To update you on the legal situation. It has been resolved.  I ended up contacting a bankruptcy attorney to have them offer a settlement or tell the adverse attorney I was filing bankruptcy (he didn't know that I had trouble getting someone to take the bankruptcy case).  I ended up paying $1000 to him minus what was already taken out of my paycheck (3 checks).  So, it has been settled. Final payment was made.  So glad that is over!

Now I still have to raise funds for veterinary care.  Smokie's appetite when down. He was seen by 2 vets for an independent consult. Those took the rest of whatever money was left out of my fund raising account.  His T4 was 21.1! So vet thinks it was the meds. New meds were picked up from another manufacturer .  The manufacturer he had been on for Methimazole is Boca.  Someone else had a problem with their methimazole as well.  He has to be retested in three weeks, and if it's not the meds then we have to adjust meds accordingly.  She said if meds don't work then there could be other factors at play.  Some pretty scary.

So now I have to figure out where the money will come to have him retested.  If in 3 weeks his T4 has gone down significantly then he may only need one more blood test. If not, he may need several before he's table again.  Hoping that being at the 21.1 T4 has not damaged any of his other organs!  He is also on an appetite stimulant now too to help him eat.

He now needs weekly b12 shots which I can give at home. However, that's only if I have the money to purchase the vial of b12 and the syringes. :(

I have been trying really hard to find other ways to bring in income.  None seem really viable, and if it does look interesting there are about a million people doing similar things :(

So please please please pass this link around to our fund raiser.  Even if it's through Facebook or Twitter.  It would greatly be appreciated.  If you know of someone that can help with the situation please let me know!

~M

Update and Urgent Help Needed!

Things have been crazy lately. It's been quite a while since I updated my blog about the cats. A LOT has changed.

I have some sad news to report.  March 22, 2015 I had to help Sassy to the rainbow bridge.  Her CKD had progressed, and so had her hyperthyroidism.  Her Kidney numbers were through the roof and so were her Thyroid numbers. Trying to balance those two would cause her to crash. She was not eating and peeing everywhere.


She did have a bad kidney infection which helped the CKD to progress and get worse. Antibiotics were not helping, and she was going down hill fast.  Her quality of life was dwindling so I did my final act of love and selflessness and helped her cross the bridge.  It was an easy decision to make but a hard one to go through.  I rescued her from abuse, and gave her a wonderful loving home.  She was 18 years old, and lived a wonderful long life.  I miss her terribly, but I do know that she is still around me.  There are times I do hear her meow. It was very distinctive to any other of the cats meows around here.  And I believe she is still here with me, and it gives me comfort.

 

I thought with the relief of not having to get meds for her, less wet food, etc that the financial aspect would improve just a little.  I was wrong.  

 

Smokie about a year ago was diagnosed with IBD. He was on steroids to help and meds and was doing great, however after Sassy was gone, he quickly started having flair ups with his IBD and now I have more meds and supplements that he needs which has taken any extra money I would have had. With the prednisolone that he is on for IBD it makes him eat more. Normally he should have one can of food a day. He's going through 2+ cans (5oz) a day.  The prednisolone reduces the ability of his body to fight infections.  He's recently had a UTI and is on antibiotics.  Every vet visit cost over $100. 

I now have a new situation going on that has threatened my veterinary fund I had set up for them. Every year my tax money goes for vet visits for my special needs cats.  A few months ago, I was contacted by an attorney stating that the collection company that purchased my debt is demanding payment or they will garnish my wages.  At first I thought this was a scam so I did some investigating.  Indeed there was a judgment against me. But this was almost 10 years ago, and I was never served or notified about it.  When I did more digging around I found out that it was for a credit card that I had paid off 11 years ago.  Since there was a judgment I went investigating on how I could get the judgement vacated. I never received a collection notice once until now.  The originating collection agency that handled the judgement from my research online has very many legal problems and they are about as crooked as you come.  They did not act on the judgement, and let it sit and gain interest until it was over $4000. They sold it to another collection agency for profit. Their legal problems are so bad they even had to change their name.   I figured I'll just find my records to prove I paid this off.  In searching I found out that those records were destroyed last year.  I had kept them 10 years, 3 years longer than what was recommended.  So I had to go about finding my bank I had all those years ago.  In searching I found out that this bank sold their business to another bank.  I called that bank and seeing as the records were over 10 years old they would no longer have those.  So I now have NO proof I paid this off!

I contacted many attorney's who practice in this area of law. Unfortunately I was told by all of them that investigation and going after this company would take money and time. Money I did not have.  They recommend bankruptcy as the cheaper alternitive.   So I did call many bankruptcy attorneys and because my debt is under $5,000 ( this judgement is the only money I owe to anyone) they do not recomend bankruptcy and will not do so.  Pretty much no attorney will.  So I'm caught in a very bad bad situation.

Fast forward a few weeks to now, the adverse attorney has started garnishment proceedings. They will take $100 + out of my pay check each pay period.  I can not afford this, as that means food for myself, my cats and their health needs.  On top of the current mess I had an unforeseen expense that took all of my veterinary fund to fix. It wasn't something I could put off.  So now, I have no veterinary fund, and I am getting my wages garnished.  Plus side is if I claimed bankruptcy they could have taken my veterinary fund money.  Now it's not there for them to take. :(

It is an unfortunate thing that has happened and I am outraged by it.  I feel as though the originating collection agency stepped all over my rights and now put me into this unfair situation.  I don't have the money to fight it, and claiming bankruptcy is going to be hard given the amount I have.

So it is urgent more now than ever that I forward my fundraiser to help raise funds for my cats veterinary care.  They should not be affected with what has unfairly been done to me.  I am including a link to my fundraiser for my cats.  Please forward it on your Facebook pages, twitter accounts and any other social media you may have or way to pass it around.

My diabetic cat needs to go in for a check up. She also has heart arrhythmia and her heart needs to be checked.  I have only raised $150 which has already been used for Smokie's vet visit. So right now I can not get Lucky in to be seen. The vet will not accept payment arrangements, and with the garnishment happening I can't afford to make payments.

 

I am hoping and praying that this situation can be remedied and soon. I pray for answers every day. 

Veterinary Fund Raiser

I had found many links to places that help owners with veterinary care for their animals. However, because her life is not immediately threatened by not being able to bring her in, no one can help me.  She is doing okay and this is just simply a check up. So unfortunately those sites will not be able to help until she is in a life threatening situation.  Regular veterinary checkups would help prevent that situation from occurring.

So fundraising is my only option.  I am asking for everyone's help. For the sake of my wonderful loving cats. I love them with all my heart and will protect them at any cost.

It has been a while since the last post. Things have been busy, and I have been horrible about updating. So I am going to update with all that has happened since the last post!


Sassy was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism, as you know.  She has now been diagnosed with CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease).  Her Phosphorus and potassium were very high.  She was also diagnosed with metabolic acidosis as well as a heart murmur.  So she is now on benazapril for her heart, coQ10 for her heart, Phosphorus binders, baking soda for the metabolic acidosis.  Her T4 had increased so she now gets 1/4 of her methimazole AM and PM.  She gets Ondansetron for her nausea and gerneric Zantac for tummy acid.  She seems to be doing well on this combo so far.  She has not gone back in for more diagnostics as I have run out of money. So now I take it one day at a time.

Lucky went in for dental this year again and gave the vet a scare. Her lips started turning blue, and after the procedure the vet found she had arrythmia.  And so she too now has been put on Benazapril for her heart.  The vet had suggested I get an ultrasound for their hearts to see what type of heart issues they had and how bad they were.  However at $400 a piece I do not have the money for that, and they are being treated just with the benazapril at this time.

Smokie on and off after being stabilized with Hyperthyroidism, had thrown up.  I'd change the food, and he would stop throwing up.  His vomiting spells had gotten worse. He went from weighing 12lbs to 8.5lbs.  About what he was when he was diagnosed with HT.  He was taken into the vet and diagnosed with IBD  which is Inflammatory Bowel Disease.  He was put on prednisone. 5mg to start and 2.5mg there after.  This has stopped the vomiting but he has had some nausea, and had to be put on Ondansetron for the nausea.  This helped with his appetite. 

It has been a very busy and stressful time trying to figure out what their medical issues were and trying to figure out if I could afford it all.

Now 3 cats are strictly on a wet food diet, and have multiple supplements to help them.  It's getting harder to be able to afford what they need because their medical conditions seem to broaden with each passing year.  Normally my tax money would be more than enough to pay for medical treatments as needed. This year I ran out by November.  2 of the 3 cats really need blood tests to monitor blood levels for treatment adjustments and there is just no money unfortunately.  On top of all those developments we have had car problems. Our cars are over 12 years old, and with all of the cats medical needs we can not keep up on our car repairs.  We really need money to buy newer cars that are in better condition than the ones we currently have.  We do the best to keep them maintained and do a lot of the repairs our self, or have a salvage yard friend help us find parts for cheap repairs.  But the vehicles are getting to the point that they are getting more costly and more invasive than we can do ourselves, and it's really time to get newer vehicles.  But in order to do this, I'd have to use at least 1/2 my tax money and half of my fiance's taxes to purchase a newer vehicle.  Unfortunately I need ALL my tax money and then some for the cats medical care.  If we do not get newer vehicles then when they finally do have a major break down, we will not be able to afford to fix them.  We live in a rural area, and the roads in the winter are plowed but never salted, and when plowed are plowed last.  So all wheel drive, or 4 wheel drive vehicles are a must.   If I can not get out to get to work, I will not have a job.  And it's needed for the cats' medical expenses. We can not live on one income.  As it is my fiance drives 1hr and 10 minutes to work.  To cut gas expenses he's stayed in town where he works, and only comes home 1-2 nights out of the week.  We've given up a lot of our daily needs to make sure the cats get theirs, and we are at a point where we can not give up any more.

I rescued these special needs cats because no one else would.  And at the time their conditions were manageable.  Now they are getting older and need more medical treatment and supplies.  

I have worked so hard to keep them in a safe environment, and give them a warm and loving home.  I am now starting to struggle, and it is very difficult when I know they need to go to the vets to monitor their medical conditions, and I can't take them in.  I am doing the best I can, but the way things are going I may not be able to properly care for them if their medical costs go any higher.

Therefore I'm creating a fund raising website, to try to raise funds.  If I can raise at least $2000 that will free up my taxes and we can get a newer vehicle that has less miles and will be more reliable and less expensive to fix for a while.

There is a link below where you can donate.  I have also created cat related t-shirts and other items. I will also create dog related t-shirts to sell.  I have teamed up with an animal rescue in Michigan who makes the shirts and items and then ships them out. So, each purchase also helps them with their animal rescue and sanctuary as well! It benefits both of us. All money raised  by purchasing t-shirts and other items will go for veterinary care for the cats, and their medications and supplements.

I ask that you forward these links as much as you can through social media websites such as twitter, Facebook etc.  It would really make Christmas a happier time if we knew that these wonderful cats would have the proper medical care that they need and deserve. 

We pray daily for the answer to our situation, and hope you will do so with us as well.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!

Purchase items to help us raise funds:
http://blujay.com/TheFanDepot

Where to go to donate money:
http://www.gofundme.com/5catsvetfund

Lucky is Diabetic

Since April of 2013, I have had a very terbulant time with my cats. One cat was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism, and As of August Lucky was diagnosed as Diabetic.

I started noticing Lucky waiting by the water dish if another cat was drinking. Something she did not normally do. I also noticed that she went frequently to the water dish many times during the day.  She had also lost some weight.  So I put her in a room and monitored her. She wasn't eating very much, but was drinking well over 1 cup of water a day.  I  noticed that her urine didn't have that distinct ammonia smell that most cats urine had.  I made an appointment with the vet as soon as possible.  She had blood drawn and a urine strip test was done. There was a lot of sugar spilling into her urine, and her urine was very dilute.  Her blood sugar came back at over 300.

The vet was very optimistic that only a diet change may be needed.  So she was then put on an all wet food diet of Fancy Feast as it was the lowest in carbs and the cheapest.  At first her numbers went down a little but they were still above normal.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Looking into insulin, the best for her was Latnus. However Latnus cost around $200.  Which I did not have.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do for her.  I was referred by someone to Diabetic Cats In Need, and they were quick to help out by sending a pen of Latnus to get me started. Luckily by the time that arrived. She started having blood sugar readings in the normal level, and they stayed there for 14 days. After which she was considered in remission, and controlled only on food.  This was a BIG relief to me.

Since being diagnosed, she has had to have one dental cleaning and was put on antibiotics.

Hopefully she continues to be controlled simply by diet.

Another Diagnosis of HT

As of April 4, 2013 I have another diagnosis of Hyperthyroidism. Sassy was officially diagnosed and put on medication.  However, after a few days of the medication she started to scratch her face and had sores all over :( Poor Sassy!

A small percentage of cats have an adverse reaction to the Methimazole medication.  I did not want to give up so I did try stopping it for two weeks and then restarting it while giving her Zyrtec for the itching.  She was restarted on her once a day pill treatment and so far the itching has not returned.  However I feel as time progresses and she needs more, this may not still be the case. For cats like Sassy they need the radioactive iodine treatment which is a 100% cure for this disease.  So ultimately I have to start raising funds for this.  The radioactive iodine therapy costs around $1500.

If you would like to help, I have opened a Bonanza booth where you can purchase a wide variety of items from Toys to Android Tablets.  All proceeds will go to getting her radioactive iodine therapy.  If you can not help with a purchase, please forward the link to the store on your facebook, twitter and tumbler accounts.

Here is the direct link to : Koshkonong Treasures .

She as done nicely so far, and does need to go back in for lab testing to make sure her T4 is where it should be.  Hopefully this will be done within the next month or so.

Recovering Nicely!

Charlie is recovering nicely from his Dental surgery. Have not seen any red ears since the day after surgery.  Hoping the Dental surgery solves this issue.

The others cats are doing nicely (knock on wood). Today they are being lazy as I am too!  Soon I will be changing food.  I will be changing back to chicken soup for the pet lover's soul. Hopefully it takes care of the dark waxy build- up in smokie's ears and the vomiting.  Smokie has another three months until another blood draw for updated T4 readings.

I have found a toy that they all love. It's a hybrid that I put together.  It's a dabird attachment feather or mouse and put it on a child's fishing rod. OMG they go nutty for it! It's the only toy that they want to play with!

It's Been A While

It's been a while since I last posted on any of the cats.  Since taking the 2nd Job, it's now my main job. Smokie is still on the medication, all though he started throwing up again about 8-9 months ago.  He went in to check his thyroid numbers and they were good. He's also had a lot of brown waxy build up in his ears as well. I'm thinking it could be allergy related on both accounts due to food.  It could also be the medication. But stopping the medication is not going to be the answer. He'll start throwing up without it. So I won't know either way. So, I'll be changing food to a limited ingredient food. Trying to find one that is within my budget is not an easy task as they are all really expensive. So the search is continuing.

Smokie is a very interesting cat.  He knows the time at which he gets his meds and he will be next to me crying away and it's usually two minutes to 7 (he gets his meds at 7am and 7pm).  There have been times I've been busy doing something and have not heard my alarm go off for his meds. And I know if he's pestering me persistantly it's one of two things if his bowl is full it's because it's past 7 and he has not gotten his medication. HE reminds me! He's such a unique cat, and that's why I love him!

One of my other cat's Faith had to cross the rainbow bridge due to a stroke on December 27th 2011. I was heartbroken but I knew it was best for her. It's been a hard year without her. I miss her tiny squeeks. :(  Many people have tried to send other cats my way, but unfortunately I have a limited income and can not afford at this time to take any more in. It's sad, but true. I see a great many cats that I'd love to rescue, but the funds are just not there.

Many of the cats, in 2012, had lots of dental work done. All of my cats accept the youngest Callie, has had teeth removed.  Charlie the recent one, had 4 removed. One was one of his canine teeth. He is genetically predisposed to having them just drop out.  The one that was taken had a pocket in it, so it had to be removed.  He's doing fine. I initally brought him in for the very red ears he'd get.  We're thinking it was from the teeth, but not completely sure right now. If it doesn't resolve with the teeth removal, then we'll be looking at blood pressure next.

Sassy used to get red ears and now it's been quite some time since I've seen them red like the picture's I've posted in my blog previously. I'm thinking the tooth removal might have been the issue with her. And I'm hoping it's the solution to Charlie's red ears.

The other thing that prompted me to bring Charlie in was that he has been pouncing on Lucky. Just after Christmas he bit her leaving her with a bite mark and a nice wound. That has healed over, and he does seem to be calmer since the dental surgery. I'm hoping that stops the agressiveness towards Lucky and the other female cats.

That brings everyone up to date on their lives thus far and their journey in life.

Update With The Cats

It's been some time since I last posted.  I did not get accepted for the animal fund because his condition is treatable with medication.   However,  since the fundraising aspect was not panning out, I took a 2nd Job.  I've been working hard to save some money up so that Smokie can get his Radioactive Iodine treatment.  He has been doing well on the Methimazole.twice daily.   I'm trying to save up at least $100-$200 a month to put away for Smokie's treatment.  Though right now I've had two cats with urinary tract infections which have eaten up any money I was putting a side for Smokie right now.   So hopefully next month will be better for Saving some money.  Right now I have saved $100 currently.  So hopefully the cats will stay healthy! ;)

Charlie was doing good until this past Tuesday July 5.  In the morning I heard a commotion at the bottom of the basement steps. Charlie's tail was all poofed out and he had pounced on poor Lucky who was in a corner.  She had a cut below her eye which I treated.  Had to separate him for a bit. So far so good. Her scratch is healing nicely.   If his behavior doesn't change soon he'll be going into the vet to be checked out.

All the rest of the kitties Faith, Callie and Sassy are doing good! ;)  Will try to update the blog more often.

Till Next Time
Melissa

Badger Animal Fund

Though word of mouth we found a local Animal Fund that might be able to help Smokie with the Radio Active Iodine treatment which would cure him.  We submitted an application about 2 weeks ago with records from the vet.  We found a treatment facility about 2 hours away that would do the treatment for about $1200.  Smokie would be in their facility for about 3 days and then he'd be able to return home.

The fund committee meets the 2nd Thursday of every month.  We are now waiting to hear the outcome.  Hopefully they will be able to help us to cure Smokie!

Charlie's Quandary

For Some time Charlie our orange and grey tabby has been chasing the females around and pouncing on them.  Lately it has gotten worse.  Pouncing roughly on the female cats and leaving big scratches and other small wounds.

I had talked to a behaviorist.  She brought up a point that male cats bond closely.  Charlie and Smokie are very close and always snuggle with each other.  Charlie will follow Smokie around if he moves and cuddle with him.  They groom each other all the time.  So I realized that Charlie's behavior is because he senses that something is wrong with Smokie (hyperthyroidism) and it is causing him stress.  I often give the cats cat nip as a treat.  Cat nip is also the cause that he is more aggressive in his play.  Since stopping the cat nip, he has calmed down some.  I've also gotten some calming chews which I give to him at night to keep him calm and relaxed.

The behaviorist also thinks that since Charlie can sense that Smokie is ill, he is also trying to be the dominant male now.  Since Smokie has been sick he isn't as pushy towards the other cats.  He lays around and sleeps.  Plays once in a while.  So being that Charlie is the only other male cat in the group, he is trying to fill the dominant male void.  Between those two things, Charlie is stressed out.  He is a very sensitive cat.  You look at him the wrong way and he'll run and hide.

So, the course of action right now is to give him calming chews nightly to help.  Will be getting some calming oil to put him on him to see if it helps.  If it doesn't then, we may have to go to the vet to get medication to help him during this time.


So far so good though! ;)

I

It's been a while since I've last updated this blog. Things have been busy over here. Finally I think all the urinary tract infections have finally gone, I am focusing on other things. Smokie is now considered stable. His T4 is now at 2.4 with the range being from (1.9 to 4.8) So he is in a good place. His next vet appointment is not needed for another 6 months!

I have applied for the Badger Fund to hopefully help me with the cost of the Radio Active Iodine treatment for Smokie. I filled out the application and will not hear the result of that decision until next Thursday or Friday. I am hoping for good news. If they can help with the amount for the procedure then all that's needed for him to be admitted is x-rays (2 views of the chest). Then I can send them to Radiocat and hopefully they will say he is a candidate for the treatment. Once he has the treatment then, he'll be cured! No more vet appointments, no more blood tests! It will be a relief!

The other kitties are doing well. The protien found in Sassy's urine when she had the UTI is now gone. There is no protien in her urine. Her urine is healthy and shows no kidney issues. YAY! She still has the red ears, and the vet attributes it to old age. But I am keeping an eye on that.

So all is going well at this point! Good news all around!

Feline Hyper T Support Group

Just wanted to let those of you know who may have Hyper T kitties as well that there is an awesome support group for hyper t kitties through yahoo groups.  It's called Feline-Hyper T Support Group.  It was started in 1999 as a result of an overdose of HT medication.  Since that time, many many cat owers have been apart of this wonderful group.  They ask questions and report symptoms as well as blood test results and other information from their vets.  This
group has become the single larges source of experience with HT and information on the subject anywhere in the world.  There are no vets in the group, but there are nurses in the group though. But they have long-term daily observations of symptoms, reactions and general behavior with test results people get from their vets.  This type of information is not something a vet can get in an office visit, and even longterm studies don't get.  Not too many vets are aware that starting at too high of a
dose can lead to many problems healthwise with cats who are on medication.  They go by the standard dosing instructions from Plumb's Veternary Drug Handbook and what they read in other books.  The dosing guidelines are based on what they give HUMANS for a Thyroid disorder.  Through people posting about sideffects and reactions etc. They have realized that 2x a day dosing of thyroid medication is best and to start out really low at 1.25mg or 1/4 of a 5mg pill 2x a day. It has saved countless cats
lives including Smokies! The vet originally prescribed him 2.5mg to take once a day, and then upp it to 2x a day!  While 2x a day is what is at now, it was WAY too much to start him out on.  His original numbers were 12.7 for T4.  And with just 1/4 of a pill 2x a day it went down to 7.9!  The drugs given to cats for Hyperthyroidism are one step short of cancer drugs! So it's important that dosing be watched and monitored VERY carefully. Low and Slow is the best way to do it!

If your cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, please visit the Feline Hyper T Support group at Yahoo. The link to the page is:

 

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/feline-hyperT/



Please visit this page and join.  It will help you and your kitty to master the rollercoaster called Hyperthyroidism! ;)

Long Time No Post - Update

 It's been a while since I posted.  Things have been crazy around this house.

Sassy is doing well and has finished her antibiotics for her urinary tract infection.  But since she was being treated, I spotted more small clumps of pee in the litter box that were not from her!


I had suspected it was Charlie my orange and grey tabby.  Smokie was going in for a blood work recheck and I brought in Charlie as well. I noticed him throwing up, and I thought that maybe he had a UTI that was causing him to throw up.  Well good news he didn't have a UTI.  Just hairball issues.  YAY another cat with hairball issues. He's been started on 1/2 a tablet of Walgreen's version of Fibercon.  This has helped with his constipation due to the hairballs.  He's also getting 2x a week hairball paste.  So far this has helped him. Though some days he doesn't want to take it. So I have to keep trying until he's in a good mood ;)  Same with Sassy. She doesn't always like to take her hairball paste either. I have to keep trying until she's ready to take it.

I thought that the UTI's were over, until Smokie started peeing in small amounts and not squatting down in the litter like he was supposed to. So I got a urine sample and brought it to the vet.  Sure enough there was some blood in his urine, and she put him on antibiotics.   He just finished up his last course.  And of course I thought this was it for the UTI's in this household.  Apparently not!  This past Sunday I spotted Callie squatting to pee, but nothing coming out!  She kept going into the litter box and trying to pee but it was dribbling out or didn't come out at all.  So of course, I started her on the left over antibiotic I had from Sassy.  The first antibiotic that the vet gave me for her she couldn't take so there was some left over.  Thank goodness, because I started her on it right away. I noticed a great improvement within 24 hours.  So into the vet she went this past Monday 3/28!  She's now on something to acidify her urine to help her out and, on antibiotics.

I am really hoping that is the end of the UTI's here.  If it were not for the $500 I got back in tax money I don't know where I'd be!  That has pretty much been eaten up with UTI's and Smokie's Blood test.

By the way the last time he had his blood work done, his T4 was at a perfect 2.1!  So he's now in the normal range. He goes back into the vet for more blood work in June!  Hopefully then his Kidney and other numbers will be good as well!

Update on Sassy

 

Since being put on Baytril, Sassy's eating went down and you could tell she didnt' feel well.  Her ears get pink and warm from time to time still. Not sure if that's due to the infection or something else going on inside.  I had to go to walgreens to pick up some vitimin B12 for her. Have been giving her 1/2 a 500mcg tablet once a day. She seems to be happier, and last night she ate 1/2 of a 1.5cup bowl which was almost full of the new cat food I got. It was just
a small sample pack of Purina One Smart Blends with Salmon and Tuna.  She seems to like it, as well as the other cats here.  Smokie and Lucky I had to fight off because they LOVED it.  Right now they are on chicken soup for the pet lover's soul cat food. It's a good food with no fillers, but it's a senior formula which there's not a whole lot of smell to it being it's made for seniors.  So that could be why they like the other stuff better.  Will be calling the vet this AM to have her
give another antibiotic.  So she seems to be improving nicely so far.  Her ears have been turning red on and off a little bit.  It could be fever, or blood pressure related to her infection. Hopefully once her course of antibiotics are done and the infection is gone, then the red ears will disappear. Praying they disappear. If not, then there is another underlying condition which I hope we do not have!  Sassy is not easy at the vets office. or to give her medication when she doesn't want to
eat.

These are what her ears look from time to time. They don't stay red, but lets hope that this is just because of the infection!

 

Smokie Update

So, got the bloodwork from the vet. Smokie's T4 has gone from 12.7 to 7.9 just on 1/4 of a pill 2x a day. YAY. So she upped his thyroid medication to 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 in the afternoon.

After the increase he did gain 2lbs in the first week! He was up to 11lbs. Which is 1lb shy of his normal weight. However this past week we've had ups and downs which means he's still not stable. He's lost a pound. But hopefully he'll gain it back. He'll be going into the vet on March 10th for a blood work recheck before any upping of the medication. We'll see where his T4 readings are then.

She said his kidney's look good, so she doesn't feel there is any underlying kidney issues. This is good news! YAY.

It's been a busy week as the last post indicates. Many cats going into the vet. Glad that they were only minor things and will be healthy otherwise.

So all around good news. YAY!

UTI Going Around

Things have been busy around here lately. I noticed faith was drinking a lot of water. Because she is over weight I thought it might be diabetes. Didn't have a whole lot of money to bring her into the vet. I had to do it as cheaply as possible. Through an angel they gave me a free blood glucose kit and I tested her blood. Her first reading was 51, and her second reading was 49. So I wasn't sure if the monitor was just off, or if she was hypoglycemic. The vet said that was very rare. She said she could do a urine sample. So Last Saturday I brang in a urine sample. The vet said her urine was concetrated so that was good. Kidney's were good. But what she found was a UTI! So faith was put on Baytril 22mg. One pill a day for 15 days. She said her urine was a little acidic, but that could have been due to the urinary tract infection. So after MUCH worrying that she had diabetes or worse kidney issues, I was relieved when it was just a UTI. Her water intake has been MUCH less which is good. I know it's good for them to drink enough water. But she was worrying me!

Then this past week I noticed Sassy had a pretty small urine spot in the litter box. So of course me being me, I started to panic that maybe she had problems with her kidneys. Since Sassy is not the most tolerant cat. I couldn't get a urine sample. I had to bring her in This past Thursday to the vet. I played the cuddle card and spent all day with her so she was in a good mood so I could get her in the carrier. It worked.

While at the vet she did pretty well up until the point the vet started to look at her. She let the vet tech pick her up with no sounds or acts of violence! I was socked. She let the vet pet her a little. Once she started to feel around Sassy then got outwardly mean and growled. And the vet got her nice big thick gloves. Sassy at one point bit her and the glove went flying off her hands! That's when Sassy cowered in the corner and left a urine sample for the vet! YAY! Poor Sassy though. She had to be a little embarassed that she peed outside the litter box. She's one of those cats that if there is no litter box she will NOT pee outside of it. She'll hold it. So, I was glad that she peed though. The vet got a sample and got a reading from it. She did have a urinary tract infection as well! So, she was put on 1/2 a pill of baytril for 15 days.

Her urine was nicely concentrated so no Kidney problems! YAY. She did find some protien but, she said that the infection can cause that so she's not really worried. If after she's been cleared of the UTI and she still had protien in her urine, then there could be a hole in her Kidney. Nothing huge, but she'd have to be put on special food with low protien. But right now Sassy looks healthy.

She did want Sassy to come in for a teeth cleaning soon though. Then she'd also get a blood sample. However, with monitary issues. That will have to wait until it's something necessary. With all the cats going into the vet, it's taking a tole on my cash flow.

Till next time -

Update on Smokie and Faith News

Just an update. Smokie went to the vet yesterday February 15th for a blook work recheck.  Still waiting for the results from the vet.  But she said he seems to be doing so well right now.  Just waiting to find the test results to know if we have up his meds or not.



For the past couple of days I've noticed Faith my overweight cat, making large pee puddles in the cat litter box.  I saw her drinking what I thought was a lot.  I've talked to the vet and others who have diabetic cats.  They both say that she doesn't really show the major signs of diabetes. It could be a possibility because she does weigh 17.5 lbs.   She also said it could be behavoiral as well.



I put her in a room by her self since last night with food out only in the morning and water.  So far she's peed once and it's not nearly as big as what I was seeing in the litter box.  Which is GOOD news.  This means it could be behavioral and or because she's just eating too much food.  Diabetes and or Kidney disease is still not out of the woods. I have a wonderful diabetic group who is sending me a meter so I can check her blood sugar to rule it out.



Though a wonderful idea of another angel, I am now collecting aluminum cans and other aluminum items to recycle. The money that I get from recycling the cans will go to help diet change for all the cats.  They eventually will be on all wet cat food.  The money raised by collecting aluminum cans will help for me to be able to afford to feed them an all wet diet.  Right now I only work 2.5 hours a week because of back problems. I am trying to find other jobs however, am not having any luck in that
area.  So by collecting aluminum, I can help supplement.  If anyone would like to help me, please let me know!

Another 1/2 lb Gained!

Weighed Smokie today. He gained another 1/2lb which makes him now up to 9.5lbs! So proud of him! He has a vet appt for a bloodwork recheck on Tuesday at 9am. Can't wait to get his results!

~Mel~

Blood work Re-check

Just an update on Smokie. We have a vet appointment on Tuesday February 15th to do a blood work re-check on him.  Since being on the meth. medication starting January 22nd he's gained 1.5 lbs! He was 7.5 lbs when he was brought in for blood work.  He's now at 9lbs!  After the appointment we'll see where he goes from there.  Whether he needs to be upped or kept at the current dosage he's on.  He's on 1/4 of a pill 2x daily.

Because of his wonderful progress, I'm hoping that his numbers were cut in half at least.  His T4 was at 12.9, and I'm hoping it is at least 1/2 of that by now if not in the normal zone.  That would be awesome! So good wishes and thoughts on February 15th at 9am!

It's one of those days!

Today is one of those lazy days. It's freezing out and everyone is trying to stay warm.

Smokie's crying has tapered down today. But then I've been out doing erands and other things. I notice that if I'm around him doing busy things, he seems to cry more. that may be more behavioral. Hopefully, that will taper off soon.

He's been taking his medication like a good boy. I'm so proud of him, and myself for doing such a good job!

~Mel~