Thursday, July 2, 2015

A Health Update.

Dogs don't have the monopoly on playing with sticks!

This photo was taken on Monday and you can see how well I am looking now. I wasn't so happy earlier in the morning though.
Mum called me in from the garden and I came running with my tail held high. Next thing I knew I was being stuffed into the PTU.
When I have to travel in the box on wheels I always sing my warrior songs. This time I screamed them out. Dad was afraid I would give myself a heart attack and mum held my paw all the way there, but I am proud to say I never let up for a single minute.
When we got to the vet he took us into his examination room the back way, probably because he had heard me screaming blue murder all the way there.
He checked my heart and mum and dad were sure it would be racing because I had got myself so worked up been singing so loud. He said it sounded good and was very pleased with it. Mum had caught a pee sample the night before so he tested that. There is still a trace of blood in it and the white blood cell count is still raised. It has been like that since I first became ill and before I had the antibiotics which had caused me so much trouble. Everything else was good.
Then I had my blood stolen. He did it in the room with mum and dad there so I wouldn't stress myself again.
The results came back this morning. As most of you know, I am unable to take any sort of hyperthyroid medication as it works against me and makes me very ill. Instead, for the last three months I have been taking a very low dose of Prednisalone which can suppress thyroid function to a certain degree and also increase appetite and weight.
Mum thinks we may use a different scale of numbers for measuring T4 levels in the UK. Anything over 55 is considered to be hyperthyroid. The last time I had a T4 test my level was 111, double what it should be. This time it is 65 which is much better but I still have hyperthyroidism. It shows that the pred has been working well. My vet said he could raise the dose slightly but that could bring other steroid associated problems and would prefer not to do that. Mum and dad said they definitely don't want to do anything that could cause more problems. With my thyroid still being overactive, in time it will put too much strain on my heart Instead I am going to have a daily pill to help protect my heart and also my kidneys.
My vet is very pleased with my progress and says I look a totally different cat to the one he saw when mum and dad rushed me into him when he was the on duty night vet 6 months ago.

71 comments:

  1. We're glad to hear that you are steadily improving. Try to keep cool!

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  2. We would love to hear you sing your "warrior songs" Flynn. Then we could sing the whole ride to the vet next time we go. You are very brave & we are thrilled that the vet was so pleased with how your health has improved. At least the thyroid problem sounds manageable for now, No one could tell by looking at your photo what a sick kitty you were not too long ago. Keep on eating, hunting mousies & taking walks in the fields so you can stay strong & healthy. Your mom & dad must be very pleased with your progress even if they didn't appreciate you "screaming blue murder" while at the vet's clinic.

    We are tryin' to stay cool as we have the extreme hots today. It will be 100 degrees today and it has been really hot for over a week now. All the smart mousies here are hiding in their holes in the ground where it is nice & cool. But we are watchin' to catch any mouse that pokes it's head out. A hunter never rests.

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  3. Sorry the trip to the vet was so stressful for you, Flynn. But those sound like good results, considering you can't take the thyroid medicine. Keep up the good work!

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  4. Flynn, this is good news! I'm glad the pred is working out for you. Try to stay cool over there!

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  5. That is a very good report Flynn and you look terrific and very happy! Try not to stress yourself like that though, it stresses Mum and Dad too. Love ya Flynn!

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  6. That sounds like a good report, Flynn. I am so happy for you and your mum and dad, too. I hope the pill for your heart and kidneys will help them and all of the rest of you, too.

    Bless you, Beautfiul Boy!
    Love,
    Lily

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  7. Excellent report and great job singing the song of our people all the way to the VET.

    The Florida Furkids

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  8. So glad you are doing better. I only met you a year ago and I want you around a good long time. I’m not ready to give you up anytime soon.

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  9. That's good news, Flynn. We hope the new medication helps you and you continue to do okay...and can keep singing your warrior songs. :)

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  10. Kudos to yous Flynn! For the singing the songs of our peoples all the way to the vet and for being so much better, mes will still keeps purraying though, and mes shall keeps visiting yous in the middle of the night for cuddles.
    Special Kisses
    Your Nellie Bellie

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  11. Flynn that is a great improvement with the Pred! We are very hopeful that the next time you won't be Hy

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  12. Sorry posting on iPad is challenging!
    But I hope your next test will show NO hyper t at all.

    You're looking great! And your lungs are in tip top shape!
    MOL

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  13. Flynn, I am beyond happy to learn this. Now by the way, PLEASE don;t sing your warrior songs. Do you do that each time? You ARE stressing not only yourself but your mom and dad. Be well, Precious boy. Love you.

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  14. Good news for you Flynn. Even if your labs are not 100% normal, you are looking and feeling better. That counts too.

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  15. That sounds like pretty good news :)
    WOOT!
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure and JJ

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  16. Oh, Flynn, this is a really good report! We are so pleased that you're doing so well. Try not to be stressed, okay? Big hugs to you, Mum and Dad!

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  17. Glad to hear there's been improvement!

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  18. It is really a balancing act with your meds, isn't it, Flynn? I'm glad you are doing so much better, though! That is great news!

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  19. Great news Flynn!x Great news!
    Onwards and Upwards...Bless you!x

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  20. Good report and we think you look amazing. Your Mom and Dad are doing a great job!

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  21. We are delighted that you got a good report from your vet Flynn and paws crossed that the new medication will make a big difference to you. BTW we heard you singing!!
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  22. BEST NEWS! Brilliant Flynn. And you can still yell and scream without a flicker of a raised heart beat. You rock dude, you so rock.

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  23. That is such wonderful news! Keep getting better sweetie! We're all pulling for you and love you!

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  24. Wonderful news my furriend. You surely let your voice hear too..MOL :D Extra Pawkisses are on the way :) <3

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  25. Flynn, we're delighted to read that you're doing so well. (How rude of your mum to call you, with you expecting something good, only to be stuffed into the PTU!)

    Continued purrs and paws crossed from us that your health issues continue to be managed so well.

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  26. This is so good to hear. Keep at it, Flynn. We're really impressed you've brought your thyroid numbers down like that with just pred and weren't aware that was possible.

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  27. Oh Flynn.....I'm happy to hear your vet says you're doing much better - you look much better that's for sure! The Pred obviously is working for you. It's great to see you perky and playing and enjoying yourself !!!

    Love, Sammy

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  28. That is such a wonderful update, Flynn. We are absolutely delighted, both for you and your parents. Keep it up!

    Purrs,
    The Chans

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  29. How absolutely FANTASTIC!!! We're all so happy to read this, even if you did have to sing your warrior songs. (That's good exercise, you know, and Ruse is happy to let you know he approves!)

    Purrrrrrrssssss and head bonks and {{{{hugs}}}} to all of you from all of us in Texas!

    Love ~ Grace & Company

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  30. Flynn this was a most WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL report!!!!! I am smiling and oh so happy for you! Certain things in older cats can't be avoided, but your vet obviously has everything under control and is obviously FANTASTIC!!! Cody takes pred too for his allergies (he only takes pred during a flare-up), but cats tolerate pred really well. Your vet was right about everything he said. I am so happy that he said you look like a totally different cat! Maybe singing the song of your people did the trick! We love you! Caren and Cody

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  31. That is wonderful news!! You are the first one on my prayer list every night and I know everyone else is praying for you too. Sorry you had to get so stressed going to the vet though.

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  32. I am proud of you, Bro for singing our warrior song! I think we should start a choir and make records and do gigs and stuff!!

    Really delighted you are doing so well, Flynn xxx

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  33. Thank you for the update. It sounds like everything is going as well as can be. And we are very glad for that.

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  34. that is great news - keep singing!!

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  35. Happy dance all around! We are so happy you are getting better.

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  36. Flynn we are pleased that things are going in the right direction but we will keep our motors revved so the numbers get even better, okay?

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  37. We are so proud of you for singing the song of your people all the way to the vet. And with gusto! We're happy to know you are doing so much better on what you are taking. We can imagine how thrilled your mom and dad are to still have you with them. Keep it up, Flynn.

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  38. When my cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, I put him on special iodine-low food from Hill's Prescription Diet. It works perfectly and no meds needed.

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  39. This is very good news, Flynn. When I would have my cat Tungsten tested for her hyperthyroidism, I think the numbering scale was the same as yours; I had to keep her numbers between ten and 54 (or perhaps 64) or something similar.

    In any case, your numbers have improved tremendously, and the way you've been acting in your blog entries - climbing, running, playing, eating - all point to better days. Thank goodness! Keep it up, Flynn.

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  40. Oh, Flynn, we are very happy to hear this!

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  41. Oh Flynn, that is so exciting that you are doing so well. I am a firm believer in the pred. I had a kitty with the thyroid issue, and it really helped for about 5 years. We are doing a happy dance for you Flynn.

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  42. Oh, dear Flynnie, we are all so happy to hear this news! May you continue to live long an' happily!! We loves you!!

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  43. Clapping wildly Flynn for many reasons.
    1. WTG not letting up on the singing in the car!! Your people are so proud of you.
    2. Excellent report. Keep up the good work
    3. you are so very lucky to be loved by such great and caring peeps.
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  44. I think we are all very pleased with your progress :) and I bet your warrior song is mightily impressive.

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  45. WOO HOO!!! So glad to read you are doing so much better!!!!!

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  46. dood... !!!!!! we iz buzzed mega happee for ya buddy & glad ta heer ya iz doin sew well...a paws a paws a paws ~~ if thiz doez knot call for a helpin oh fish N chipz nothin doez ......troo lee troo lee happee for ya buddy....♥♥♥♥

    Heerz two a climbin catfish kinda week oh end ♥♥♥

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  47. Oh Flynn dear pal, I am so so apologetic for having been absent from your comments for so long. I knew you were fighting hyperthyroidism but not that you were failing recently. Soooooo relieved you have some good news test results. My humans are on a very long cruise in the Baltic area, but Mom L promised to keep me informed. Paw kisses

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  48. You sang warrior songs?? OMC!!
    We just yowl the blues, MOL!

    Glad to hear the favorable reports. May all the new things work well to keep you doing so great!

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  49. This is good news. So happy for you all.

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  50. So glad you are better! I would love to hear one of your "warrior songs" - might be like ones I have heard before or you might put your own unique twist on them!

    Thanks for commenting


    http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/

    Debby in Arizona

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  51. So sorry you screamed all the way to the vet. I totally understand as I am paranoid after multiple trips to the vet for ear problems. We're glad to hear you got a fairly good report!

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  52. Keep hanging in there dear Flynn. We love you!

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  53. We're so happy you're doing better Flynn! Gree sings Viking shieldmaiden songs all th e way to the vet. They sound like warrior songs.

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  54. This all sounds good, Flynn. Hope the medication continues to help you. Sorry about the vet visit but it gave you a chance to practice your singing.

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  55. We are so happy that your levels are going down and that you are so sprightly and happy when you go to the v-e-t! Nothing like a howling cat on the drive over. Many hugs to you Flynn!

    Luf, All of us from Forty Paws and Maw

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  56. So so, so delighted to hear the news. I can't recall if you mentioned doing homeopathic formulas for thyroid support. I can recommend a couple.

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  57. DUDE!!! All of us are so HAPPY to hear this!! You've come such a long way, and glad your numbers are down. Tommy wants to snuggle you and I want to high paw you--all the way across the lake that separates us!!

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  58. We're so happy to hear about your progress. We're also very proud that you sang the song of our species.

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  59. Flynn, that is very good news. We're so happy to hear that you're doing better. It's so nice to have a great vet working with you too, to make sure your treatment is just right for YOU.

    We're sorry we've been so absent lately... life got crazy and we haven't been able to say hi to our friends as much as we'd like to.

    love,
    Glogirly, Katie & Waffles

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  60. We're so glad to hear such good news ! Purrs

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  61. Wow, Flynn, that's amazing! I'm so happy to hear that you are doing so well. Your thyroid numbers are so much improved. :)

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  62. Awsome news, Flynnie love! We're thrilled for you. Thank goodness your vet finally sound something that worked for you. You certainly seem to be in fine form lately. We're keeping you in our prayers as always, dear. We love you like you were our own.

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  63. This is great news, Flynn! We're sending purrs for continued good health.

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  64. This is great news!
    --Jasper McKitten-Cat's dsd

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  65. We are so, so happy for this wonderful news and update, you rock Flynn!

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Thanks for commenting!