Sam to the dentist - White Coats - Update about Emily

**mrspunkysmom** · 10-09-2011, 01:33 PM

Yesterday, Spunky, Sam, Jane, and Emily had a routine visit to the vet. For the first three is was their normal yearly visit and Emily went just for a senior wellness check. Spunky and Sam also had a senior wellness check.

Somehow Spunky knew what was up before I could even get them in their carriers. So he was the last in and almost made me late.

The lady vet was on duty today. She is too serious and has no bedside manner.

I can't remember all of the weights, but Emily has lost weight and is now 6.4 pounds and she was 7.2. Yet she looks better than ever. And she eats like it is going out of style. Her flanks/haunches have filled out because she was noticeably thin when I got her.

Spunky's weight is normal but the vet heard a heart murmur. I don't know how. When he is stressed is purrs LOUDLY and you can't hear anything else. Spunky eats twice what Sam does yet remains slender. Probably all that energy.

Sam is overweight (like I didn't know), could really lose 3-4 pounds, and he has gingivitis. Not surprising since he has had teeth problems for years. And the recent stress from the new kitties has probably made him more susceptible to infection. He is also the one that likes the weight control dry. Wish it would help him lose weight. He has a cleaning Thursday.

Jane is overweight. That's the news that irritated me. I know Jane could lose a pound but she's not obese. The gentleman vet has never been critical of their weight. Like humans every cat has its body type.

Rather than come in the room, they took each cat out separately to keep the confusion down. Emily and Jane were carried out in their carriers. Spunky was just carried out because he is a good boy and knows when he's lost the battle. Sam was carried out in the carrier but his has a zip top so you can lift him out. He was trying to make himself as small as possible in the carrier. The carrier is his refuge when at the vet. The others like to explore. Yesterday, only Spunky was let out of the carrier.

The blood work might be back Monday, but Tuesday is also likely. Hoping for good results. No sign of tapeworm so that isn't a cause of excessive hunger.

I do have pictures of the kittehs in their carriers and I'll post later.

**krazyaboutkatz** · 10-09-2011, 04:44 PM

I know that some vets seem more concerned about weight than others. Right now I only have to be concerned about Ziggy's weight so she's on a permanent diet. Hopefully the bloodwork will all come back fine. I can't even imagine trying to bring in 4 cats all at once. The most I've ever brought in before was 3 and that was very difficult for me. Good luck.

**lizbud** · 10-09-2011, 04:46 PM

Seems like everything went pretty well for having all 4 at once.

I get
a little stressed when I take just 1.(I'm a worry wort about their health
I guess)

**Freedom** · 10-09-2011, 04:51 PM

Congrats on getting them all in carriers and in and only "almost" being late! I admire that!

Sounds like a good report overall. Darn gingivitis! Good luck at the dental, Sam. If mine need a dental but there is no infection, my vet allows me to wait until Feb / Mar - pet dental months. They run special, the drop in cost is significant! Just a thought to pass along to you.

**mrspunkysmom** · 10-09-2011, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Freedom

Congrats on getting them all in carriers and in and only "almost" being late! I admire that!

Sounds like a good report overall. Darn gingivitis! Good luck at the dental, Sam. If mine need a dental but there is no infection, my vet allows me to wait until Feb / Mar - pet dental months. They run special, the drop in cost is significant! Just a thought to pass along to you.

I'll remember that. Sam has stomatitus so it is best to get this done. I can't examine his mouth. He refuses to let you touch him anywhere but the head and on the top or the cheeks. Even the cats can't reciprocate the grooming process.

I will ask about dental specials and how much infection is there at this point.

**mrspunkysmom** · 10-10-2011, 06:24 PM

I heard from the vet today.

Spunky has a slightly high creatinine level. Everything else was normal. And he definitely has a heart murmur.

Emily is hyperthyroid. she has her on 0.5 Methimazole 5mg/ml given twice per day. She needs to be treated but before I give her the first dose, I wanted to ask your opinions. She is only 6 pounds.

I also have a question about how to fill the syringe. She marked it, but do I use the bottom of the black stopper or the top? This syringe does not have a flat tip but a tapered nozzle in place of a needle. 1/2 inch to 3/4 maybe.

I don't want to give her too much. I was told this could make her sick anyway for a while. No need to give too much.

And do the does need to be the exact same time every day. How much leeway is there?

**Soapets** · 10-10-2011, 06:39 PM

You measure it in the syringe by making the bottom of the black stopper even with the mark on the srynige...so the medicine is right up to the mark. The measurement marks take into account the type of tip of the syringe, etc. Hyperthyroid can make Emily lose weight, because it speeds up the metabolism, among other things. She needs the medicine to counteract the overactive thyroid and the hormones it overstimulates, etc. It is best to give it around the same time every day. DEFINITELY DON'T give it in the morning one day and in the evening the next, etc. You could probably just make it so that you give it to her during the same part of the day every day and still be safe....such as give it to her every morning, or evening, within an hour or two time-span..... Good luck with this! I never have very good luck getting ANY medicine into ANY of my cats!