10.28.2009

Pill Popping

Hey Friends of Fin (or FOFs),

Mom Meg here ::shakes off furry voice:: I wanted to thank everyone who stopped by and gave us advice on how to get a pill down a kitty throat, and information and experiences with hyperthyroidism. We really appreciate all your kind words and well wishes. It's so nice to know so many love our girl almost as much as we do. I know Finny will be on the road to wellville very soon. The Sass-O-Meter is still low but there are signs of returning sass.

I am happy to report that Pill Pockets seem to be a hit so far, so paws crossed (er, fingers) that she will keep liking them. There are options for a cream that goes in the ears (less reliable dosing, but will work if she swears off pills) and a Radioactive treatment, but first we are trying the medications.

I am giving food and snuggles on demand, so I am busy. I guess Fin wants me to turn off the computer for the night, as she somehow turned off my cursor and I can no longer scroll. Gee I hope it turns on again when I reboot? Maybe she's afraid I might like talking like a human... Nah.

Meg

33 comments:

  1. Hi Meg,

    I'm happy to hear the pilling has been successful so far. I've only had to give Katie medication once and it wasn't pretty. One of these days she may decide to blog about it. It's still a pretty traumatic memory for her though. Let's just say the title of the blog would be "The Ribbon Incident."

    Give Finny a few strokes for me,
    Debbie
    a.k.a. Glogirly

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad the pill pockets are working. I hope Fin has her Sass-O-Meter back in high gear soon.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's been a while but I know a lot about this topic. My cat, Lacey, took the pills for years. She was 15 at the time and they didn't think she could handle the other treatment.

    A friend of mine did the treatment. Her cat was about 14 and lived another 3 years. (Past away for other reasons)

    I hope the pills work for you ...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh no! Somehow we missed Fin's post yesterday about the vet! Poor sweetie, pills are no fun! Samson would be happy to give 'pill-taking' lessons to Fin. He thinks anything small and on the ground is a treat.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Food and snuggles on demand will get Finny beter in no time. This works better than any pill, we're sure of it.
    Many purrs her way, LSIF & LSIHF

    ReplyDelete
  6. We hope Fin feels better soon!

    Huffle Mawson and mum Tracey

    ReplyDelete
  7. We're sorry Fin isn't feeling well. Those pill pockets are tasty morsels!

    Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Fin's mom! We're glad to hear the pill pockets work...we'll try not to tell Fin that they really are a secret hiding place for pills...we're hope that with this medication, Fin will be feeling her sassy self soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh cripes Fin dear! What a to do! I'm so glad the vets have found out what the issue is and can treat it. Angel, Thomas and Teddy all had the same thing, Angel and Thomas had the thyroidectomy surgery (worked very well - no raised T4 ever again) and Teddy had pills as he was over 20 when he was diagnosed and surgery wasn't a safe option at that age. They all had to have their T4 stabilised with the drugs before any other treatment was considered though, so keep up those pill pockets. The radioactive iodine treatment means that you have to be away from home for quite a while (weeks!!) that's why Angel and Thomas had surgery - the surgery is very successful and doesn't take long), recovery time is fast too.

    If you go the pills-for-life route, then you will need very regular blood panels (6 weekly?)to check out how the drugs are working - sometimes the drugs can affect other things.

    One of the thryroid drugs (carbamazapine?) is now licenced in a once a day dose too (UK) so you might want to ask your vet about that one.

    Large rumbly purrs to you Fin dear.

    ReplyDelete
  10. So happy the pill pockets are working. We are purring for you Fin, we hope your Sass O Metter is back up in no time. ~S,S,C & F

    ReplyDelete
  11. Glad the pill pockets are working. We're sending some extra special puurrs to you and Fin!

    ReplyDelete
  12. We're happy to hear the Pill Pockets are working so far and hope they continue to do so. We want our Finny to be well! Food and snuggles on demand are important parts of that, too... ;)

    Purrs and hugs,
    The Kitty Krew

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fin rules! Snuggles on demand...A LadyCat who knows what's important!

    Noir

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great the pills are going down!!
    cindy

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are taking the besest of the best care and in no time at all Fin will be feeling good. Good luck with those pills. If you figure out how to get them down without too much trouble you could write a tell all book about that and become rich!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Woohoo! So glad to hear the pill pockets are working and we purray they continue to work!! Those have to be the greatest invention ever! They saved mom's fingers when Cal was sick.
    We are purring the sass-o-meter will be at full tilt in no time!
    XOXO
    Maggie May and The Creek Cats

    ReplyDelete
  17. yeah for pill pockets!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Just a little poof of air on the nose when you've got the pill situated in the mouth works wonders to make the little stinker swallow!

    ReplyDelete
  19. YAY 4 FIN!!! Mom has neffur heard of pillpockets before! Maybe she needs to, because we don't like when she chucks them down our throat!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I say BOO! for your nasty ole thyroid! We'll be sure to send you lots of purrs and sass to get you well.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm glad you are taking the Pill Pockets, Fin! Your mom could also try wrapping the pill inside a small piece of American cheese (you can easily mold it into a small cheese ball). It's a lot less expensive!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Good to hear you found a method of pilling that is acceptable to Miss Fin! I hope she feels much better very soon.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh no, pills twice a day, that is torture! Meowmy likes smashing a treat and putting the pill inside of it... we don't even notice it!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am so glad the pill pockets are working - we have them but they never would be eaten if a pill was in them - without they are very popular but with one, forget about it. Floyd did fall for the pill in his other treats - don't ask me why because it was only half buried most of the time. I am glad she is taking them though - I know we had our kitties on the hyperthyroid medicine for years and they did well on it. We are keeping our paws and fingers crossed that she keeps up with the pills in the pill pockets and sending purrs and prayers for a quick re-sassing!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am very glad pilling has gone smooth for you, it never has here, until the shooter. I wish we had that option here but if you give one of us treats, you have to give all of us treats, and Nimbus can't have treats or he can get very sick very quickly, worrying our mom.
    Continue to get better!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hey Finny Friend, Katie & GG here.

    Yes...you can absolutely call my girl GG! Glogirly is alot of "L's" and can be quite the tongue twister. Especially for a cat.

    We're glad you like to come and visit...we feel the same about you.

    ...we just received a leak from The Kitty City Gazette. It seems that Katie is involved in yet another drama. Details should be posted tomorrow we think.

    mew,
    K&GG

    ReplyDelete
  27. Fin...it's no secret we love you lots! Anything we can do to help you we're here for you!

    If you want to be Queen of the Porch that would be awesome...but yes you are currently Secretary of the Interior for the CB so maybe that is more fitting. Doesn't matter, there is a job for you as far as Jonesie is concerned.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oops! We saw that we commented on the wrong day by mistake (yesterday)!! We are glad that you are getting some sass back!!

    About the cursor hopes it can be fixed! My mom had problems with the cursor before! They even went out to the computer store and got a new mouse to attach in a port in the computer. Then 6 months later discovered that tiny button.

    ReplyDelete
  29. To Fin: We are sorry to hear about your recent trip to the V-E-T.

    To Fin's Mom: We recently used a pill dispenser for giving Padre some medications. It is a plastic extender that is about as big as a pen. You put the pill on the mouth end, insert as far back into the throat as possible, then release. We got it at the V-E-T's. If the Pill Pockets don't work, this is another method to try. It's nice because your fingers stay out of the kitty's mouth!

    Purrs,
    Padre, Panda Bear, Meerkat, Cookie, and Caramel

    ReplyDelete
  30. We're glad Fin is taking her pills to get betterer ~ 'cos we love her!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dear Fin, I am so sorry to hear you need pills but I've pilled many a cat (and goggie) in my time - it isn't a biggie if it makes you better. Lots of love from the Museum!

    ReplyDelete