Monday, December 29, 2014

Update - Monday Evening.

Note: Several people have suggested the transdermal gel for the thyroid medication. I asked about this when he first went on the pills but it is not available in the UK. I also checked online, not because I doubted my vet but just in case I could find somewhere that does it that they did not know about. There is a compounding laboratory, but the thyroid medication is not licensed to be compounded into a gel. I also looked into the possibility of having it shipped here but that can only be done under special license. 
Thank you once again for all the purrs and helpful suggestions for Flynn. He is spending all his time either on the chair in the sun, or on the bed wrapped in my furry dressing gown.
The last update on Saturday I said he was eating a little and I was cooking some fish for him. He never touched the fish or ate anything else that day. What started as one of his good days went downhill very quickly. He seems to get one good day then one bad day. He stayed on the bed and looked very ill. I don't think he was in pain, but we all know they are very good at hiding it. He was in obvious discomfort though.
We talked all through the night and said we mustn't keep trying for our sake when it was not in his interest, and the bad days were getting worse each time. We intended ringing the emergency vet in the morning. Yesterday morning there was a very slight improvement so of course we didn't ring the vet. We want to give him every chance to recover if it is at all possible.
We collected some more Zantac injections and also B12 which we gave immediately and also an appetite pill. Later in the afternoon he started to improve and even ate a sardine (thanks for the suggestion Bonnie).
Today I rang the vet who has been treating him and we took him in for another blood test to see if anything different is showing up yet. We are expecting his T4 to be raised as he is off thyroid treatment for the time. He is to continue with the Zantac, but now in pill form rather than keep injecting him twice a day. We brought home some Hill's Prescription AD diet too. He has eaten 3/4 of a tin, and also one of his small tins of food as well. They weighed him and he has lost nearly one and a half pounds in 10 days so it is very important to try and keep him eating one way or another. He is so very thin and frail, but still so full of love.
After all this doom and gloom the good news is he has done a firmer poop yesterday and today.
As long as he is able to keep fighting and has a chance to get better, we won't give up on him.
Please keep purring for our boy, he needs them to help him through this.

84 comments:

  1. Hang in there, Flynn! Give your mum and dad a reason to smile. We're all thinking of you.

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  2. Sending Flynn lots of purrs. Glad he is a fighter. Praying he will get more good days and less bad ones.
    Rosezeeta

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  3. Sending lots of healing purrs so that he can fight his fight. We are all behind you, sweetie!

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  4. Hang in there Flynn. We're purring for you.

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  5. dood....pleez for de love oh cod....even if ya hafta eat a damn burd...due sew.....eat 934 burdz if ya hafta...just pleez eat...be well, get well, stay well....how bout ewe make a new yeerz rezz oh loo shuz ta due thiz...

    deel ?

    we loves ya buddy....we troo lee hope thiz new treet mint werks; ya noe St Francis is werkin mega OT...♥♥♥♥♥

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  6. Aw Flynn. As long as you want to be with your Mom and Dad, we will send purrs to you. We know they will take the best care of you. Hang in there,we'll be with you :)
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure and JJ

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  7. Flynn, keep up your strength, fella, and do get better.
    I have gotten pickier about my food. Mom and Dad have found some flavors of Fancy Feast tempt me better. But not all of them. I am very selective.

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  8. We are purring like mad and sending HUGE healing vibes out to you, Flynn! Our love to you, and your Mum and Dad--The Kats and Mommy Trish xx

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  9. We continue to send our strongest healing purrs and our paws are crossed that the improvement will be maintained - hang on in there, dear Flynn.
    Purrs ... Rainbow

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  10. Sounds like you're fighting this Flynn. Please know that we're here putting in our mojo for you. Hang in there buddy.

    Lots of purrs and head butts.

    Lizzie, Max and Tuck

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  11. Flynn, we all love you so much pal and we are sending you our very best purrs and prayers around the clock. One of us is always on Flynn Purr Duty and we won't stop. Eat some more my dear friend.

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  12. Dear Mum and Dad and Flynn, we are glad to hear some good news about Flynnie eating, especially eating a fishy sardine. Our old cat Puss, well she had the renal failure and it was tough. Our vet was very good, and she told mum that puss would know when it was time. We are thinking of you all on this journey, and we are happy to see Mr Flynnie Flynster soaking up the sunbeams.

    Love
    Julie and Poppy Q
    xxx

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  13. More healing vibes and purrayers on the way. Please keep a good thought for our Caitie. She's beginning to near the end.

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  14. Oh, Flynn, please get better. Sending you healing purrs.

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  15. We're sending all the purrayers we can, for you and your family.

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  16. As hard as it is to see him not well, I am glad you are giving him a little more time in case he might be able to be well again. It could happen, as you know. Gosh, I hope so for all of you. You are taking such loving care of him and he must be so appreciative of it.

    Have you tried feeding him some chicken or turkey baby food? That has always been one of the easiet to get our kitties to eat when they have stopped wanting food. Just a thought in hopes it might help you.

    I send you much love and many, many prayers,
    Lily

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  17. Thank you for keeping us updated. We are sending you so much love, hope, POTP, purrs and prayers for Flynn and for you.

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  18. We are praying very hard for our boy. We must have faith and surround him with our prayers, our love and positive energy. We must not loose faith with the ups and downs because that is what life is for all of us. Lots of good things today. Eating, forming stool,enjoying a comfy spot are all good. Please kiss Flynnie for us and let him know how much we love him. If we can do anything to help in any way, don't hesitate to let us know. Our love and support are with you and Ivor.

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  19. Hang in there, Flynn! We're purring just as loud as we can for you to feel better.

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  20. Flynn, we're purring like mad for you. You hang in there and keep eating. You know how much all of us love you and want you to be well again.

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  21. Sending purrs, I have it revved up on high for Flynn.

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  22. Purrz and prayers on going for sweet Flynn, he is a very special boy. We love you Flynn! Toy,Tinker, TyGr, Teak, Thomas, Setzer, ICE and Mom Holly

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  23. Flynn, please eat sweetie.... Please.... <3

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  24. Purrs and prayers continue for our boy Flynn...

    ~MamaLisa

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  25. Oh you poor little mancat! Keep fighting. I bet this is still from the Convenia which can stay in your system a long time. I sending tons of healing purrz—no, I’m bringing them to you in purrson. You’ve got to get better. No more sads.

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  26. Thanks for the update on Flynn. I've had excellent results with the Hill's AD canned food. It spoils easily, so I've found it helpful to portion a can into a dozen servings for refrigeration. I then moved only two units out for serving at a time: One for hand feeding every two hours, the other 'warming' on the counter. That, plus rest and hydration with an eye dropper, was all I could do -- besides hold the cat and pray.

    Blessings on your all during this difficult time!

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  27. Oh Flynn we know and understand feeling icky makes you not want to eat, but we are purring so very hard that things will improve and you will start to feel like eating.

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  28. We are purring deeply Flynn. We love you dear friend.

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  29. Checking in to see our sweet Flynn is doing. Keep up the good work Buddy and get better. The purrs are coming nonstop every day.

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  30. You've been in our thoughts and wanted to mention our foster gal didn't eat much of anything for 10 days. Very stressful trying to get her to eat. She turned the corner on the weekend and I'm hoping the same for Flynn. It may not seem like much but a little food is a good thing. Sending (((hugs)))

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  31. Flynn, I was hoping to see better news but at least you are hanging in there. I'm purring for you as hard as I can - please get better! I would love to see more of you in 2015.

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  32. Oh, Flynn, we are purring and praying like mad for you, dear friend. Good job eating that sardine, AD and your regular food ... keep that up, okay? We send lots of love to you, Mum and Dad.

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  33. My husband and I will pray for him.

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  34. We are purring and purraying hard for sweet Flynn!
    XOXOXO

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  35. All of us at the House of the Mostly Black Cats are purring and purraying for Flynn. We love you all.

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  36. Ayla here, speaking on behalf of The Mews (and TBT) - Dear Flynn, we dont like fishies ourselves, but we can guess that anything you like that smells strong and tastes, um, "tasty" is going to attract yer intrest. An thats sure a good thing! You need to eat.

    That sunshine you are getting in the chair is great and comfy-feeling, but its not going to power you. So try a few more sardines huh? Eat annythin, please. An dont ferget to drink water, thats also impawtant. Mebbe some chickie broth would help you remember to drink...

    Flynn, I want you to hang in there til at least 2015. In fact, consider it an order from Princess Ayla. You don't want to have yer Beins remember Chrissymouse as a time of sadness. Let me esplain why...

    You remember Skeeter. He had been struggling since Autumn, and when he came into December, he had 2 choices. He could try to make it past Chissymouse, or leave earlier.

    I'm writing this because I'm the only kitteh here who was around in those days. LC was here then, but she is OTB now. Skeeter told me he dint think he could stay around the extra 3 weeks to get past the end of the year, so he decided to go earlier rather than on the holidays.

    But you have to hold on. Yer IN the holidays, so you have to get past them. We know yer not doing good, so we are saying ta hold on into 2015. Keep yerself in the holidays fer their memories.

    And hey, get past New Years Day and who knows WHAT might happen? Some of us kittehs get better fer long times. But that wont happen iffen ya dont WILL yerself "ta make it so".

    Hang in there Flynn...

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  37. Yeah Flynn! We are so glad you ate that sardine! They are my favorite (Gemini). And we are glad you are eating your A/D too. We so hope that you start feeling better. We all love you so much and hope that you will feel better and get big and strong again.

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  38. Poor baby! We are so sad that hi is so ill. We are continuing to purr and pray for your sweet Flynn

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  39. The roller coaster of health is so hard. We all purring and praying for lots and lots of good health.

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  40. If you hear a rumbling from the East, it's us purring. Go for the sardines, Flynn. Go for anything! With many purrs xxxx

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  41. My entire family is sending purrs, barks, and prayers your way, Flynn! You're a fighter!

    I hope I don't repeat anything that's already been mentioned, but there are a couple of things that came to my mind (thanks to years of medicating my now 21-year-old cat as well as some time working at a cat clinic)...

    Has Flynn's vet ever mentioned trying him on transdermal methimazole rather than oral route methimazole? Transdermal meds can be rubbed on the inner ear flap and so will not directly affect and distress the gastrointestinal tract. My old girl Rosie is on transdermal pepcid to combat ulcers resulting from renal disease. Speaking of which, I know you said Flynn's vet put him on Zantac, but if the Zantac is not working has he tried pepcid? How about an anti-nausea/anti-vomiting medication, such as cerenia? Or pain meds, such as buprenorphine?

    Also, have you tried offering Flynn baby food? I know cats can't live off of baby food, but if it gets them to eat then at least that's a plus. In addition to her moist cat food, my old girl gets a jar of baby food a day (ham is her favorite flavor), and after starting on baby food she ultimately gained two pounds.

    I apologize for this tome of a comment, but it's hard not to get passionate -- and even desperate, I'll admit -- when it comes to our furry babies. I wish the absolute best for Flynn! Thank you for keeping us updated!

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  42. We're so happy to hear that you ate and that you're poops are better. We're purring and praying 24/7 for you to get better. We love you!

    The Florida Furkids and Mom Sharon

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  43. Flynn ~ if love can cure all, we know you will be well soon!

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  44. So glad that you ate some food Flynn....you just keep resting up my friend and we'll keep hoping that your GOOD days outnumber the BAD days soon....you are being sent love and hope from all over the globe.

    Hugs, Sammy and his Mom Pam

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  45. Thanks for the update. We're continuing to send our purrs and purrayers. A note re: one of the comments: Yes, Annie was on transdermal methimazole, because she really couldn't be pilled (even by vets). I'm not sure that's an option for Flynn at this stage, but if he's able to recover sufficiently, you might want to ask the vet about it.

    All our purrs and purrayers and love and Light.

    Kim and the boys

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  46. We're adding our purrs and prayers and hope that he starts eating lots and feeling better every day!

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  47. Oh Flynn, keep hanging in there, buddy! I am purring like crazypants for you! Pooping is good! I know how worried the peeps get when we don't do that as often as they'd like!! Eat some stinky goodness too! As someone has said, even baby food can help! x0x0x0x

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  48. Flynn, good boy for eating a little bit and we so hope you eat more and more.
    We sure send many many purrs and a bunch of prayers too. We all have our paws crossed for you. You are one of our very favorite kitties on the blogosphere. Big hugs to Mom and Dad too. We know this is so hard on you.

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  49. We are purring like mad for our dear friend Flynn… He is a trouper and is putting in a good fight! Keep fighting buddy!

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  50. We are purring and purring for you Flynn and hope you will try and eat more - little and often will give you some strength.
    Take care Flynn - we love you.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  51. Sending purrs and prayers and love and hugs to all of you, hoping for a steady recovery, sweet Flynn...We love you dearly...xoxo...J, Calle,, Halle, Sukki, Mommy Cat, Daddy Cat

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  52. The rafters are shaking from all the purrs heading your way. Stay warm and comfy, and keep eating sweet boy. All our love...

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  53. That is good news that Flynn is pooping more solid. Maybe he will be able to gain some weight now. I keep praying daily and the kitties are purring.

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  54. Sweet Flynn
    We are very far but near you in thought. We are hoping you feel better soon.
    We love you dear friend.

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  55. Hang in there, Flynn. You're only middle-aged, and for a cat, that's the best time of life. There are still plenty of years ahead of you.

    I find it incredible that the gel for hyperthyroidism is not available in Britain. How can that be?

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  56. Oh, sweet Flynn we are so happy to hear that you ate a sardine and some of your other food. We sure hope that you can keep on eating and get all well. We are keeping the purrs and prayers going for you sweetie and some for your mum an dad too. Hugs and nose kisses

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  57. Oh Flynn we just got your update otherwise we'd have posted sooner. We hope you get well soon and keep eating! We know your mum and dad are doing all they can to help you and we're sending massive purrs your way sweetheart!

    Much love & many purrs,
    Selina & MomKatt Laura

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  58. Love to you, Jackie, and Ivor--we are with you all the way. Peace and blessings., purrs and prayers.

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  59. Flynn, that's super good that you're eatin' a bit more. Gotta keep on doin' that, okay? Eatin'. You really need to eat to regain your strength. We're rootin' for you and my entire fur-fam is purrin' up a storm of healin' purrs. I can imagine you can hear 'em clear across the Atlantic.

    Purrs,
    Nissy

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  60. Oh Jackie... how my heart bleeds for you. I have been through this with my beloved Jazz and it is so difficult. I am sending all the prayers and positive thoughts I can for sweet Flynn. I hope he will start to eat again soon - we all love him so much! Purrs from Deb and the Zee and Zoey Gang

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  61. Flynn, Jackie and Ivor
    We are so glad to read an update. It sounds very positive and of course baby steps are the best. Mom is glad you had that 'talk' with him because she is sure he knows exactly what you said...and knows everything is in his best interest. He is a fighter and very brave.
    hugs madi and mom

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  62. We are crossing all our paws and hooves for Flynn.

    We looked up the methimazole gel and it looks like it might be available in France although, from what we read, the side effects are the same as for the oral version. It looks like surgery is another possibility. Is this something your vet has talked about?

    Healing Purrs,
    The Chans

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  63. dood...we just stole de drivin licentz oh de food servizz gurl N her better hope ta be jezuz... de LAW.... does knot stop her fora tickit...anyway, with thiz licentz we iz sendin ewe de medisin ya knead :)

    ♥♥♥

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  64. Flynn we are sending lots of purrs and prayers to you.
    Sue B
    Charlie,Cashew,Garfield,Tubby,Hope

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  65. Flynn Me & Mom are sending loads of hugs and lots of healing good to you!
    Hugs,
    Samantha & Mom

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  66. We are so very sorry to hear that Flynn isn't feeling well! Sending lots of purrs and prayers his way and your way!

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  67. We saw you weren't eating much again, so we came by to cheer you on for food. We want you to eat!

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  68. Sending moar hugs and kissies for Flynn. xoxoxoxoxo

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  69. Come on buddy if I can start eating and get better you can too,xx Snuggles Speedy

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  70. Still sending purrs & efurrything else from the Happy Fields Farm.

    Hugs & purrs,
    Buddy, Jazzy, Cuzzin Cavalli, Callie Woofie, Barn Kitties Gibbs & McGee, horsies Max, Zeta, Norman, Buck, Lisco, Lottie, Louie and Clea.

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  71. We'll keep sending our purrs for as long as it takes! PURRS....

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  72. Purrs and headbutts to you Flynn! Still holding you close to our hearts...

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  73. Flynn, dear boy, purrlease eat for your humans. That is way too much weight to have lost. We are going to turn our purrs up to a deafening volume, and our mom is going to say extra prayers. Sending all our love to all. XOCK, Kitties Blue

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  74. Oh Flynn we hope you keep eating, we know lots of kitties end up eating the a/d, we are sending mega purrs and prayers to you and to your Mum & Dad.

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  75. So sorry Flynn is having such a rough time. I know when I have had one of my cats at a point where my regular vet has done everything they could think of but the cat continued to have problems., I was referred to the one vet in our city that is qualified as an Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist. He has additional training in diseases of that affect small animals (mostly cats & dogs). They have several additional years of training in treating diseases of cats & dogs than a regular vet has. Their specialized training includes diseases of the endocrine system like Flynn's hyperthyroidism. If such a vet is available to visit or to discuss Flynn's case over the phone for a consultation. Here the cost is comparable to the regular vet visit. Not knowing how vets are trained in the UK, it may be worth asking your vet if there are any vets specializing in Internal medicine or endocrine disorders that you could consult with on Flynn's treatment & see if any other options are available. Most any good vet welcomes a second opinion, esp. when Flynn is not doing well. I never even knew such a vet. specialist existed until my vet told me about this option for difficult cases. Portland is a city of 2 million and we have only the one animal internist for the whole city, so there are not many with this specialized training, but it would be worth asking your regular vet if such a vet exists in your area or is affiliated with a veterinary school that you could talk to..
    My 24 year old tabby, Toby, is at the end of her battle with lung cancer which spread to her chin & mouth. During periods where she would not eat, I found that if I gave her some Gerber toddler turkey or chicken warmed a but in the microwave, she usually would eat this "treat". It might be worth a try with Flynn. The Hill's AD would have been best because it has extra calories, but she wouldn't touch it. The other foods I could entice her to eat were the frozen chicken tenderloins I would poach for her T shred and people tuna packed in water. We had a few times where Toby stopped eating completely for several days. At those times we had to resort to force feeding, This was not as dramatic as it sounds. The vet simply showed me how to mush up the AD diet food and put it in a large synringe, The tip of the syringe was put between the cats lips & slowly pushed in as she swallowed. It did not really seem to bother her & at least we knew she had something in her stomach so she didn't develop liver problems. So, there is a way to get food into a cat that won't eat or can't eat on a short term basis.

    We know how much you love Flynn & are doing everything you can to help him. I just wanted you to have the info. about the internist, because I had never heard of this kind of vet until my cat became very ill & was not responding to typical treatment. I wish I had known about it before a crisis arose. It never hurts to ask your vet if there is a vet. school or one of these Internal Medicine vet's that you could see or consult with before making any major decisions about Flynn's quality of life...
    You & Flynn are in our purrayers & we are sending healing thoughts that the New Year brings better news about dear Flynn.

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  76. We are purring, my manly mancat furend. Please get better soon.

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  77. Flynn, please get better, we love you so much❤️ Hoping you start eating, saw some good suggestions to help. Hope you don't mind, we just want you to get better. Did your vet give you sub q fluids? That really helps a lot, you can do it at home if your vet will sell you the supplies and show you how( not hard) The bupronex pain med is a good idea too. Anything to get you eating. Maybe milk or cream or kitten formula like KMR would tempt you? AD mixed with water as gruel? Sending you purrs of health❤️🐈

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  78. I am purring like crazy for you, Flynn! I really hope that my good ginger friend gets to feeling better!

    Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs, Spike William

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  79. Lots of purrs and healing vibes for you Flynn!
    Hugs from Me & Mom

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  80. We're continuing purraying and Healing Pawkisses until you get better, dear Flynn. Just keep on eating my furriend...Healing Pawkisses are on their way <3 <3 <3

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  81. Oh gosh, we keep Flynn in our purrs and prayers - that goes without saying - he stays there. We are so glad for any good news. We purr and pray for all of you, Mom and Dad. We send you all the strength and encouragement we can. Hugs and love to you.

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