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Hey all --

I got home from school today and had a message from the vet waiting for me. Belle's bloodwork shows that she's got early-stage hyperthyroidism. It explains several behaviors that I've seen lately, along with her weight loss and dry coat. I've looked up the various treatment plans for this and it looks like the most benign is pills or some sort of lotion rubbed on the inside of her ear. We'll see what the vet recommends.

I'm grateful that it isn't anything worse. Apparently this is a fairly common condition in cats and the vet didn't seem alarmed. The biggest issue for me will be how to see that she gets her medication when I'm gone, as she doesn't travel with me. But it can be worked out.

Thanks for your prayers and support, friends. It's nice to have you all out there.

Laura -- and Belle

Laura, that's pretty good news, considering what your fears were. Now you can get her on medication and she should be good. Can you give her the pills hidden in little bite size treats?

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I'm glad it doesn't seem too serious.
Can't she start traveling with you?

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Glad to hear how things turned out. This can be handled. Bet you're feeling much more relieved. A big sigh of relief anyway..... Hugs to you both - and to Jed, cuz I'm sure he knows when Mom is stressed.

good to know its fixable with medicine

Thanks everyone!

Belle is one of two kitties, and neither have been travelers before. If I had a motorhome I might consider giving it a try because I could crate them and put them in the back of the rig -- waaaay away from where I was. But since we're all in my Explorer I don't think I could handle both of them yowling like banshees for hours on end while I drive. I've got neighbors who look in on them when I'm gone, and so they'll just get to be good at pill dispensing. But if it comes to it I'll either buy earplugs or tranquilizers for both cats and pile them into the car when we take off for the summer. But that 19' of trailer will sure get small with 2 cats, their litter box (which Jed thinks is his personal candy box!) and all the requisite paraphenalia (sp?).

I've got time to figure it out though, so I'll live in denial for a little while longer.

Laura and gang

(I'll have to get some decent pics of the kitties. They're really quite cute.)

Oh I am so glad to hear this, Laura. Belle is such a part of our Skype sessions; now I don't have to miss her. although it sounds like there may be a bit less of her over time! I had a friend once with a cat who's hyperthyroidism ended up with her thyroid being taken out. She lived five more years after that and was quite an old gal when she cross the Rainbow Bridge. So tihis is good news. Obviously, I'm in favor of bringing the felines along with you on your trips. But that's cuz I'm gonna wrangle three of them in my rig. So I'm thinking two aint so bad. But I don't have a dog to help clean out the litter box, either! Yuckky habit that many dogs share unfortunately.

So happy for you and Belle!!!

I had never heard of that condition in a cat. Glad it's treatable with medicine. Three of my house cats got to be house cats because they needed medicine. If I went camping, they went camping too. It takes a few miles for them to quit yowling. I have tried turning the radio all the way up. If I have to do it again I hope I remember to get some ear plugs. I can't remember what was wrong with the last cat that went camping but she loved it. Now if she's around when I open the camper door Coco loads up. She didn't make it into the house because I was threatened. lol

Martha

Good news in that they found a diagnosis and it is treatable. Looking forward to seeing pics of your kitty!

Glad to hear it isn't anything too serious or terminal. If I lived closer to you, I'd come by and take care of them for you when you're gone. I wouldn't spoil them at all...

Sorry Laura, having been there, done that, just couldn't help myself!!

How to give a cat a pill
1) Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2) Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3) Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4) Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right fore-finger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5) Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.

6) Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7) Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8) Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9) Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10) Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11) Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus jab. Throw Tee-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12) Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.

13) Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash pill down.

14) Get friend to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15) Arrange for RSPCA to collect cat and ring local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

Laura,

I can relate.

Yesterday we had to bring our cat to the vet, I thought she was on death bed. She is a 10 year old "throw back"that looks like a Siamese that came from a litter of striped kittens.

It turns out that she has a mouth infection that has given her gum and tooth disease that is infecting her body. With antibotics and gum cleaning, and $400 bucks later, she should be as new!

Charlene

Glad you found the answer and a treatment, Laura.