A short Tigger update...

[pamela and tigger]

Not too much to report but he is doing well. He stays mainly in the 100's with an occasional dip down into double digits and an occasional blip up into the 200's. I know I could push it further but I really see no need to (unless you guys think I should). Others might disagree with me, but he has one of those hammock curves Lynda has talked about and he is doing well (knock on wood) except for a URI back in November which raised his bg levels.

His appetite is very good, but in the last few months he has started this yowling routine to get what he wants (but he doesn't really want anything). I guess this comes with age (he will be 15 this year)? I try to ignore him as much as possible so as not to encourage him. But I worry if he really has something to complain about then I won't know it.

His recent bloodwork showed his liver is back to normal which my vet was very surprised to see. I think he didn't feel it ever would be...his values were so very high for so long.

One of these days I will get his picture added here.

 

[Michele&Molly]

Hi my friend!!! It's great to see a Tigger report and would you mind if i admit i'm jealous as all hell about his numbers?

His numbers look fabulous and i wouldn't change a thing (the don't fix what's not broken theory). As for the yowling,,,do you mean he's crying? Does it appear attention seeking in nature? Ignoring the bx (behavior) will only decrease it if it's attention seeking.

Bx- all bx- human, animal, whatever- occurs for 1 of 5 reasons (think MEATS like the meat we eat)...

Medical
Escape
Attention
Tangible - gaining access to - such as a rat toy.
Sensory - such as lovin's.

The yowling meets one or multiple needs listed above. Can you think of which?

Fantastic news about the liver values!!!! Go Get em Tigger!!!

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Pamela, those are great numbers - I would leave well enough alone. I am sure there are some folks that might want him 20 pts lower, but I see that when you had him on the next higher dose he tended to stay in the 200s, so I think raising him might backfire.

Hmmm... howling. With cats this can be from pain and hunger as Michele mentioned, but also from things like hyperthyroid, hearing loss, vision loss (he actually gets lost in the dark because his senses have diminished), or a type of dementia. That last bit I read in Cat Fancy a few years ago, but I think there are other personality changes that go along with it. My experience with it is that it is hearing and/or vision loss - just good old aging, but if you haven't had his thyroid checked recently, that is something to consider.

 

[pamela and tigger]

Hi my friend!!! It's great to see a Tigger report and would you mind if i admit i'm jealous as all hell about his numbers?

His numbers look fabulous and i wouldn't change a thing (the don't fix what's not broken theory). As for the yowling,,,do you mean he's crying? Does it appear attention seeking in nature? Ignoring the bx (behavior) will only decrease it if it's attention seeking.

Bx- all bx- human, animal, whatever- occurs for 1 of 5 reasons (think MEATS like the meat we eat)...

Medical
Escape
Attention
Tangible - gaining access to - such as a rat toy.
Sensory - such as lovin's.

The yowling meets one or multiple needs listed above. Can you think of which?

Fantastic news about the liver values!!!! Go Get em Tigger!!!

Thanks Sheila and Michele.

I think it is for attention more than anything. And that he is bored. He is used to going outside during the day and it has been so cold and so much snow he isn't able to for very long. Hopefully when spring comes he will stop. His thyroid was fine last time we checked but he could probably stand a recheck soon.

 

[Michele&Molly]

i agree with you and think there is definitely something to be said about everyone's inability to go outside right now due to the cold. My 3 are also exhibiting cabin fever and are needier than ever!! Constantly begging for food, lovin's, whatever. Half the time i don't even think they know what they're screaming about. Think Spring!!!