Senior Cat Health & Gazelles...?

Posted by Cecil the Cougar: at 12:02 AM

Monday, March 3, 2008

Hey Cool Cats! I researched two stories for today, one that concerns health and one that is just a little bit strange. The first one is titled, “Overactive thyroids can age cats quickly,” and it was written by Melissa Wheeler, DVM for the Central Veterinary Hospital and 24 Hour Animal Emergency.The second article talks about how we cats must now accept gazelles into the family! Read on for more…

Last month Lucky the 15-year-old kitty that lives with V-E-T Wheeler started behaving strangely. Wheeler brought Lucky into her office and ran some tests. They came back showing that Lucky has hyperthyroidism, which is common in senior aged cats. Most of the time hyperthyroidism disguises itself as, “old age,” and is mistaken as just another common ailment of getting on in the years.

This is how Wheeler describes hyperthyroidism:

“Two thyroid glands are located in the neck on each side of the trachea. These glands produce thyroid hormone. In hyperthyroidism, too much of this hormone is produced. Cats with this disease may suffer from weight loss, hyperactivity, poor grooming, vomiting or diarrhea. Oftentimes, they’ll have great appetites but can’t seem to maintain themselves.These outward symptoms can be distressing, but the real danger of hyperthyroidism occurs on the inside. Commonly, hyperthyroidism causes an abnormal heart rhythm and increased stress on the kidneys and liver."


The article states that there are three types of treatment: radiation, surgery, and oral medacine. If you are feeling off color, please talk to your human about going to see the V-E-T. They are not always bad. I have recently researched and found out they do more than just cut off man parts!

Read the full article here:

http://www.thetimesnews.com/articles/hyperthyroidism_10958___article.html/cat_cats.html

Now to lighten up the subject, I would like to speak about an article titled, “Baby gazelle thinks it’s a cat and believes its mother is a human.” There is this crazy (non-vishus) gazelle that was separated from his mother when he was only a day old. At this time a nice human lady decided to foster him in her house. Apparently this crazy gazelle gets along with the ladys cats very well, and they even PURR at him! You must read this article!

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10194355.html


I have to ask, what do you cool cats think about accepting a non-vishus gazelle into the family? Would you do it? Would you PURR at it?

Until Tomorrow,
Cecil

12 opinions:

Rosie & Cheeto said...

Grate to meet yoo, cecil!! Kul stories, I nevur knew the V-E-T did more than take away cheeseballs!?! -cheeto

Whoa, luk at that brave cat so clowse and friendlie with the vishus gazelle! Is nevur be that brave...that cat must be a stuntcat or sumthing!! -rosie

Daisy said...

Very interesting. I think if the gazelle is not vishus, and behaves like a cat, then it might be okay. But I am not sure.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

not me, he might turn vishus any minute!

smiles, auntie bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Milton said...

I think this story shows that if they are raised right even deer like creatures can be friendly. I think the kitties did a good job raising the little guy.

Diamond Emerald-Eyes said...

I am thinking of the Moovee Madagascar, where the Lion didn't know it was supposed to eat the Zebra until it got stranded on a island and didn't get it's steaks everyday. I thought it was kind of funny because I know what my prey is. Oh well. Everyone thinks its cool, but when push comes down to shove, when the cat get's hungry, he'll eat the gazelle (mouse, rat, bird, etc.)

Chrissie said...

Cecil, I just don't think I could do it. I may have been very heavily conditioned by my good friend Skeezix against anything deer-like, but I suppose I could behave politely at an introduction..until he opens his mouth to eat me!

admin said...

Thx Cecil furr the email informing that 'Meaowy Troops' will get a very nice gift from a long distance place:) Sorry furr double sign-up, maybe the over joy strikes too deeply;)

Purrs...
http://meaouwytroops.blogspot.com

ps. gazelle? well, as long as it didnt take our meals portion, everything will be ok, coz we even make friends with rodents:)

Leona said...

I would sleep with one eye open...I don't trust anything that was once vishus.

L. Alida said...

Hi Cecil, I think my boy kitty Cody would be nice to him and probably try to wash his ears. The girls would be more afraid. Cricket especially would be jealous. Thanks for the good articles!
Purrs and Hugs,
Lorianna

Goldie, Shade and Banshee said...

Wow! The gazelle looks pretty calm. I am not too scared of deer. Moose-yes, cows-yes but deer-no.

Great repurrting!

~Goldie and Shade

CRIZ LAI said...

I don't think my kitties would love to have one at home. They would be jealous that it can jump higher than them in the future :P

4 Boys and a Lady said...

Wow, thanks for the thyroid info! And the gazelle story just makes us smile.