My Cats 2016

Midnight says "I love you" to Raphael with his tail. I should have posted this on Valentine's Day. Josie beyond. Taken in Jan 28th 2016

Josie has hyperthyroidism. Her kidneys are fine, in fact her Urea was a touch low. Also her potassium was a touch low. Everything else was fine. It is caused by a tumour on the thyroid. That's why she steals food and breaks into the oven. But the mystery is she is overweight...she should be very thin with hyperthyroidism. (She did drop suddenly a bit of weight a few weeks ago) Her TT4 measured 87. It should be betweem 10-60. This is the reason she drinks so much. My poor little girl. The local vet recommends a treatment called "RADIOACTIVE IODINE THERAPY". One treatment cures 95% of cases. It is very expensive. I have to ring tomorrow to find out how much it costs. Another option is surgery but it is very close to the parathyroid gland, and if he damages that, she will die, so he is reluctant to remove the tumour. And this operation would be expensive too. And the final option of treatment is tablets, for life. It does not cure the problem and you will always be giving her blood tests to get the levels right and she will be on medication for life. Her blood pressure will always have to be watched monthly. I'm not in a position to easily give her what she needs. And I have to make a decision soon.

Matilda is fast asleep outside. Our cooler weather has arrived finally. She has a very sore tooth at the moment. Trying to organise a vehicle to get her to my vet far away. I don't trust the local vets, and they charge a lot more than my old vet. Update on Josie: Josie is doing ok but gaining weight rapidly. I'm letting her eat more, then I put her on a low Iodine diet but she began to refuse the food. After researching online I'm giving her high quality protein, and when she wants to overeat I give her the low Iodine food. She's not drinking like a maniac anymore, but she's gaining fat weight. If I reduce her food, she loses muscle weight. I'm looking at homeopathic ideas to treat her. Realistically I don't have the means to treat her with a vet.

She was rolling around in the sun attacked the table leg. She's been on the thyroid medication for 25days. It really helps. She's due for more tests to see her levels and to see if her kidney function is ok. She looks unhappy, as do all my cats at the moment.

Screening from the unusual hot Autumn sun.

These two photos were taken at the same time of the last post of Matilda.

These two photos were taken at the same time of the last post of Matilda.

Josie has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and some flickr contacts offered to support her to get treatment that will cure her. I made a facebook page to allow anyone who wants to help Josie. www.facebook.com/helpcurejosie/ I'm working out this camera slowly. I discovered if I took it off auto and set the iso to the highest setting and used the macro when I moved in close, I can get some really good photos.

On Thursday 19th May, Josie and I are waiting for our turn to see the vet. She had dental surgery. I decided to do her teeth before I give her the Radioactive Iodine treatment to make sure her teeth do not become a problem. The money from her donation funds for her treatment was not used for this. I doubt I'll be able to raise the money for her dental, and it had to be done. I swore I'd never take a loan to pay for vet fees, but things have been awful with the problems with the cats being poisoned, and the costs have blown out. I believe things will work out in the end, I'm just sure things will work out. I've never been one to borrow money. I've been quite sick, gastro problems for about 3 days. Today, Saturday, I have improved a lot, but I still have to take it easy.