Hyperthyroidism/Hypertension and Cleo

[TopCat3]

TopCat1 (Cleo) went for a progress check on Friday.
Her blood pressure was around 180, still.

Her blood tests showed she had responded well to the Neomercasol for hyperthyroidism, she was just having 1/2 a tab night and morning.
Her T4 had dropped to 21 down from 48 on Aug 30, so she can reduce to 1/4 tab night and morning, so that's good news, really good news.

However her BP doesn't seem to have lowered, although when she went to see the homoeopathic vet on 9 Sept BP was 155. The homoeopathic vet prescribed Nux Vomica for three days for system support for the medication, then withhold and observe. She also prescribed Manganum as a constitutional remedy for three days then once a week for three weeks then withhold and observe.

My observations were that Cleo was more interested and interactive and less retiring and nervous. She didn't seem to react adversely to the medication and the Nux Vomica could have helped with that.

She now has 1/8 Norvask tab nightly for her High BP. It's a challenge dividing a tiny rectangular tablet into 8 with a scalpel, it's much harder in consistency than the other tablet. I ended up with shredded fingertips and a little pile of powder and some uneven pieces! One piece flew across the room and landed in a dish of water and dissolved instantly so at least I know I can syringe it down her in water if she's having a "You can't pill me today" day!

Now that the thyroid medication has kicked in, it has unmasked what I was dreading, the signs of kidney failure. Her urea, previously showing 12.6, is now showing as 14.1, quite a bit above the norm of 12.8. Creatinine was 255, up from 176 and well above the norm of 212. Vet was able to get some urine this time and said it's not as concentrated as it should be.

Cleo will be 17 on Dec 3rd. I think she's doing quite well, all things considered, appetite and interest is good, although she sleeps a lot, and she's compliant with pilling. Well, we get the occasional "butter wouldn't melt in my mouth" look, all wide-eyed innocence after a dummy swallow, then find a little pink piece of pill on the carpet 10 minutes later once in a while, but only four times in just over a month - which isn't bad really, is it?

I guess I'm in for a few more vet trips and medication expense for hopefully some considerable time ahead.

But I'm very sad

Thanks for reading
The TopCats

[jenluckenbach]

Mixed emotions.....controlling one medical problem simply to find another medical problem. But after 17 years I guess a body can't work perfectly. Here's hoping that she can remain comfortable for a long time.

[TopCat3]

Mixed emotions.....controlling one medical problem simply to find another medical problem. But after 17 years I guess a body can't work perfectly. Here's hoping that she can remain comfortable for a long time.

Thank you, Jen. Your support is important and much appreciated at this time, as I struggle to find acceptance.

[smokey the elder]

I'm glad she's being good about the pills.

It may be easier to dissolve the Norvasc into a volume of water and take 1/8th of that. Ask your vet if the water solution will keep (maybe in the fridge?)

Hugs for you and Cleo! I hope she continues to do well.

[TopCat3]

I'm glad she's being good about the pills.

It may be easier to dissolve the Norvasc into a volume of water and take 1/8th of that. Ask your vet if the water solution will keep (maybe in the fridge?)

Hugs for you and Cleo! I hope she continues to do well.

Thanks for that idea, I suppose it depends on the chemical stability of the drug. What a great idea though, she's even better with a syringe.

Thanks for the hugs too, we need them.

[furrykidsmother]

I am sorry that Cleo isn't doing better, but I hope you will be able to control with medicines and that you will share many, many more happy years together.