It was just a year ago that I first posted about Samantha’s health issues and how she gave us a scare. She had been diagnosed hyperthyroid, put on meds, and then stopped eating. A vet visit found a thickening of her stomach wall, but blood tests turned up nothing concerning beyond the thyroid. Our vets recommended having an endoscopy, but the Dadz and I decided we did not want to put her through that (cancer was suspected).
We ended up putting her on prednisolone for a short time and that brought her appetite back and things settled down; she’s been doing great since. The only concern I have right now is that she seems to be drinking a lot of water (she’s also been hacking up some hairballs but that’s not unusual for her). I believe that excess water drinking can be a sign of thyroid issues. Since she is due at the end of May for her T4 blood test anyway to check her thyroid I am just going to bring her in sooner and I suspect they will want to move the blood test up which is what I’d like to do. She may need an adjustment in her meds.
One year ago she was mostly hanging out in our master bathroom at the old house, now she is finding new favorite places in the new house. This little sofa on top of one of the Dadz’ coats is one of the favorites. This room is upstairs where the dogs don’t go. We haven’t finished cleaning out or arranging this area yet, but that doesn’t seem to bother her!
Come back on “Sam Sunday” and see where else she’s hanging out (hint: one of those places is somewhere I didn’t want her to go in the new house!).
We are joining the Flashback Friday blog hop hosted by Five Sibes and Love is Being Owned by a Husky!
Let us know how her blood work turns out. Hope it is just an easy adjustment of meds.
Yay for Sam! I hope the blood tests show a quick adjustment of meds is all that is needed.
Our daughter’s cat (Ollie) was diagnosed with intestinal cancer a while ago. They wanted to start him on chemo, but he got very sick after his first dose, so they switched him to prednisolone which he gets via an injection every four to six weeks and he has done very well with this! As you know, I feel that sometimes moderation is the best way to treat things and I feel like that has been proven in Ollie’s case.
I know you’ll keep us posted on Sam.
I agree on moderation. That’s why we got Sam on the prednisolone to see if it would help, but once she did improve, we weaned her off to see if she stayed good. Which thankfully she did! I actually think she just needed to get used to her new meds for the thyroid and the prednisolone just helped to give her her appetite back.
I’m so glad to hear that Ollie is doing well after a cancer diagnosis. I believe that prednisone/prednisolone can really be a miracle drug. I know there can be long term side effects, but I have just seen it work so well in more than one case.
Sam goes to the vet on Friday so I should have an update soon.
Hopefully Samantha’s extra drinking is just a sign that her thyroid meds need a little tweaking, and nothing more. You didn’t mention she was peeing much more. so that would be a good sign. Paws crossed all is well.
I bet she enjoys having the upstairs as a dog-free zone.
I think Sam really does like her dog-free space!
We have not noticed her peeing more, which leads me to believe I may be wrong about the water. It’s hard to judge because at the old house she shared water with the dogs. Now that she has her own water dishes I’m more aware of what she’s drinking, but it might just be a normal amount for her!
Either way, she is going to the vet on Friday to get checked out anyway.
I would definitely get Sam to the vet for a check-up/blood tests. Hopefully it’s just minor issues requiring a meds change. And that will put your mind at ease. Paws and fingers crossed here!
Thank you, Sue! Sam will be going to the vet Friday afternoon. I took Cricket in for her yearly exam yesterday, and talked to the vet a bit about Sam. She also said it could be a kidney issue, so we’ll be having all the appropriate tests done for that. Keep everything crossed!
So happy to hear everyone is settling in nicely to the new house.
Prednisone does make one very thirsty
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
Glad to hear that Sam’s still doing well minus the excess water. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that everything’s ok! Can’t wait to see what places Sam’s claimed as hers–Soth’s favorite places are all of the places I don’t want him to be, too.
I hope the testing goes well and you get her meds adjusted to the optimal level. The sofa looks like a good place to curl up. Mr. N would like it too.
We’re glad Sam seems to be doing well. Inceased thirst could be a sign of several things…though it may be nothing, too. It’s a good idea to have her checked out by the vet again, though.
She is a beautiful kitty!!
Hope that all will be well with Samantha, looks like she’s settled in nicely! Love Dolly
I hope that Sam checks out okay at the vet. She looks great. ♥
Looks like Samantha has plenty of mischief in her. Hope the upcoming vet visit goes well.
Samantha is a beauty. I think you should move her test up sooner too to test her kidneys and be sure she isn’t diabetic either.
I think you are right, Ellen. I hadn’t thought of those two things yet, but she is almost 14 so they are definitely possibilities. We are going to try and get her into the vet this week; thank you for mentioning it!
You’re welcome. I will add Samantha to my prayer list. I hope it is something with an easy cure.
A year already, you are doing a great job with her! Way to go Sam!
Thank you! A year ago we thought we might end up losing her to cancer…it is so wonderful to still have her with us and doing so well to boot! 🙂
Hope the meds can be adjusted for you Samantha! I drink a lot of water – and take methimazole for my hyperthyroid issue…..hopefully you can get around having to take that kind of stuff though – it tastes icky.
Hugs, Sammy
Hi Sammy!
I already take that nasty medicine too! Hopefully they don’t want to add anything else – one pill a day is enough for me!
Love, Sam
You’re one smart kitty, Sam! You’ve got a whole floor to yourself without the interference of your dog buddies…it’s like having your own apartment! 😉 I do hope your blood tests show that only a minor adjustment to your meds is needed.
I love your new place Sam :o) and you are a clever girl, as long as you enjoy the time with dad’s jacket, he hasn’t to put it away and can spend the time with food or a book LOL :o)
Moving is fun for pets with all the new places to discover! Drinking a lot of water can also be a sign of kidney issues, not to worry you. Katie was never a bid water drinker, but she has been drinking a lot of water and we are thinking kidney problems as Mom had a couple cats that did the same thing. We hope she is just thirsty with all her exploring.
I’m glad you mentioned it. We also had a cat many years ago who did the same, I had forgotten about that. I will definitely be getting her into the vet this week and find out for sure what’s going on. It could just be (hopefully) that I’m noticing it more because she has her own water bowls now. At the old house she shared with the dogs, so I never really knew how much she was drinking unless I happened to see her at the bowl.