How old is Ebby? When my Mac entered his "Golden Years", say about 10 or so, his front breastbone started to get more prominent and bony. Now, he is 15 or so and a bit more bony, but he suffers from hyperthyroid, which makes it hard to keep weight on him. Come to think of it, he DID start drinking more often and more loudly when he first came down with hyperthyroid. If that is what it is, it is easily controlled by inexpensive meds, so it is not fatal at all! I hope Ebby is perfectly healthy and that she is just developing a loud drinking habit. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.