At risk of being a smart ass friend, I am scratching my head over some of this. I don't understand how someone who is as internet savvy as yourself would not realize that the internet is a marvelous source of information regarding pet health issues. There are mailing lists and message boards for just about every pet ailment there is, including chronic diseases and behavioral problems. As well as informational sites.
And the other reason I'm scratching my head is that apparently you aren't fully aware I know of and make use of many of those resources. Or don't remember. Yes perhaps our view of caring for our pets is different, but nonetheless my experience with vets and the various tests required for different ailments is extensive when compared with most lay-people. In detail I have been an active member of a Feline Diabetes message board for over 6 years and we deal with many of these issues, not simply FD. We advise members on medications and treatments. Yes, I'll brag about it, I have an 18 year old diabetic cat who will be happy till his last day because of what I've learned. And yes, I'm one of those people who will go in debt for my pets. I have and I am. But I can tell you when a vet is asking for something unreasonable or unnecessary. I've had to pay for enough stuff I later learned is such myself. Experience is the best teacher.
BTW, Tigget has been Hyper-T for 2 years now. I give her the same daily pill you are probably giving Sylvester, it goes by a couple different names, methimazole or Tapazole or felimazole. The dose is very important and is not always right from the get-go. I sure as heck hope the vet explained you have to take him in for regular blood tests to make sure the dose is OK and because it can affect their white cell blood count negatively if too much is given. Also, you are entitled to copies of his medical records and test reports. Please obtain those if you would like help understanding what's going on. I can tell you what something being high or low actually means. In layman's terms, unlike vet speak which can go above people's heads, just like human doctors do.
I'm not trying to be a smart ass, I want to help. If I had known Sylvester appeared to be losing weight, and that he was "angry" rather than simply inappropriately peeing, I would have suggested getting him tested for hyper-T and I know which tests to get for that, nothing more nothing less. I wrongly assumed he was simply having behavioral issues because of the move and the dog. Did the vet tell you that hyper-T also causes excessive urination and that some cats will pee inappropriately, not out of spite, but because they have to go NOW?
Knowledge is power and it also can help your pocketbook. It curdles my milk a bit when someone complains about how much something costs or thinks they're being gouged when they could have saved themselves the expense with a little finger-work. Unfortunately you are a bit right about vet costs, but some of that is because owners aren't proactive enough. Unless you do some of your own research to understand a disease and treatment options, you are going to pay a lot, I'm sorry to say.
The meds will work, it's not hoping too much. I'm glad he's improving. Hope this didn't come across too bitchy. I'm just a little flabbergasted that you've gone through all this and didn't ask for help. Maybe you just didn't know or maybe my zeal when it comes to cat health is a turn-off, I don't know. You can take or leave what I tell you is important regardless, so it makes no difference to me.
no subject
And the other reason I'm scratching my head is that apparently you aren't fully aware I know of and make use of many of those resources. Or don't remember. Yes perhaps our view of caring for our pets is different, but nonetheless my experience with vets and the various tests required for different ailments is extensive when compared with most lay-people. In detail I have been an active member of a Feline Diabetes message board for over 6 years and we deal with many of these issues, not simply FD. We advise members on medications and treatments. Yes, I'll brag about it, I have an 18 year old diabetic cat who will be happy till his last day because of what I've learned. And yes, I'm one of those people who will go in debt for my pets. I have and I am. But I can tell you when a vet is asking for something unreasonable or unnecessary. I've had to pay for enough stuff I later learned is such myself. Experience is the best teacher.
BTW, Tigget has been Hyper-T for 2 years now. I give her the same daily pill you are probably giving Sylvester, it goes by a couple different names, methimazole or Tapazole or felimazole. The dose is very important and is not always right from the get-go. I sure as heck hope the vet explained you have to take him in for regular blood tests to make sure the dose is OK and because it can affect their white cell blood count negatively if too much is given. Also, you are entitled to copies of his medical records and test reports. Please obtain those if you would like help understanding what's going on. I can tell you what something being high or low actually means. In layman's terms, unlike vet speak which can go above people's heads, just like human doctors do.
I'm not trying to be a smart ass, I want to help. If I had known Sylvester appeared to be losing weight, and that he was "angry" rather than simply inappropriately peeing, I would have suggested getting him tested for hyper-T and I know which tests to get for that, nothing more nothing less. I wrongly assumed he was simply having behavioral issues because of the move and the dog. Did the vet tell you that hyper-T also causes excessive urination and that some cats will pee inappropriately, not out of spite, but because they have to go NOW?
Otherwise, you can research this stuff for yourself. One of the best online sites for basic and thorough information is http://www.marvistavet.com/html/the_pet_web_library.html
Knowledge is power and it also can help your pocketbook. It curdles my milk a bit when someone complains about how much something costs or thinks they're being gouged when they could have saved themselves the expense with a little finger-work. Unfortunately you are a bit right about vet costs, but some of that is because owners aren't proactive enough. Unless you do some of your own research to understand a disease and treatment options, you are going to pay a lot, I'm sorry to say.
The meds will work, it's not hoping too much. I'm glad he's improving. Hope this didn't come across too bitchy. I'm just a little flabbergasted that you've gone through all this and didn't ask for help. Maybe you just didn't know or maybe my zeal when it comes to cat health is a turn-off, I don't know. You can take or leave what I tell you is important regardless, so it makes no difference to me.