Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => For FIV & FELV babes => Topic started by: Schmew on February 08, 2010, 20:22:09 PM

Title: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on February 08, 2010, 20:22:09 PM
Some of you may remember Biscuit, I rehomed him from here just over 2 years ago from DiddyDawn  :Luv:

We're at the vets fairly regularly for check ups as he's on metacam for his arthritis, and his ongoing manky ears, and just cos I like to keep an eye on him cos he's old. We went tonight while I was there with 2 of the dogs, he's been hungry a lot lately but is definitely losing weight - to be honest I expected them to say it was his kidneys as it's all pretty much the same as my previous oldies, so I was surprised when she said he has an enlarged thyroid.

They've sent bloods off to check levels before starting him on medication, so I should hear tomorrow or Wed, then we'll see how it goes. She did talk me through stuff but to be honest it's always a bit of a blur and you never take it all in do you.

Had a read through Tan's health guide to feline hyperthyroidism in the health and behaviour section and it's been really useful, still worried about my baby but feel I understand a bit more now.

I know he's old and he's done so well to make it this far but I hate it when they're poorly. Having read the symptoms he's had a few of them, including the unkempt coat, his bushy tail has gone really scrawny but I've just been putting things doen to old age  :(

If anyone has any experience of this I'd love to hear about it. In the meantime I'm going to go and give my boy some cuddles (one of the side effects can be grumpiness, he's been nipping me lately when I'm stroking him, it makes sense now!)

xxx
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Millys Mum on February 08, 2010, 20:25:15 PM
I remember biscuit  :Luv2: sorry to hear hes under the weather  :hug: the good thing is once you have the meds right being hyper t isnt a problem to them.

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/hyperthyroidism/info.html (http://www.fabcats.org/owners/hyperthyroidism/info.html) a great site full of info  ;D

My vet thought gooey was hyper t as he felt his glands were bigger than should be but his test came back ultra normal  :innocent: typical cats
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Debsymiller (Rufus' mum) on February 08, 2010, 21:02:59 PM
Sorry to hear you have a poorly pud, Our Monty was hyperthyroid and after having it removed, he is absolutely fine. It is easily controlled with drugs too but do speak to your vet about all the options.  :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on February 08, 2010, 21:22:09 PM
 :thanks:

That's some good information MillysMum, thanks. And good news about Monty after his op, hopefully it'll all go smoothly for Biscuit whatever we decide to do.

Luckily the vet is pretty fab  :) and I'm sure will give me the best advice to make the best decision for his treatment.

Will keep you posted. He's currently none the wiser, having just enjoyed an extra meal  :shify:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on February 11, 2010, 10:22:08 AM
Bloods confirmed my boy has an over active thyroid as suspected. Started him on vidalta today, luckily it went down no bother in a piece of cheese  :shify:

I got some easytabs (by Bayer) from the vet to hide them in. Tried him with a bit of one last night, he wouldn't have anything to do with it, and neither would the other 2! So 3 out of 3 cats said no in my house.....the dogs aren't so fussy though so it wasn't wasted.

Biscuit is sat on the window sill watching me 'work'  ;) I just hope the tablets help him and we don't have any side effects.

x
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Janeyk on February 11, 2010, 10:46:26 AM
Hope the tablets work well,  :hug:  my Pep is on Vidalta and has done well on them  :)
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: clarenmax on February 11, 2010, 13:20:34 PM
Maxy did well on Vidalta for ages, we had the added complication of kidneys as well so it was harder to balance  :shy:

If Biscuit likes treats, try the Defurrum ones, they are small biscuity things with gooey paste in the middle, perfect for breaking in half and sticking the tablet inside, it worked every time with Maxypoos!!

Good luck, and hope he responds well to the treatment xxx
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on February 11, 2010, 13:53:11 PM
Thanks JaneyK and Clare  :hug:

I'm wonderign about his kidneys Clare, the vet had a feel at them and didn't make any comment, but when he's back for repeat bloods in 3 weeks I'll be asking them to check kidney function if they're not already planning on it.

Will have a look now for some defurrum tablets!
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: clarenmax on February 11, 2010, 14:46:19 PM
If you already doing repeat bloods for the T4 then it might be an idea to get them to run bloodworks on the kidneys as well, as sometimes the thyroid can mask kidney issues, so when you start to treat one, it then shows symptoms of the other.

Give Biscuit a little headrub from me and Poot, assuming he's being less grumpy now  :Luv:  Max defo went through stages of this until we balanced his treatment out  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on February 11, 2010, 15:29:15 PM
Headrubs given, hand still intact!  :evillaugh: Thanks for your advice, I didn't realise Maxy had had thyroid issues too  :hug: And yes if they're taking blood regularly, might as well make the most of it and test for everything necessary. At least the new vet is much better at it than the awful experience we had last time.

Ordered a couple of bags of defurrum treats too, Vet Uk will love you for recommending them, I also bought frontline and wormers for the cats and dogs so they've made a small fortune!
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on February 11, 2010, 17:05:06 PM
Lots of cuddles to Biscuit and hope he will be fine for ages and ages  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on February 14, 2010, 18:46:33 PM
Well so far so good, Biscuit is taking his tablets in a bit of cheese each morning and so far no side effects......I hope they won't surface after this time, he's been on them for 4 days now. He's happy as Larry, still eating extra but that's no problem  :Luv:

Tried the defurrum treats, once again 3 out of 3 cats don't like them!!!!! They don't normally get treats as such though, a bit of hot dog perhaps after dog training, or chicken from mum when they've had some. So, have got 2 bags of defurrum treats, guess the dogs will get those (they liked the one the cats wouldn't eat)

The left over 'easy treat' issue has been solved though, when the new dog nicked them off the side and ate most of them (luckily leaving most of the foil and plastic  :scared: )
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Janeyk on February 14, 2010, 19:28:33 PM
 :) that's great news, hope it continues.  Regarding the appetite that will probably continue until he has built up a bit although Pepper is always like a little piggy apart the odd day  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on February 14, 2010, 20:08:01 PM
Glad he is taking the Vidalta no probs - Sam is on Felimazole and comes running when he hears the bottle, as he hasn't twigged yet that the crunchy thing in his primula is his medicine!! I am ultimately hoping to have the operation done on him, though we have to wait for his levels to come down.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Debsymiller (Rufus' mum) on February 14, 2010, 20:39:40 PM
Glad it's all going well! Monty has been doing well but the vet thinks the other side of the thyroid is now enlarged so he's likely to have to go on meds again. We're having him tested in a couple of weeks as his foot needs to be perfectly healed as infection can alter the blood results on a thyroid test. We will be asking for him to have the Vidalta if he does need meds again as he's challenging to tablet so once a day would be preferable.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on February 14, 2010, 20:42:20 PM
Debs, Sam only has one Felimazole a day - while it is better to split the dose, it does still work on one tablet a day.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Debsymiller (Rufus' mum) on February 14, 2010, 20:45:25 PM
Oh right, I will speak to the vet about that then if his levels come back as expected- Thanks Desley 8). It feels like such a shame as he only had the surgery a year ago but we did know the other side could become a problem, just one of those things that comes with old age if you're a pud! The vet thinks he has high blood pressure too which goes hand in hand with the thyroid and kidney probs so I want to get thyroid under control ASAP. I would definitely still recommend the surgery though for others as it is often a permanent fix. :)
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on February 15, 2010, 08:06:41 AM
I'm surprised it has come back so quickly, it is normally 18 months minimum. It's one of my worries with putting Sam through the op.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Debsymiller (Rufus' mum) on February 15, 2010, 09:45:05 AM
Well the vet thinks it's the opposite side to the one they removed as when they do the op, they tend to only remove one side. He's a happy boy though which is the main thing whatever happens- just boney!
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Debsymiller (Rufus' mum) on February 15, 2010, 09:46:02 AM
How old is Sam? The vet did say that as Monty has CRF that the thyroid problems, high BP and CRF all tend to go hand in hand so that may be why Monty is more succeptable.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Turbogirlie on February 20, 2010, 23:57:52 PM
Big hugs to Biscuit and you - hope that the meds keep everything under control for Biscuit.

 :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on March 04, 2010, 20:03:13 PM
Hi  :Luv: Just thought I'd give you a quick update on Biscuit

We were back at vets yesterday, she commented that he looked better and thought he'd put on weight , which I had thought but it's good for someone else to confirm it. He has put on a few grams which is good news, and best of all his thyroid levels are back to normal after just 3 weeks on the vidalta. Phew. Also they ran tests for kidney and liver function and I'm really pleased that they are fine too (I want a big grin smiley but can't find one!). His heart was still a little fast but likely made worse being stressed at the vets.

So... we talked about the operation.....basically vet is happy to go ahead, only one side is enlarged at the minute. The cost is pretty big, but by the time you've had 12 months worth of tablets and blood tests it comes to about the same anyway. I know there are risks and also the risk of other side starting at a later date but I've booked him in for next Thursday, eek. I trust the vet thought and I know she wouldn't go ahead if she wasn't happy, I just want the best for him and kind of feel like while he's good enough to go through op we might as well get it sorted. It's nice to read on here that Debsymiller had good experience with Monty and his op.


So, I'll be glad when next Thursday is over, at least my lad doesn't know what's coming so he can't be worrying about it!!
 :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: clarenmax on March 04, 2010, 20:05:24 PM
Good news that his levels and stabilised, and defo think the op is the best option, so fingers and toes crossed for next Thursday  :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on March 04, 2010, 20:13:44 PM
Thanks Clare   :hug:, was a massive relief to know they'd stabilised so quickly and also about his others tests, feel really hopeful he'll be around for a bit longer now  :Luv:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Turbogirlie on March 04, 2010, 20:25:52 PM
Great news that Biscuit has responded - thinking of you both & sending big hugs  :hug: for next Thursday, keeping fingers crossed! xxxx
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Millys Mum on March 05, 2010, 20:08:27 PM
Good luck for his op  :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on March 06, 2010, 02:35:12 AM
Be thinking of you and Biscuit next Thursaday and hope the op goes well  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on March 06, 2010, 15:17:36 PM
Thanks all  :thanks:

I've been feeling a bit twitchy about putting him through it, but this morning has sealed the deal!!!

It took umpteen goes to get his tablet down him - tried tinned reformed ham  :sick: which he ate and spat the tablet out, then cheese, then back to ham, still no joy....so for the first time in the 3 and a half weeks he's been on them, I had to administer it myself as it were.

Now, I'm convinced it went in, and that he swallowed it. Convinced! However, while I was stroking his throat, I found a pill in the fur under his chest!! I couldn't tell if it was today's or one from another day, so I binned it thinking it was better not to have a dose than to have double. I'm definitely pleased we won't be going through this rigmarole on a daily basis!

It did make me laugh though, I have to admit.Good job it was a Saturday morning and I wasn't rushing ti get to work on time  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on March 06, 2010, 16:02:25 PM
Glad to hear he has stabilised and can have the op, I do think it is the best way to go.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Turbogirlie on March 06, 2010, 21:58:48 PM
Thanks all  :thanks:

I've been feeling a bit twitchy about putting him through it, but this morning has sealed the deal!!!

It took umpteen goes to get his tablet down him - tried tinned reformed ham  :sick: which he ate and spat the tablet out, then cheese, then back to ham, still no joy....so for the first time in the 3 and a half weeks he's been on them, I had to administer it myself as it were.

Now, I'm convinced it went in, and that he swallowed it. Convinced! However, while I was stroking his throat, I found a pill in the fur under his chest!! I couldn't tell if it was today's or one from another day, so I binned it thinking it was better not to have a dose than to have double. I'm definitely pleased we won't be going through this rigmarole on a daily basis!

It did make me laugh though, I have to admit.Good job it was a Saturday morning and I wasn't rushing ti get to work on time  :evillaugh:

Been there with Fizz, know the feeling! :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on April 12, 2010, 15:10:11 PM
Thought I'd give you an update on the lurvely Biscuit  :Luv:

He had his op and it all went fine, he recovered really well. However, 3 weeks on and when they've tested his levels again, they need to go abck in and remove the other side  :( Poor lad. So he's back on tablets for 3 weeks and then they'll operate again (and I'm back on the town hall steps wondering how I'm going to pay for it!)

I will definitely be looking into insurance for the 2 younger ones after this, although in fairness he's my 4th oldie in 10 years and so far none of the others have required such expensive treatment, but he's well worth it  ;)
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: clarenmax on April 12, 2010, 15:23:02 PM
Awwww bless him, shame he's got to have repeat op for the other side though  :hug: :hug: :hug:

Give darlin' Biscuit a cuddle from me and Poot for being such a brave little man  :Luv2:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on April 12, 2010, 15:54:48 PM
Cuddles given  :hug: thanks xxx

They did suggest the other side might need doing, but seeing as she couldn't find a problem with the other side when she opened him up I didn't expect it to be immediately! I just hope that this one is fully successful and sorts it out once and for all, you can tell he's grumpy again and hungry and we're back to the fun and games of tablets every morning. I guess it's better now though while we know he's healthy rather than lately when he might not be quite so healthy. Fingers crossed anyway and I'll keep you posted.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Turbogirlie on April 12, 2010, 21:04:02 PM
Big hugs to you both  :hug: - shame he needs the second op but it sounds like you have a good vet who's main concern is for Biscuit's health and well being.  Hopefully, he'll be back to his old self following the op real soon.  Fizz, Molly, Amy & Alfie are sending positive thoughts to Biscuit as well. xx
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 13, 2010, 08:05:55 AM
Crikey, that is incredibly rare, normally it is about 18 months before the other side shows any signs of a prob!! Good luck for the next 3 weeks.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Janeyk on April 13, 2010, 08:50:22 AM
Poor Biscuit, hope all goes well xx
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Sylvia on April 13, 2010, 23:30:36 PM
 :hug: :hug: for you and Biscuit.  What a shame that he has to have a second op so soon, and hope everything goes well for him.  Pass on some extra cuddles to Biscuit from me  :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on May 02, 2010, 14:26:29 PM
Well Bics was booked in for his op next Tues but I took him in for tests on Friday and his levels are still a bit high so tablets for another 3 weeks then check again.

He's happy as Larry though which is the main thing. We've discovered corned beef for hiding the tablets in, it's minging stuff but works every time! That's our top tip for the day  :evillaugh:

Thanks for your good wishes for him. Like Des, I was very surprised he needed the second op so soon but hopefully this should be the end of it (I can't be doing with early morning corned beef for the rest of forever!)
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on May 03, 2010, 09:58:59 AM
Fingers crossed for his next bloods - rather you than me with corned beef, I much prefer Primula!!
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Millys Mum on May 04, 2010, 12:30:23 PM
Good to hear he is doing well and happy with his corned beef  :sick:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: clarenmax on May 04, 2010, 15:15:14 PM
Glad you've found something to hide the tablets, that's normally the hardest battle lol!!!

Hope his levels come down a bit more so he can have the other op and all these rotten thyroid issues will be over  :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on May 28, 2010, 13:54:02 PM
Another update on my handsome fluffy boy....

Bloods were still a bit high on further testing last weds but vet was happy to operate so he had the other side of his thyroid out last Friday. All went well and vet had a good look round for any extra thyroid tissue in his chest but couldn't find any.

He's recovered fine and is back to normal after op but still begging for food and seeming to be very hungry....vet wants us back next week, I guess for more bloods so I'm crossing everything it's worked this time otherwise he'll be on tablets for the rest of his life anyway and all this will have been for nothing.

Will let you know.
x
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on May 28, 2010, 14:02:47 PM
So hoping this worked for Biscuit and sending you both lots of love  :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: clarenmax on May 28, 2010, 14:18:44 PM
Keeping everything crossed  :hug:

Re the food thing, I wonder if its maybe habit, he's been used to doing it for so long, that it not kicked in yet that maybe he doesn't need to any more?  Just a thought  :hug: :hug:

Keep us posted, and give darling Biscuit a huge squidgy cuddle from me and Poot xx
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on May 29, 2010, 20:45:49 PM
Thanks  :hug: Squidgy cuddles passed on!

I did wonder that too Clare, and have to say that the other two seem to be looking out for food a bit more lately so may be I'm just being paranoid, fingers crossed. Although he did wake me up for breakfast the other morning and I could hear his little tummy rumbling! He's booked in back at vets on Wed so guess we'll know more then.

The main thing is he's fine and happy as Larry as usual, curled up looking scrummy in his bed while I'm faffing on the net.

x
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on May 30, 2010, 11:12:13 AM
Glad the op went well, fingers crossed the eating is just habit.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Turbogirlie on June 12, 2010, 00:25:08 AM
Pleased to hear the op went well.  Fizz has developed a routine of waking us up in the middle of the night for food - started when he first went onto steriods as they made him hungry.  Could well be that Biscuit has gotten into a similar routine.  How did you get on with the check up with the vets?
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on June 22, 2010, 22:17:05 PM
Hello all, update for you but not brill I'm afraid  :'(

The first visit went well, vet was happy with his weight etc and said she'd see him in a couple of weeks (this week) and perhaps test his levels if we thought necessary.

He continued to seem ok but still eating LOTS until last Wed when one of his eyes swelled up! We went to see the man vet (the good lady was away) and he reckoned it was some sort of upper respiratory infection as his chest sounded a bit noisy and his temp was high, so he gave him a long acting antibiotic jab and some eye cream. He'd also lost a bit of weight. Biscuit seemed to improve then, his eye was ok but over the weekend he was asking for food constantly, he didn't come up to bed at night (sounds daft but you know when they're not right don't you) and on Monday morning his eye was swollen again  :'(

So we were back at vets Monday/yesterday teatime, his temp was still high, he's had another injection, diff type of antibiotic, continue on cream and some antibiotic tablets. On a good note he's not lost weight since last Wed. This vet is much better, she wants to see him Friday unless I'm worried before, I have more confidence that she is prepared to treat things more aggressively and that's often what's needed for FIv cats in my experience.


He's still eating like a horse  :shify: but is not himself, it must be awful to have a high temp on top of this heat, I feel so sorry for him. Had a nightmare with the tablets, Baytril flavour, well he just won't eat them in ANYTHING that he would have his vidalta in, had to get my mum to come and hold him tonight so I could get it in his mouth and get his eye cream in, it's so stressful for him. I',m worried still about his thyroid levels, I'm not convinced the second op has worked and just feel like if he's still got high thyroid that will just be making him feel even more rotten and can't be helping  :'( I don't think they'll test til he's over this though.

However, other than his swollen eye, he's actually looking quite good, although his back is bony under his lovely fluffiness (but I suppose that's almost expected in a cat of his age).
I'm going to ring the vet tomorrow and see if she's got any non-flavoured tablets, I'm convinced that's what the problem is with getting him to take them!
He's made up cos my mum has brought him a tray of cat grass which he loves, I just hope he's a bit better tomorrow and can see this off, whatever it is. Will let you know how he goes

 :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on June 23, 2010, 08:12:10 AM
Sorry to hear this Sue - Baytril aren't good tablets to get into cats, I hated it when PEbbles was prescribed them, as she would foam at the mouth with them. Baytril isn't the flavour though, it is the brand, I dont think they make non-palatable ones.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: clarenmax on June 23, 2010, 08:52:26 AM
Aw hun, sorry to hear you're so up and down with your little man at the moment, hopefully everything will settle down, and he will get over his temperature really soon  :hug: :hug:

Give him a gentle headrub from me  :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Janeyk on June 23, 2010, 15:23:37 PM
 :( Poor Biscuit, hope that he starts to feel better very soon x

Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Turbogirlie on June 23, 2010, 20:54:49 PM
Aww bless, sorry to hear that poor Biscuit has such a nasty infection.  But good news that his weight seems to have stabilised.  Keeping fingers crossed that the antibiotics & cream kick the infection into touch & he responds real soon.  Purrs to Biscuit from the gang here. :hug: for you Schmew.  It's good that you have a vet who understands the implications of FIV, so therefore treats the problem aggressively.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on June 24, 2010, 10:43:06 AM
Thanks folks. Been back to vets this morning, having failed miserably with the tablets (yes Des, I know Baytril isn't the flavour, it's the brand  :shify: must have been my typing). When we tried to get last night's down him he was foaming at the mouth, and we found the night before stuck in his fur so basically he hadn't had any since his injextion at the vets on Monday.

His eye is still swollen but his temp his back to normal (yay!) and he has put on a small amount of weight (yay!) and the vet has showed me how to inject him, so I've got enough injectible antibiotics to last til next week and we go back Tues.

I'm relieved - it's a step in the right direction and the injections should be so much easier than fighting with the stupid flavoured tablets so now I feel like I can give him what he needs to get better. Still got the fun and games with the eye cream but that's easier than the tablets.

Thanks for the  :hug: they're definitely needed for both of us! He's having a rubbish year so far but I'm still hopeful that the second part will be better than the first

x
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Janeyk on June 24, 2010, 11:32:32 AM
 :) glad to hear that things things are getting better for your boy  :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: clarenmax on June 24, 2010, 13:43:46 PM
Sounds like you have a good vet there, and hope the injections are much less stressful for you both  :hug:

Really good that his temparature has come down, must be all those good vibes again on Purrs, they do wonders  ;D

Topping up with the  :hug: go you and the cuddles for Biscuit :Luv2: :Luv2:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Turbogirlie on June 24, 2010, 21:02:16 PM
Sounds like you have a good vet there, and hope the injections are much less stressful for you both  :hug:

Really good that his temparature has come down, must be all those good vibes again on Purrs, they do wonders  ;D

Topping up with the  :hug: go you and the cuddles for Biscuit :Luv2: :Luv2:

We are all thinking the same thoughts for you and Biscuit.   :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on July 07, 2010, 18:48:12 PM
Thanks all  :thanks: for the Purrs vibes! They did well for the temperature, and the injections went smoothly......

Been back today, weight stable but GUESS WHAT????!!!!!! Thyroid levels are still high, so the operations haven't worked!!!!!!!!

So, he's back on the tablets. Part of me can't quite believe it but other part doesn't feel surprised, I didn't think he was quite right anyway. I go away tomorrow for a couple of days so I'm going to start his tablets when I get back, I can't believe I'm going to have to add CORNED BEEF  :sick: and TUNA to the monthly budget of a vegetarian!!!!  :evillaugh:

Main thing is, he's ok. He looks fab actually, and is a little love as ever, and will be even more of a love once his levels are stable again.

Buffy aslo went today for her vaccination, and she needs to go back for a dental. Add that to Charlie dog's vaccination today and I'm almost bankrupt. the vet nurse joked that I need a job at a vets, I told her not to laugh as when I need a second job I'll be hoping to be a Saturday girl at that vets, just think of the discount!

Thanks again for your support,

xxx
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 08, 2010, 08:18:43 AM
Oh no!!! I know they can have thyroid tissue elsewhere, so that is one risk with the operation. Have you tried primula to hide his tablets, much easier to use as a vegi. Fingers crossed the tablets get them down quickly
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: clarenmax on July 08, 2010, 09:01:57 AM
Oh no, that's so frustrating  :hug:

Hope the tablets get things on an even keel again, I used to put Max's Vidalta tablets inside Defurrum treats as they can have one or two of them a day, the tablet perfectly fits inside the gooey bit once you've broken the treat in half, and is a perfect disguise  ;) ;D
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on July 08, 2010, 17:46:35 PM
Hi  :Luv:

Tried primula Des, but no joy, got some of the defurrum treats also (on your recommendation Clare) but none of them will entertain them so that's how we found success with corned beef and tuna. I can't believe our bad luck really but at least I've still got my boy and we'll get him stable again. to be fair he's actually looking really good at the minute so it's not all been in vain I suppose.

the bad luck continues, Charlie dog doesn't seem to have entirely agreed with his booster yesterday and spent the night having tummy ache and high temperature. I'm exhausted, he wouldn't settle and of course I was worried, so we've been back to the vets again today. I almost live there! Luckily he's seeming a lot brighter this afternoon (and is waiting for the rice to cool so he can have chicken and rice for tea) so it looks like we can go away tomorrow as planned (my special girlie dog is in the rescue dog agility finals at Peterborough on Sat, small brag  :Luv: so I'm keeping fingers crossed we don't have to miss it)

So - I have an unopened bag of defurrum treats if anyone wants them!!!! Address by pm and I'll eventually get round to posting them...............
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Janeyk on July 09, 2010, 07:25:08 AM
Pep eats his tablets wrapped in corned beef or tuna.

My vet has never offered thyroid ops for my cats - probably because they are older and the chance it won't work?
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 09, 2010, 07:54:03 AM
One of the vets in my practice was reluctant to do it with Sam, yet they do ops on every thyroid cat the RSPCA have!!
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on July 12, 2010, 17:24:49 PM
Well unfortunately it's all become largely irrelevant, as today things have just gone downhill

His eye still hadn't got fully better since it went funny about a month ago, but when we went last week vet just said to keep an eye on it (no pun intended). This morning though I noticed the front of his head had suddenly swelled, on the side of the funny eye. He wasn't too keen on me mauling with it either.

Vet has had a good feel (different vet but one I like and trust) and says it's not an abcess. Impossible to say for sure without x-ray/biopsy/scans obviuosly but given recent history with eye, how it feels and her experience it's likely to be a tumour in his sinus and probably aggressive seeing as quickly gone from poorly eye to big lump.

He's been through so much, and I hope no-one thinks I'm giving up too soon but he's old and I'm not prepated to put him through loads of tests and more treatment when realistically, he's not got forever even without a tumour. He's too high risk for anasthetic anyway with high thyroid levels and given the speed the lump has appeared it would all have to be done very quickly - it's not what I want for him at the end of his time. He's not been 100% himself for a while and although I've put it down to high levels not being treated because of the infection (as we thought it) I don't really hold out much hope of him improving much now he's back on the tablets as this is a separate issue. I've been watching him today, he's detached and lying at the back of the telly or behind the sofa and not eating as much as normal, shaking his head and sneezing. vet said he'd got months if not weeks but I suspect it might not be that long, I won't let it drag for him if he's not happy and surely having a big lump pressing inside your head can't be comfortable. I know I'll know when it's time but I really wasn't expecting it to be so soon after all the thyroid stuff, I thought we'd sort that and then carry on happy for a while longer.

So, he's being spoiled rotten and watched like a hawk, I will keep you posted but I'm sorry it's not great news. I'm gutted.  I can't believe I'm about to lose my big fluffy baby.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Millys Mum on July 12, 2010, 20:26:43 PM
 :hug: :hug:
Sorry to hear his eye isnt a simple prob  :( i hope you have longer together than you think, its never easy but it sounds like you have made the right treatment call for him  :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Janeyk on July 12, 2010, 20:46:35 PM
I do hope that the eye isn't so serious  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: clarenmax on July 12, 2010, 21:54:10 PM
Aw hunnie, sorry to hear the news is not better  :(  :hug: :hug:

When Max was very ill last year, and I knew I was losing him, the overwhelming advice was to enjoy him, love him, spend as much time with him as you can, and I couldn't have asked for better advice at the time.

Here's hoping you have much longer together than you think hunnie  :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Turbogirlie on July 12, 2010, 22:28:06 PM
Big hugs Schmew - we really feel for you.  We do not think you are giving up on him, you are being realistic & taking Biscuit's quality of life into account.  Very sorry to have read this.. for your's and Biscuit's sake.  xx
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on July 13, 2010, 01:01:05 AM
Very sorry to hear this  :hug: You know Biscuit inside out and you know you'll do the right thing for him, whenever that time may be  :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 13, 2010, 08:24:18 AM
I am sorry to hear this, it doesn't matter how much medical treatment we have available, it is what is best for the cat, and unfortunately sometimes that is doing nothing at all other than loving them, and being strong enough to take away their pain when they can't fight anymore. I know how hard it is when things like this come up so suddenly though, and I just hope you have a lot of quality time together.
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on July 17, 2010, 20:57:38 PM
Thank you - and Clare and Des I can't think of any better advice than that. I will pass on some extra purrs hugs  :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Schmew on July 23, 2010, 13:22:23 PM
Just thought I'd give you a little update on my boy  :Luv:

His lump is growing slowly  :( and his eye is only slightly open now, but he's being brave and having cream in it to stop infection and weeping and it's definitely helping on that score. He's on a full dose of metacam daily so hopefully that's keeping most if not all of any pain at bay.

He's sleeping a lot, but inbetween that he's mugging me for food and the odd cuddle - he'll even have a bit of a play if you've got something dangly! He chats to me when he wants something and today he's been out in the cat run for some fresh air and a bit of cat grass while the door is open (seeing as it seems to have stopped raining!). So on the whole he's looking as good as can be expected, and although I've kept worrying if he's had enough yet I'm pretty sure that for now, he's happy to keep going a bit longer. He still looks good cos he's cleaning himself which I'm aslo taking as a good sign.

His thyroid tablets are making him sick though (he's only sick when he's had one of those in a meal) so I've spoken to the vet and we've decided to stop giving them to him, given that the lump is growing anyway it's still likely he's not got too long and there's no point making him sick.

He's a proper babe  :Luv: and I think he's being really brave. Buffy and Bobby are doing a good job of cuddling me to help keep my spirits up. I still can't help feeling this is all very unfair and unexpected but at least I've been given a last bit of time to spend with him and spoil him rotten.....Making a rod for my own back with fancy cat food, the other two will never go back to their normal boring food now!!!

As much as I wish we weren't at the end, I'd rather he was here with me so I can keep him comfortable and loved in his last days rather than living outside as he used to.

Thanks again for your support, it means a lot that there are people out there that understand  :hug:

xxx
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: clarenmax on July 23, 2010, 13:29:11 PM
I'd say he sounds happy enough in himself hun, as long as he's responsive, eating, playing and grooming etc, then there's no reason to think that he's giving up just yet  :hug:

With Max last year the thing I was most frightened about was that I wouldn't know when he'd had enough,  everyone on here told me I'd know, and you know, they were all so right.  Until that time, you're doing the very best for him, and I agree that stopping the thyroid meds is probably a good thing if they're making him feel sick  :hug:

Give darling Biscuit an extra huge squishy cuddle from me for being such a lovely lad, and then take another one for yourself as I know exactly how you're feeling right now, and you could probably do with some extra support  :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Janeyk on July 23, 2010, 15:33:56 PM
Glad to hear that Biscuit still seems ok and you're doing great, I know how difficult it still is though, sending hugs for Biscuit and you :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Turbogirlie on July 23, 2010, 21:46:15 PM
Hi Schmew.

I am glad that Biscuit is being so spoilt - spending quality time together is so good & I think being loved will make him much more comfortable.  The fact that he's still grooming is a very good indication that he's not given up & you will have more time together.

We do feel your pain & I am truly sorry you are going through this.  Sending you both big hugs. xxxx :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Sylvia on July 24, 2010, 00:04:21 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about Biscuit  :hug:

Its so unfair, and I wish I could say or do something to make it better, but I know I can't.

You're doing the very best for him for the time that you have left together, and no-one could do any more than that.

Sending Biscuit some gentle head kisses, and some of these for you  :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Just found out Biscuit has an enlarged thyroid....
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 24, 2010, 08:03:15 AM
I am sorry to hear the lump is growing, but glad he is still enjoying life. While it is unfair that he has gone through so much and then developed this, he is very lucky to be with such a caring mum who is doing everything for him, things could have been so much different for him. We are all here if you need to talk, sadly we know how hard this is.