[jimr]

Hello everyone.
I have a 15 yr old black cat named Theodore- I found him back late in 1992. He's a great cat- with a short temper and a fierce bite.
He's getting a little long in the tooth, but last week I noticed he looked a little skinny. And that his food bowl isn't needing to be refilled as often as usual. Then I found all his fur missing under his chin. I'm not sure what's up with him. I felt the area, and it feels like the skin is dry (and missing fur). I don't want to mess with him too much, because if it hurts, he'll snap down (he once split a tongue depresser in two at the vet's during a checkup- CHOMP!)

I am currently feeding him baby food, which he is eating. Can i put neosporin on the area?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Jim Ratto

[Bruce Tweddle]

Is this the same cat that could recognize the sound of your 48s when you were coming home from work?

[jimr]

no, different cat. That's my 11 year old grey cat.

[so67vw]

Don't know, but good luck.... My two cats LAMPSHADE and LAMPSHADE just got back from getting claws removed.... 23 lb cat can do a lot of damage to a couch.......

[werksberg]

Jim, good luck with your cat as I had a cat name Buddy (16 years long....) and he really was like a son to me. When he died, it ripped my heart out.....

Yes, if you can, apply Neosporin or Aloe but by the sounds of it that he isn't eating and hair is missing or going matty, it may be getting near the end. 

Buddy went blind but still caught birds and rats (don't ask....) and he would bump into things, stop, he would smile and them walk around the object.....

One other sign was our younger female (that he found on the street that was straving, but I watched him herad her all the way to his out the back door food and water dishes) would smell him and winkled her nose. I think she could smell the cancer or death and didn't like seeing him like that.

Good luck and remember the "Rainbow Bridge".....

[VWGLENN]

  Old Cats not Eating is usually the Teeth Hurting to much, have hin checked as he no doubt has some that should come out, we had one that made it to 22 years old and at 18 all the teeth had to be removed, still made it another 4 years, soak the Food and serve it warm, the old guy still hunted, we would find Mice that had Drowned in Slodder, no bite marks, LOL. he could "Scratch like a Lion & Bite like a Duck" the old Family Pet thing is always hard to indure, and now us Owners are Old !  LOL,  Good Luck !!! 

[Rick64Ragtop]

Glenn is right about the teeth - get them checked by the dentist. It's VERY COMMON for cats to suffer from dental problems & it will cause them to stop eating. The lack of nutrition & poor appetite may be why Theodore is losing his fur. In older (all) cats, the fur is a very good indicator for health problems. Something else to have the vet check into is diabetes or kidney problems. They'll draw blood work if you take him in for dental cleaning & removal. A good vet will automatically screen for it but you should ask to be sure. I'm no vet but I do have 2 older cats & went through the workup. It can get expensive, but I'm sure your little buddy is worth it if you've had him since '92 & are taking the time to ask here. I will say, the attitude & tendancy to bite is often a sign they are in pain or not feeling well. Definitely take him in to the vet for a full check up. 

[jimr]

Glenn is right about the teeth - get them checked by the dentist. It's VERY COMMON for cats to suffer from dental problems & it will cause them to stop eating. The lack of nutrition & poor appetite may be why Theodore is losing his fur. In older (all) cats, the fur is a very good indicator for health problems. Something else to have the vet check into is diabetes or kidney problems. They'll draw blood work if you take him in for dental cleaning & removal. A good vet will automatically screen for it but you should ask to be sure. I'm no vet but I do have 2 older cats & went through the workup. It can get expensive, but I'm sure your little buddy is worth it if you've had him since '92 & are taking the time to ask here. I will say, the attitude & tendancy to bite is often a sign they are in pain or not feeling well. Definitely take him in to the vet for a full check up.

OK, thanks guys.

[veloracer]

When my cat stopped eating it was her teeth.  After taking her in, it was noticed that she had a tumor under her teeth and around her gums.  She lost most of her left side of the mouth and we eventually had to put her down.  Go have the cat checked by a vet.

[jimr]

When my cat stopped eating it was her teeth. After taking her in, it was noticed that she had a tumor under her teeth and around her gums. She lost most of her left side of the mouth and we eventually had to put her down. Go have the cat checked by a vet.

Sorry to hear that.

My poor little pal.....

[Dave Kawell]

Hi Jim,

Agree with the others and probable teeth diagnoses from past experinces. Can you get Theodore to
your vet ?    The catch 22 is that off dry dog / cat food there is no way to self clean the teeth
and soft food can "stick" to teeth causing problems.  Can you smell of Theodore's mouth ?  First
indication of mouth / gum disease is foul mouth odor.

I think someone already posted this site ? but it is a God send for us, even with the Wildlife.  Just
type in whatever "ailment" or "condition" you are concerned about and it will give you a wealth of
information to work with:

http://www.peteducation.com/

God Bless and Prayers for Theodore and you.  Please reply how he / you are doing and what
your vet comes up with.

Judy