Getting Older...

So Boogar is something like 17 years old now and starting to slow down. I wanted to comment of some of the age related changes that can be expected complications with spinal cord injured cats.
For 17 years, Boogar has run around using his front legs. This means his front legs and shoulders are pulling far more weight than they should.
His joints have paid for this. What I am seeing now USA gradual decline in mobility. His shoulders and elbows are doing the work  equal to that of a very obese cat....and he's not overweight.
He's got arthritic changes,and he's sore.

Ok so that's not so terrible, right? Pain meds, right?

Well, here's the complication. It's got to be long term, so many of the NSAIDs  are out. He's and older boy, so I do not want to compromise his liver or kidneys.
So...narcotics?
He loves Tramadol. He loves buprenorphine.  He feels good on them.
But...
Narcotics constipate.

Now if Boogar is constipated, his full colon sends a message to his bladder to lock shut and resist all attempts to express him. I try not to catheterization him unless it is an emergency because of potential bacterial contamination....so squeezing it is. Narcotics make it hard to empty him.

 So what's working? I'm doing some alternative pain relief. He's using and electro magnetic pause therapy unit designed for pain relief, and it seems to be working. Acupuncture and adequan is next.

Along with pain control, as Boogar ages I am starting to give him fluids once of twice weekly, and running basic bloodwork every few months. This lets me stay ahead of organ changes.

So is he healthy still? Oh yes. Happy? Most days, and when he's not its generally because he's a stubborn, spirited cat and the dog has annoyed him, or he wants something.  More often than not its food , catnip and up on the bed.