MAINTAINING HYDRATION IN THE OLDER CAT

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY SENIOR CAT IS DEHYDRATED?

If we use an accurate scale, changes in body weight are a good measurement of hydration.  A 10 pound cat that is 5% dehydrated (the point at which we recognize dehydration) will be 1/2 pound below its normal weight, and this weight loss can happen within a matter of days.  The other quick test for dehydration is to pick up a fold of loose skin over the back of the cat's neck.  When the fold of skin is released, it should return to its previous position within 1-2 seconds.  If the skin remains "tented up" after it is released, or if the hair fails to smooth itself out, the cat is likely dehydrated.

PREVENTING AND TREATING DEHYDRATION

1.  Feeding more canned food can help the fluid intake of the older cat, since moist foods contain about 70% water.

2.  Provide lots of fresh clean water.  Cats are notorious for their finicky drinking habits; some cats prefer their water cold, so floating an ice cube in the water a couple of times a day is a nice touch.  Some felines seem to prefer running water, so a "kitty fountain" (available at most pet stores") may tempt the cat to drink more frequently.

3.  Control of health issues that cause dehydation (such as a low-grade kidney infection or early diabetes) can help prevent dehydration.  Blood and urine tests will reveal these problems so that they can be treated.

4.  If the potassium level is low, a powdered supplement can be added to the food to maintain a good potassium level, which helps kidney function.

5.  If dehydration  becomes a problem, your veterinarian may recommend giving "subcutaneous fluid injections".  Many cat owners shy away from the idea of putting a needle into their feline friend, but usually they are surprised how easy this is (and how much better the cat feels when it is hydrated and the electrolytes are in balance).  The process is simple: your veterinarian will provide a bag of "Lactated Ringers Solution" or a similar fluid, along with the tubing to attach to the bag and the necessary needles.  To give the fluids, we suggest putting the cat on a table or counter (your lap will do if the cat is calm).  Giving a particularly delicious treat during or after the treatment often helps the cat tolerate the procedure better.  To give the fluids, the loose skin over the back of the neck is lifted, and the needle is placed thru the skin.  The roller valve on the tubing is opened, and the bag is held in a position higher than the cat (the higher it is positioned, the faster gravity will make the fluid flow).  After the prescribed amount of fluid (usually 100cc) is injected, there will be a soft lump over the shoulders, which will gradually be absorbed over 6-8 hours.  The more dehydrated the cat is, the faster the fluid will be absorbed.  We can use this to tell when we are successful in keeping the patient hydrated: once the fluid starts absorbing slowly, the hydration is adequate.  For sick cats, this subcutaneous fluid treatment may be done once or twice a day.  Once the cat is eating and feeling better, it can be done every 2-3 days.  Some cats only need fluids once a week, which may be enough to keep dehydration from developing again.