I just took my oldest cat, @smashthecat to the vets for the first time since he was diagnosed with herpes a year or so ago.

Back then he had a single flare up and was the first time it was ever diagnosed, suggesting all three of my cats have it too. That being said, there's been no more flare ups since so I guess it's more just an annoyance than anything else, like any human getting a cold or flu.

But he has been displaying some signs of aging for a while now and although it seems like nothing serious - achy joints, fatty lump growth, expression of pain if you mess with his lower back/butt area - it's a constant, daily reminder that his days are numbered.

He's 10, but overweight, and a street cat breed that typically only lives to about 13-15 if they're lucky. Given his fatness, it means I should be grateful for him to give me 3 more years. That's majorly depressing every day I look at his silly ugly face.

He will not compromise when it comes to sitting on my chest. Even if a bluetooth speaker has to dig into his ribs.

The Diagnosis

I was dreading this checkup because at this age, everything could be wrong. I was a little nervous, for sure.

Thankfully in the end, there was nothing critical wrong with him so far.

Peridontitis

Terrible teeth, he has a disease extremely common in cats generally, even more common in street cats, and even more common in street cats with herpes. However, since he's showing no signs of pain when eating (meowing, loss of appetite), at least right now there's nothing to be too concerned about but I imagine it won't be much longer before he has to have all his teeth removed. This is a pretty common procedure in cats but I do worry because it's not generally a safe bet to put such old cats under anaesthesia. Better to only do it if absolutely necessary.

On the flip side though, cats seem to do very well without teeth and it does extend their life with the removal of various bacterial infections and viruses etc. So I do need to seriously consider making him a gum-faced old man. At least for now, it's ok. Just bad breath.

Aching joints

He had an X-ray after I mentioned he finds it hard to get up onto the sofa. I know he's 10 but he should still be able to make that kinda small hop. Anything bed height, he has to use pure strength of his front legs to pull himself up.

It turns out I was right and his knees and base of tail bone are worn down, the tail possibly due to some trauma at some point (He broke his leg when much younger but nothing near there...? Who knows). Mostly, it's a sign of aging and being overweight, and so I've been told to give him some fish oil supplements I can dribble into his food. If it helps, he might become more active and might even lose weight this way.

Overweight

This has been a lifelong issue, and with 2, and then 3, cats, it's almost impossible to separate his eating from theirs. If I give less food, he will just eat their supply and bully his way to the resources.

If I put him in a separate room, he just meows like he's a prisoner without eating. If I feed him less, he will relentlessly meow all night and all day. It's tough! So, making him more active would be the second approach. Oiling up his knees could help with that.

Kidney issues

One kidney is smaller than the other, and both have kind of rough edges rather than the standard smooth. 'like a flower' the vet said. Again, this is mostly a sign of aging and nothing too serious, something to check up on next year, and just encourage more water (putting water into his food, too).

Fat lump

He grew a lump on his shoulder about 8 months ago I guess. I kept an eye on it with my own research and the vet confirmed it's just a lipoma. Once again, a sign of being fat and old. I wasn't too concerned about this because I've been checking it daily and it hasn't grown, doesn't seem uncomfortable, and is loose suggesting its just skin deep.

Overall Diagnosis: Not too bad, all things considered

This vet was certainly the best service i've had here in Shanghai in all my years here. Their app and communication was solid, polite and caring, all fluent in English too. The price for everything was 1,000 yuan ($140) which includes:

• Consultation
• 6 weeks of supplements
• X-ray
• Cytology (Cancer screening of fat lump)
• Cutting all his nails (free)

All things considered, I'm very happy and very relieved. They basically didn't tell me anything I didn't already know (or expect) except maybe the kidney thing which still comes as no surprise. Cutting his nails has become an increasing nightmare for me at home as he gets annoyed much faster than before. He had an ingrown nail a few months ago which, unlike my own which seems doomed to eternal pain, managed to go away after a few careful trims, but he's been less tolerant ever since.

The question is now, what changes do I make moving forward to make his last 2-5 years the most chill and happy years of his retirement?

For years, I dreamt of taking him to England and having my own little private fenced garden for him to safely chill out in, laze around in the grass, get a sun tan, finish of his days as happy as can be surrounded by nature.

I think this is a dream I have to give up on, as even if we were to head over to England right now, the chances of renting such a spot is slim to none, let alone owning. Most rental places don't even allow cats.

But in all likelihood, we would only be able to get an apartment anyway so his fate, sadly, is just wrapping up life indoors. This is always best for cats and nature overall. I have learnt to resent letting cats outside given all the disease and dangers, all the destruction to native wildlife. But Smash is old. He's not going to do anything like that, he's not climbing trees and fighting other cats. He would just lie down and snooze.

So, in the end, I just plan on spoiling him at every opportunity I can get and keep him as healthy as he can be. Honestly, I feel like he's in better shape than me in some ways lol.

Speaking of which, it's my turn to go to the dentist tomorrow. First time since 2006. I wonder how many teeth I'll need knocking out??