THE  SCRATCHING  POST

Issue #28, by Barbara Stanley, home2cats@aol.com
Home 2 Cats, P. O. Box 752671, Memphis, TN  38175-2671

 

Our mission is: To provide food, medical care, love and sanctuary for injured, disabled or abused animals. To educate the public in what constitutes responsible cat care and ownership. To engage in other activities related to animal rescue and public education about cat care and responsibilities.

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Mews You Can Use

The Thyroid in the Cat

The thyroid in the cat produces two major hormones that help control the overall metabolism of the body. Adjacent to the thyroid gland is the parathyroid, which regulates calcium and phosphorus in the body.

Hyperthyroidism is a common disorder in cats that occurs when the cat's thyroid gland produces an excess of the thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism is most commonly caused by a benign tumor in this gland. Hyperthyroidism occurs most commonly in older cats and is rare in dogs.

The symptoms of feline hyperthyroidism in cats mimic other diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease, and gastrointestinal disorders. Symptoms may include weight loss, excessive appetite, excessive drinking and urination, poor hair coat, rapid heart rate, hyperactivity, diarrhea and vomiting.

Your vet will need to perform a thorough evaluation of your cat for a proper diagnosis. The evaluation should include a complete physical exam as well as laboratory tests.

Hyperthyroidism in cats can be treated by surgical removal of the affected thyroid lobe, radioactive therapy or anti-thyroid drugs. Each form of treatment has its advantages and disadvantages and should be discussed thoroughly with your vet.

Many older cats also have kidney disease. Hyperthyroidism can actually improve kidney function by increasing blood flow to the kidneys. But treating hyperthyroidism in these cats can result in a worsening of kidney function, so treatment becomes a delicate balancing act.

Feline Hyperthyroidism is fatal if left untreated, but the cat can live a normal life with proper treatment.

 

 

Paws to Think

"One reason we admire cats is for their proficiency in one-upmanship. They always seem to come out on top, not matter what they are doing – or pretend they do."
--Barbara Webster

 

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Cat Tails

 

Waldo

We were almost out the door very early one Saturday morning when the phone rang. I had full intentions to let the caller leave a message since we were running late to an appointment. As I heard the urgent plea from the caller I stopped dead in my tracks and picked up the phone.

The caller was a vet tech that we knew that worked at a local animal hospital. James stated that he was not going to have a doctor on duty that day and he had a caller on the other line with a kitten that was badly mangled and his rear leg almost completely amputated. The caller found the kitten in the parking lot, was at work and couldn’t leave. The kitten needed immediate medical attention to survive.

Via our three-way conversation we discovered that the caller was located literally just around the corner from the clinic we used. We were able to convince the caller to close their shop ASAP for the five minutes that was needed to rush the kitten to the clinic.

I then called the clinic to give them ‘heads up’ on the kitten’s situation. I approved the ‘drop off’ of the kitten in care of Home 2 Cats and approved all medical attention that would be necessary.

As soon as we were able we rushed to the clinic to find Waldo having emergency surgery to remove what was left of his rear leg. After the surgery, Waldo’s temperature was taken but no reading registered. Waldo was unable to regulate his temperature and it was touch and go.

We brought Waldo home that afternoon so we could monitor his condition and get him to the animal emergency center during the night if needed.

I slept on the floor of the vanity with Waldo that night. Kittens are so resilient and never cease to amaze me. During the night Waldo was standing on all three legs and running around!

That is how Waldo came to Home 2 Cats and entered our hearts.

 

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Animal and People Recognition

While losing a companion is one of life's greatest sorrows, never having one is to miss out on years of loving companionship.

 

In Memory Of Animals

Bella
Beloved Dog of Heidi Wilcox
--Gary & Jodi Rupp

Tallin & Oskie
Two Friends
--Bill & Rita Vandenburgh

Oskie
Beloved dog of Mary Eberhard
--Bill & Rita Vandenburgh

Whitie
Beloved cat of Bill & Rita Vandenburgh
--Steve Meyer

PC
Beloved cat of Nona Miller
--Kay Joest

Maggie
Beloved cat of Waldon Gooch
--Kay Joest

Maggie
Beloved cat of Waldon Gooch
--Nona J. Miller

Maggie
Beloved cat of Waldon Gooch
--George & Linda Bond

Maggie
Beloved cat of Waldon Gooch
--John & Michelle Branch

Cindy
Beloved cat of Tom & Miya Nakao
--Tom & Miya Nakao
--Larry & Barbara Stanley

Winchester, Marcie, Sonic & Princess
Home 2 Cats
--Larry & Barbara Stanley

Shelly
A feral that touched our hearts!
--Don & Brenda Hargrove
--Larry & Barbara Stanley

In Honor Of Animals

Phoebe & Holle
--Phoebe & Holle

In Memory Of People

Jim
Beloved brother
--Ruth Blann Cartledge

Ted Cartledge
--Ruth Blann Cartledge

In Honor of People

Larry & Barbara Stanley
For the good you so faithfully do
--Ruth Blann Cartledge

 

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Ongoing Projects

Home (2 Cats) On www.petfinder.com

Looking to adopt a cat or kitten? Check out our current pet list and our adoption day calendar on Home 2 Cats home page on www.petfinder.com under shelters/organizations. You may also access our home page directly by http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/TN159.html