03/07 Caturday

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Dyana

Member Since 2009
So, besides getting my taxes ready, and shipping a package to an FDMB member, all I have done today is worry about Ginger and research the internet. I just joined the Feline Hyperthyroid Support Group on Yahoo.
I was going to do Ginger's "annual" vet appointment in May when she turns 11, but she started making funny noises when outside and crossing the salted ice. I didn't know if it was the ice or the salt, but the noises were peculiar and she is very vocal and expressive anyway, but they had me concerned. Also, she became excessively cranky, growley, and hissey to Jackson.
During the physical, the vet found her to be very tender at the base of her tail, and did an X-ray and found one of her disc's a little abnormal (I don't remember the term, maybe herniated, there was bits of white where it should be clear). She was given Onsior to be given for 5 days. She stopped eating after 2 days, so I was told to stop the drug, and now she is eating again. And she's not as cranky, but still not actively playing like she was before with Jackson.

Her blood work came back fine except TCO2 High at 23 - reference range 12 - 22 and Monocyte High at 538 - reference range 40 - 530. Her regular T4 was 2.9, so the vet wanted to do a Free T4 and it came back normal (but I didn't ask what the number was). The vet said to test again in 6 months but she thinks she might go hyper T. I see that that I-131 would be the best option, if she is a candidate for that. Her T4 was 1.7 in her last blood work in November of 2013. She's been drinking a lot of water for about a year (but maybe she always has, and I just didn't notice). Last summer she started excessive grooming to where she is bald or almost bald at the base of her tail and between her back legs. I think she has become crankier since I got Jackson, but more so lately.

Jackson gained another 9 ounces this past week from 6lbs 2oz to 6lbs 11oz today.

Today is my mom's birthday in heaven and next Wednesday is my sister's first birthday in heaven.

I hope Ginger is okay. Right now, she is in the linen closet. It would be nice if Spring would come, so I can see if it was just the ice and salt that was bothering Ginger.
 
I gather the vet found no cuts or anything on her feet to explain her reaction to outside then. I wonder if the very hard ground is causing her to feel pain from the disc problem, like a reflexology pressure point reaction? I would think the disc problem would be causing inflammation at the site (and may explain the over grooming in that area) so it could be worth investigating something you can give for that. I would start at the natural supplements end of the scale and only work my way up to vet meds if all else fails - just a thought. Not that you don't already have enough on your mind :bighug:
 
Thanks. My vet suggested steriods, and I said I didn't want her to go diabetic. I am to call her again on Monday, to let her know how she is doing, and we have an appointment for Saturday (as Saturday appointments fill up fast) for just in case. Regarding the T4, she said not to test again for 6 months. That's a long long time to wait. I'm sitting here, checking out Red Bank Hospital to see if they do the I-131 and they do.

What natural meds are there? Maybe, Ginger should go for some acupuncture treatments?
 
Hi Dyana,
I'm sorry to hear that Ginger is having health issues and hope that it was just the salt and ice. I don't remember what the reference range for Hyper T is, but some of the symptoms are weight loss and over-grooming. Does she have a lot of hairballs? Stu had HyperT and was always hacking up hairballs. I read that some cats pull out their fur. I can highly recommend Dr. Mark Peterson's clinic for the I131 if you decide to explore that route. Here's a link to his website: http://www.animalendocrine.com/hypurrcat/hypurrcat/
Dr. Peterson is the pioneer in feline HyperT and he is a wonderful, caring professional. Stu was going to have the I131 at Hypurrcat, but he was too weak with other health issues to undergo the treatment.

I hope all will work out and that Ginger will once again enjoy playing with Jackson.

Hugs and scritches,
Ella & Stu
 
Hi Dyana,
Sorry to read this about Ginger. I hope you can find out what is causing her to act so different.
I saw you message over on the HyperT Group and I replied, but not sure if you will get it. I don't quite understand the format in that group.
Hope Ginger feels better real soon and enjoys Jackson again.
Paula:)
 
Hi Dyana - sorry to hear Ginger's feeling some discomfort. Acupuncture can help with pain. Are you giving her fish oil - it's also an anti-inflammatory.

Jackson is sure growing - sounds like he's going to be a big boy.:)
 
Some cats ride the borderline of hyperT for some time...they exhibit symptoms but the numbers are still normal so you can't treat it. I'd keep an eye on her...if she's hyperT, she will eat like a horse, lose weight, drink and pee a lot, possibly vomit, vocalizd and her meow might even change. Our GA Teddi exhibited symptoms for several months before the tests went up out of normal range.

Gus was hyperT and the specialist made sure he was on the methimazole for several months, that it had brought his thyroid levels to normal, and that his kidneys were normal before she would do I131. This is very important because hyperT can make the kidneys look normal.

Jackson is getting so big!!!!
 
{{{Dyana}}}

HyperT is very manageable. Minka has been HyperT for about 5 years. She had a tumor removed from her thyroid, but her levels were still slightly off. She's on a low dose of Felimazole. She has done really well since then. I'm just telling you this to let you know it's not as scary as it sounds. And you don't even know that she has it yet. Hang in there.

It sounds like Jackson is thriving. I'm glad you and Ginger have him.

Milestones like birthdays are so hard when you've lost someone you love. Sending many hugs. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I'm sorry about Ginger's back problem and possible Hyper-T. I hope you can find something to help her back feel better. Hyper-T can be treated and cats can live a long and happy life with it. My Callie was diagnosed with Hyper-T in January 2012. She has been treated with Methimazole only and once we found the right dose not had any problems from it.

Sending prayers as you remember your loved ones. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Sending tons of healing vines to Ginger and lots of :bighug::bighug::bighug: to you, Dyana. Scritches to Jackson!!!
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Dyana,
I am sorry to hear that Ginger is feeling a bit off lately.
A few years ago, I suspected hyper-T for my Ginger because she wasn't gaining weight even though she was eating more at that time, and I thought she was drinking more.
The vet agreed that was a strong possibility after asking some question, and one of the things she asked I thought was interesting was if I noticed her preferring a cooler place.
Results came back negative and Ginger just settled down to be her usual self on her own.
Sending many vines to you Ginger. I hope she feels better soon.
Sounds like Jackson is doing great! I am jealous Ginger and Jackson are friends and play together!
Hugs to you, Dyana. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Dyana,
my best prayers to you that Ginger feels tip top quickly. I'm sure you will get to the bottom of it quickly.
Your little Jackson is such a sweetie! He is tooooo cute. please hug them both for me.
I hope your mom and sister have beautiful birthdays in heaven and send you a sign that they are with you.
xoxo mary and ollie
 
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