Cat is in surgery. T&Ps, please?

mrs.jacinthe · February 2012

It's just a routine dental and extraction, but based on his age and recent issues with the antibiotics and behavior, nothing is ever routine.

Andplusalso, I talked to the vet last night and she was concerned about the possibility that Cat has hyperthyroidism, as his ALT was high and his T4 was at the very high end of normal. Since he's old (14-19 y/o, not sure, really) this is unusual, as apparently most cats' metabolism slows as they age. So we're doing additional blood work today to rule out hyperthyroid. *sigh* Nothing is ever easy, is it?

KatelynS07 · February 2012

Lots of T&Ps for you. Could Hyperthyroidism explain his behavior?

mrs.jacinthe · February 2012

KatelynS07:
Lots of T&Ps for you. Could Hyperthyroidism explain his behavior?

I'm still reading up on it (journal articles can be slow going sometimes) but it would seem so:

Hyper- and hypothyroid aggression

Changes in thyroid hormone status have been associated with aggression. The usual description for hyperthyroid aggression is ?nasty? and for that of hypothyroidism as ?grumpy? (Beaver, 1989). While hyperthyroidism is much more common in cats than is thyroid hormone deficiency, a routine thyroid screen for any type of aggression, particularly in middle-aged to older individuals, can be helpful in determining if either of these conditions exists.

KatelynS07 · February 2012

mrs.jacinthe:
KatelynS07:
Lots of T&Ps for you. Could Hyperthyroidism explain his behavior?

I'm still reading up on it (journal articles can be slow going sometimes) but it would seem so:

Hyper- and hypothyroid aggression

Changes in thyroid hormone status have been associated with aggression. The usual description for hyperthyroid aggression is ?nasty? and for that of hypothyroidism as ?grumpy? (Beaver, 1989). While hyperthyroidism is much more common in cats than is thyroid hormone deficiency, a routine thyroid screen for any type of aggression, particularly in middle-aged to older individuals, can be helpful in determining if either of these conditions exists.

Well, I know it's an odd thing to hope for, but maybe that would give you an answer to his aggressiveness towards Dot lately.

mainerocks · February 2012

Hope all goes well! Let us know when he's out and doing great

)

mrs.jacinthe · February 2012

KatelynS07:

Well, I know it's an odd thing to hope for, but maybe that would give you an answer to his aggressiveness towards Dot lately.

No, I'm sort of hoping for the same thing. A medical explanation for his behavior would be great.

laptopprancer · February 2012

Jon Voight developed hyperthyroidism in old age (I think, unless it went undiagnosed for a very long time).

Good luck with the surgery, I'm so with you on the geriatric cat at the vet anxiety. I have to take JV back again in a couple of weeks to have blood drawn (we're playing with his thyroid medication dose to even him out) it will be the third visit in two months. The vet stresses him out SO BAD, I hate to put my old man through it.