Complete Care for Your Aging Cat - Amy Shojai [0]
Published by FurryMuse Publications, a business of Amy D. Shojai
PO Box 1904,1750 W. Moore Street, Sherman TX 75092
Second Edition, June 2010
Copyright © Amy D. Shojai, 2010
All rights reserved
First Published by New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
First Printing, July 2003
Copyright © Amy D. Shojai, 2003
All rights reserved
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA:
Shojai,Amy, 1956—
Complete care for your aging cat / Amy D. Shojai.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references(p.)
ISBN 0-451-20788-2(alk. Paper)
1. Cats. 2. Cats—Aging. 3. Cats—Diseases. 4. Veterinary geriatrics.
I. Title.
SF447 .S47 2003
636.8’089897—dc21
2002040988
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be re-produced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is complete and accurate. However, neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for consulting with your pet’s physician. All matters regarding your pet’s health require medical supervision. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book. While the author has made every effort to provide accurate product names, telephone numbers and/or Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors, or for changes that occur after publications.
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Table of Contents
Note from the Author 8
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . 9
INTRODUCTION .. 10
Using This Book . 11
It’s All About The Cat! 12
PART ONE—HOW CATS AGE .. 14
CHAPTER 1--DEFINING “OLD” . 14
Benefits of Senior Cats . 15
What To Expect 16
Golden Moments: Making Allowances . 20
Insurance and Care Plans . 21
Shopping For Insurance . 23
Quality of Life . 24
Treatment Advice . 24
Golden Moments: Loving Hershey . 26
CHAPTER 2--THE AGING PROCESS . 28
How Age Affects the Body . 29
The Senses . 29
Aging Eyes . 29
Aging Ears . 30
Aging Taste . 30
Aging Nose . 31
Bones and Muscles . 31
Digestion . 32
Aging Teeth . 32
Aging Stomach and Intestines . 33
Aging Pancreas and Liver 33
Endocrine System—Hormones . 34
Heart and Lungs . 34
Immunity . 34
Golden Moments: Tweety’s Drive to Survive . 35
Nerves . 39
Comfort Zone . 39
Aging Mind . 39
Reproduction . 40
Skin and Hair 40
Nurse Alert! 41
Urinary System .. 41
CHAPTER 3--L.O.V.E. for HEALTH .. 43
Listen With Your Heart 43
Observe for Changes: Home Health Alerts . 43
Normal Vital Signs . 44
Behavior Cues . 44
Body Warnings . 45
Golden Moments: Zoobie’s New Life . 46
Visit the Veterinarian: Well-Pet Exams . 49
Monitoring Tests . 49
Blood Values . 50
Enrich the Environment 51
Nutrition . 51
Feeding For Health . 52
Nutrigenomics . 52
Exercise . 54
Physical Therapy . 55
Comfort Zone . 58
Grooming . 58
Accommodations . 59
Comfort Zone . 60
Exercising the Mind . 60
Golden Moments: Putting L.O.V.E. to Work . 60
CHAPTER 4—NURSING CARE .. 63
Angel’s Gate . 63
Pain Management 64
Owner Attention . 64
Restraint 66
“Clipnosis” Restraint 67
COMFORT ZONE .. 73
Medication