Sorry I haven't posted lately - I'm taking some much needed time to check in, wish I had a full day to see what's been going on!

I need to get information on feline aging. Grasshopper will be eighteen this year, if she makes it. I can't tell if she's sick or just getting old. I am probably suffering a serious case of denial about the fact that 17 is OLD for a cat. *sigh*

Anyway, she's lost weight and is quite thin through the hips, down to about 7 - 8 lbs (normally 10 - 11). She has very little appetite (I found she has lost several small bottom teeth) but she will eat, and hasn't been throwing it back up (she was for a while). She drinks a lot of water, but doesn't show a lot of interest in food.

I know she probably needs to see her vet, however Dadcat's (my husband) recent stay in the hospital has limited any funds for vet bills that could grow. I thought that since cats are sensitive animals she might have been reacting to the "sick" environment aroung here (we've had serious bouts of colds, flu, and bronchial infections this winter, one of which hospitalized my husband.)

What I would like to hear about are any experiences with kitty hospice (caring for aging and dying elderly pets). I accept that aging and death are a part of the life cycle and I believe the end of a life should be made comfortable and loving just as a birth. What I don't really know are how to read her comfort levels - how to tell if she should be put down.

I would hate to put a cat to sleep if she only has a cold or is just aging normally.

So if you have expereinces that you would be willing to share, I'd be grateful!

Love to all and all the furkids - I've missed you all. I'll probably be checking in every other day now that Dad's feeling better.