Health Checkup: Blue Visits Dr Cecelia

Hi, I’m Amanda! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Blue, my fluffy fire point Himalayan-Persian cat.

I noticed Blue was growing uninterested in eating a few weeks ago and mentally noted the change in my head so I could monitor whether it was temporary or something I needed to check on. It was pretty standard that Blue would ration her meal throughout the day, but she would typically have her bowl cleaned completely when we’d feed her again 12 hours later since she’s a twice-a-dayer. Her behavior was normal outside of this, so perhaps she was just changing with the seasons.

Time for a Checkup

After a few weeks of this, I decided a quick check on Blue’s teeth was necessary to eliminate a dental issue as the cause of her loss of appetite. Lo and behold, she has a loose tooth front and center in the bottom row of her mouth. Her gums were inflamed and the tooth itself looked visibly out of place. I made her an appointment with her vet, Dr Cecelia, shortly after.

Her checkup went well. We had bloodwork done, a urine analysis, a full physical, and a top-up of any shots she needed. The urine test results were inconclusive, so we’ll be heading back to get that redone in the next week or so. However, her bloodwork came back perfect, which tells us if there is an issue with her urine, it’s nothing to panic about, thankfully.

Dr Cecelia said it was very normal for the tiny teeth in the front to become loose and fall out on their own, especially for an aging cat. It didn’t cause Blue any pain while the vet assessed her mouth. I imagine it is similar to a child losing their baby teeth – not a painful ordeal but odd. Blue’s teeth are in great condition otherwise, and as a preventative measure, we’ll be scheduling a cleaning to make sure they stay in the best shape possible.

Caring for an Aging Blue

The sad news is that Blue’s joints and arthritis are getting worse. In addition to her appetite tapering, her mobility is also declining. We’ve been encouraging a healthier lifestyle for her through more frequent play sessions and introducing new toys to help manage her weight. It turns out the sudden increase in activity might be more of a hindrance to her overall health. So if mama’s happy being a bit lazy, we support it. More sedentary play, less chasing around cat balls, red lasers, and remote control mice. I see more cat ramps, stairs, and beds in our very near future.

Instead of going the medicinal route, we’re considering introducing Blue to CBD to help with her arthritis. I’m unsure if she is in pain or just stiff, but she’s still keen on following me around the house. However, if she is, this could be a good solution before placing her on a daily medication that could potentially affect her mood and appetite even further.

I’ll be chatting with Dr Ceceila about this topic further when Blue goes in for her urine analysis and dental cleaning. Her health is my main priority, and if one option is going to be more effective and beneficial to Blue over the other, then that is the route we’ll go.

Do you have a cat with arthritis and have tried CBD for relief?  It would be interesting to hear real-life experiences and what solutions other cat owners have found that have improved the day-to-day lives of their pets.