None of my cats experience/experienced dementia, but I knew a kitty who did. She would get out of her bed, stand beside it, look around, stand some more. She didn't know what she intended to do - couldn't remember. Sometimes she would wander a bit, sometimes she just got back into her bed. In a bit, she'd get up and do the same thing all over again. Sad.
Lori, dear, you're sounding a little cynical today... <grin>
I don't know about costs, but I do know it's a lot easier to get an appointment with a specialist for my kitties than it is for my husband.
briegull, when I first started getting Cosequin for my arthritic kitty, the vet said the quality control was far superior to that required for the equivalent product for humans.
These days my 20 year old Shadow-cat is terrifically hungry. I usually feed the four a big can of food divided up at night, with dry food during the day (which she doesn't much like). Recently she has been demanding food in the morning. I give her, in bits over the day so the other cats won't grab, a can of Fancy Feast. Today she ate that before noon, then this afternoon ate a larger can of Friskies. And tonite was waiting for her share of the big can. I think she may have become like our spouses, unable to judge when she's full. She is still making a 3' leap from one table to another (insists on doing it) and is grooming herself, usually getting to her pan, etc. One day at a time.
Yes, agreed, I'm sure she is, folly. But treatment for hyperthyroid is very expensive, and she's twenty and in no pain. She actually has gained some weight. I think the other cats may have been crowding her out more than I thought.
My female chihuahua is low thryroid and dr rxd pills to give. i gave up on it asap as it caused her super diarreahea even in a quarter of rxd dose. she is very overweight and prolly due to this some but eats plenty. it was good while it lasted she played ALL day with her toys while on the meds though. so much energy and her face was always 'excited' hahai hated to see her get lethargic again. divvi