Historical September 1992 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Q: Is a cat considered geriatric at 10 years of age? A: A cat of 10 years compares to a human of approximately 56 years. “Middle aged” is a more appropriate term for such a cat. Average life expectancy for a cat is 14 to 18 years. Occasionally cats will thrive into their early twenties, and unfortunately others succumb by nine or ten.
As a cat reaches “middle age” it is important to address age related problems and consider preventative health measures to avoid or detect problems. Many veterinarians offer preventative health evaluations for “geriatric” cats, including analysis of blood and urine plus chest radiographs.
A baseline of normal values is established that is helpful for later comparison when occasional problems, undetectable through physical examination, are revealed. Hyperthyroidism (excessive thyroid hormone production) and chronic renal failure, common maladies of older cats, may be discovered during a geriatric evaluation.
These conditions are generally manageable with medication and/or diet.
As with human medicine, preventative “wellness” health care is emphasized in veterinary medicine. Recognizing the different health requirements for a cat at various stages in its life is an important part of a health care program.
A ten year old cat may well be active and youthful.
If given attention with preventative health care, diet and exercise, this “middle aged” cat could have several more years of enjoyable life. (Readers of the Times are invited to submit their pet questions c/o the paper or Ms. Shickman.)
Original photograph caption
Dr. Steve Brammeier with a cat residing at Kingsbury Animal Hospital, 420 N. Skinker. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September 1992.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1992_09.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
