Thursday, April 2, 2009

Thankful Thursday: Begging for Medicine

Skylar writes:

Yes, those of you who commented on yesterday's post were right: I DO beg for my medicine. I'm very thankful to have it! Before my vet figured out I needed to be on medication, I would have days when I was racing all around terrorizing everything (including my littermate sister), then days when I would be too tired to do anything. I was happy, but hyper. That continued for 5 years, before I adopted Mom. My other family didn't know what was causing it, and the vet didn't run the right tests. When I adopted Mom, then she and Dad returned the favor, they took my sister and me to the vet. There, they ran blood tests on me and figured it out: hyperthyroidism, also called hyper-T. It's really common in cats, especially older cats. You can find out more about it here, but the basic symptoms are increased blood pressure, rapid weight loss, increased water consumption, and sometimes heart problems.

When I don't have my meds, I revert back to all that really quickly. It didn't take me long, only a couple weeks, to figure out it was that little tablet that made the difference. At first, I didn't want to take it, and would eat around it even when Mom put it in cheese or hotdog or something else I like. So she'd make me sit and then force it into my mouth. I'd spit it right back at her, of course, so she'd hold my mouth closed while I swallowed it. Once I figured out the tablet was the key to feeling better, though, I started running toward the kitchen when I heard the pill bottle rattle. For a few days, I would get mixed up and come when it was Mom's medicine bottle, but then I learned to distinguish between the two. I would even remind Mom and/or Dad when it was around the time I usually take my medicine! Mom was so surprised, but that's when things really started turning around health-wise for me as well, so she assumed that I'd made the connection. Now, even if I'm half-awake, I walk out to the kitchen when I hear, "Skylar, medicine time!" and patiently sit down. She has to open my mouth for me still; after all, I have to have some of my feline dignity! But that little tablet makes all the difference in the world, so I LOVE my medicine!

10 comments:

Pinky Ash and Boo said...

That is a very good thing to be thankful for. A lot of kitties don't make the connection and think we're being tortured. We're glad there is a medicine that can make life much better for you Skylar.

The Meezers or Billy said...

oh Skylar, you really want to be well and you help your mom keep you well - that's wonderful!!!

meowers from missouri said...

what a clever kitty you are! good for you--we bets you will live a long an healthy life with that attitude!!

our mom's First Cat had FUS an' hadda take an acidifier efurry day, an' he came runnin' when he heard the pill bottle rattle. of course, like you, he hadda maintain his dignity by makin' her pry his mouth open;-D

The Island Cats said...

Skylar, you are a very smart kitty! And we're happy the vet figured out why you were not feeling well and acting the way you did. We can't believe that you were this way for over 5 years! Usually the consequences of not treating hyper-T quickly are not good!

Gemini and Ichiro said...

That is very nice of you to like your meds. I doubt I would ever like my meds--especially if I always had to take them. After all, that is the sort of thing that would upset my human and it's kind of fun to do...

Elin said...

:) I'm glad reading it :)

Parker said...

That is wonderful!

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Wow, yoor furry smart. Sadie actually goes and jumps up on da counter when mom sez it's time fur her alerjee shot but dat is only once a month and mom makes it fun by giving her a treat when it's done...

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

You are very clever to know that your tablet makes you better. Mum wishes I would be like you, but there is no way her or any V E T is going to get a tablet down my throat, and a lot have tried. I have to get stabbed instead of having pills for anything.
Eric

Whimpurr said...

Awww, we are so happy that your medicine is helping you feel so much better and that you are a smart kitty for reminding your being to give it to you! *purrs*