Gracie needs vibes.....

Thank you guys

Ok, had a phone call with the vet today...... And we will wean her off Methimazole, and put her on Hills Y/D - a new prescription food for Thyroid problems. Even though there are not long term studies, short term studies show great results, and Gracie's long term prognosis if she stays on this drug isn't good either. Looking at her past and current blood tests, the vet agrees that Methimazole might very likely be the problem, leading to liver damage (hepatic lipidosis due to anorexia as a side effect to methimazole) and bone marrow problems. Not good. We considered another drug, but even though there are less side effects on the anorexia and depression side, the side effects on the bone marrow are the same - she will be better off on the diet. The vet is not ok with not treating her for thyroid with her past history - she said her numbers will shoot up high, and the results can be devastating for her health (heart and kidney failure).
Good news is, Gracie is isolated, so she is the only one who can get to this food :nod:
So the plan is, start today transitioning her to the new diet, weaning her off medication, and keep track of her #s to see if they get normal. If they don't, then we go onto an ultrasound........ to see if there is anything other than drug side effects going on. For now, lets hope 3 things: 1- that that's all it is; 2- that, of course, she eats the diet! :lol3: as it is ALL she can eat - no treats, nothing else!; 3, that it works!

Thanks for the vibes guys, wish us good luck

Oh, no!  Sending heaps of vibes for Gracie.  Sounds like you're taking loving, good care of her.   Get well, Gracie!!!

that it works - all three counts!

Oh Carolina, I SO hope this will work for her!!!!!  It's that weird "relief" that the problem is her medication... but at least this new food is potentially the solution!!!!  MEGA VIBES!!!!!!! 

nanner said:

Oh, no!  Sending heaps of vibes for Gracie.  Sounds like you're taking loving, good care of her.   Get well, Gracie!!!

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jcat said:

that it works - all three counts!

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LDG said:

Oh Carolina, I SO hope this will work for her!!!!!  It's that weird "relief" that the problem is her medication... but at least this new food is potentially the solution!!!!  MEGA VIBES!!!!!!! 

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Thank you
The good news is that she started nibbling on the dry food - I mixed 1/3 of the y/d into the old food, and apparently she likes it - they say to transition within 7 days. Bad news is that she was not really convinced with the mix of A/d and y/d wet.... That one I mixed 1/2 and 1/2. I am still syringe feeding as she needs to eat due to her liver issues.

Hopefully she will like the wet, as I definitely do not want her on dry only....

it says you should see some results within 3 weeks - I will ask the vet when she wants another senior panel to check the other numbers as well. I know this will work for the thyroid.... What I am most concerned right now is her immunity and liver.... hopefully by the time I go out of town her numbers will show some improvement :cross:

I saw the Y/D on Hill's website the other day (was printing a coupon for C/D). I did think of Gracie - let me know how it works for her after awhile, as I know of another kitty a friend of mind has who considered switching to it.

white cat lover said:

I saw the Y/D on Hill's website the other day (was printing a coupon for C/D). I did think of Gracie - let me know how it works for her after awhile, as I know of another kitty a friend of mind has who considered switching to it.

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I will Nat! I will keep posting her blood tests, so it's all here, I guess - :nod:

I think in a day or so Gracie will not need any force feeding anymore :cross:
I still have her on appetite stimulants, but she is definitely helping me out on the eating part
She ate her dry food last night, and 1/2 can of A/D this am by spoon feeding. This afternoon she hadn't eaten anything for a while, so I syringe fed her 1 1/2 oz of the mixed A/D and Y/D. Tonight she ate some more of the dry on her own..... and nibbled a little on the wet.... I am hoping the dry bow is going to be clean by morning. :cross: I will keep spoon feeding her the wet, but she already had quite a bit of food today in between wet and dry (already about 1/3 by now), mostly on her own
Hopefully when she is all off Methimazole her appetite will increase :cross:

Sometimes I think of Gracie as such a wise little lady :heart3:... She is going through so much right now... So much more stress... A year ago when she got here, she would hiss at the mere sight of my face, or my hand.
Now, these last few days, even though she still stresses out- peed when I scruffed her to put her inside the cage to take her to the vet... Growls when I put her in the cat bag for force-feeding, and sometimes still hisses during the feeding, she doesn't run from me, or hides... Doesn't even run out of the cat bag... Tonight when I went for a glass of water, I sat down and started to give her love... She just jumped right on my lap and started licking me in the most loving way... She was talking and talking and purring... And it just felt like she was saying... "I understand mom, thank you":heart3: she was more loving to me today after what I "put her through" than she has been in a long long time...
So... You cat lovers out there... Do you think they get it? We often say they do... I always tell them as I am pilling them, or giving them meds, that I am doing this to make them feel better, because I love them... Do they sense that? Do they feel it? Does she know it? Or is this just me tripping out? It just felt so real- she felt so appreciative... But then... It might just all be my wishful thinking... :heart3::dk:

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I'm so sorry I am just reading this after the news that she was really sick, but am glad to hear that maybe it's really a medication issue and things may already be on the upswing!  I, also, like to think that our furbabies know that we are actually trying to help them when we put them thru the "indignities" of force feeding, or pilling, or giving sub-qs, or whatever we have to do to them to help them out.  Whenever we have to do something they don't want done, I'm constantly telling them it'll make them feel better, and even though they try to escape, afterwards they come over for "lovies", which warms my heart that they have forgiven me .

that Gracie continues eating on her own, and ends up loving the Y/D (both dry and wet), and that it works and that it solves everything!!

I think they know. :nod:

And just.... "awwwwwwwwwwwwwww" :heart3:

Carolina said:

Sometimes I think of Gracie as such a wise little lady

... She is going through so much right now... So much more stress... A year ago when she got here, she would hiss at the mere sight of my face, or my hand.
Now, these last few days, even though she still stresses out- peed when I scruffed her to put her inside the cage to take her to the vet... Growls when I put her in the cat bag for force-feeding, and sometimes still hisses during the feeding, she doesn't run from me, or hides... Doesn't even run out of the cat bag... Tonight when I went for a glass of water, I sat down and started to give her love... She just jumped right on my lap and started licking me in the most loving way... She was talking and talking and purring... And it just felt like she was saying... "I understand mom, thank you"

she was more loving to me today after what I "put her through" than she has been in a long long time...
So... You cat lovers out there... Do you think they get it? We often say they do... I always tell them as I am pilling them, or giving them meds, that I am doing this to make them feel better, because I love them... Do they sense that? Do they feel it? Does she know it? Or is this just me tripping out? It just felt so real- she felt so appreciative... But then... It might just all be my wishful thinking...

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Awwwww.  

I absolutely think they "get it".  I think our cats are very perceptive to our feelings, and they can sense if we're upset by something - such as having to do something to them that we think is upsetting them.  I really think they understand!
 

Carolina- I am so sorry, I didn't realize that Gracie was so sick hno:....You really are such a wonderful meowmy :heart3: and Gracie DOES know you are helping her and doing for her what just needs to be done right now. I truly believe they do understand WHY we are putting them through piling's, syringe feeding's, vet trips, tests, taking their temperatures, always after them to check on them to make sure they are alright, etc. etc. etc. They just KNOW we are doing this out of pure love :heart4: for them. Gracie could not be in better care :nod: and I am sending loads of vibes that she improves very soon :cross:

still praying for your girl my friend....:indiff:

Carolina said:

Sometimes I think of Gracie as such a wise little lady :heart3:... She is going through so much right now... So much more stress... A year ago when she got here, she would hiss at the mere sight of my face, or my hand.
Now, these last few days, even though she still stresses out- peed when I scruffed her to put her inside the cage to take her to the vet... Growls when I put her in the cat bag for force-feeding, and sometimes still hisses during the feeding, she doesn't run from me, or hides... Doesn't even run out of the cat bag... Tonight when I went for a glass of water, I sat down and started to give her love... She just jumped right on my lap and started licking me in the most loving way... She was talking and talking and purring... And it just felt like she was saying... "I understand mom, thank you":heart3: she was more loving to me today after what I "put her through" than she has been in a long long time...
So... You cat lovers out there... Do you think they get it? We often say they do... I always tell them as I am pilling them, or giving them meds, that I am doing this to make them feel better, because I love them... Do they sense that? Do they feel it? Does she know it? Or is this just me tripping out? It just felt so real- she felt so appreciative... But then... It might just all be my wishful thinking... :heart3::dk:
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I haven't the slightest doubt they understand these things. Not the slightest doubt. I'm glad Gracie is doing better. Vibes and love to her and you

:heart3:

Carolina sending so many vibes that way for you and Ms Gracie

I absolutely believe Gracie's knows you are helping her. I have so many stories with my babies when they show me they are appreciative when I am helping them :heart3:

Hope she's continuing to like the new food and is EATING!

LDG said:

Hope she's continuing to like the new food and is EATING!

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Thank you hun

It looks like I might be done with the force feeding for good :cross:
Gracie is still on the appetite stimulant, and will be for a little while, until I feel secure enough she is eating enough on her own consistently. Today, once again, her dry food bowl woke up empty - that mean she ate 1/2 cup on her own
In addition, yesterday she ate 1/2 can of A/D in the am by spoon feeding, and at night I syringe fed her 2oz of wet food.

Today she ate a little of her y/d wet, but has been all day munching on her dry. She loves the y/d dry, which is excellent news Not convinced on the wet, but hopefully her taste will pick up some. Today is day three of the transition, and she is eating 1/2 of the old food, and 1/2 of the new. I will help her out by spoon feeding it until she acquire some taste for it - I am adding lots of water to it, as the food is very hard and dry.
Below how Hills suggests the transition from drugs to this food, if anyone is interested:

Carolina, GREAT news! :bigthumb:

GO GRACIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy to hear Gracie is starting to eat on her own