Well Arabella had her 20th birthday at the weekend and her hyperthyroid continues to be well controlled on Felimazole.
Just one thing Walter as she has aged over the last year she has some degree of weakness in her back legs which is worse after she has been asleep they seem more stiff and are quite wide apart.It means that sometimes she needs help onto her favourite chair.Do you think she may have arthritis and if so can treatment help this or is it just old age?

Hi, Machair,
Pleased to hear that Arabella is doing so well on her treatment.
It could be either muscle weakness or arthritis causing the problem. Both could, and probable are, age related.
Walter

Thank you Walter do you think she should have some treatment for the back legs or shall we leave her alone?

Hi,
I would think that at her age she has enough to cope with without any further medication! Just lots of TLC.
W

Dear Walter

This muscle weakness/stiffness in her back legs seems to have got worse this week.She is sometimes struggling to walk on these backlegs which are wide apart.
She is due a repeat of her tablets but isn't due a check up till October.Her fur is also really flakey too and generally she seems quite lethargic though of course she is 20.Its just that she is now sleeping most of the time and instead of trying to get onto the settee and sometimes failing she is now sleeping in a cat igloo.
What do you think is going on and do you think we should take her for a check up earlier or is it just her age? I have her on a renal diet as the vet recommended it for age reasons but she isn't passing more urine or anything and her weight seems quite good as she is quite stocky.Just pondering if her thyroid tablets may need reducing or if she is coming to the end of a long and happy life and so we should leave her alone.She is still eating and drinking quite well.

Hi,
You have been very fortunate (and, clealy, loving,) owners to Arabella to have kept her for so long.
There does come a time when we have to consider our reasons for prolonging a pet's life when the quailty of that life is severely reduced. Does Arabella really have any quality of life now? Is it in her best interests to prolong it at all costs?
As pet owners we have the privilege, and the responsibilty, of being able to bring our animals' suffering to a peaceful and humane end. Maybe the time has now come to consider your responsibiliy in this respect.
Walter

Walter we took her to the vets today and it seems she now has diabetes.We have started her on insulin injections to see if it can be stabilised.The vet thinks it may not be possible with her thyroid problem and her age.
I fear the end of a treasured friend is imminent and as you say we will not be prolonging her suffering.

Hi,
I think that Arabella may be going into multiple organ failure, and the decision as to her future may well be taken out of your hands.
W

Dear Walter
Arabella was put to sleep on Wednesday aged 20 years.
She was loved so much and is now in a wildflower meadow in the sunshine free from pain and suffering- but you know the vets were brilliant and she really only suffered illness for a week.

Well done!