Snoopy - 8/15

Snoopy - 8/15
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

We started the thryoid medication last Tuesday morning. We have had no trouble at all administering it. Thank God for compounding pharmacies who can make "flavored" liquid medicines. I chose fish flavored and later wondered if perhaps I should have gone for the chicken flavor, but so far the fish has worked well.

I am not sure that I can tell any difference yet, and maybe we won't be able to tell much difference. We are to make an appointment after she's been on this medication for two weeks to have new blood tests done. I guess we will need to see if the current (tiny) dose is enough, too much, or whatever.

We are still giving her the Resthyro in the evenings. I am not sure that is needed, but I have the medicine, and it did seem to calm her a bit, so we will continue.

She's is gradually getting braver. She no longer fears Sakaura, but she avoids her and does not openly associate with her. Yesterday, Snoopy was licking food off a spoon and Sakaura used that as an opportunity to walk up to her and take a big sniff. A year and a half and they are still so aloof.

Good news/Bad news

Good news/Bad news
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Snoopy's bloodwork came back showing that her thyroid levels are still high, indicating the alternative treatment is not working. But the Resthyro has helped her become much more calm and social, so we will continue using it.

Other good news is that the compounding pharmacy can make a flavored liquid medicine, which should make it easier to dose her than the bitter pills. I asked the vet for the smallest possible amount in order to give it a trial.

If the liquid won't work, we will go with the transdermal. That is really a chore that I'd like to avoid -- both for me as well as for the cat.

This morning Snoopy was playiing with a ball filled with catnip just like a young kitten. She has not done that in years.

In other good news she had gained an ounce or so since the last visit to the vet. The thyroid disease causes weight loss, so the gain even small was a good thing.

Glass is half full here :)

Snoopy goes for blood work today

Attack cat!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

So we will get some feedback soon on how well the supplement is working as far as Snoopy's thyroid issues.

Her levels were quite low, almost borderline, before, but I am hoping for a reduction after 4 weeks of Resthyro.

IF she needs additional treatment, we definitely will choose the transdermal delivery. I refuse to give her bitter pills!

Keeping fingers crossed for some good numbers!

Serious Sakaura

Serious Sakaura
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

She is seriously a pretty cat -- a spoiled cat, as well.

We have finally found a canned cat food that she likes. It is one I'd never have ever guessed and we just bought the case of it because it was on sale and we figured Snoopy would eat it. Turns ot Sakaura loves Fancy Feast Turkey & Giblets -- who knew?

Snoopy, on the other hand, will still eat most anything we put in front of her.

Snoopy bathing

Snoopy bathing
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

She always grooms herself when she has the short hair but once that stuff starts to grow out she just gives up.

No real change, but that also means she has gotten no worse, so that is good. I know we need to bring her in to have her blood tests run. I am putting that off, since I know they will need to give her a mild sedative in order to be able to draw the blood.

Maybe we will have that done later in the fall.

Nosy cats!

Nosy cats!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

These cats are so curious. They love to see bags come into the house just in case there might be something in there for them. In this case there was -- some Fancy Feast for Snoopy.

She's coming out of her room a bit more. Still not as social as she was before Sakaura's arrival, but a big change from constantly hiding under the bed. They tolerate each other, but there is still some hissing and spewing.

Snoopy's hair is growing back. I wish it would stay the length it is right now.

Sakarua sniffing the veggies

Sakarua sniffing the veggies
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

She is so nosy! This is our CSA box that I was attempting to photograph. Of course, the curious cat had to come over and check it out.

Serious Snoopy

Serious Snoopy
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

I wish her eyes didn't glow like embers. It's hard to catch her at an angle that does not cause the flash to light up in her eyes.

She continues to do well. She's braver than she was. In fact, she pretty much roams the house at will these days. This morning she was nose to nose with Sakaura. I was scratching Sakaura's head and Snoopy was within a hair of touching her until I stopped the scratching and the loud HISS started.

Of course, both cats spend most of their days snoozing!

Snoopy waiting for food

Snoopy waiting for food
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

She is always waiting for food. But, if this makes any sense at all, she does not seem as hungry as before. She will actually leave food at times -- which is a very strange behavior for this chow hound.

Last night I went to bed to watch tv and Don walked by and said "You have company." I looked down and Snoopy was sitting there trying to gather up all her strength to jump on the bed. We have one of those VERY high beds and she has trouble jumping that high. He offered to assist her and she did not protest. Once on top of the bed she came up and wriggled down under the covers! She's not done that in forever -- and certainly not on her own.

I am looking at that as another wee bit of progress.

We've still not taken her back for blood tests. Maybe at the end of the month we will see if her number have reduced at all. Fingers are crossed!

Snoopy eating Sakaura's crunchies

Snoopy eating Sakaura's crunchies
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

She's quite brave to sit here eating from her enemy's food bowl. But where food is concerned she shows no fear!

Her hair is coming back in nicely, but I am having no luck getting her to like being combed/brushed.

For some reason it's like I expect her to have a total personality change at this advanced age, and I must come to grips with the fact that it's just not going to happen.

Snoopy & friends

Snoopy & friends
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

It's been a week since we started Snoopy on the Resthyro and so far so good. We have had no problems dosing her. I mix her 6 drops directly into her wet food. I tried to see if she'd take it directly from the dropper but that was not successful, but she gets it all in via the food, so that's fine.

It is hard to tell if it is helping, but there are a couple of changes. For one, she seems to be much calmer and more self-asssured around Sakaura. She has even taken to coming into our bedroom - I think only on the weekends when she thinks we sleep too late. This morning I sat up in bed and saw her emerging from under the bed so that is where she is hiding.

She normally goes from eating back to the bed and then comes out to eat again. This past week she's been going to sit in a chair in "her bedroom" that is by the window. Not earthshaking news -- but for her that is a huge change.

One of the symptoms of hyperthryroidism in cats is yowling and she'd done that to a small extent prior to startng this medicine. I am happy to report that has been NO yowling this past week. So that is a sign that something is going on.

I want to wait at least a month before we have her blood checked again. Then we will decide if we continue with this or settle for the "drugs". I am hoping we can keep up with the herbal treatment!

Nothing new to report on Monday

Image by fbruehl via Flickr

Snoopy is still taking the herbal drops. I'm adding them directly into her food and she's polishing that off quite nicely.

I'd like to think she's a bit calmer, and we've not heard the yowling that she'd started doing.

This morning she was back at her place in the hall, waiting for us to get up. But she did venture into our bedroom both nights of the weekend. Perhaps it was because we did sleep a bit later than we do on the work days.

I did weigh her yesterday and she's just over 12 pounds.

Day Two - Resthyro

Snoopy - June 14
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

This morning she didn't really want to drink the milk with the medicine, so I poured it over her food. I think she just wanted the food more than the milk. Tonight I will just add the drops of medicine directly into the food.

She was somewhere in our bedroom this morning when we got up. I got up and went to turn the light on in the hall bathroom (where she normally hangs out) and she came running out of our dark bedroom. I think maybe she is sneaking in and under the bed. Definitely different behavior.

She's also much braver facing down Sakaura. Still not buddies, but no more fighting and since she does not run, there is no chasing. I think Sakaura is disappointed LOL!

Day One - Herbal Therapy

It may be too early to see a difference and perhaps it is a stretch to think that just one dose actually has had any effect.  But this morning, when I stepped out of bed, I almost stepped on Snoopy.  Instead of lurking out in the hall, she was on the rug right by the bed - right next to where Sakaura was laying and,  I am sure, staring her down.

This morning she got her second dose - 6 drops in a tiny amount of milk.  I guess I should actually measure the milk so tonight I will do that.  Likely a tablespoon will be enough.

In other news, even though her hair is extremely short, I'm combing her.  I want to see if maybe she will get used to that comb so that once her hair grows out she will let me continue.  Some of the testimonials on the PetWellbeing.com site indicate that their cats have developed better coats after this treatment.  I know this is hoping for a miracle, but it may just work.

I need to track the results, so I think I'll use this blog.

Snoopy starts her herbal medicine today

Snoopy's bloodwork shows she may have early hyperthroidism, which we understand is very common in older cats. After doing some online research, we found an herbal treatment that may be easier on her than the "drugs" the doctor has suggested. The vet did agree that perhaps we should try the herbs for a few weeks and then have her tested again.

So we got the Resthryo tonight and just administered the first dose. She only needs 5-6 drops, so I mixed it with a little bit of milk and she drank it right up!

I am so hopeful that it will work!

Stalker!

Stalker!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Today we made a trip to Tower Hill Botanical Gardens. This is the local cat and he had something cornered in a hole in the grass here.

It was a most friendly cat, allowing me to pet him and purring. I am sure he gets a lot of attention with all the site seers around.

What a gorgeous day for cats and people!

Are you done yet?

Are you done yet?
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Do you think she is tried of posing for pictures LOL.

She is a pretty cat but not really that photogenic since her face usually is just a black blob.

She and Snoopy get nose to nose at times with just a hiss between them. I almost told a lady at work I'd take one of her 7 week old kittens, but I am not ready to start World War III again.

Ho hum

Sakarua Mae!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

It must be a tough life having to do all tha sleeping, not to mention the eating. Actually Sakaura is not much of a chow hound. She grazes and is more fond of dry cat food than wet.

She still feels the need to chase Snoopy almost every day. Snoopy must be used to it now because it does not seem to traumatize her like it did in the beginning.

They won't every get along. I have totally abandoned that idea.

Wishing and hoping!

Wishing and hoping!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

If only they would open that window, darn it!

Of course, I am not sure what she would do IF she got outside alone. I won't be finding out anytime soon either.

Bed buddies!

Bed buddies!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

I guess they keep her warm while she's so bare. Snoopy got her hair shaved on Wednesday, and she seems to want to just roll up into a ball and stay in bed all day.

She is on liquid antibiotics twice a day because her gums were inflamed after her teeth cleaning. She has some spots on her back where the clipper got a bit too close. Ouch!

But she is very clean and seems very content.

Fresh air.

Fresh air.
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Snoopy has become brave enough to venture out into the open and sit by the back door - on occasion. She still spends the majority of her time hiding away.

We were almost shocked to see her sitting by the open door. Sakaura was most unhappy, but her bark is much worse than her bite, and she sat across the room and sulked!

Body language says it all

She does not like this cat! Not that she likes any cat, I guess, but when this cat comes to the porch she goes nuts.

Sakaura Fit!

Sakaura Fit!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

The little green plastic pulled off the milk carton top is her idea of keeping fit (to the right in the picture).

She is fascinated by boxes of any kind, of course.

I may have created a monster today. Putting the leash on her and letting her walk outside is making her stand at the door and beg for more.

BFF

BFF
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Unbelievable, they are on the same bed at the same time. Of course.the scowl on Sakaura's face tells the whole truth!

The background here is that Don opened the window by the bed, and Sakaura was fascinated with that. The fresh air always attracts both of these cats. He put her on the bed, but she did sit there for a long time. Long enough for him to call me and for me to grab the camera and get a few pictures.

Snoopy scouting squirrels!

Snoopy scouting squirrels!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

This is the closet cat. I had to grab the camera to get a picture of this.

It got stuffy in the house, so Don opened our back door, and within minutes, Snoopy had ambled out of her hiding spot to breathe in some fresh air.

Meaninless to anybody but me, but this is BIG!

Of course, as she walked back to her room, Sakarua had to rush her and slap at her with a big hiss. Snoopy ran, but did not hide under the bed. I think she's about figured out that Sakaura's bark is much worse than her bite.

Baby steps!

Kitty Calendar

Make a Smilebox calendar

When she is sleeping

365-55
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

she is good! LOL

I love her little pink tongue sticking out like that. It's a sure sign that she is relaxed and fast asleep.

Cats are coexisting a bit better. Still not buddies, but fewer spats it seems. Snoopy is most comfortable cleaning out Sakaura's food bowl twice a day.

She has started eating more so we have to watch out that she does not gain too much weight and perhaps have the diabetes flare up again.

Meow

Meow
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

When we went to Vermont for Christmas dinner, I bought this Meow decal but it's been so cold, wet, icy out that I've not put it on my car yet.

Sakaura has taken over the sofa these days. Snoopy is hiding now down in the basement because I got out the Furminator this morning. She is in dire need of a haircut but I'm trying to hold off until it is a bit warmer. I don't like the idea of having her undergo anesthesia at her age, but it is the only way she can be groomed. She also probably needs her teeth cleaned - they usually do the haircut and the cleaning in the same appointment.

Snoopy waiting on food

Snoopy waiting on food
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

She spends a lot ot time in this spot right outside the kitchen. She has a regular routine where she appears here to wait...and to wait...and to wait.

This old girl has come a long way in a year's time. She's figured out that she is still the boss around here and the young upstart is just a pain in the butt, not a real threat to her safety.

She really likes the fact that Sakaura is such a picky eater. She loves to scavenge over her leftovers!

Sakaura on Ice

Sakaura on Ice
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

I don't think she would make a very good outdoor cat. I wonder if she ever did wander around outside in her "other life". If she did, she's forgotten all about that now that she is a Princess who must be waited on hand and foot!

Who is this and what is she doing here?

365-23
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Snoopy is not so sure she likes sharing space with another princess!

She gets braver and braver. Lots of hissing and growling going on as Snoopy steps out into the space that Sakaura has claimed as her own. Snoopy is not giving ground, which is good.

I think maybe in year two we will see the two cats figure out that they both belong here and maybe they need to get along a bit better.

Office Assistant

Office Assistant
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

"So where do I file this?" LOL

Don makes the biggest mess. He says he is "organizing" these files - all over the living room floor. He was not around when I found Miss Sakaura sitting on top of a stack of his files.

I did hear him yelling at her last night because she was messing with some of his papers.

Men!

Begging at the back door

Begging at the back door
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Why do these two yellow cats want to roam around the neighborhood when it's below zero outside?

This is the less attractive of the pair. He looks like he has some sort of eye infection or else he lost a fight. I fed him, and he even ate the Serengeti Cat Food that all the other cats reject. At least he has good taste LOL!

Sakaura shows no interest in this one. But his brother will bring her out to the door to "flirt".

Wishful thinking

Wishful thinking
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Sakaura is so fascinated by all the action at the bird feeder and on our porch where the birds scavenge for seeds that have dropped from the feeder.

I don't know what she'd do if she actually could catch a bird. Probably tuck tail and run. She's a lot of bark and little bite.

Phoey!

Phoey!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

I've never seen a cat that has her tongue out of her mouth so far and so much! Don says it is a sign that she feels at ease - I think she is sending a raspberry to the world.

We've had big changes here in the way the cats interact. Snoopy has realized that Sakaura is a picky eater and, like Rusty, leaves food in her dish uneaten and ready to be cleaned up. So she lingers in the hallway waiting for Sakaura to abandon her food and when she feels it's safe she goes and quickly gobbles down the leftovers. We feed Sakaura tiny amounts of food, so we need to continue to do this. We do not want Snoopy to start putting on the pounds again.

Last night for the first time in almost a year Snoopy came into the living room and jumped up on the sofa where Don has been carrying her to "visit". Sakaura was sleeping on Snoopy's purr pad. Uh oh - but no hissing or growling. I moved Sakaura and, after a lot of sniffing at the very unpleasant smell that Sakaura had left on the pad, Snoopy relaxed and napped.

Snoopy has become much more independent and open. I think she's past a lot of her fear of Sakaura who has proven to have a loud bark but little bite!

I'm BAD!

I'm BAD!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

This cat has such CATtitude! I often wonder if she ever recalls her days digging in the dumpster. Of course, we know little of her background and how she came to be a shelter cat. But sometimes I imagine her as Cinderella who lived with the evil step-sister cats until we rescued her and brought her here to her palace, where she truly feels she is royalty. Takes little to amuse me, eh?

Dinner?

Dinner?
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Sakaura's entertainment is watching the wildlife outside the back door. I wonder if she is dreaming of dinner? I sort of doubt it since she is the most picky eater in this household.

Her world is a bit shaken. Yesterday, Snoopy roamed all over the house freely - like she did before Sakaura arrived. She even went into Sakaura's playhouse. When Sakaura decided to attack the invader, she ran up and Snoopy let out a loud growl, and Miss Aggressor stalked away with her tail between her legs.

It could get quite interesting around here in days to come!

Snoopy comes out!

Snoopy comes out!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

This is not the best picture in the world - taken with my cell phone - but I had to capture the moment.

Don and I were sitting here watching the football game and all of a sudden Snoopy walked right up to Sakarua's scratching pad and started sniffing around it.

She has NEVER been in this room on her own in almost a year.

Maybe she has made a New Year's resolution to be more social. LOL!

Yum!

Yum!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Snoopy is watching as her dinner is being dished up. She's obviously looking forward to this!

This is as close as they get

Close Encounter
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Snoopy will come and sit at this corner and sometimes Sakaura will come into the same vicinity, but they are both there thinking about being fed - not bonding.

I've been sort of worried that Snoopy was ill since on Monday she had little interest in eating. She is such a chow hound that any variance causes me a bit of alarm.

But today I was chopping up some ham and I felt a cat "swirling" around my legs. I assumed it was Sakaura until I heard some very loud purring and looked down to find Snoopy standing there begging for a handout. For her to come all the way into the kitchen is a very big step. That corner where she is sitting in the picture is usually as far as she will come out into the open.

And speaking of the ham, later on Sakaura came and I offered her a bite of ham. They both loved it. Sakaura is a picky eater - even of "human food" but she does like ham.

Merry Christmas from Snoopy

Merry Christmas from Snoopy
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

A year ago today you were a very sick cat, Miss Snoopy. But you were on the mend, and we were so happy to have you back home.

A lot has changed for you, and you've adapted pretty well. Merry Christmas and hope you celebrate many more with us (in spite of the fact that you will be eating your Christmas dinner at the boarding kennel).

Merry Christmas from Sakaura

Merry Christmas from Sakaura
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Little does she know that she will be spending her first Christmas with us NOT with us. Of course, it is just another day to her, but I feel semi-guilty shipping her off to the Cat "SPA" for her holiday.

We will send along some of her Fancy Feast favorites, so hope she's not too mad when we return.

Worth 1000 Words

DSC02484.JPG
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

At least in her own mind, she has the power.

The spot where she is lying belongs to Snoopy, but Sakaura had claimed it lately. This does not please Snoopy but it's not worth a fight.

So Sakaura Mae (as I've nicknamed her) is here leering as Snoopy is glowering at her from the love seat.

Oh, and the other cat is nicknamed Snoopy Delia - not sure where that came from, but they both respond to those names.

Sakaura on her turf

Sakaura on her turf
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

In the spirit of fairness, Saki should get a post, too.

Saki is a very "needy" cat. So I am not sure if my diagnosis of her being an Alpha Cat is totally correct. I have a lot of reading to do.

She is a very picky eater. She knows what she likes and what she doesn't and she refuses to eat anything that she does not approve of. Don mixed an entire bag of EXPENSIVE "Serengeti" cat food in with a bunch of "cat junk food" (Meow Mix, etc.). She can pick all around the Serengeti - she does now want a "healthy diet" and you can not make her eat one.

Snoopy the Dominant Cat

Snoopy the Dominant Cat
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

I am not really sure that is true. I did order a book this week that I hope will help diffuse some of the ever present turf wars around here.

I think that both my cats are Alpha cats and that is part of the reason they don't get along.

It is much better and Snoopy is 100% more out in the open than she was even 6 months ago. BUT she still wants to stay in her bedroom most of the time. So I guess Sakaura is sort of winning the war.

Making history!

Making history!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

Snoopy did not vote BUT if she had, I'm sure she'd have gone for Obama!

Her hair has really grown out. I am not sure how long since her last haircut and I am hoping she will not get so tangled as to need another haircut soon. Since she's not on the insulin, and supposedly "cured" of her diabetes, it does not seem she has as much of a bad coat problem as she did back then. She still does not like to be brushed though.

She and Sakaura still do not love each other, but they are a bit more tolerant. Snoopy will come out and sit by the kitchen wall waiting to be fed. Sakaura will come and STARE at her - a bit of hissing but so far no scratching and clawing.