Update on my old kitty: vet visit today

[GreenPartyVoter]

He's about 3 pounds less than he was in his prime, has a lump on his thyroid, and his resting heart rate was 240! He also has some infected teeth in his mouth. :( They took some blood and by next Wednesday we should know more about his situation.

Hubby is a bit freaked about the cost of all this. $200 for what we did today, plus whatever the pills might cost if it is definitely hyperthyroidism, plus having his teeth pulled at a later date. I know Pretzel is almost 14 but I really think we can keep him a few more years if we take care of him. *worried*

[mak3cats]

1. Hang in there!

It's possible that the infected teeth may be causing less eating (thus the weight loss). Hyperthyroidism is pretty easily controlled with meds (I'm not sure about the lump). I had a cat with thyroid problems that lived to slightly past her twentieth birthday (and know of several others). 14's just a baby! (Not really, but that's how I feel.)

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Thanks! My dad's cat just got diagnosed with it too. He mentioned that there would

have to be follow-up blood tests. That really flipped hubby out.

[applegrove]

3. I'm sure it will work out well with Pretzel. Sounds like a fighter.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. He's too sweet to go yet.. I have to make him better :^)

[Darth_Kitten]

9. Good kitty vibes coming your way.

:hug:

You just do what you have to.

[tpsbmam]

4. Keeping everything crossed for you and Pretzel!

Having just had a $1000 emergency with one of my dogs, I know how scary those vet bills are! I have my limits -- not going to end up homeless because of vet bills -- but I'll cut back on a lot of things to make sure the dogs have the care they need.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Yow, that's really steep, but yearh our animals are like kids. How can we not take care of them?

[tpsbmam]

12. With all they do for us, I think its our moral obligation

to do all that we can for them to keep them healthy and happy. Steep, yeah, but worth it -- she could have died (it was diagnosed as inflammatory bowel -- lots of blood lost and it as iffy when she got to the vet) and here she is, healthier than ever and racing around with her younger buddy. She's had pancreatitis for 6 years -- it's well under control with 6 years of diligent TLC. She's seven -- what is that, 11 in cat years? So I'm totally with you -- you're doing the right thing and hopefully Pretzel will be healthy and happy soon!

[Forkboy]

7. Best of luck.

I lost my kitty of 17 years to jaw cancer. I really wonder about the teeth thing being the cause. I could never really afford a vet for him (my father picked up the big bills at the end).

I really hope everything is ok. They're our best friends. :(

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Thanks. I am worried about the teeth thing too. Sepsis from infection is no small thing. But the

doc said he should be ok for now and the get the thyroid taken care of and then in a couple of months when he has put some weight back on and rebuilt his strength he can get the teeth pulled.

In the meantime, we have switched from kibble to canned food to see if he can manage that better.

(I am really sorry about your kitteh. :hug: I know how awful it is to lose a fur-baby)

[Forkboy]

11. Thanks, it was a long time ago now.

I've had this guy for the last 12 years now.



One thing with the canned food though. If the cat is fixed keep an eye on the ash content in the food. Anything above 2.5 isn't really good, at least not on a regular basis. It'll give you the number right on the back of the cans. It can cause bad urinary infections. Sadly, many are at least 3.0, but try to keep that as low as you can if possible.

All the best to your bud. :hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. I had no idea about the ash content. I will check on it!

[Critters2]

10. I've had cats with each of these problems.

The thyroid will probably be easily controlled with a very inexpensive medication (the name of which escapes me, but it's one they use for humans with thyroid trouble, too).

The teeth may not be as big a problem as you think, either. ONe of mine had 6 of her teeth pulled 2 1/2 years ago. I was sure she wouldn't be able to survive with so many teeth missing, but she's fine. In fact, she's gained weight, and she eats kibble. You wouldn't know she ever had a problem.

I know it's easy for me to say "Don't worry", but you'd be surprised what vets can do--and how resilient animals are.

Good Luck!!

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. Thanks for the reassurance. Here's hoping it all goes well, and that his sister

can stay healthy too.