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When Eileen Marek of Sherman Oaks, Calif., was referred to a specialist after her 15-year-old cat Chelsea was diagnosed with bone cancer of the jaw, she expected the worst. I was thinking I would have two choices, she says, surgery or put her to sleep. I was pretty stressed going into that appointment.

Whether your cat is suffering from disease or the effects of extreme old age, a time may come when medical treatment can no longer help. In the past, that might have meant euthanizing your cat. Today, however, veterinarians increasingly suggest hospice care as an option. Some clinics offer house calls with staff members providing hospice services, while in some cases owners decide to provide care at home under veterinary supervision.

If your cat squints or his eyes are increasingly tearing, take a closer look. Does he have a red eye with a cloudy blue tint to the surface and a dilated pupil? These could be signs of glaucoma that require immediate treatment to avoid significant or complete loss of vision. Because of the subtle nature of the symptoms, some cats dont have a veterinary examination until substantial damage has occurred.

Prevent access to tempting items by hiding them. Even if your cat doesnt have pica, its a wise idea to keep items like yarn, rubber bands, and tinsel and Venetian blind cords out of reach. Instead, offer a variety of safer toys.

Studies on kidney disease at Colorado State are focusing on whether stem cells can reduce kidney inflammation in cats. Any cat over 10 is likely to develop kidney disease, and by age 15, Im generally very surprised if it hasnt, says researcher Jessica Quimby, DVM, Ph.D., ACVIM.

Some signs of stress in cats are obvious - loss of appetite, increased urine marking, hair loss from over grooming. Other signs may be more subtle and easy to overlook, according to a study by the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Chronic kidney disease is common in older cats, with nearly a third of them over 12 affected and the prevalence increasing with age. The disease is incurable, involving the gradual loss of kidney function; however, owners can help slow its progression.

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Research on pica in cats has found that the behavior does not appear to be the result of a suboptimal environment, early weaning or increased appetite. A report on the Characterization of pica and chewing behaviors in privately owned cats: a case-control study, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and based on research at the University of Montreal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, sought answers about pica via owner questionnaires.

Determining how much to feed your cat comes down to your portion control and his body condition, according to nutritionist Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, Ph.D., at Cornell.

By the end of the year, almost all pet food labels will provide information on calories per cup as part of the growing movement in veterinary medicine to counter pet obesity. The change has been several years in the making and would seem make it easier to feed our cats, but just like the challenge of deciphering the terms on labels - guaranteed analysis, ingredients vs. nutrients and total crude protein - determining the calories might not be simple. Nutritionist Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, Ph.D., at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine offers one example: The average indoor cats diet should be based on resting energy, similar to a human couch potato who watches TV most of the day. The problem is that pet food manufacturers recommendations are based on a theoretical activity level that doesnt exist for most indoor cats.

If youre out for a stroll with your cat in your fenced backyard and he suffers a snakebite, his life can quickly be in danger. The safest course: Dont attempt outdated first-aid measures such as application of a tourniquet or incision to remove the venom with suction. It will already have been absorbed, and tourniquets can compromise blood circulation, causing severe injury.