I can't thank all of your who are leaving Mazel Tovs and congratulations, so please accept a collective thanks here. Cim and I really appreciate all your kind wishes!
Thank goodness the news is good. I was worried for a moment. Edit: Poor Mr. Pirate. All those health problems piled on all at once. He’s BEAUTIFUL and it’s amazing he’s 20 years old. I love him.
I actually think this means prevention has been being done so well that it had fended off all the "elderly cat" problems for so long. Senescence is inevitable, but at least we can make the cat feel less uneasy and actually pass his days with nearly no pain.
@@HelpfulVancouverVet Speaking of prevention ... Do you have a video on dental cleaning? And what alternatives are there to having to use general anesthesia for cleanings? Specifically: I recently saw a service advertised here in California to do dental cleanings without anesthesia. I'm wondering how that works? And I also recently heard of a prescription, low calorie kibble for cats, meant to cause them to crunch the large sized kibble to help remove tartar buildup. My current kitty, Nikita, is a non chewer. She tends to swallow her dry food pieces whole. I've never successfully accomplished acceptance of routine toothbrushing.
First, glad you are back. I and my 17 year old, Charlie, appreciate you. And second, Congratulations on both your new little girl, and your much older guy "kittie"'s triumphs.
@@RLaraMoore They have done a video where they mention the tooth cleaning without anesthesia before, don't remember the name off the top of my head at the moment but you should find it if you search, but they basically say that it is impossible to do tooth cleaning without the use of general anesthesia, at least not in any humane way. A video about dental cleaning by them that ive watched before is called "Cat and Dog dental cleaning - what you need to know" but i don't think that is the one that mentions the doing it without anesthesia. Hope this helps!
Watching Mr. Pirate gazing so lovingly at you while getting fluids, warms my heart. And then when the fluids are removed, and he climbs up to your shoulder and kisses you repeatedly, it's so precious and adorable. I hope you both have many more years of love and happiness together 🐱❤️
The first black cat I adopted lived to 22. In her last year, I gave subcutaneous fluids frequently. I did my part to repay her for her companionship. She was excellent adjunct therapy for depression. I now buy cat insurance with a high deductible. For about $200 a year, I don't have to worry about money if something CATastrophic happens. I pay for regular care to keep the premium low.
My mom is in long-term care with dementia. She has a close relationship with the resident cat. It is my pleasure to pay for vet care for that cat because he (Simon) is the best ever.
Wow, Mr. Pirate is the healthiest 20-year old cat I think I've ever seen! It's beyond impressive how well he's been treated, and you can see how comfortable he is, even with the injections. You're a good man!
my baby girl Sammy is now 29 years old I adopted her in 1994 at 2 months old. My vet thinks shes immortal! Shes never been sick She has some arthritis in her hip now and she gets her monthly injections like Mr. Pirate, shes on her 6th month,so far so good. I have started sub Q fluids now. I love your videos, and Mr. Pirate is beautiful, you are a great dad.
I’m so glad Mr. Pirate is doing well at 20 years old! I have my senior soulmate kitty Bobo Buddy and he’s due to go to the vet very soon. I always get so nervous when he must be put under anesthesia! Please say a prayer for my sweet baby boy! Thank you for all your helpful information! 😻🙏❤️
Omg that video of him ever so patiently getting his fluids in his perfect little pose is one of the absolute best and most wholesome things I've ever seen on the interweb!
Thank you for the instructions on how to pill a cat, and how to give a cat injections! We've been using those techniques for a year now, and that's how we kept our Electra's (Snowshoe) small cell lymphoma under control.
Mr. Pirate looks at you so lovingly, complete trust and PURE LOVE in his eyes! Congrats on your new baby girl AND Mr. Pirate's health!!! My sweet Aby cat almost 15 yrs has benefited from Rx renal diet, IBS treatment with budesonide and most recently hip and elbow arthritis given Solensia. Her first injection was just a week ago and I saw improvement in just 2 days! Now a week out she's like age 10! Also UTIs were helped with cranberry extract and Lysine supplements. We're both SO much happier!
Very valuable information! Of the many cats I've had, my last four cats lived 17, 20, 18 and 15 years. One had to live at the veterinary hospital as he had a systemic cancer and was on chemotherapy treatments. For him, I opted to work there so I could be with him every day. I worked the graveyard shift and we enjoyed lots of cuddle time together in the break lounge watching TV throughout the nights. The others I hospiced at home. They enjoyed supervised lounging in the warm sun outside and had priority use of my bed. It's always hard when they leave us, but they are each so deserving of the love and commitment to making their lives as happy and as comfortable as possible. They are all God given kitties after all. 🙏💖
The look in his eyes while you were giving him fluids had pure trust in them. And the little kitty kisses after were the kisses of gratitude. Thank you for sharing your sweet kitty with us.
Congratulations to you and your wife! It is good to see that Mr. Pirate and Claudia are doing well. You have been missed, but great video to return with.
Note: Be attentive to grooming! Cats feel better when they are clean, and they can't groom themselves as they would like to. Especially important is to keep the claws clipped so they do not snag and pull on things. If the cat is feeble and suffering arthritis, catching a paw can be incredibly painful, especially if they can't unhook themselves and strain themselves trying. And offer ramps, so they don't try to jump up to perches and window sills that they can no longer manage without falling.
I learned that the hard way. Our old, senior family cat (19 y/o) ended up catching his claws and dislocated his shoulder. I came downstairs one morning to find him sprawled on the floor with one front leg facing backwards, meaning his paw pads were facing up. NOT a great memory.
@@user-qr8ki8ue4i I'm so sorry. Not your fault! and you were there for you cat as soon as you could be. We all have in common that this side of Heaven is only temporary. Your kitty knew they were loved. Your kitty would not be thinking their human caused it to happen.... (which you did not) Your kitty would be knowing you were there to care for and comfort them. Your kitty knew your love. 🙏🕊️💞
@@RLaraMoore Thank you! Yeah, he trusted me big time. We were definitely two peas in a pod. I'll never forget our "last trip" to the vet. He laid on the table and wrapped his little paw around my finger while we said goodbye to each other.
In the latter half of the video, Mr. Pirate looked so incredibly relaxed! Even with the naughty naughty Clawdia curling up with him and giving him a bath, lol. Clearly these two are good friends.
In August 2021 i had to say goodbye to my 20 yo Lila. I admire your dedication and knowledge in veterinary, sweet Mr. Pirate is in good hands. Right now I have 12 yo male cat, it is drinking a lots of water and pee like 6-8 times a day. I know his kidneys are failing, hope that it won't stop him to be my best companion. Cheers.
My best friend and most precious thing in this world died earlier this year, and I will never get over it, but I will love her forever. Your tribulations with Mr. Pirate mirror mine
What you're saying about monitoring pets and their behavior is so important! I have a rabbit and I was showing my friend who wants a rabbit how I take care of mine - her jaw is misaligned so she doesn't wear down her teeth evenly, and every year needs a dental trim. My friend was shocked at how subtle her pain had been, and how much she flourished once the anesthesia grogginess wore off. I wouldn't notice if I weren't closely observing her behavior and noticing that she was steadily losing more and more patience with cheek and nose squishies.
Absolutely. Super common problem in rabbits. We probably trim rabbit teeth at least once or twice a week. I'd say its rare to go for a full year between trims. Most rabbits need it after 3-4 months. This is where weekly weigh-ins are really important since you can notice the rise and then drop in weight after a molar trim as the patient is pain free and eats more, and then the molars start to overgrow and impede function. Good idea to go for another trim if the weight drops 5-10% or more.
So happy about your daughter! Unfortunately, my cat Puff passed away while you were off TH-cam. She had IBD and lymphoma and probably also had untreated diabetes from the effects of her steroid medication. She was 12 and we had to euthanize her. She had lived with IBD for 3 years. We took as good care of her as we could. But your videos really helped when she was still around. My other cat Jack-Jack (her brother) is still alive and very well. He turns 13 this year and literally has zero health conditions, is up to date on all his vaccines, and doesn't act elderly at all- he's still in the prime of his life! He could easily live to be 20. Puff on the other hand was an old lady from the moment she got sick. Goes to show you how different aging can manifest from cat to cat (and human to human)!
Mr Pirate genuinely loves you so much! He is so clever and knows to put his paws on the chair and stand still while receiving the re-hydration treatment. Looks amazingly great for a 20 years old cat, thanks to a devoted pet-parent.
I really want to encourage people to get specialist ultrasounds ASAP if they have a cat that vomits often! My cat always tested perfectly healthy (blood/urine/physical) even though she vomited at least 1 time a week after eating. One day she simply could no longer eat, and there wasn't enough time, money, nor expertise in my reach to save her. It was beyond heartbreaking as she was the absolute cutest and best creature ever.
I second that motion! An ultrasound is absolutely the logical next step if you have a vomiting patient with unremarkable labs. Xrays are also a good idea, though in cats, if I had to pick one of the two, I'd pick ultrasound by someone who really knows how to scan.
You and your channel remind me so much of my neighbor who recently passed away from cancer. He was a huge cat lover and devoted himself to caring for strays in the neighborhood. I might have cried a bit whilst watching :') I'm so happy that Mr Pirate is doing well! He's a wonderful cat and has the best owner he could ever have!
Pirate looks so good! A perfect advert for appropriate care! I have a 16 year old tabby with heart failure and she is losing weight. 18 months since diagnosis and I am loving every day with her. Thanks for reminding me to treasure our time together and not fixate on the inevitable 💖
You're such a great caregiver, it's easy to understand how Mr. Pirate has made it to 20 years and still going strong! I lost my kitty last October after a year-long battle with lymphoma. It was thanks to the wonderful team at and Dr. Choy at Seattle Veterinary Specialist / Blue Pearl Oncology that we were able to provide that much additional time to her life. She lived to be 15 years. She started developing symptoms around August of 2021, and due to covid, it was a huge challenge finding local veterinarians to see her in less than a months wait. I must say I hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary early on, but that was likely because she hid her symptoms well. I first noticed her loss of appetite though, I tried to get her to an exam as soon as I could, but it took a month before anyone would see her. When she was seen, the diagnosis was she had a thyroid issue based on blood work. After a couple of weeks of treatment for the thyroid issue, she wasn't showing an improved appetite and was definitely losing weight, so I tried to get her into her regular vet, but it was another month out. By the time they were able to see her, she had lost significant weight, was dehydrated, and most of her blood values were skewed negative, including developing kidney disease. Her vet didn't have certain testing apparatus - CT/MRI/Ultrasound, and referred me to a specialist to perform these imaging tests. Another month plus of regular oral meds - which she struggled mightily against - finally on December 24, she had an abdominal ultrasound, which revealed the carcinoma. By this time her regular vet referred me to cancer treatment, and for the next 10 months, we made the trip to her Oncologist Dr. Choy for chemo. She did very well, even though her starting prognosis was grave at best, and her and I persevered through the course of treatment. She responded very well and after about 10 weeks, was eating regularly, put on weight, and even had a case of the "zoomies" around the house. Unfortunately though the cancer was persistent and symply could not be halted, and by her final 2 weeks of life, hospice was the only treatment we could offer her. I've had several cats over the course of my life, with one making it to 23 years. Most made it to about 15 years. The cost of life extending treatment is significant, and it's understandable when people can't afford to pay such large healthcare bills. There are a few options for insurance and maybe financing. I was quite lucky to have the financial wherewithal to afford extended chemo and weekly visits to a specialist. At this point in my life, I am old enough that any cat I may get could outlive me. I'm fearful of that, and saying goodbye to so many of my most precious friends has taken a toll. I don't expect to have another pet, but for those who do, they are worth every effort you can make to see to their good health and long life. It is about the love you give that is returned back to you.
Hi, I too am older and not sure I can go thru more loss of dear cat family. I’ve lost the last three cats at ages 10.5-11.5 years. Kinda on young side. A brother and sister, both of cancer and now I have one cat left, the brother of the kitty I lost 2 mo ago. They were bonded brothers, so incredibly close, like nothing I’ve ever seen. In my life I had another cat who lived to 20, and one to 16. But after my kitty now goes, and I hope he’s here a long long time, but last three went before age 12, so we’ll see, but he may be my last. Frankly I can’t take any more heartache ! I love Vancouver Vet. I learn a lot. I have a great vet, too.
I'm so grateful to you for all your older cat health videos. I first started focusing on this when I realized my cat had started developing arthritis at age 10. She's always been one of those cats who struggles a lot at the vet (she goes full demon even at cat-friendly vet offices!), so I went several years without taking her to the vet. But you talking so much about the sneaky ways things can crop up got me to compromise and start taking her once a year. Last year, when she was 14, I noticed she was eating more slowly than usual, so I scooted her annual up a bit sooner, just in case. That day, the vet said she was as healthy as a much younger cat... but when her blood and urine work came back, she had the beginnings of kidney failure! Because of your videos, I was already intellectually prepared for this. We acted quickly and have been doing sub-q fluids and a few other things for over a year now and she is doing fantastic. Thank you for your videos - I know she's doing as well as she is today in part because of your content. ❤
Congratulations on your new baby daughter - Mazel Tov! Glad to see Mr. Pirate looking happy and well. I got a kick out of the "Mr. Pirate Burstyn" on his chart.
I am very happy that Mr. Pirate is well. He is magnificent. He's lucky to have you. Your love of animals and your kindness shine through your videos. They have helped me a lot and they are valuable additional tools to ensure the well-being of my beautiful 18-year-old cat Cleo who has health issues.🌷
Aww he’s a lovely little old man 💚 my cat is 7 now and he still acts like he’s a kitten. No health problems at all (except his weight because he’s *very* obsessed with food). I love watching these because it tells me what to look out for when my boy gets older. I’m a human doctor but having a cat made me realise that cats would rather suffer in silence than ever ask for help if they can help it. Hardy little buggers.
7 is a young cat 🙂 but you're absolutely right about cats not asking for help. As middle of the food chain predators, they have a strong masking instinct, much like herbivores, which drives them to hide any signs of illness. I think you'll like my "How to tell if a cat is sick" video: th-cam.com/video/1vpWeKLlUMg/w-d-xo.html
Awe, it makes me happy to see Mr. Pirate so healthy at age 20! My kitty turned 19 this April and has his own trio of disorders... Asthma, CKD, and intestinal lymphoma. I worry every day about how much longer he has left, but you're right that we should focus on the positives and happiness we have now. 😊
My cat, Echo, diagnosed with Stage 2 CKD in March 2019, wouldn't eat ANY of the main brand kidney diets. I read several recent papers by various University veterinarian professors who had done multiple studies and determined that limiting protein is not the correct approach because protein is not the problem, it's the phosporous primarily. Echo was given 2 years to live. I found two dry foods made by Young Again, Zero Mature and Zero Mature LID foods that are high in protein (54%) and low in phosphorous (0.50%). She loves the food. I also added a kidney support supplement made by Only Natural Pet and always add extra water to her wet food so she gets enough hydration. As a result of these two things, I believe, Echo has now lived over 2 years beyond her expected expiry date. She is now 17 1/2 years old and doing great for her age.
Congratulation on your baby girl! Thank you for this video. Im glad to see Mr. Pirate living well at the ripe age of 20❤. My cats passed at ages 15 and 13, from rectal cancer and hemangiosarcoma:(. My older cat had diabetes and IBD and your videos were helpful in taking care of him.
My three legged cat has been on solensia for a month and she's responded really well to it. She runs and plays and jumps up to her favorite spots again. It's pricey but worth it for the improvement to her quality of life.
Im doing the monthly solensia injections for my geriatric cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that can’t have other pain meds. So far I think it is working. This cat was dumped in the desert last year to die. We happened to find her.
I'm so happy, I'm no vet but he looks good to me. The shop cat in the local shoe shop is over 20 now and he is good condition too. Not as mobile as he used to be and doesn't greet customers in the way he used to.
Thank you Doctor Uri for all the knowledge sharing! My kitty was recently diagnosed with kidney desease, which is really taking a toll on our family now, given that he's only 6yo :( We're doing the best we can for him and after a month of IVs, medicine and diet monitoring he's definitely feeling better and finally gaining some weight! Seeing these things talked about in detail really gives a more optimistic perspective, as compared to the initial diagnosis which can seem incredibly scary. We were lucky to notice that something's wrong really early on, but I won't forget how many times I heard that I'm overreacting and he'll be fine in time on his own... Monitoring is so SO important and I wish more people would realise that this is the foundation of being a responsible pet owner. Happy to see Mr. Pirate doing so well! Thank you for all that you do here on YT :)
Thank you for this. I care for a lovely 21 yo who's hyperthyroid, CKD, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and more. I'm willing to do what's needed for her to have the best quality life with her days remaining. The biggest challenge by far has been trying to find professional veterinary practitioners with the time, knowledge of these medical conditions, and experience with geriatric cats. I often feel that I'm on my own, forced to navigate these complex issues without appropriate professional guidance. I'm having to advocate for my girl constantly, even though the value of her life and experience should be self-evident. Maybe this is just a U.S. thing, but there is some kind of major disconnect between the medical support needed for veterinary patients, and what practitioners are able or willing to provide.
I was holding my breath when I saw the first words, "Mr Pirate..." I was SO relieved to hear he's doing well. I am in love with his sweet face! You have done the most amazing job with taking the best care of this Dearest Cat! You two have had the best friendship ever. Sincere Congratulations on the new addition to your happy family!
I adore my cat . She is 10 and has hyperthyroidism. I give her medication and go to all vet appointments but when crap hits the fan I can’t afford to pay for a long sickness. Mr Pirate having you right there and trained in caring for him 24/7 is wonderful but not attainable for the rest of us. Breaks my heart.
Mr. Pirate looks so serene, and sweet. He is so peaceful, obviously comfortable. Beautiful boy. I have to say, you are one helluva Vet! I have so much respect for what all you do for cats. Details, details, details--it all matters to you. Very hard to find a Vet of your caliber where I live. That's one of the biggest reasons I haven't adopted another kitty. Your point about monitoring is eye opening, particularly as your cat gets older. Wise advice. That was how I knew my cat was dying--loss of weight, during the height of Covid, no less. Thank you, Doc. I wish you much happiness with your new baby daughter and you deserve it for all you do. 👏👏👏🌹
Hello Dr. Uri. Happy to see Mr. Pirate again (as well as Clawdia). Such a sweet cat who deserves the best of care. Hope he continues to have a stable and enjoyable life. Twenty years is a huge milestone and again really happy that he seems to be doing so well.
So glad Mr Pirate is still going, Have been with you for many years. He sure loves you. I can tell. Husband and I have raised over 20 wonderful special cats in our 43 years. We have been so lucky to have these guys in our lives. Most live to old age. Tuddball a Siamese made 23 years. Most made 15 to 18. My sweetest baby died from breast cancer at 7, she was a stray. And we had her fixed. It about killed me to. Couldn’t live without cats all are special in their own way. Your advice is great. Wish we had you 40 years ago.
Congratulations on become a parent. Adventures ahead. Amazing your cat is doing so well. Self-care only done by humans for pets is key. Mr. Pirate is a shining example.
Mr. Pirate is so trusting of you. Him just cooperating and mounting lovingly while you gave him fluids shows he knows you're helping him. As always, thank you for the tips and education on stuff as well. Lost my cats between your last video and now, but I still appreciate the helpful info and tips.
Congratulations 🎉 Mr. Pirate on your little sister and your improving health. Dr. Uri also helped me take care of my older cat 🐈⬛️. Wishing you all the very best from England 🏴 🍻
I was just thinking about Mr. Pirate and decided to take a peek at your channel to see if there were updates. What perfect timing! I'm glad he's doing well and congrats on the new addition to the family!
Your relationship with Mr Pirate is beautiful and the love you feel for your cat (and his love for you) is so palpable it brings happy tears to my eyes. My cat is currently some 14 years old and your videos help me so much. You're the kind of human being that makes the world a better place.
Congrats to you and your wife on the arrival of your daughter, and many thanks for this update! My cat is 19 and has been through a similar journey as Mr. Pirate with the same ailments: IBD, UTIs, thyroid, pancreatitis, etc... I've learned how to care for her better through your videos and it's reassuring to know we're doing all we can for her health and well-being. (And our cat has been on Solensia for a few months, too. It's been terrific for making her more comfortable and adding more spring to her steps!)
Thank You! My senior cat was given 7 days antibiotics for UTI. When the results showed she still had it after antibiotics my vet said she could live with it! I am going to reapproach next week. Maybe a different doctor. Great information on your channel. It is more than amazing to see the positive results in sweet Mr Pirate. He is so loved! ❤
If your vet doesn’t seem as committed to your cat’s health and well being, get another vet. A really dedicated experienced medical professional you can trust is the best asset, after you, your kitty can have.
My 15 year old Maine Coon has been on monthly Solensia injections for over a year, its really helped managing his painful Arthritis. Thankfully his insurer covers most of the cost. I would urge anyone to get good insurance that covers ongoing conditions!!
So glad to see that Pirate is doing good ❤ And Claudia being cuddly with Pirate is so cute. Our 16-year-old kitty had stage 3 renal disease, IBD and high blood pressure and we gave him sub Q fluids at home every day or every other day as the vet recommended, renal medicine, renal (and single protein for IBD) veterinary diet. Took him to the vet for many rounds of IV fluids and additional care almost every 2 weeks. Sadly, we tried so hard and I am not sure what we did wrong, but we lost him after only half a year.
Thank you so much for sharing all this valuable information with us! Clawdia and Mr. Pirate are so blessed to have you! Clawdia sneaking on top of Mr. Pirate was adorable! I've had many senior cats over the years and I have never had one that was so easy to give Sub-Q fluids than Mr. Pirate. We love all of you and congratulations on the new baby!
He looks great at 20. I had a kitty who needed fluids like that. Broke my heart to do it. I would never put any of my animals through that again. It was horrible experience. Mine are on c/k from science diet and royal canin has a kidney disease one that they get. Sadly 24 cans at 76.00!!! I cant afford this. It will be my last animals. 1 cat cost me 7k for hospital visit, night stay and gazillion tests to tell us what we knew. Kidney disease.
I was actually just checking a day or two ago to see if Mr. Pirate was doing alright! So thank you for the update, I'm glad he's doing well, and congrats to you and your wife!
I watched your old video while you were struggling with one of his crisis. I was struggling with Misha's crisis too. Your made it... We didn't. My sweet Misha left me on Nov 25. He hadn't turned 19 yet. My life without him is misery. I really envy you.. and I hope you'll have him for a very long time. He's the sweetest (but Misha was sweeter).❤
We lost our Caesar a few months ago at just over 19. A lot of what you described rings true. I have to thank you for your video about giving a cat liquid medication. I was very nervous about doing that for Caesar, but your video made it much easier to start. By the time it was time for him, I felt like and old hand at it. I'm sure it helped his last couple years quite a bit knowing how to do it without getting both of us super stressed. I am very glad I found your channel. Again, thanks for the great information.
Thank you for making videos and information about elder cats. I scavenged the internet for what to do for an old cat. This is such a nice time in a cat's life, but it takes work and new things to pay attention regularly for. My cat passed away last November at 19. She had kidney disease and constipation. She had special food and an appetite motivator that applied topically to her ear. We also put in an over the counter product in to help ease her arthritis. Had basic check ups every 3-6 months. Kept her with as much weight as possible grazing she always had food. Had it heated it up often to be stinky and tempting. Also weighed her myself often so it didn't sneak down. Play was still important. It turned more into an entertainment dance by me that she'd watch with excitement until she dozed or got hungry. Litter turned into a very shallow tray and pee pad with soft litter for her gentle limbs. We made sure all the beds and items had either steps or a ramp up and heated beds. Food and water were in a couple places and she basically lived in one room and explored when she felt like it. She loved water glasses for some reason so we got little kid water cups for her. The biggest hurdle with the vet was I really didn't train her in heavy handling or not worrying about car rides so they were stressful for her. Granted she started as a kitten semi-feral lost in a hoarder house and she never fought with being handled with biting or scratching, it was just very stressful with hiding and shaking. At the end we were just starting up the hydration bag treatment, but she had dropped a week after the first. My vet was kind and gave her another dose and some B vitamins and pain treatment so I could contact another service that would take care of her at home for the final day. It went really well. I wouldn't trade any of the end years of daily special food prep and brushing and all. Beginning to end it's well worth it.
it’s amazing to see a 20 years old cat looking so well! health issues are normal for an elderly body, being cared that well it’s the thing! I hope I can provide this to my babies, Blank once was poisoned and I’ve done everything I could to save her, and I feel so proud that not only she survived a severe kidney acute failure after having to go though dialysis, but her kidneys recovered fully. All the love that she gives me, I feel that at least I was able to do this for her…
Congratulations to you and your wife on the arrival of your daughter and to Mr. Pirate for reaching his 20th year. I told my Ginger he had to live to 20 but sadly had to put him down at 18yo, he had previously been brought back to health on fluids a few times, it's areal loss when they go, I hope Mr. Pirate continues to look the picture of health for years to come, always look forward to your great videos.
Omg both of them in the basket 😍 but congrats! Also love how informative your content is! I plan to get a cat next year, when I have a more stable environment and full-time gig so I can support them in the best way they need!
Wow, he does look amazing for 20 years old! My senior kitty is about 15 now and not doing great. Isn't Clawdia so sweet though, cuddling and grooming Mr. Pirate! I'm dying of the cuteness!
Love You Mr. Pirate! ❤ Sanchez (17 yr old tabby) and his Momma from the Bronx....are sending you all the healing vibes and tons of luvvies, you sweet boy!
20? That's amazing. Our little old lady lived to be 17 (I got quite savvy with giving her subcutaneous fluids but she never sat there for it like Mr. Pirate). We've been feeding a senior stray for some years now. She's has a beautiful fluffy white coat that makes her look bigger than she is. She's actually quite thin and bony (took years to pet her), so much so I'm starting to worry about her health. We've switched to feeding her wet food which she really seems to appreciate. Any tips on elderly stay cat care is appreciated.
I love your sweet loving relationship with your cats, especially Mr. Pirate ❤️ I laughed when Clawdia sat right on him 😅 I have 2 cats, 4 and 8 years old, and the younger one will sit right on the older one and then start grooming him. ❤ My little dog is a super senior (15 years old) and what you said about getting down on the floor if they can't come up to you really resonated. He can't walk as far but we can still sit on the beach together! He can't see or hear as well, but he still loves car rides! There's still so much you can do with pets even as they age!
I can't thank all of your who are leaving Mazel Tovs and congratulations, so please accept a collective thanks here. Cim and I really appreciate all your kind wishes!
You are very welcome . Blessings
mr pirate is a very good boy i hope you give him plently kisses
You're my favourite vet and I don't even have a pet! 😆 All the best with parenting (both the kitty and the human).
Enjoy your baby girl! So happy for you!
MHERR PUHREAHTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
"... he's having a drink off screen." Sounds like he's having a little bourbon.
Pirates drink Rum
This made me laugh!
😂😂😂
Purrbon
@@HelpfulVancouverVet Me too!
Thank goodness the news is good. I was worried for a moment.
Edit: Poor Mr. Pirate. All those health problems piled on all at once. He’s BEAUTIFUL and it’s amazing he’s 20 years old. I love him.
I actually think this means prevention has been being done so well that it had fended off all the "elderly cat" problems for so long. Senescence is inevitable, but at least we can make the cat feel less uneasy and actually pass his days with nearly no pain.
You're both right :-). We held them off as long as we could, but when it rains, it pours.
@@HelpfulVancouverVet
Speaking of prevention ...
Do you have a video on dental cleaning?
And what alternatives are there to having to use general anesthesia for cleanings?
Specifically:
I recently saw a service advertised here in California to do dental cleanings without anesthesia. I'm wondering how that works?
And I also recently heard of a prescription, low calorie kibble for cats, meant to cause them to crunch the large sized kibble to help remove tartar buildup.
My current kitty, Nikita, is a non chewer.
She tends to swallow her dry food pieces whole.
I've never successfully accomplished acceptance of routine toothbrushing.
First, glad you are back. I and my 17 year old, Charlie, appreciate you. And second, Congratulations on both your new little girl, and your much older guy "kittie"'s triumphs.
@@RLaraMoore They have done a video where they mention the tooth cleaning without anesthesia before, don't remember the name off the top of my head at the moment but you should find it if you search, but they basically say that it is impossible to do tooth cleaning without the use of general anesthesia, at least not in any humane way. A video about dental cleaning by them that ive watched before is called "Cat and Dog dental cleaning - what you need to know" but i don't think that is the one that mentions the doing it without anesthesia. Hope this helps!
Watching Mr. Pirate gazing so lovingly at you while getting fluids, warms my heart. And then when the fluids are removed, and he climbs up to your shoulder and kisses you repeatedly, it's so precious and adorable. I hope you both have many more years of love and happiness together 🐱❤️
He does love shoulder rides! It's a better reward than a treat for him. Very convenient!
what is your dog kibble recommendation?@@HelpfulVancouverVet
Thank you Donna, you expressed exactly what i was feeling too.
The first black cat I adopted lived to 22. In her last year, I gave subcutaneous fluids frequently. I did my part to repay her for her companionship. She was excellent adjunct therapy for depression.
I now buy cat insurance with a high deductible. For about $200 a year, I don't have to worry about money if something CATastrophic happens. I pay for regular care to keep the premium low.
Do I have a cat? No. Did I watch this whole video? Yes
My mom is in long-term care with dementia. She has a close relationship with the resident cat. It is my pleasure to pay for vet care for that cat because he (Simon) is the best ever.
That is incredibly sweet! I am sure Simon is a great help to the folks living there.
Cats should be standard in old peoples homes. Provided they're not horribly allergic ofc, talk about a calming and amusing influence ❤
Wow, Mr. Pirate is the healthiest 20-year old cat I think I've ever seen! It's beyond impressive how well he's been treated, and you can see how comfortable he is, even with the injections. You're a good man!
my baby girl Sammy is now 29 years old I adopted her in 1994 at 2 months old. My vet thinks shes immortal! Shes never been sick She has some arthritis in her hip now and she gets her monthly injections like Mr. Pirate, shes on her 6th month,so far so good. I have started sub Q fluids now. I love your videos, and Mr. Pirate is beautiful, you are a great dad.
Mr Pirate is one of the luckiest cats in the world ❤
True. I am one of the luckiest humans in the world to have him live with me :-)
Cute chonky kitty!
I’m so glad Mr. Pirate is doing well at 20 years old! I have my senior soulmate kitty Bobo Buddy and he’s due to go to the vet very soon. I always get so nervous when he must be put under anesthesia! Please say a prayer for my sweet baby boy! Thank you for all your helpful information! 😻🙏❤️
Prayers for your Bobo Buddy! 💙🐾🙏❤
@@PennySue Thank you so very much Penny Sue!!!!
🙏🙏🙏
Omg that video of him ever so patiently getting his fluids in his perfect little pose is one of the absolute best and most wholesome things I've ever seen on the interweb!
His little paws when you give him the fluids 😭😭
Right? He just does that! Angling for a shoulder ride, I think.
I saw that too! When I had a senior I adopted, I had to give him SQ fluids. Cooperative, but not nearly as cooperative as Pirate.
Thank you for the instructions on how to pill a cat, and how to give a cat injections! We've been using those techniques for a year now, and that's how we kept our Electra's (Snowshoe) small cell lymphoma under control.
Mr. Pirate looks at you so lovingly, complete trust and PURE LOVE in his eyes! Congrats on your new baby girl AND Mr. Pirate's health!!! My sweet Aby cat almost 15 yrs has benefited from Rx renal diet, IBS treatment with budesonide and most recently hip and elbow arthritis given Solensia. Her first injection was just a week ago and I saw improvement in just 2 days! Now a week out she's like age 10! Also UTIs were helped with cranberry extract and Lysine supplements. We're both SO much happier!
Very valuable information!
Of the many cats I've had, my last four cats lived 17, 20, 18 and 15 years.
One had to live at the veterinary hospital as he had a systemic cancer and was on chemotherapy treatments. For him, I opted to work there so I could be with him every day. I worked the graveyard shift and we enjoyed lots of cuddle time together in the break lounge watching TV throughout the nights.
The others I hospiced at home.
They enjoyed supervised lounging in the warm sun outside and had priority use of my bed. It's always hard when they leave us, but they are each so deserving of the love and commitment to making their lives as happy and as comfortable as possible.
They are all God given kitties after all.
🙏💖
Oh my you were a god given caretaker to them, especially when you worked at the clinic ❤😢
Mr Pirate hit the jackpot having you as his personal Doctor.
The look in his eyes while you were giving him fluids had pure trust in them. And the little kitty kisses after were the kisses of gratitude. Thank you for sharing your sweet kitty with us.
Congratulations to you and your wife! It is good to see that Mr. Pirate and Claudia are doing well. You have been missed, but great video to return with.
Thank you!
Note:
Be attentive to grooming!
Cats feel better when they are clean, and they can't groom themselves as they would like to.
Especially important is to keep the claws clipped so they do not snag and pull on things. If the cat is feeble and suffering arthritis, catching a paw can be incredibly painful, especially if they can't unhook themselves and strain themselves trying.
And offer ramps, so they don't try to jump up to perches and window sills that they can no longer manage without falling.
Very important!
I learned that the hard way. Our old, senior family cat (19 y/o) ended up catching his claws and dislocated his shoulder. I came downstairs one morning to find him sprawled on the floor with one front leg facing backwards, meaning his paw pads were facing up. NOT a great memory.
@@user-qr8ki8ue4i
I'm so sorry.
Not your fault!
and you were there for you cat as soon as you could be.
We all have in common that this side of Heaven is only temporary.
Your kitty knew they were loved.
Your kitty would not be thinking their human caused it to happen....
(which you did not)
Your kitty would be knowing you were there to care for and comfort them.
Your kitty knew your love.
🙏🕊️💞
@@RLaraMoore Thank you! Yeah, he trusted me big time. We were definitely two peas in a pod. I'll never forget our "last trip" to the vet. He laid on the table and wrapped his little paw around my finger while we said goodbye to each other.
@@user-qr8ki8ue4i
It's the last gift of love we can give.
letting them know they are loved.
💖
In the latter half of the video, Mr. Pirate looked so incredibly relaxed! Even with the naughty naughty Clawdia curling up with him and giving him a bath, lol. Clearly these two are good friends.
In Pirat's eyes you can see pure unconditional love and total trust!!!! ❤❤❤
Glad Mr. Pirate is well!
we love you mr pirate :)
In August 2021 i had to say goodbye to my 20 yo Lila. I admire your dedication and knowledge in veterinary, sweet Mr. Pirate is in good hands. Right now I have 12 yo male cat, it is drinking a lots of water and pee like 6-8 times a day. I know his kidneys are failing, hope that it won't stop him to be my best companion. Cheers.
Congratulations on the addition to the family!
And Mr Pirate looks great! Way to go!
My best friend and most precious thing in this world died earlier this year, and I will never get over it, but I will love her forever. Your tribulations with Mr. Pirate mirror mine
What you're saying about monitoring pets and their behavior is so important! I have a rabbit and I was showing my friend who wants a rabbit how I take care of mine - her jaw is misaligned so she doesn't wear down her teeth evenly, and every year needs a dental trim. My friend was shocked at how subtle her pain had been, and how much she flourished once the anesthesia grogginess wore off. I wouldn't notice if I weren't closely observing her behavior and noticing that she was steadily losing more and more patience with cheek and nose squishies.
Absolutely. Super common problem in rabbits. We probably trim rabbit teeth at least once or twice a week. I'd say its rare to go for a full year between trims. Most rabbits need it after 3-4 months. This is where weekly weigh-ins are really important since you can notice the rise and then drop in weight after a molar trim as the patient is pain free and eats more, and then the molars start to overgrow and impede function. Good idea to go for another trim if the weight drops 5-10% or more.
So happy about your daughter! Unfortunately, my cat Puff passed away while you were off TH-cam. She had IBD and lymphoma and probably also had untreated diabetes from the effects of her steroid medication. She was 12 and we had to euthanize her. She had lived with IBD for 3 years. We took as good care of her as we could. But your videos really helped when she was still around.
My other cat Jack-Jack (her brother) is still alive and very well. He turns 13 this year and literally has zero health conditions, is up to date on all his vaccines, and doesn't act elderly at all- he's still in the prime of his life! He could easily live to be 20. Puff on the other hand was an old lady from the moment she got sick. Goes to show you how different aging can manifest from cat to cat (and human to human)!
Mr Pirate genuinely loves you so much! He is so clever and knows to put his paws on the chair and stand still while receiving the re-hydration treatment. Looks amazingly great for a 20 years old cat, thanks to a devoted pet-parent.
He is the best 😍
Mr. Pirate and your daughter are the luckiest babes to have such an attentive and dedicated pop!
I really want to encourage people to get specialist ultrasounds ASAP if they have a cat that vomits often! My cat always tested perfectly healthy (blood/urine/physical) even though she vomited at least 1 time a week after eating. One day she simply could no longer eat, and there wasn't enough time, money, nor expertise in my reach to save her. It was beyond heartbreaking as she was the absolute cutest and best creature ever.
I second that motion! An ultrasound is absolutely the logical next step if you have a vomiting patient with unremarkable labs. Xrays are also a good idea, though in cats, if I had to pick one of the two, I'd pick ultrasound by someone who really knows how to scan.
@@HelpfulVancouverVet I wish I knew it sooner! I never thought much about the occasional vomiting until it became an emergency situation.
When a cat has better healthcare than me
You and your channel remind me so much of my neighbor who recently passed away from cancer. He was a huge cat lover and devoted himself to caring for strays in the neighborhood. I might have cried a bit whilst watching :') I'm so happy that Mr Pirate is doing well! He's a wonderful cat and has the best owner he could ever have!
Pirate looks so good! A perfect advert for appropriate care! I have a 16 year old tabby with heart failure and she is losing weight. 18 months since diagnosis and I am loving every day with her. Thanks for reminding me to treasure our time together and not fixate on the inevitable 💖
Aww they're so cute! I like how Clawdia cuddles with Mr. Pirate.
What a patient kitty. He is so sweet, and his eyes are beautiful! I'm so glad he's doing well!
You're such a great caregiver, it's easy to understand how Mr. Pirate has made it to 20 years and still going strong!
I lost my kitty last October after a year-long battle with lymphoma. It was thanks to the wonderful team at and Dr. Choy at Seattle Veterinary Specialist / Blue Pearl Oncology that we were able to provide that much additional time to her life. She lived to be 15 years.
She started developing symptoms around August of 2021, and due to covid, it was a huge challenge finding local veterinarians to see her in less than a months wait. I must say I hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary early on, but that was likely because she hid her symptoms well. I first noticed her loss of appetite though, I tried to get her to an exam as soon as I could, but it took a month before anyone would see her. When she was seen, the diagnosis was she had a thyroid issue based on blood work. After a couple of weeks of treatment for the thyroid issue, she wasn't showing an improved appetite and was definitely losing weight, so I tried to get her into her regular vet, but it was another month out. By the time they were able to see her, she had lost significant weight, was dehydrated, and most of her blood values were skewed negative, including developing kidney disease. Her vet didn't have certain testing apparatus - CT/MRI/Ultrasound, and referred me to a specialist to perform these imaging tests. Another month plus of regular oral meds - which she struggled mightily against - finally on December 24, she had an abdominal ultrasound, which revealed the carcinoma.
By this time her regular vet referred me to cancer treatment, and for the next 10 months, we made the trip to her Oncologist Dr. Choy for chemo.
She did very well, even though her starting prognosis was grave at best, and her and I persevered through the course of treatment. She responded very well and after about 10 weeks, was eating regularly, put on weight, and even had a case of the "zoomies" around the house. Unfortunately though the cancer was persistent and symply could not be halted, and by her final 2 weeks of life, hospice was the only treatment we could offer her.
I've had several cats over the course of my life, with one making it to 23 years. Most made it to about 15 years. The cost of life extending treatment is significant, and it's understandable when people can't afford to pay such large healthcare bills. There are a few options for insurance and maybe financing. I was quite lucky to have the financial wherewithal to afford extended chemo and weekly visits to a specialist.
At this point in my life, I am old enough that any cat I may get could outlive me. I'm fearful of that, and saying goodbye to so many of my most precious friends has taken a toll. I don't expect to have another pet, but for those who do, they are worth every effort you can make to see to their good health and long life.
It is about the love you give that is returned back to you.
Consider working with a rescue to care for a senior pet or two.
Hi, I too am older and not sure I can go thru more loss of dear cat family. I’ve lost the last three cats at ages 10.5-11.5 years. Kinda on young side. A brother and sister, both of cancer and now I have one cat left, the brother of the kitty I lost 2 mo ago. They were bonded brothers, so incredibly close, like nothing I’ve ever seen. In my life I had another cat who lived to 20, and one to 16. But after my kitty now goes, and I hope he’s here a long long time, but last three went before age 12, so we’ll see, but he may be my last. Frankly I can’t take any more heartache ! I love Vancouver Vet. I learn a lot. I have a great vet, too.
I'm so grateful to you for all your older cat health videos. I first started focusing on this when I realized my cat had started developing arthritis at age 10. She's always been one of those cats who struggles a lot at the vet (she goes full demon even at cat-friendly vet offices!), so I went several years without taking her to the vet. But you talking so much about the sneaky ways things can crop up got me to compromise and start taking her once a year. Last year, when she was 14, I noticed she was eating more slowly than usual, so I scooted her annual up a bit sooner, just in case. That day, the vet said she was as healthy as a much younger cat... but when her blood and urine work came back, she had the beginnings of kidney failure! Because of your videos, I was already intellectually prepared for this. We acted quickly and have been doing sub-q fluids and a few other things for over a year now and she is doing fantastic. Thank you for your videos - I know she's doing as well as she is today in part because of your content. ❤
Congratulations on your new baby daughter - Mazel Tov! Glad to see Mr. Pirate looking happy and well. I got a kick out of the "Mr. Pirate Burstyn" on his chart.
Oh yeah, you should see his patient notes :-).
Congratulations on your new baby and the good health update for Mr Pirate! ❤. Glad to see a video from you!
The way Mr. Pirate loves you - wow.
I am very happy that Mr. Pirate is well. He is magnificent. He's lucky to have you. Your love of animals and your kindness shine through your videos. They have helped me a lot and they are valuable additional tools to ensure the well-being of my beautiful 18-year-old cat Cleo who has health issues.🌷
I'm lucky to have him too 🙂
Aww he’s a lovely little old man 💚 my cat is 7 now and he still acts like he’s a kitten. No health problems at all (except his weight because he’s *very* obsessed with food). I love watching these because it tells me what to look out for when my boy gets older.
I’m a human doctor but having a cat made me realise that cats would rather suffer in silence than ever ask for help if they can help it. Hardy little buggers.
7 is a young cat 🙂 but you're absolutely right about cats not asking for help. As middle of the food chain predators, they have a strong masking instinct, much like herbivores, which drives them to hide any signs of illness.
I think you'll like my "How to tell if a cat is sick" video: th-cam.com/video/1vpWeKLlUMg/w-d-xo.html
Awe, it makes me happy to see Mr. Pirate so healthy at age 20! My kitty turned 19 this April and has his own trio of disorders... Asthma, CKD, and intestinal lymphoma. I worry every day about how much longer he has left, but you're right that we should focus on the positives and happiness we have now. 😊
My cat, Echo, diagnosed with Stage 2 CKD in March 2019, wouldn't eat ANY of the main brand kidney diets. I read several recent papers by various University veterinarian professors who had done multiple studies and determined that limiting protein is not the correct approach because protein is not the problem, it's the phosporous primarily. Echo was given 2 years to live. I found two dry foods made by Young Again, Zero Mature and Zero Mature LID foods that are high in protein (54%) and low in phosphorous (0.50%). She loves the food. I also added a kidney support supplement made by Only Natural Pet and always add extra water to her wet food so she gets enough hydration.
As a result of these two things, I believe, Echo has now lived over 2 years beyond her expected expiry date. She is now 17 1/2 years old and doing great for her age.
Congratulation on your baby girl! Thank you for this video. Im glad to see Mr. Pirate living well at the ripe age of 20❤. My cats passed at ages 15 and 13, from rectal cancer and hemangiosarcoma:(. My older cat had diabetes and IBD and your videos were helpful in taking care of him.
My three legged cat has been on solensia for a month and she's responded really well to it. She runs and plays and jumps up to her favorite spots again. It's pricey but worth it for the improvement to her quality of life.
Im doing the monthly solensia injections for my geriatric cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that can’t have other pain meds. So far I think it is working. This cat was dumped in the desert last year to die. We happened to find her.
I'm so happy, I'm no vet but he looks good to me.
The shop cat in the local shoe shop is over 20 now and he is good condition too. Not as mobile as he used to be and doesn't greet customers in the way he used to.
Thank you Doctor Uri for all the knowledge sharing! My kitty was recently diagnosed with kidney desease, which is really taking a toll on our family now, given that he's only 6yo :( We're doing the best we can for him and after a month of IVs, medicine and diet monitoring he's definitely feeling better and finally gaining some weight! Seeing these things talked about in detail really gives a more optimistic perspective, as compared to the initial diagnosis which can seem incredibly scary. We were lucky to notice that something's wrong really early on, but I won't forget how many times I heard that I'm overreacting and he'll be fine in time on his own... Monitoring is so SO important and I wish more people would realise that this is the foundation of being a responsible pet owner. Happy to see Mr. Pirate doing so well! Thank you for all that you do here on YT :)
Thank you for this. I care for a lovely 21 yo who's hyperthyroid, CKD, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and more. I'm willing to do what's needed for her to have the best quality life with her days remaining. The biggest challenge by far has been trying to find professional veterinary practitioners with the time, knowledge of these medical conditions, and experience with geriatric cats. I often feel that I'm on my own, forced to navigate these complex issues without appropriate professional guidance. I'm having to advocate for my girl constantly, even though the value of her life and experience should be self-evident. Maybe this is just a U.S. thing, but there is some kind of major disconnect between the medical support needed for veterinary patients, and what practitioners are able or willing to provide.
I was holding my breath when I saw the first words, "Mr Pirate..." I was SO relieved to hear he's doing well. I am in love with his sweet face! You have done the most amazing job with taking the best care of this Dearest Cat! You two have had the best friendship ever. Sincere Congratulations on the new addition to your happy family!
I adore my cat . She is 10 and has hyperthyroidism. I give her medication and go to all vet appointments but when crap hits the fan I can’t afford to pay for a long sickness. Mr Pirate having you right there and trained in caring for him 24/7 is wonderful but not attainable for the rest of us. Breaks my heart.
Mr. Pirate looks so serene, and sweet. He is so peaceful, obviously comfortable. Beautiful boy.
I have to say, you are one helluva Vet! I have so much respect for what all you do for cats. Details, details, details--it all matters to you.
Very hard to find a Vet of your caliber where I live. That's one of the biggest reasons I haven't adopted another kitty.
Your point about monitoring is eye opening, particularly as your cat gets older. Wise advice. That was how I knew my cat was dying--loss of weight, during the height of Covid, no less.
Thank you, Doc.
I wish you much happiness with your new baby daughter and you deserve it for all you do. 👏👏👏🌹
Hello Dr. Uri. Happy to see Mr. Pirate again (as well as Clawdia). Such a sweet cat who deserves the best of care. Hope he continues to have a stable and enjoyable life. Twenty years is a huge milestone and again really happy that he seems to be doing so well.
So glad Mr Pirate is still going, Have been with you for many years. He sure loves you. I can tell. Husband and I have raised over 20 wonderful special cats in our 43 years. We have been so lucky to have these guys in our lives. Most live to old age. Tuddball a Siamese made 23 years. Most made 15 to 18. My sweetest baby died from breast cancer at 7, she was a stray. And we had her fixed. It about killed me to. Couldn’t live without cats all are special in their own way. Your advice is great. Wish we had you 40 years ago.
Mr Pirate looking fantastic for a 20yo. Still as adorable as ever
Congratulations on become a parent. Adventures ahead. Amazing your cat is doing so well. Self-care only done by humans for pets is key. Mr. Pirate is a shining example.
Mr. Pirate is so trusting of you. Him just cooperating and mounting lovingly while you gave him fluids shows he knows you're helping him.
As always, thank you for the tips and education on stuff as well. Lost my cats between your last video and now, but I still appreciate the helpful info and tips.
While I don’t have a senior cat at the moment, I definitely plan to keep her until she’s old af.
One of my favourite veterinary consultants always signs off with this quote:
"I plan to live forever. So far, so good."
Hit "like" before I even finished watching the video. So happy to know Mr. Pirate is doing awesome a year after!
Congrats, Dad and Mom! Our kitty is 9-ish so we’re facing the aging issues. Thanks and give Mr P a good scratch.
Congratulations 🎉 Mr. Pirate on your little sister and your improving health. Dr. Uri also helped me take care of my older cat 🐈⬛️. Wishing you all the very best from England 🏴 🍻
Cheers and thank you!
I was just thinking about Mr. Pirate and decided to take a peek at your channel to see if there were updates. What perfect timing! I'm glad he's doing well and congrats on the new addition to the family!
Thank you for thinking about us!
So happy to see Mr Pirate (and Clawdia!) Thank you for the update and congratulations on the birth of your daughter. 😊 Love from London 🇬🇧 💖
Your relationship with Mr Pirate is beautiful and the love you feel for your cat (and his love for you) is so palpable it brings happy tears to my eyes. My cat is currently some 14 years old and your videos help me so much. You're the kind of human being that makes the world a better place.
Congrats to you and your wife on the arrival of your daughter, and many thanks for this update! My cat is 19 and has been through a similar journey as Mr. Pirate with the same ailments: IBD, UTIs, thyroid, pancreatitis, etc... I've learned how to care for her better through your videos and it's reassuring to know we're doing all we can for her health and well-being. (And our cat has been on Solensia for a few months, too. It's been terrific for making her more comfortable and adding more spring to her steps!)
the senior cats are so precious and deserve the best care
Omg congratulations on your baby! Aww it’s good to see Mr. Pirate too. Too cute!
Thank You! My senior cat was given 7 days antibiotics for UTI. When the results showed she still had it after antibiotics my vet said she could live with it! I am going to reapproach next week. Maybe a different doctor. Great information on your channel. It is more than amazing to see the positive results in sweet Mr Pirate. He is so loved! ❤
Definitely find a different vet. Maybe also file a regulatory complaint because that is a patient-killing attitude.
If your vet doesn’t seem as committed to your cat’s health and well being, get another vet. A really dedicated experienced medical professional you can trust is the best asset, after you, your kitty can have.
Mr Pirate is lovely. He looks great for his age. I'm glad he is living a good life being taken care if so we'll.
My 15 year old Maine Coon has been on monthly Solensia injections for over a year, its really helped managing his painful Arthritis. Thankfully his insurer covers most of the cost. I would urge anyone to get good insurance that covers ongoing conditions!!
So glad to see that Pirate is doing good ❤ And Claudia being cuddly with Pirate is so cute.
Our 16-year-old kitty had stage 3 renal disease, IBD and high blood pressure and we gave him sub Q fluids at home every day or every other day as the vet recommended, renal medicine, renal (and single protein for IBD) veterinary diet. Took him to the vet for many rounds of IV fluids and additional care almost every 2 weeks. Sadly, we tried so hard and I am not sure what we did wrong, but we lost him after only half a year.
Thank you so much for sharing all this valuable information with us! Clawdia and Mr. Pirate are so blessed to have you! Clawdia sneaking on top of Mr. Pirate was adorable! I've had many senior cats over the years and I have never had one that was so easy to give Sub-Q fluids than Mr. Pirate. We love all of you and congratulations on the new baby!
You and Mr. Pirate have the most beautiful, heartwarming bond. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us!
He looks great at 20.
I had a kitty who needed fluids like that. Broke my heart to do it. I would never put any of my animals through that again. It was horrible experience.
Mine are on c/k from science diet and royal canin has a kidney disease one that they get.
Sadly 24 cans at 76.00!!!
I cant afford this. It will be my last animals.
1 cat cost me 7k for hospital visit, night stay and gazillion tests to tell us what we knew. Kidney disease.
Aw Mr. Pirate!!! I watched your videos when I first started RVT school and I always reference you for cat handling!!
This makes me so happy!
😭😭😭❤❤❤ how brave he is when you administer the fluids
So glad to see this distinguished elderly gentleman is doing well💕 we love Mr. Pirate✨️
I was actually just checking a day or two ago to see if Mr. Pirate was doing alright! So thank you for the update, I'm glad he's doing well, and congrats to you and your wife!
I watched your old video while you were struggling with one of his crisis. I was struggling with Misha's crisis too. Your made it... We didn't. My sweet Misha left me on Nov 25. He hadn't turned 19 yet. My life without him is misery. I really envy you.. and I hope you'll have him for a very long time. He's the sweetest (but Misha was sweeter).❤
Glad to hear Mr Pirate is doing well. Not seen a vid for a while so congratulations on the daughter!
We must protect this chubby codger at all costs
Congratulations on your new daughter and on Mr. Pirate’s improved health. Please keep up the good work.
We lost our Caesar a few months ago at just over 19. A lot of what you described rings true. I have to thank you for your video about giving a cat liquid medication. I was very nervous about doing that for Caesar, but your video made it much easier to start. By the time it was time for him, I felt like and old hand at it. I'm sure it helped his last couple years quite a bit knowing how to do it without getting both of us super stressed.
I am very glad I found your channel. Again, thanks for the great information.
Mr. Pirate is lucky to have you for sure. On the other hand, I'm sure his love and affection makes all your hard work/monitoring worthwhile.
My kitten of 17 years died the other day, and it is extremely painful. I never want another cat as long as I live because the pain is so bad.
Congratulations on your baby girl!!! 🎉 👨🍼So happy to hear good news caused your time away from YT! 🐈❤
So happy Mr Pirate is ok! 🥰
Thank you for making videos and information about elder cats. I scavenged the internet for what to do for an old cat. This is such a nice time in a cat's life, but it takes work and new things to pay attention regularly for.
My cat passed away last November at 19. She had kidney disease and constipation. She had special food and an appetite motivator that applied topically to her ear. We also put in an over the counter product in to help ease her arthritis.
Had basic check ups every 3-6 months. Kept her with as much weight as possible grazing she always had food. Had it heated it up often to be stinky and tempting. Also weighed her myself often so it didn't sneak down.
Play was still important. It turned more into an entertainment dance by me that she'd watch with excitement until she dozed or got hungry.
Litter turned into a very shallow tray and pee pad with soft litter for her gentle limbs.
We made sure all the beds and items had either steps or a ramp up and heated beds. Food and water were in a couple places and she basically lived in one room and explored when she felt like it. She loved water glasses for some reason so we got little kid water cups for her.
The biggest hurdle with the vet was I really didn't train her in heavy handling or not worrying about car rides so they were stressful for her. Granted she started as a kitten semi-feral lost in a hoarder house and she never fought with being handled with biting or scratching, it was just very stressful with hiding and shaking.
At the end we were just starting up the hydration bag treatment, but she had dropped a week after the first. My vet was kind and gave her another dose and some B vitamins and pain treatment so I could contact another service that would take care of her at home for the final day. It went really well.
I wouldn't trade any of the end years of daily special food prep and brushing and all. Beginning to end it's well worth it.
Glad to hear about the baby , so glad Mr. Pirate is doing good and glad your back doing videos . Take care.
it’s amazing to see a 20 years old cat looking so well! health issues are normal for an elderly body, being cared that well it’s the thing! I hope I can provide this to my babies, Blank once was poisoned and I’ve done everything I could to save her, and I feel so proud that not only she survived a severe kidney acute failure after having to go though dialysis, but her kidneys recovered fully. All the love that she gives me, I feel that at least I was able to do this for her…
Congratulations to you and your wife on the arrival of your daughter and to Mr. Pirate for reaching his 20th year. I told my Ginger he had to live to 20 but sadly had to put him down at 18yo, he had previously been brought back to health on fluids a few times, it's areal loss when they go, I hope Mr. Pirate continues to look the picture of health for years to come, always look forward to your great videos.
Omg both of them in the basket 😍 but congrats! Also love how informative your content is! I plan to get a cat next year, when I have a more stable environment and full-time gig so I can support them in the best way they need!
Wow, he does look amazing for 20 years old! My senior kitty is about 15 now and not doing great. Isn't Clawdia so sweet though, cuddling and grooming Mr. Pirate! I'm dying of the cuteness!
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter. I'm glad that Mr. Pirate is okay❤.
Love You Mr. Pirate! ❤ Sanchez (17 yr old tabby) and his Momma from the Bronx....are sending you all the healing vibes and tons of luvvies, you sweet boy!
20? That's amazing. Our little old lady lived to be 17 (I got quite savvy with giving her subcutaneous fluids but she never sat there for it like Mr. Pirate). We've been feeding a senior stray for some years now. She's has a beautiful fluffy white coat that makes her look bigger than she is. She's actually quite thin and bony (took years to pet her), so much so I'm starting to worry about her health. We've switched to feeding her wet food which she really seems to appreciate. Any tips on elderly stay cat care is appreciated.
Mr. Pirate, you are a handsome ol’ man! So glad you’re being so well cared for! ❤️
I love your sweet loving relationship with your cats, especially Mr. Pirate ❤️ I laughed when Clawdia sat right on him 😅 I have 2 cats, 4 and 8 years old, and the younger one will sit right on the older one and then start grooming him. ❤ My little dog is a super senior (15 years old) and what you said about getting down on the floor if they can't come up to you really resonated. He can't walk as far but we can still sit on the beach together! He can't see or hear as well, but he still loves car rides! There's still so much you can do with pets even as they age!