Bubba Cat

Bubba Cat
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

We will find out next week or the week after if she is putting on some weight. She appears to be, but it is because her hair is growing.

She has very reluctanly let me comb her hair twice. I so wish she would allow that so we don't have to resort to shaving but I don't think that it will ever happen.

She and Sakaura are almost touching noses in the mornings - Don said neither of them wants to rush into anything in their relationship. At least Snoopy's come out from under the bed!

Playful Kitty again!

Playful Kitty again!
Originally uploaded by fbruehl

I think we are seeing some real positive effects of the Methimazole. Snoopy is as playful as a kitten.

She has moved out of her "bedroom" where she has hidden for the past two years and is joining in the mainstream here.

This is very alarming to the other cat -- but she will just have to deal!

After next week we will have blood tests done - I am pretty sure there will be some good positive results.

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.