I'm a bit worried

On 8/3/2015 11:29 AM, Christina Websell wrote:
"Joy" wrote in message
...
On 8/3/2015 9:45 AM, Christina Websell wrote:
"Debbie Wilson" wrote in message
...
Christina Websell wrote:

Thanks, Deb. I scared myself with this:
http://www.yourcat.co.uk/Indepth-cat...m-in-cats.html

and decided that if he does have that condition, that a thyroidectomy
would
be the way to go.
I'm not bothered about the cost, I love him so much that i would spent
my
last penny on him.

It does make it sound scary but it's a very common condition and
relatively easy to control. A one-sided thyroidectomy would be the most
likely op at first. The main thing is not to remove the parathyroids as
they control calcium balance, and also not to compromise kidney function
as very often hyperthyroidism masks kidney failure, and once the
hyperthyroidism is under control, the kidney failure becomes a problem.
It's a fine balance between each condition. But Boyfie is a lot younger
than Willow so he may not even have kidney problems yet.

He hardly ever drinks, so Alison doesn't think he has kidney problems.
He
has a dish of water available all the time, and I think I've seen him
drinking from it only 3 or 4 times in 12 years.

Willow had her op done along with a dental and it cost me around the
£200 mark. She is now on a very low dose of Felimazole (tablets) about
as low as it gets and she is doing very well.

That sounds very reasonable. My vets have all singing & dancing 24/7,
365
days a year service with scanners and anything else needed on site, so I
would guess to about double that. They are very aware that they are
expensive, but quite rightly say that it costs them a lot to provide that
service. Boyfie had a operation to save his life last year at 2 a.m.
If it proves eventually that he does have hyperthyroidism, I am likely to
opt for a thyroidectomy. I'm glad that Willow is doing well. I'm
surprised,
though, that she still has to have tablets. Pilling Boyfie is my worst
nightmare and I'm not sure even pill pockets would work. He is very
suspicious of anything he considers "not normal" and he is likely to say
"if
you think I'm eating that, you have another think coming"

Tweed

I understand abou the pills. When Waffles (RB) had to have pills toward
the end, I tried Pill Pockets. Both cats liked the empty one just fine,
but Waffles would have nothing to do with the ones that had pills inside.

Joy

the trouble is that although he does flatcat at the vets and is easy to pill
there, it's because he is terrified. He thinks he is about to die and
daren't move.
Not so here. He is sure I won't
harm him but the second he needs a tablet, he says "I don't think so"
and he is off to the hills. I cannot keep hold of him if there is any sort
of medication involved.
I try to be crafty about it, but he isn't stupid.
He knows.

I understand perfectly. I might be able to give a pill to Pickles, but
I wouldn't rate the chances higher than 50/50. With Koala, there is no way.

"MaryL" wrote in message
...
On 8/2/2015 2:24 PM, Joy wrote:
On 8/2/2015 4:14 AM, MaryL wrote:
On 8/1/2015 7:03 PM, Christina Websell wrote:
"Rusty" wrote in message
...

Rusty had all the symptoms of thyroid problem and he was skin & bones.
But to my surprise, and probably his vet's too, his thyroid was fine.
So don't worry until his blood work comes back positive for a thyroid
problem.

I had lots of problem pilling Rusty and he had many medications over
the
years.
Eventually I found pill pockets work very well. He just gobbled them
down.

Purrs for Boyfie, and you.

Winnie

Thanks, Winnie. Boyfie isn't skin and bone. He just lost weight from
last
year's check. I'd noticed it myself and as his annual health check was
coming up, I asked the vet about it then.
He is free feeding on dry now. Plus 200g wet daily.
If he doesn't increase weight on that, then he probably has a medical
issue.
He is absolutely delighted about the new regime. He ate far too much
yesterday which led to bath pooing overnight, but who cares?
today he saw all the dry food in his bowl and said "| think that's too
much.." But he snacks on it throughout the day and I'm hoping he gains
weight.





Could you try larger portions of canned food (good quality with *no*
grains) instead of dry food? You are solving one problem with dry food
but may be creating another one--diabetes is much more prevalent in cats
that are fed on kibble.

MaryL


That may be. However, I've had at least 10 cats, all fed on kibble
(because that's what my vet recommends) and none of them have had
diabetes.

Joy

Yes, I understand that. I did not say that every cat fed on kibble will
develop diabetes (just as it cannot be said that every person who eats an
inappropriate diet will not develop diabetes). However, if you look at
the background of cats that do develop diabetes, you will usually find
that that cat was fed kibble. Cats are obligate carnivores, and they
cannot digest carbs. Here is a webpage that discusses the basics of
feline nutrition:
http://www.catinfo.org/

MaryL

I am trusting my vet about Boyfies nutrition for now. Let's see how it
goes.

Debbie Wilson wrote:

Christina Websell wrote:

Please purr & pray your hardest that he doesn't have thyroid trouble and
need pilling every day as that would be nigh impossible without help. I
can't even change his collar without two of us.

I hope that Boyfie doesn't have thyroid trouble but if he does, it's
worth considering a thyroidectomy for him as an alternative to pilling.
Willow had one side of the thyroid removed last year which helped bring
her levels right down to near-normal. It's a very quick (10-minute)
surgery and although there is the one-off cost to account for, over time
it would amount to the same as many repeat prescriptions of pills or
whatever. Just a thought which may be of help.

If he has a thyroidectomy, wouldn't he need to get thyroid pills for the
rest of his life? Otherwise wouldn't he become severely *hypo*thyroid?

The good news is, thyroid meds are very cheap. The bad news is, you'd still
have to pill him.

--
Joyce

audiophile, n:
Someone who listens to the equipment instead of the music.

Christina Websell wrote:


"Joy" wrote in message
...
On 8/2/2015 4:14 AM, MaryL wrote:
On 8/1/2015 7:03 PM, Christina Websell wrote:
"Rusty" wrote in message
...

Rusty had all the symptoms of thyroid problem and he was skin & bones.
But to my surprise, and probably his vet's too, his thyroid was fine.
So don't worry until his blood work comes back positive for a thyroid
problem.

I had lots of problem pilling Rusty and he had many medications over
the
years.
Eventually I found pill pockets work very well. He just gobbled them
down.

Purrs for Boyfie, and you.

Winnie

Thanks, Winnie. Boyfie isn't skin and bone. He just lost weight from
last
year's check. I'd noticed it myself and as his annual health check was
coming up, I asked the vet about it then.
He is free feeding on dry now. Plus 200g wet daily.
If he doesn't increase weight on that, then he probably has a medical
issue.
He is absolutely delighted about the new regime. He ate far too much
yesterday which led to bath pooing overnight, but who cares?
today he saw all the dry food in his bowl and said "| think that's too
much.." But he snacks on it throughout the day and I'm hoping he gains
weight.





Could you try larger portions of canned food (good quality with *no*
grains) instead of dry food? You are solving one problem with dry food
but may be creating another one--diabetes is much more prevalent in cats
that are fed on kibble.

MaryL


That may be. However, I've had at least 10 cats, all fed on kibble
(because that's what my vet recommends) and none of them have had
diabetes.

Joy

My vets recommend wet food normally. But Boyfie has to free feed on dry for
now plus his wet. He seems sick of food now. For the first couple of days
he thought it was great to have as much as he wanted. Now he says "I think
I'll leave it for now and go up to my bedroom."

That's good psychology. As soon as he realized that it was always there,
he was comfortable leaving some of it in the bowl until he got hungry again.
Maybe he's not such a greedy boy after all.

But I hate to think about what he'll be like when you take him off the
free feed!

--
Joyce

audiophile, n:
Someone who listens to the equipment instead of the music.

"Bastette" wrote in message
...
today he saw all the dry food in his bowl and said "| think that's
too
much.." But he snacks on it throughout the day and I'm hoping he
gains
weight.





Could you try larger portions of canned food (good quality with *no*
grains) instead of dry food? You are solving one problem with dry
food
but may be creating another one--diabetes is much more prevalent in
cats
that are fed on kibble.

MaryL


That may be. However, I've had at least 10 cats, all fed on kibble
(because that's what my vet recommends) and none of them have had
diabetes.

Joy

My vets recommend wet food normally. But Boyfie has to free feed on dry
for
now plus his wet. He seems sick of food now. For the first couple of
days
he thought it was great to have as much as he wanted. Now he says "I
think
I'll leave it for now and go up to my bedroom."

That's good psychology. As soon as he realized that it was always there,
he was comfortable leaving some of it in the bowl until he got hungry
again.
Maybe he's not such a greedy boy after all.

Oh, yes, he always was. He maintained his weight at 4.5kg, (perfect weight
for his size) on 2 x 100g wet food pouches plus a couple of tbsps dry fed in
three meals for years. If I'd fed him like I am doing now he would have
been a balloon!
He was down to 3.89 kg at his vet check last Thursday. I'd already noticed
it and had already increased his wet food to 285g/daily for a week or more
before we visited the vet but I don't think that was enough time to notice
any difference. I'd only increased his dry by a tiny amount, but as the vet
said to free feed him on dry for the moment, I am doing that too.
When I felt him today, I think he's put on a bit of weight. I need to
borrow or buy some scales to weigh him on to be sure. If that is so, I am
probably right about the sustained bullying he was experiencing causing his
weight loss. It does this in humans, so why not cats? Simon, my
ex-counsellor told me that the sort of stress that bullying produces can
prevent the body taking in enough nutrients even on a normal diet.
As the cat that was bullying him hasn't come back after the big fight,
hopefully the stress is gone and by excess feeding for a while Boyfie should
regain his lost weight in a few weeks. If he doesn't, then I will have
bloodwork done and we will take it from there.

But I hate to think about what he'll be like when you take him off the
free feed!

Actually, it's kind of spoiled his day. He's found out that he actually
doesn't like being fed more wet the moment he shows any interest. He likes
the excitement of waiting for 3.45, sitting on the arm of my chair,
pretending to pat my face
"is it time yet?" No, it's 3.15. Not yet.
"is it time yet?" Gazes into my face. No, it's 3.30. Not yet.
"Is it time yet?" Yes. "Oh, hurray!"

He's always been the same since he arrived in 2003, a food hound. I had him
investigated at the vets once before, years ago, because I thought his
appetite was excessive, but his bloodwork was fine. It was them that said
he was a greedy boy.
However, there is no anticipation for him now. None of hungriness that
makes him look forward to mealtimes.
He actually doesn't like having as much food as he wants all the time.
I am closely monitoring him for weight gain and if not, he will back at the
vet pronto. Atm, signs are looking good but can't be certain yet.
He seemed a bit off yesterday (I think he was too stuffed with food) but
seems a lot better today. More cheerful.

Tweed

"Adrian" wrote in message
...
"Christina Websell" wrote:

I adore him, and he does me. Please let him be OK.

Tweed

Lots of purrs.
--
Adrian

Thanks. Vet doesn't want to jump to conclusions about thyroid problems
quite yet.
I have to take him back if he continues to lose weight, and of course I
will.

"Joy" wrote in message
...
On 8/3/2015 11:29 AM, Christina Websell wrote:
"Joy" wrote in message
...
On 8/3/2015 9:45 AM, Christina Websell wrote:
"Debbie Wilson" wrote in message
...
Christina Websell wrote:

Thanks, Deb. I scared myself with this:
http://www.yourcat.co.uk/Indepth-cat...m-in-cats.html

and decided that if he does have that condition, that a thyroidectomy
would
be the way to go.
I'm not bothered about the cost, I love him so much that i would
spent
my
last penny on him.

It does make it sound scary but it's a very common condition and
relatively easy to control. A one-sided thyroidectomy would be the
most
likely op at first. The main thing is not to remove the parathyroids
as
they control calcium balance, and also not to compromise kidney
function
as very often hyperthyroidism masks kidney failure, and once the
hyperthyroidism is under control, the kidney failure becomes a
problem.
It's a fine balance between each condition. But Boyfie is a lot
younger
than Willow so he may not even have kidney problems yet.

He hardly ever drinks, so Alison doesn't think he has kidney problems.
He
has a dish of water available all the time, and I think I've seen him
drinking from it only 3 or 4 times in 12 years.

Willow had her op done along with a dental and it cost me around the
£200 mark. She is now on a very low dose of Felimazole (tablets) about
as low as it gets and she is doing very well.

That sounds very reasonable. My vets have all singing & dancing 24/7,
365
days a year service with scanners and anything else needed on site, so
I
would guess to about double that. They are very aware that they are
expensive, but quite rightly say that it costs them a lot to provide
that
service. Boyfie had a operation to save his life last year at 2 a.m.
If it proves eventually that he does have hyperthyroidism, I am likely
to
opt for a thyroidectomy. I'm glad that Willow is doing well. I'm
surprised,
though, that she still has to have tablets. Pilling Boyfie is my worst
nightmare and I'm not sure even pill pockets would work. He is very
suspicious of anything he considers "not normal" and he is likely to
say
"if
you think I'm eating that, you have another think coming"

Tweed

I understand abou the pills. When Waffles (RB) had to have pills toward
the end, I tried Pill Pockets. Both cats liked the empty one just fine,
but Waffles would have nothing to do with the ones that had pills
inside.

Joy

the trouble is that although he does flatcat at the vets and is easy to
pill
there, it's because he is terrified. He thinks he is about to die and
daren't move.
Not so here. He is sure I won't
harm him but the second he needs a tablet, he says "I don't think so"
and he is off to the hills. I cannot keep hold of him if there is any
sort
of medication involved.
I try to be crafty about it, but he isn't stupid.
He knows.

I understand perfectly. I might be able to give a pill to Pickles, but I
wouldn't rate the chances higher than 50/50. With Koala, there is no way.


I'm not going to panic yet. I *think* Boyfie is now increasing weight so
that might mean he was stressed rather than have hyperthyroidism can't be
sure that he doesn't have it. If he does, rest assured he will get the
treatment he needs..whatever it might be
http://www.yourcat.co.uk/Indepth-cat...m-in-cats.html

i always save up a lot in a separate bank account for veterinary costs in
case, but he busted his account last year when his intestines were out..
However, I increased my payment into his account after this and I am fairly
sure there is enough for anything, including a thyroidectomy if necessary.
The worse thing would be if my vet said "it costs x to save your pet"and I
didn't have x.

"The Other Guy" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 5 Aug 2015 23:21:17 +0100, "Christina Websell"
wrote:

I need to borrow or buy some scales to weigh him on to be sure.

You don't have a scale for yourself?

Weight yourself holding him, then again alone, and you'll have his weight.

Yes, I know this. I don't have a scale for myself, why does this seem to
surprise you?
I must get one to weigh him. He seems a bit chubbier. Let's hope so. I
think he has put on some weight already.
Given that he has been stuffed with food for two weeks to increase his
weight, I am hoping that it's working.

On 8/5/2015 10:44 PM, Christina Websell wrote:
"The Other Guy" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 5 Aug 2015 23:21:17 +0100, "Christina Websell"
wrote:

I need to borrow or buy some scales to weigh him on to be sure.

You don't have a scale for yourself?

Weight yourself holding him, then again alone, and you'll have his weight.

Yes, I know this. I don't have a scale for myself, why does this seem to
surprise you?
I must get one to weigh him. He seems a bit chubbier. Let's hope so. I
think he has put on some weight already.
Given that he has been stuffed with food for two weeks to increase his
weight, I am hoping that it's working.




You really should weight him ASAP and not give too much credence to that
weigh-in because your scales may not give you exactly the same weight as
the scales in the vet's office. Then follow that with another weigh-in
in every couple of weeks.

MaryL

"MaryL" wrote in message
...
You really should weight him ASAP and not give too much credence to that
weigh-in because your scales may not give you exactly the same weight as
the scales in the vet's office. Then follow that with another weigh-in in
every couple of weeks.

MaryL


He's going to be weighed tomorrow and then every fortnight. If I've caused
this through feeding senior food, which I thought was best for him, this is
awful.
He's alway been a food hound and moaned he never had enough since he was
young, so I never took any notice.
anyway, he is now stuffed to to the gills every day.
Today he has had 100g Whiskas for breakfast. 85g of Sheba at 2 pm. 100g of
Whiskas at 5 pm. Plus as much dry as he wants.
He prefers Sheba of course, but I've told him "you only get Sheba if you are
ill" and I think he is. There is something wrong with him.
He cannot run or jump and sits down all the time.
I'm beginning to think that he got knocked by a car.