Monday, October 27, 2014

Jack's trip to Angell for his I131



Yesterday my husband and I took Jack down to Boston to be checked into Angell Animal Medical Center for his I131 treatment for his hyperthyroid. I had options that were closer but I chose Angel because they dosed cats based on a scan and not by weight. I didn't like the idea that a cat who has a high thyroid reading got the same dose as a cat with a very high reading. I also chose Angel because they can treat cats with multiple health issues and I was freaking out at the idea of him being overly stressed and it causing him urinary issues.

We had a 10 am appointment and it is two hours away so we got a very early start.  Someone was not impressed.


He mewed quite pathetically once he was in the vehicle, and I was afraid the guilt of his unhappiness was going to kill me, but once we got under way he quieted down and we didn't hear from  him again.

The drive was pretty uneventful thankfully but even with leaving extra time we got there at 10:02.. they got us into a room pretty quickly and the doctor was very personable and Dr Duddy was very nice.  Jack was a bit freaked out by the drive, but I got him purring and making biscuits and eating treats, which helped my mental state a lot. He adapts very well to new situations since he was introduced to a lot when he was a kitten, so I'm sure he is adapting very well. However they then said to take my carrier with me. Leaving a veterinarian office with an empty carrier has only happened when end of life has occurred, so I was very close to tears, and I made my husband run the carrier out to the car while I waited to pay. The bill was the high side of the estimate I had gotten and was nearly $2000.. *sigh* but he is worth it, and believing this was his best option out of the three I had (and it was only a couple of hundred dollars more than the local place - which I REALLY did not want to give my money to considering how they treated him last time)


After we dropped him off my husband suggested we go for lunch at Panera. When we were there I had strong memories of being at Panera in Kansas with Amy and Lisa when Jack blocked, but I kept reminding myself this would not be a real issue at all.  They don't sedate him, the only real risk I could tease out of all of my reading would be they overdosed him and it kills some of the regular thyroid and he turns out hypo instead of hyper. Since we had to pill him twice a day without this, I figured we'd be right back where we are now if that happened, and this gives him the best chance of 'fixing' him and I am hopeful that all of the peeing we have had as of late can be attributed to his being hyperthyroid (it is a symptom that often happens but isn't really recognized as one of the standard side effects).

So when I get sad about his not being safe at home, I remind myself this is in his best interest.

I just got my daily call about how he is doing. He ate dinner for them and the scan went well so they are all set for tomorrow to give him the treatment. I wish I had been more comfortable asking more questions like 'is he flirting with you' and 'did you call him a handsome boy today?"  and yes, I REALLY want to ask for the camera feed that is monitoring them, but darn it if I don't have a lot to finish up before I get on a plane tomorrow.  I'm probably not going to be online a lot between now and when we get home with Jack, who is coming home with me as my husband is picking him up before getting me from Logan Sunday night.

I can get through this.. really.. I just have to remember to not focus on he isn't home.. Interestingly enough this was his horoscope from Caren and Cody for this month:

Taurus cats typically like ritual, consistency, and a laid-back lifestyle. However, the planets may have something else in store this month. The positioning of Mars – as well as Jupiter and Uranus – will break down the routine and open up for something new.

10 comments:

  1. Jack will be fine, we're thinking VERY good thoughts for him! And you'll do fine too. We've instructed our momma to keep you OCCUPIED so you don't WORRY!!

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  2. Sounds like it is a good place and that he will be cared for (not as well as you or DH could but well). Sending lots of purrs his way... and yours as well, my friend. <3

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  3. Sending lots of good thoughts and purrs for you and Jack.

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  4. Sending healing purrs for Jack and big hugs to you!

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  5. Lots of healing purrs and purrayers to Jack and to you.

    From my reading when Annie was diagnosed as hyper-t, a small % of cats temporarily end up hypo-t, but if that happens, it usually resolves itself. (Can't remember the hows of that, you'll know better than I do.)

    Here in Canada the cat has to remain at the clinic in isolation for 7 to 10 days, a long time. I don't think it's the same in the U.S., though I know it varies state by state.

    Best of luck that this cures Jack's hyper-t!

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  6. I'm sending lots of purrs to you and Jack! I know how this is stressing you out, and I just hope that Jack is less stressed than you are! I hope this treatment does exactly what it is supposed to do - nothing more, and nothing less.

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  7. Lots of purrs for Jack... and you, too! We think it's pawesome that this clinic specifically treats cats with multiple health issues. That's something that the only nearby I-161 treatment center doesn't do here. It sounds like he's in the best possible hands for his treatment.

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  8. Sounds like a wonderful place and caring people. Purrs to the handsome one from all of us.

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  9. The kitties send their purrs, and I'm hoping these treatments will restore Jack's health. Thinking of you as you wait to bring him home.

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  10. That's nice that they call you every day to give you an update. He is going to be okay. Just think about what a wonderful reunion it will be when he comes home :) Sending lots of purrs and love

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