Monday, January 6, 2014

New Year Troubles, Part 3


The third problem that has surfaced in the new year is with Tungsten’s weight. If you’ve been reading this blog for long, you’ll know that my tiny cat suffers from hyperthyroidism. This initially reduced her poundage tremendously, and she doesn’t have much to lose. Recently, I noticed that her coat was becoming a little untidy, another sign of hyperthyroidism. Her medicine is supposed to counter the effects of her condition, and had done so up to a few months ago, when the veterinarian professed herself very pleased with Tungsten’s progress. The orange one’s weight at that time was three kilograms. As of Saturday, it is 2.52 kilograms, a tremendous drop in a quarter-year.

Tungsten is spending much of her time sleeping, and is very inactive. She is eating well, and by that I mean that she is eating an amount normal for her. Her appetite is not growing, as it did when she was initially diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. That may be a good sign. In any case, the orange one has an appointment with a doctor on Friday, and we’ll see if she needs more medicine, different medicine or some other treatment all together.


Those are our new year troubles. As problems go, they are not overwhelming. Bear-Bear’s cold will fade and Cammie’s wounds will heal. Tungsten will be attended to by her veterinarian. I’m not worried, and am grateful that things are not worse, as the weather is making lives all across Canada and the United States. I have my feline friends, a warm home, food and the resources to see to everyone’s health. That’s not such a bad way to start a year, after all.

And in case I need it, here’s Renn to remind me what a great Christmas I and my cats had.

5 comments:

  1. This one hits a little too close to home, Annie having had hyper-thyroidism. Not to upset you or anyone else, but the average life expectancy after diagnosis, being treated by methimazole, is only a few years. Now, Annie's diagnosis was back in 2009, and hyper-t in cats seems to be quite common these days (at least around the CB), so other med/treatment options might be available. Of course there's the I-131 treatment, the only real cure, but it's not an option for some cats with other health issues and the financial cost can be prohibitive, if you can even find a clinic that does it. (Nearest here would be Ottawa or Toronto, certainly nothing closer.)

    Good luck and purrs to her--we know that whatever happens, she has the best human care possible with you.

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  2. Fingers crossed that Tungsten does well at the vet, and it was only the excitement of the Christmas season that caused the weight loss (I know it isn`t but wouldn`t that be less of a worry),

    Take care!

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  3. I hope that Tungsten is able to get back to better health. It's so difficult to have a cat who is not really well.



    Debby in Arizona
    http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/

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  4. I do hope Tungsten, Bear Bear and Cammie all get better soon. My Jessie has hyperthyroidism and suffered a bit of a spell over Christmas likely aggregated by the cold. But seems much better now. Off to the vet tomorrow.

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  5. We wish all your kitties to get better,
    It is a big worry when your babies are not well.
    They are all mighty cute too :)
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure,JJ
    and Angels Tiger and Tillie

    Thank you for your kind thoughts and purrs
    when our Tiger crossed the Bridge.
    She was a sweet kitty .

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