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Did you go with the 'smaller dosage route...then increasing it...slowly'...as FeebysOwner had mentioned?So this is day five of Twyla’s treatment plan. My overall observance is that she seems to be feeling pretty well. She ate great the first three days (eating about 220 calories) but has slowed down since. I don’t know if the methimazole is making her feel “punky” and thus low appetite or if It is the impact of the medication starting to work on her thyroid.
Or are you and your Vet initialing starting at a 'higher dosage'...of the methimazole...then doing a re-check?
I guess it would depend on the numbers...and also the 'normal values'...from the hyperthyroid tests.
(I know that you had posted values for numbers, before, but without the 'normal ranges'...I really could not tell how Twyla was trending.)
As long as you know, though,...that is the main thing.
Is this the one that Twyla likes: PURINA PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS NF Kidney Function Early Care Dry Cat Food, 8-lb bag - Chewy.comShe has been up and down with her appetite for months so It is really hard to judge. She is eating half dry and half wet because she actually likes the dry kidney food (Purina Pro Plan Early Care). The dry is high calorie so even eating a little helps meet calorie goals. Turns up her nose at the wet kidney foods so she is eating Fancy Feast pate with a Phosphorus binder mixed in. Giving 1/16 in each meal up to three meals. Being conservative to start because I have concerns about constipation. I always add water to wet meals but may need to begin Miralax. I had been adding pumpkin to her food, but she stopped eating meals that had pumpkin in it. But that has kept her regular in the past.
Great that your Twyla likes the food.
If you can get her to enjoy eating more wet, then that may be better,...yet I know that at at certain age...when you don't want them to lose any more weight,.. it's mainly important that our cats eat...and also enjoy it, too.
***Have you tried mixing in some of her fave Fancy Feast pate foods,...and adding a tiny portion of the kidney wet foods...to the side of the plate?
Or does this 'tiny portion' not smell right to Twyla...and throw her off...her fave wet food, as well?
This video shows some 'tips'...on how to introduce some 'new foods'...or 'new meds'...by mixing it up in creating a 'parfait'...by Fundamentally Feline.
Fundamentally Feline has many helpful 'how to videos with cats'.
I think she is excellent for explaining things in detailed ways.
How-To Videos - Fundamentally Feline
(This one is also good, but probably more for your Hooper, in training him with a clicker.
I know that Twyla is smart, but I figure she would be more stubborn, and just walk away, from the clicker sound,...leaving you standing there, clicking away. That's just my take on Twyla.)
(I picture her more like my female cat, Tepaul.)
(PS. If you watch the whole video, near the end there is a 'cat wheel'. I cannot remember why Furballsmom and I, had suggested a 'cat wheel' for Hooper, in the intro thread,...I think it had to do with him chasing Twyla...but the wheel made me think of him, anyhow.)
I hope that Twyla is still...chasing him.
On another thread, their cat is not liking a particular 'phosphorus binder'...epakitin,...so if Twyla does not like hers...then your Vet could also try some other types.
Keeping an eye on her poops, and consistency is a good thing.
Constipation can also cause cats to feel full, and not want to eat as much.
So Hoping that your Twyla,...with still being active,...and getting good hydration,...plus using the Miralax...will help her to get a proper Balance,..along with her body getting used to the new meds/new foods, too.
(I could understand that, since I also 'try different flavours'...all the time, too.I think I am partly to blame for the appetite issues - if she doesn’t eat a meal I will try something else a little while later so she is eating tiny amounts at a time but then isn’t hungry at mealtime. I think I need to do better with keeping to a schedule (I have summers off from work so I tend to get fixated on her eating because I am home so much more). On a bad day she is still eating some but not enough.
Except that I usually give smaller amounts, now,...say a quarter of a 'perfect portion' size...which is like a 1/4 can...and if they like it...then I will give them more, at the next meal.)
(They always seem to leave a slight amount, though, but as long as it is not a quarter size, from when feeding them 'half a can'...then I'm okay with it. Still throw out some, depending on the days,...but mine are 7 yrs old, and obviously a bit fussy. More the female than the male cat.)
I think you will probably notice some days will be 'down days'...and not quite enough...but as long as she picks up the calories...on other days...and is not losing weight weekly...then you're probably doing fine.
Schedules are definitely good, if your cat is able to get used to them,...and does not get too much stomach acid build up,...or depending on the times that you have to give her meds, also.
I guess it also depends on how you feel about it, and if you feel that..more times per day...with smaller amounts...is doable for you.
Or if you think that trying a schedule would get her to eat more.
Hard to say, without experimenting.
As long as you don't become too fixated, on the bad days,...and take it day by day...since that's basically how our cats do it.
You are doing really well, in taking care of Twyla...so just remember that, too.
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