HI Coraline,

Thanks for that. I guess it's just a waiting game. My cat (Lucie) is only 9, but has never been a healthy cat. She has had a multitude of problems over the years (she came from a farm as a kitten and I think there is an element of inbreeding). We have just been told that she is losing her sight (fat deposits building up in the aqueous solution of the eyes). She is also over grooming (have her on Zylkene for that which is helping). I have noticed that she only has a few of the symptoms:

Decreased activity/playfulness - this comes and goes, so i am currently assuimng it is down to old age.
Increased sleeping time - again, she is old, so thinking it's probably that. She curremtly sleeps for 90% of the day.
Increased irritability/aggression - comes and goes. She was curled up on me the other day, then looked up and went mental, hissing and spitting at me, but wouldn't move off me. It's like she didn't recognise me. Calmed down after a few minutes.
Hypervocalization (excessive crying) - this is a big one, especially at night. It's like she realises she's downstairs and in the dark on her own and just cries. Most nights i call to her and she comes into the bed with me. Sometimes she gets so worked up i have to go and get her.
Nocturnal separation distress - often cries at night until she comes into the room, and then she's ok.

I realise I am probably one of those people who reads symtoms on the internet and self diagnoses, but just wanted to see if these are things we should worry about, or just part of old age.