Saturday, April 12, 2008

Another Thousand-Dollar Barn Cat

It's official, Ginger has hyperthyroidism. All her symptoms -- and her blood work -- point to it. She'll be on oral medication for two weeks and then the vet will see how she's doing and will probably recommend a radiation injection. The vet said it was "a bit pricey," but I have no other choice. I've had no problem giving her the tiny pills. I just open her mouth and drop it in. And then she gives me a look like, "what just happened?" If I tried that with Gwen, I'd probably lose a finger. The condition means she has a benign (I hope) tumor on her thyroid, which increases her metabolism. Thus the pacing and yowling. This is a cat that I thought had her vocal cords cut when I first got her. She can look right at me and meow and I don't hear a thing. But I surely hear her yowling. This new treatment is supposed to be about 97% effective in curing her. I was going to do my taxes this week, but discovered I'm missing one of two W-2s. The people who sign my paychecks switched last year. No problem. No panic. I'll go in Monday and see if I can get a duplicate and then will probably have to file for an extension. The 15th sure creeped up fast. And why doesn't this spell checker recognize "creeped?" UPDATE: Because the proper word is crept.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

My sympathy to Ginger. I was diagnosed with the same condition when I was 14. It causes heart palpitations, which kind of take your breath away. No wonder she's yowling! I couldn't go a radiation route because of my young age and wanting children later in life, so I had to have surgery. I'm sure you took care of that option for her--lucky anyway, I'll bet the radiation is cheaper. :)

Out of curiousity, what's the pill she's taking? I wonder if it's the same for cats as what I took--only I was taking about 30 pills a day! =:o

Trader Rick said...

BOY, THAT REALLY CREPT UP ON US!! i TURNED ON MY RADIO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NITE!!

Lone Ranger said...

I'll have to check on the pills. They are very tiny and I give her just half of one every 12 hours. As for the radiation treatment, I think it costs at least $1200. But now I won't have to get a night light.

Lone Ranger said...

OK, the medicine is methimazole. Five mg tabs. The vet also said Ginger has a heart murmur.

Anonymous said...

Not the same stuff, but a better option for an animal since it doesn't have to be taken several times a day. I took propylthiouracil four times a day--for four years, plus inderal for my heart.

So you see, I really, REALLY understand Ginger! :)

Rick--turned on the radio??

Tonto said...

I had to file an extension too. What a mess taxes...Now that I am an independent contractor...taxes are a thorn in my side.

I would rather clean my refrigerator than do my taxes.

I don't expect a refund this year. How about you?