Cat With Dementia

[netibiza]

My beloved cat is now 16 and appears to have dementia, she seems fine in the day but at night has taken to sleeping at the base of the toilet, and she yeowls on and off. It is an unearthly yeowl. There is a soft light and if I go to her she will settle, but this is every 30 mins and is very wearing. She eats a lot, pees etc normally but has lost weight. Am taking her to the vet tonight but wonder if anyone out there knows if this is manageable with pills? I desperately don't want to euthanize her but can't afford lengthy treatment. don't think she is suffering ahe sleeps outside all day.h

[emmie]

the vet should be able to tell you what is wrong, i had my cat for 16 years but one day he just went to sleep and didn't wake up. Not saying that is what will happen to your cat, but don't be surprised at what the vet says if she is losing weight for no known reason. You could have many more years with her, i sincerely hope you do.

[Toorak]

It could be over active thyroid. One of our cats had it and we also suspected dementia - she howled all the time and lost weight. She was on medication for some time then had corrective surgery which sorted it but it was very expensive.

[Islay]

I had the same thing with one of my girls who was 17, it may not be dementia but her eyesight failing. As my vet explained she was OK in the light but in dim light or darkness she found it too scary. We got a couple of kittens and she settled right back down again, the kittens used to go to her when she cried - it was very moving.
And the yowl was the same

[mightymouse]

Some years ago my elderly cat had similar problems, she was 16. She had a thyroid problem and was also completely deaf. Medication and a small op. sorted that out, and she lived until she was 20. Being deaf meant that she could not hear the hoover, so she just ignored it, instead of running outside. Still miss here after many years.