Senior cat meows at night

[woofendog]

Sabrina, my eighteen year old female cat still jumps from the bathroom floor to the sink. She continues to be playful and active. She is quiet during the day but meows excessively overnight until I get up and open the faucet. She prefers drinking from the faucet despite having plenty of fresh water in her bowl. She has always been a small cat but has lost weight in the last year. Lately she is drinking more than usual but eats wet canned food as well as dry food. I realize that I will have to have her checked out at the vet but was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Thanks.