Saturday, April 17, 2021

Satisfactory Progress

Someone who follows this blog wanted to know how Tucker was doing. The roly poly is doing well.

His behaviour is as it should be. He is back to sitting at the dinner table with me while I eat and imploring me to give him pieces of what I have on my dish. If he doesn’t stay begging for as long as he once did, I don’t think that is a big problem. He is otherwise eating a satisfactory amount. I attribute this to the Mirtazapine.

I would like to keep him on that - the doctor said that a cat may use it indefinitely – but I worry that it will lose its efficacy over time – perhaps the body grows used to it - and I would like to keep it for later use, if need be. Anyway, I want to see how his appetite is without artificial enhancement. I have one more syringe left and, under the prescription I was given, that would last ten days. I want to give the Tuxter half a dose each day, and see how that works on him.

He is also taking his kidney-powder again. Some cats seem to have had their appetite suppressed by this medicine, but so far, things are set fair for this aspect of Tucker’s treatment, too.

Something I have noticed is that he appears a little hesitant to jump up on to the dining room chairs, one of his favourite spots. He isn’t showing weakness in the hind quarters, which is a symptom of diabetes, so I don’t believe that is the reason. I think he is simply starting to feel his age, and feel it in joints and muscles. He is sixteen now. He has also begun coming over to me more while I am in the kitchen, and wanting attention. I often pick him up, and he purrs. I wonder if his creeping age is making him feel insecure. In any case, that is an effect I can treat without drugs. Laughter may be the best medicine, but a little cuddling comes a close second.

15 comments:

  1. We're glad that Tucker is doing okay, that's really good news.

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  2. That’s such a good report. Long may it continue.

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  3. Nice to know Tucker is hanging in there, and that purrs and cuddles are doing wonders...alongside the medicines.

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  4. I'm so glad to hear that Tucker is doing so well. Keep up the good work, Tucker!

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  5. We're happy to hear Tucker is doing so much better. Thanks for keeping us posted.

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  6. I am glad Tucker is doing well. I hope the mirtazapine can be successfully reduced too.

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  7. It is certainly good to hear Tucker is doing well. Eating better and
    even wanting a bit of yours. If Tucker doesn't feel like jumping onto the chair, you'll have to lift him every time he looks interested. Or do as I did for Seney, and put a very short 6 inch high step out of a box or milk crate as an extra step. No doubt, jumping or not you do have good days ahead.

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  8. I'm glad Tucker is doing well. Isn't someone currently giving their cat mirtazapine every third day? Did I dream that? Someone's blog....Maybe that's the ticket, giving it every third day, or however often is needed.

    Kitty cuddles are the BEST medicine, for cat and human involved! ♥

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    1. Kea, that was me. My Jessica would get ¼ tablet of Mirtazapine every third day.

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    2. I have started giving Tucker half a dose (0.05 mL a day) but it may be a few days until that takes effect; I don't know. He didn't eat much this morning, but then, no one did; they have days like that. This evening, everyone ate well. I am also not giving him any Mirtazapine on Sundays, as I wash his ears that day: all that ear-medicine can leave residue. We'll see how things go this week.

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  9. I am very glad thatTucker has started being himself again and feeling so much better. I think you have a good plan re: the mirtazipine. Each cat seems to have their own personal timetable with the drug. Katie is still leaping up after assessing each time I will add, but up she goes. I mislike her coming down as I worry for her knees, even leaving the bed in the nights. I wish she would get down as she comes up...via the heavy large oaken chest. They know it seems- when they don't need to be jumping much. Or, higher.

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  10. He is such a lovely boy. There is no hardship in cuddling with him, I'm sure. :)

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  11. Giving and receiving snuggles and love is a wonderful remedy for almost anything!

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  12. We are so glad to hear Tucker is feeling and acting better ! Purrs !

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  13. We are glad that Tucker has been doing well. Timmy is on the Ear-taz and we also worry about long term efficacy. We shall see

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