May 6th - Caturday - Ginger's i131 Treatment

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I will only give her a spoonful. She is pretty used to car rides. She ate two breakfasts before we left on Monday.
Send eating vines still. I have yet to see her eating on the web cam, but they told me she is eating, and so she did not need any Mirtazapine.
 
Aaaaw Dyana, she's such a beauty, and she is being watched from right around the world.

Hope she's enjoying the Jerbils and Bird TV

some of these for you as I know you are missing her
:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Hi Dyana,
Thanks so much for posting this great account. I'm sure that it will help anyone who decides to have the i131 procedure for their kitty. Ginger is a good instructor! Just think: tomorrow she'll be home. How long do you have to observe the radiation instructions?
We are very glad that Ginger's tumor is small and are keeping paws and fingers crossed that the whole procedure and post-procedure will produce good results.
Hugs and scritches,
 
Gill & George said:
some of these for you as I know you are missing her
:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
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I am. So much. I can't wait to see her tomorrow. Although, I do feel like I've been seeing her for the 3 long days.
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey said:
It won't be long now and you'll have her home.


Sending loads of appy and healing vines and lots of :bighug:s.
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I know. In just 12 hours, I'll be on the road again to pick her up :) Yay!!!!!!

Nancy & Cootie (GA) said:
Dyana, I just watched Ginger eat! She's such a beautiful girl! But now I'd better get back to work lol
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You saw her eat!? I have not seen her eat, yet. I hope she eats when she gets home.

Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) said:
Hi Dyana,
Thanks so much for posting this great account. I'm sure that it will help anyone who decides to have the i131 procedure for their kitty. Ginger is a good instructor! Just think: tomorrow she'll be home. How long do you have to observe the radiation instructions?
We are very glad that Ginger's tumor is small and are keeping paws and fingers crossed that the whole procedure and post-procedure will produce good results.
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I believe they said little close cuddles to 20 minutes per day. So I can do ten 2 minute snuggles, or five 4 minute snuggles, or four 5 minute snuggles. Truefully, when she is loving and purring in front of my lap (she never gets on my lap) and purring away, it will be hard to get up or get her off because I love her so much. She has to be on a leash when outside for 2 weeks because she could hurt the wildlife. I have the choice between using flushable litter and flushing it for 2 weeks (which I care about the environment too much to do) or double bagging it for 2 weeks and then storing it in my basement for 3 months (90 days) until the radioactive whatever decays away, then I can toss it in the trash.
The Animal Endocrine Clinic (Hypurrcat) will pay for her 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months blood work to check her thyroid panel and kidney function. Crossed Fingers. I told the famous doctor that I've had my fingers crossed to 2 months and he said to keep them crossed.
I think she will be okay. Her kidney values have always been great.

I bought her a new "The Ultimate" 32 inch high scratch post from Chewy.com for her Birthday on the 19th, and it came today. She will like that.


Here she is waiting for tomorrow: Her waiting on her side, and me waiting here on my side.
raw
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She was just eating! I love the cam. I can watch them all day long. There is one that is an underwater ROV that explores the sea floor. I put it on the TV and can waste hours. :rolleyes:
 
great description.....
a whole range of emotions having to leave.... remember it all too well.....

just think she will be so happy to see you....
Continued vines and hugs...
 
A snap shot of just now: She's waiting for me to walk through the door ;) or for breakfast :rolleyes:

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Ginger is very active this morning. These are live.



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Walking out the door in 1 hour or so.

I keep saying to Jackson, look here's Ginger and showing him the screen, but he just doesn't "get it".
I'm afraid Jackson will run up to her all happy when she gets home and she will greet him with a hiss.
 
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Safe Journey Dyana, just checked in on Ginger, she looks alert and appears to be waiting for you. I've told her momma is on her way.
:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Prayers for a safe trip! I'm so glad Ginger is doing well and is on her way home. Thanks for sharing the "Ginger-cam" with us! She is such a beautiful girl. (((Hugs))) for you and scritches for Ginger and Jackson. :bighug::cat::bighug::cat::bighug:
 
Yay! You get to see Ginger soon! I apologize for not thinking last night when you mentioned you had a long drive in the morning... I forgot you were the one with the i131 cat! Ignore the instructions about handling your kitty. That's just them covering their behinds. Just be sure to wash your hands after petting her. Don't let her sleep on your neck or head. Otherwise, everything is normal. I did the used litter in old kitty litter or Menards pails for 2 weeks and then threw away after 3 months. I hope the i131 worked for Ginger and she doesn't go hypo, like my civvie Tanner. I would do it again, though, because the tumor is gone!! :bighug:
 
We're Home! :)

On the way to New York State on Monday, I stopped at the WaWa to get coffee a few miles from my house and took that bit of time to do the last bit of organizing myself, take my jacket off, go over the printed directions one last time, and begin our journey. This morning the WaWa was "Closed For Remodeling"! I could not find another WaWa or 7-11 or Duncan Donuts or anything before I got on the big highway.
Luckily, I arrived at the clinic at 10:36 am and our appointment was at 11:00 am. I asked to go in and see Ginger first, and then walked up the hill to get an awful breakfast sandwich and a cup of coffee. I talked to Carol for a bit while I ate, and we could her Ginger in the back meowing to our conversation. Then she brought Ginger out to me, and while Ginger sat on the couch next to me, we talked some more. About cats mostly, of course. Soon 3 other sets of cat parents arrived and got their cats and we all talked a bit and wished each other good luck, and then they all left. Eventually, I felt rested enough to begin the drive home and it was time to go. I seat belted Ginger into the back seat. I got in and sat down next to her carrier, and gave her some treats and she happily ate them.

As we began to drive down the road, a red cardinal flew slowly across the road just above and in front of my car. I had been asking J.D. to be with Ginger, and to be next to her at night, and to encourage her to eat. I took the cardinal flying slowly in front of us as a sign that J.D. was done and returning to wherever he goes. Big Tears.

Ginger Meowed softly a little on the way home, but didn't complain too much. No screaming.

When we walked in the door, she did not hiss at Jackson, and she went right to her food bowl and she ate a little fresh food that I put out. Jackson, then ate what she left in her bowl (but I was told that them eating out of the same bowl is okay even though Ginger is radioactive). Jackson was sniffing Ginger and I was afraid he was going to lick her, and I'm sure that is okay too. She went over to sniff the unopened Chewy's box that has her Birthday treats and Yeoww catnip cigars in it, then went into her other car carrier (you would think she's had enough of carriers), and is now walking around the house exploring her domain.

Here are some pictures I took of Carol the office manager with Ginger before we left.
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I can't say enough good things about Carol. I've been calling her often since last August, with my repeated questions and concerns, and she is always there to answer the phone. She called me Tuesday morning to give a report and said she would call me again that night and did around 6:00pm but I was busy at work and asked if I could call her back and she said she would be there until 7ish. I called her when I got home about 6:50pm to find out how many grams Ginger had eaten, and whether she had pooed or peed, and got the whole report. And, I was watching the web cam, that evening and there Carol was still there giving Ginger lots of pets and scritches where she likes it most. She told me that last March when I rescheduled my appointment because of the huge snow storm we got, that she spent the night there for 3 days. Anyway, her reassurances through this whole process, her dedication to the cats in her care, and her love and loyalty of her boss, just speaks volumes. One cat parent brought her a present. I was thinking on the drive there how I will miss her and would like to send her something as well. I gave her a big hug before walking out the door.

Ginger is now in her favorite chair taking a bath, and all is well.
 
Happy news! I am so glad Ginger is back home and making her self at home again. :bighug: Too bad we couldn't clone Carol, she sounds like a keeper. Given that pet parents have to leave there kitties there, she has the perfect personality for the job.
 
Welcome home, Ginger! You, too, Dyana!! Carol is a wonderful woman. She helped me a lot in making the preparations for Stu. How I wish he had been well and strong enough to have the i131.

Now, have a fine evening with your kitties. Thank you again for sharing Ginger's adventure with us.

Hugs and scritches,
 
Thank you :bighug: to you all, for giving me this place to share. Without you, I would be so alone. This is The Best place. I was bragging about how wonderful the FDMB board is to Carol today when we were talking. I had asked if Dr. Peterson was still dealing with diabetic cats and she said no, not anymore. He is focusing only on hyperthyroidism in felines (no more dogs, just cats). She said he is obsessed and works constantly round the clock if not doing the procedures, he's doing research or speeches and he's a professor at Cornell?, and that he is a genius and such and such.

Carol said it is the perfect job for her "because it is a happy job". Even though the cats are older and some are somewhat sickly with CKD and such, there is no anesthesia or surgery, it is a cure, and their hyperthyroidism is fixed. I would assume dealing with the pet parents may not be that easy as being willing to afford the treatment means the cats are very special to those pet parents.

I think Ginger ate a lot of dry food while there. They had us write out what our cats eat and when (and all the med. doses and times if they get any). I wrote that Ginger gets two breakfasts of 1/2 can each of FF every morning and two dinners of 1/2 can each of FF every evening, and that when I am home I will give her 1/8th cup of Fancy Feast dry (even though in reality it's more like 1 tablespoon) for lunch, and that she gets bedtime treats of about 20? temptations (yes I spoil them). So, for dinner tonight, Ginger ate about half of her 1/2 can of FF and I sprinkled some dry on top and she ate the rest. She still seems a bit out of it, and slower, but I'm sure I would feel the same way if I was just released from the same scary 3 day ordeal.

I have been feeding Ginger in small meals and she has been eating them. I was told that she weighed 10 pounds 4 ounces this morning, and she has been 11 pounds some ounces for the past two years. She was 11.3 at her vet visit on 04/08 and the same at her vet visit in January and I have a digital infant scale and weigh her all the time, and she's always 11 something. So, her losing almost a pound had/has me concerned. Carol said, she will gain it back, and with eyes raised said I may have to watch her weight that she doesn't gain too much.

After me going to visit my neighbor to have a beer, and a brief outing outside for the cats, first dinner only has been et, but Ginger is sleeping soundly in her favorite chair and Jackson has gone sleep on my bed. All is quiet and peaceful in my house.

Thank you all again from the bottom of my heart for being here with me. You were with me. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Yay!!! Great news! See how fast the week went by? This is a wonderful thing you've done for your beautiful girl. Hyperthyroidism is one of those things that "can" be cured.

I hope she will settle back in soon and regain her weight.
 
How is Ginger this morning? Glad she is home. I know how empty and lonely the house can feel when a member is missing! :bighug:
 
She is acting okay. Still a little slower. She came to visit me in bed last night and put her head on my hand (kind of gripping my hand with her front paws) and purred for the longest time, until I went to sleep.
She is still not eating full meals, but she is eating frequently, so that's good. I just weighed her and got 10 pounds 9.5 ounces. She's actually good at that weight. I just hope she keeps eating throughout the day.
Off to clean the litter box and take the waste down to the basement.
 
I got home from work very very late and wondered if I had left enough food out. Ginger is finishing her first dinner now. And she munched on the cat grass that just sprouted that I had wanted to send with her.
I got her reports today via email.
One day, I'll fill in the Labs tab I made for her on my spreadsheet.
It says she was 10.7 pounds when admitted and 10.4 when released. I weighed her this morning, and she was 10 pounds 9.5 ounces.

Amongst a few other "No significant findings" were
General Appearance: Bright, alert, active
Body Condition Score: 5 of 9
Muscle Condition Score: Mild loss of muscle mass (2 of 3)
Thyroid: Moderate, left-sided thyroid nodule
Heart Rate: 180 bpm
Oro-Nasal: Severe dental tartar (so I guess a dental is next)

Glucose: 97 (72 - 175)
Creatinine: 1.0 (0.9 - 2.5)
BUN: 27 (16 - 37)
SDMA: 9 (0 - 14)

T4: 8.3 (0.8 - 4.7)
FT4: 72.1 (9.0 - 33.5)
T3: 102 (52 - 182)
TSH: <0.01 (0.05 - 0.42)

Dose of radioiodine: 1.8

She is acting pretty normal. First dinner is finished now, and she has gotten some lovings, and is now in her chair taking a bath.

I'm just glad I caught this and treated this early. At first Carol said she got the lowest dose, then later she corrected herself and said that Lux another cat that was there got 1.45 and she was actually the lowest dose of radioiodine because she has renal disease. There was another cat there that had been getting the Methimazole pills for years?, and his tumor had become bigger over the years and some tumor was showing in his chest area (I saw his scintigraphy). That parent was pretty upset after the talk with the doctor because he would need a large dose and would probably go hypoT? because they were saying they would abate? the thyroid tissue.

Anyway, I'm so tired. It's been a long week.
 
Anne & Zener GA said:
Did you see this article in the New York Times? Is this the vet? https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/...prod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share
Liz
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Yes, that's the Dr. Peterson that Ginger went to for her treatment. Nothing but The Best for her, since he is within driving distance. I wanted to post that article but thought this condo was already too long.

Update: Ginger is totally back to normal. Eating all her food, and some of Jackson's if he doesn't eat his fast enough. She is still on a harness and leash and can't just run outdoors, but mostly she just likes to take a short walk and eat some grass. I don't think I've seen her throw up once since she's been home (1 week this evening).

Tomorrow, is Ginger's Birthday. And, I have a 3 day weekend to help her celebrate it :)
 
So, I went and kind of jinxed myself now. Ginger ate her first dinner, and we went for a walk. I had taken out a new clean plastic container and filled it with fresh water for the birds and squirrels and what not. I allow Ginger to drink the water when it's fresh, and she loves it, and drank and drank and drank. Then when we were walking down the sidewalk to watch the boys play ball on the big lawn, she started sounding and acting like she was going to throw up. Nothing came out, but it was kind of like a spasm that she had, and she kept retching? really fast. I have felt something similar myself before when it's like I get an air bubble in my esophogus and the liquid can't get around it to go down and it's kind of scary. Luckily it doesn't happen often. I don't know if that's what Ginger experienced, but it looked similar. It lasted about a long 45 seconds to 1 minute and now she's fine. We went out and sat on the lawn to watch the ball game and Ginger curled in next to me. I hope she doesn't do it again. She was meowing a little funny this evening, it sounded kind of watery. She has had a squeak in her meow since her procedure. Hoping it goes back to normal soon. Wish us luck. Again, tomorrow is her Birthday and I want her to be fine and enjoy it.
 
I hope it was just a fluke with the retching and she is better tomorrow for her birthday. Happy Early Birthday to Ginger! Sending prayers.
 
I, too, hope it was one of those unexplainable "happenings". Enjoy your birthday tomorrow, Ginger. Chef Rusty says he will bake you his special cimmamum birthday cake with catmint icing.

:bighug::bighug::bighug:

p.s. What an interesting article on Dr Peterson and hyperT.
 
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