Conference misery::feline

    My childhood cat, Tabitha, who lives with my parents, is 17 and still
    going strong.  And she was an indoor/outdoor cat for most of her
    life... they began keeping her in when she showed signs of slowing down
    physically.  She's a tortie too... and they are known for their
    feistiness!!
    
    Here's to many more years for Alice!  You should ber very proud.
    

    My Jesse James was 19.5 when we lost him a few years ago.  He was very
    healthy up until the last few months.  He died of kidney failure.  I
    didn't notice any coat changes (he was a silver tabby), but he had lost
    a few teeth.  Other than that, his muscle tone was good, his bones were
    still solid, etc.
    
    We still miss him.
    
    Jo

    Congratulations to all these babies.  I'm curious as to what kinds
    of shots help kidney problems?
    

    They may be talking about sub-q fluids.  Fluids are often prescribed
    for cats with kidney problems.  Helps keep the kidneys flushed.
    
    Jo

    My sister took her 20 yr old cat, Kumquat (a.k.a. Kummy)
    to be put down this January....Three months before, Pumpkin
    who was 19, went the same trip....
    
    

    Well, Munchkin will be 20 in August, and even with all his assorted
    chronic ailments, is doing fine.  He's a tough guy!  I don't know about
    other breeds, but Siamese seem to live a very long life.  It's probably
    a combination of good genes (and a very large gene pool) and care. 
    
    Munch is a geriatric brat!
    

    
           congrats on the 18th birthday!
    
           My Ruby, a very robust Maine Coon was just 3 weeks shy of his
    19th birthday when he died of FELV.  He probably would have lived to
    be 100 if the disease did not somehow infiltrate our household.  He
    was very playful, and active.  Still loved going out in the garden with
    me.  Still ate steak (his favorite food).  Loved getting bombed on
    catnip.  He could still run extremely fast, his fur flying back in the
    breeze.  Still could jump up on the counter.  He had only lost a few
    teeth to show his age.  The FELV then got him and brought him down
    fast,  it was terrible to watch.  But I'm sure he would still be here
    if he hadn't gotten sick.  He died in DEC '88.
    
      Denise

    Some family friends have had Tom, an apple headed siamese for 22 years. 
    Last I heard he was rickety and slow going, but he still loves to ride
    in the car!  :-)
    
    Karen

    Hey, I can attest to Siamese living long lives.  Lea is at least 11 and
    shows absolutely no signs of aging.  My husband keeps telling me she is
    going to live to be at least 21 because her mission in life is to haunt
    me.  She is our mean cat that doesn't like anyone or anything (except
    going outside to get away).  She has used up all 9 lives and then some. 
    We have skid marks in our own driveway to prove this point - she ran
    right in front of my husbands' car a few weeks ago but drats, he
    missed!!!  Just kidding.  She hates me so I need to find a place to
    take revenge on her.  Maybe I should go home and rearrange her food
    bowls tonight.  :^)

    My boyfriends cat Pepper lived to be 23.  She was euthanized a year or 
    so ago because her body was slowly breaking down.  She lived all her life
    in the center of Westboro, and was an indoor/outdoor kitty.  Dave still
    misses her.

    Here's another siamese...
    
    My husband's grandparents had a siamese named Tippy.  They got Tippy as
    a kitten, back when my hub's uncle was born (I don't know what year),
    and she died in 1974...when said uncle was well in his 20's!
    
    K.C.

    And yet another Siamese - Ching is 17-1/2 years old, and in "excellent
    geriatric health" according to her vet.  She still has all her teeth
    (which is more than I can say), and has no gray in her chocolate points
    (which is more than I can say, also).  She just started slowing down
    about two years ago - her crazy hours are now crazy minutes.  Ching is
    an apple-head Siamese, and I don't know where to start when the time
    comes to look for another, but I will, most likely, stick with the
    Siamese.  Great personality!  Also, Daddy isn't as allergic to her as
    he is to others.  

    Well, there have been some old ladies and gent's around. The replies
    have been wonderful and have helped us really appreciate what a grand
    old time in life 18, is for our little girl.
    
    The injections she has, every 5 weeks are,  Steriods which I don't
    think help her kidney's especially but do make her feel comfortable.
    She is not short of fluid as such, infact she drinks significantly
    more than in the past.
    
    Now we are springtime again there is no reason for us to suspect that
    she won't live to see, at least the start of another winter.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Paul. 
         

    My Mom's cat was put down almost 2 years ago (3/26 will be 2 years). 
    He was 18 and had finally succumbed to old age.  What a wonderful cat
    he was!
    
    My cousin's cat, Albie turned 20 last Fall.  She's doing quite well for
    her age and shows no signs of giving in.  The vet is actually surprised
    at how well she's doing.
    
    2 of my cats just turned and will turn 10 this month (Gonezo just
    turned 10 and Barney's bday is the 28th).  Ben is at least this old, if
    not older (I'm his third owner and have had him 9.5 years).  I hope I'm
    lucky enough to have them around for another 10!  (however, my husband
    might not agree with this!)  The boys go to the vet next Saturday but
    so far are in good health.
    
    Mary
    

last I heard, my vet was treating an apple-head siamese male of 24 years.
I haven't asked after him in several months, but he seemed to be in very
good health last time she mentioned him.

Felines have a potential for much greater longevity than they have had as
either feral animals or household "workers" in their past history.  AS we
develop more recreational relationships with them, and become more aware
of their physical and emotional needs, they will continue to live longer.
In fact, geriatric vet medicine for cats and dogs is a very good career
choice nowadays.

    My childhood feline, Lucky, lived 19.5 lively, cantankerous
    years.  She was an angel and a demon all wrapped up in one
    Blue-Point Siamese package.
    
    Mary-Michael
    

Two of my cats are "old ladies".  Honey is 15 and Marni is 14.  Both are
Korats.

My uncle's siamese was just put down last year.  She was 26 years old!  She
became blind in both eyes when she was 20, but still moved around pretty
well (Gee, maybe Beth got inspiration from her? (-:).  She finally was put
down after complete kidney failure.

Also, a few years ago, there was a household pet that was being shown in
Torrington, CT.  The cat was 25 years old!  and such a beauty!!

Holly