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senile
care |
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Like in humans,
cat’s body weakens with
the age. The vital organs functioning
decreases in efficiency, and many
problems as in the heart, in the
brain, in the kidneys and in the
liver may appear. The majority
of the common health |
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problems in aging
cats may come unnoticed in their
initial stage. The cats only show
signs of illness when it’s
in an advance stage. By that,
the senile cat should receive
special attention, as regular
check ups of its state of health
and regular visits to the veterinarian. |
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CARE
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PROBLEMS
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FOOD |
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HYGIENE
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STRESS
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LIFE EXPECTANCY |
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CARE |
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Around seven years it is a good
idea to run routine exams like
of blood to detect early diabetes
or kidneys dysfunction. When the
cat reaches the senility, you
should not think twice before
finding a veterinarian at the
littlest sign of problem. It is
recommended to have the check-ups
every 6 months. And remember to
take additional care because the
hearing and the vision of the
cats diminish with the age. |
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PROBLEMS |
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The majority of the elderly
cats present tartar build-up
and gum problems. They also
have frequent urinary problems
and tumors, as well as kidneys
and heart problems.
Consult their veterinarian
to have better orientation in
each case. It can be necessary
a battery of exams to monitor
the health of the cat. |
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FOOD |
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In the advanced age the food
should be modified, changing it
to a more adequate dog food, with
specific formula for this age.
Many cats need less servings and
calories when senile. A cat with
little exercise has the tendency
to obesity. Others can present
problems with bad absorption,
constipation and loss of appetite. |
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HYGIENE |
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Even when healthy, the elderly
cat needs some special attention
from the owners. The hygiene and
grooming care should be doubled.
More than ever he will need a
calm and soft place to rest. And
he will sleep most of the time. |
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STRESS |
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The senility is a very bad phase
to move places or get a new companion.
Even young cats they are sensible
to the changes in their routine.
In maturity, that tendency is
accentuated, and any alteration
in the routine may can cause big
stress. |
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LIFE
EXPECTANCY |
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On the contrary one may think,
the lifetime of cats does not
run the same way of that for the
humans. In fact, the vital cycle
is accelerated during the first
years of life and slows down in
the middle age, as it can be seen
below: |
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CAT
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LIFE
EXPECTANCY
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MAN
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6 months
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infancy
and begining of adolescence
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14 years
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1 year
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Adolescence
- the cat reachs its sexual
maturity.
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16 years
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2 year
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Average
age of a street cat
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18 years
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5 year
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Full
adulthood
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30 years
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8 year
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Middle
age.
May be fed senior food
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40 years
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10 year
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Beginning
of senior age
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60 years
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15 year
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Average
life expectancy of a cat
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75 years
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20 year
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The
cat is almost a "centurian"
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90 years
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