elder cat and pain

Question
I am not sure how to tell if my 17 year old tortoise shell is in pain.  Her back legs are weak, and sometimes they are beginning to give way when she jumps - esp. down.
so I put step stools to make her jumping easier.  She has had both Achilles tendons injured from climbing  trees too fast.  The vet said we should make sure she does not have kidney trouble or a tumor. I have had her blood checked - all OK - and currently cannot afford an X-ray.  I surely don't want her to be in pain all the time; How can I tell?  Thanks Thanks.  Marie

Answer
Hi Marie,

When cats get older they develop lots of aches and pains like we do. The step stools are a great idea for her. Since the bloodwork came back fine I would ask the vet for some home treatments for her. Ask about Prednisone for her pain. You can give her fish oil capsules and glucosmine chondronite for her joints. You need to understand that in human years she is up around 85 years old. All her hard play when she was young is affecting her now. Keep her warm and, also, keep up play time with her. Nothing hard, just something while she is by you. She needs that. Keep an eye on how much she drinks. And you might want to get a low litter pan for her. As cats get older sometimes the high pans are hard for them to climb into. You can also supplement her food with stage one baby food, (chicken or turkey). Cats love the taste and it's good for them. Good luck and let me know what happens.

Ciao,Karen