Friday, April 11, 2014

Tungsten's Test Results are In


Tungsten returned to the animal hospital this week for some more tests. She has hyperthyroidism and may be facing kidney disease. The results have come back and they are good.

The orange one’s level from the ‘protein-creatine’ test for her kidneys was previously at 0.2, which was too high. Now it is at 0.1, with which the veterinarian professed herself “very happy”. The T4 numbers, which the doctor would like to see between 10 and 30, are at 13, which is “perfect”, the vet said. Tungsten started out her hyperthyroidism at 59. At the time, I was told that 60 is the limit for a non-hyperthyroid cat. In any case, Tungsten is sitting at good amounts for both her thyroid and kidney.

I intend to call the doctor today, and ask her if anything I may have been doing helped this situation, and if not, what may have done. I have been using a syringe to pump water into the Tiny Terror three times a day (45 millilitres in total every 24 hours), and have provided her with California Natural hard-food to bulk her up, instead of the Orijen that the others get. The latter food is, I believe, better, but it tends not to add weight to the cats. Normally, that is a good thing. Indeed, according to a recent weighing, all the cats have maintained their poundage or lost a bit. Tungsten, however, gained, and now stands, or sits, or lies, depending on her mood, at almost three kilograms again.

I have noticed that she is a bit more active, too. She doesn’t play much, but will once in a while rocket around the house, just for the fun of it. As well, she walks about more. After dinner, for instance, she would almost immediately go to her cat-bed and lie down. She has never been lethargic or even overly tired, from what I can tell, but now she wanders around before settling down; taking her evening constitutional. She has been using my lap just as much as her bed, though that may be due to a change of seasons.

Everything seems to be on the border with Tungsten: I have to be watchful she doesn’t go too far this way or that. But if she keeps on as she is right now, I will be pleased. She is heading toward what I arbitrarily proclaimed her birthday (May 2nd) and will be an estimated fourteen years old. I have a feeling she may be older. But, in any case, for a cat who has always been tiny and skinny, she is aging well.

15 comments:

  1. good job Tungsten...we are very glad for the good v-e-t report!!

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  2. It sounds that you have very good results which is fantastic. It is important I can tell you from experience to keep the Hyper_T under control because it leads to heart disease and kidney problems. So happy for Tungsten.

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  3. That is good news that Tungsten's test results are good and I hope she continues to do well.

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  4. She looks lovely. My Jessie has hyperthyroidism too. But the latest results are not as good as Tungsten's. She is losing weight and will no longer eat fry food. The only food I can find that allows her to gain weight is an odd sausage thing called Country Pet food. Only available at Whole Foods and has not been in stock since February. I will try the foods Tungsten is eating.

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    1. What medicine is Jessie taking for her hyperthyroidism? California Natural comes in soft and hard varieties. Your Jessie may like the tinned sort.

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    2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    3. I accidentally deleted what you'd written. Sorry. I will ask the people I volunteer with to see if they can recommend anything else that is healthy but may add poundage.

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    4. That would be so kind. Jessie was rather "plump" for many years because she liked her food to much - ate all her dry and tinned and treats. So it rather alarming that she is now eating so little and so fussy.

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    5. As it turns out, my estimate of California Natural was incorrect: it was recommended simply because Tungsten enjoys it, and will eat more of it, not because it is more fattening than other foods. However, it is a brand that all the cats here seem to like. Most of them try to sneak Tungsten's food, so it is something that Jessie may enjoy. The best recommendation may be to feed her whatever she will eat a lot of, to put some weight on her. I'm sorry I can't help more.

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  5. Glad for the good news. What you are doing seems to be working for her so that seems to be the answer! She looks good for a kitty of unknown age and fragile health!

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  6. I had a cat with hyperthyroidism a while back and she had kidney problems too. The medicine really helped her and she lived quite a long time.
    Hope all of you have a wonderful day.

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  7. Such good news for the Grande Dame! It is such a good feeling when our furs take a turn for the better.
    Our Rumpy is the new Asthmatic and luckily his medicine fits into bits of honey Ham. Our elder, Buddy, who will go unseen for days if given a medicine against his will is a work in progress.
    We do what we must for family
    Dad Pete

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  8. Good neews all around. You just keep on keeping on, Tungsten.

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  9. I sure hope she keeps getting better and better. I love how you describe "rocket around" - know exactly what that is with ours.

    thanks for commenting on my blog

    homelesscatcare.blogspot.com

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