I found this site almost a year ago and just joined today, so I should probably take the time to introduce myself (some of you may already know me).
My name is Helen. I live in England, though from 2004-08 I lived in the US. I've had seven cats so far- my current two are Indie and Karma, both 15 and aging quite gracefully. Indie is a Chinchilla Persian (like the Fancy Feast cat) and Karma is a blue Himalayan (colourpoint Persian). Both of them are currently healthy (knock on wood
) apart from hypertension (in both), which is controlled by daily meds. Both are rescues who came to me because of inappropriate elimination issues with their past owners. Most of the time they are fine in that regard, though sometimes the doormat calls their name when they are stressed (i.e. when I have guests over) or when I go away for long periods of time.
I've had 3 CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) cats, Tanya, Ollie, and Thomas who I love and miss dearly. My second cat was named Harpsie (Harpsichord), an adorable blond Persian who struggled through several ailments (arthritis, asthma, constipation, a whole host of food allergies, colitis, etc.) but who lived through the age of 14. I also was owned by George, a very sweet black and white tuxedo DLH, who was diagnosed with severe hyperactive thyroid when we first rescued him. We initially tried treating it with carbimazole, but with his accompanying heart issues and anemia he did not respond well to it. He eventually received surgery but later was diagnosed with liver cancer. We agreed for the vets to perform a biopsy but knew that his condition was so poor that if they found signs of untreatable cancer/another condition, that they should put him to sleep and let him cross the RB.
He survived the biopsy but later the vets found signs of irreversible liver damage either caused by the hyperactive thyroid or by starvation- the vets eventually put him to sleep.
After Tanya's passing, I decided to dedicate a site (which has been up and running since 2000) and eventually a book (published in 2012) to my three CKD kitties, Tanya, Ollie and Thomas. The site is called "Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease" and I also host a substantial support group for all of those CKD cat owners out there.
I hope to learn and contribute as I explore more of this wonderful cat site. Thank you.
Helen
My name is Helen. I live in England, though from 2004-08 I lived in the US. I've had seven cats so far- my current two are Indie and Karma, both 15 and aging quite gracefully. Indie is a Chinchilla Persian (like the Fancy Feast cat) and Karma is a blue Himalayan (colourpoint Persian). Both of them are currently healthy (knock on wood
I've had 3 CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) cats, Tanya, Ollie, and Thomas who I love and miss dearly. My second cat was named Harpsie (Harpsichord), an adorable blond Persian who struggled through several ailments (arthritis, asthma, constipation, a whole host of food allergies, colitis, etc.) but who lived through the age of 14. I also was owned by George, a very sweet black and white tuxedo DLH, who was diagnosed with severe hyperactive thyroid when we first rescued him. We initially tried treating it with carbimazole, but with his accompanying heart issues and anemia he did not respond well to it. He eventually received surgery but later was diagnosed with liver cancer. We agreed for the vets to perform a biopsy but knew that his condition was so poor that if they found signs of untreatable cancer/another condition, that they should put him to sleep and let him cross the RB.
He survived the biopsy but later the vets found signs of irreversible liver damage either caused by the hyperactive thyroid or by starvation- the vets eventually put him to sleep.
After Tanya's passing, I decided to dedicate a site (which has been up and running since 2000) and eventually a book (published in 2012) to my three CKD kitties, Tanya, Ollie and Thomas. The site is called "Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease" and I also host a substantial support group for all of those CKD cat owners out there.
I hope to learn and contribute as I explore more of this wonderful cat site. Thank you.
Helen
