Introducing Betty White

[tarasgirl06]

Docs Mom is right.
And those two references? They are also refs to Fleetwood Mac -- #1 to Stevie Nicks and the second to lyrics written, if I'm not mistaken, by Christine McVie. The first, an embarrassment recorded by some sleazeball or another; the second, an amazing song.
I'm also wondering if TIMING of treats makes any difference. IDK, but I'm wondering.

 

[daftcat75]

Docs Mom is right.
And those two references? They are also refs to Fleetwood Mac -- #1 to Stevie Nicks and the second to lyrics written, if I'm not mistaken, by Christine McVie. The first, an embarrassment recorded by some sleazeball or another; the second, an amazing song.
I'm also wondering if TIMING of treats makes any difference. IDK, but I'm wondering.

Fleetwood Mac references?

At this point, I’m really hoping it’s the unintentional withdrawal of her poobiotic. Her poops have been a touch more spicy lately. It is due to arrive today. Hopefully we’ll see a difference by the weekend. Last night she left a forgivable remainder on second dinner. But if took her all night. Her second and last pass not coming until 3:30 am. Of course this meant she barely scraped the frosting on breakfast an hour later. I’m thinking I’m misguided trying to feed her early to give her more time to finish. Perhaps I should wait her out and move the meals back a bit and let her get hungry again.

Breakfast she’s on pace for a remainder after two passes and quite a bit still left.

She only really wants treats from me at two times. As in she will break her no cats in the kitchen rule to tell me so. That’s when I’m cooking. I know the knows the difference between my veggie sausage bag and her treat bag. But when she hears the first even when she sees me going to the freezer, she walks into the kitchen to demand a treat. Which reminds me. I have two rabbit pieces left. I guess I know where I’m going over lunch hour.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Fleetwood Mac references?

At this point, I’m really hoping it’s the unintentional withdrawal of her poobiotic. Her poops have been a touch more spicy lately. It is due to arrive today. Hopefully we’ll see a difference by the weekend. Last night she left a forgivable remainder on second dinner. But if took her all night. Her second and last pass not coming until 3:30 am. Of course this meant she barely scraped the frosting on breakfast an hour later. I’m thinking I’m misguided trying to feed her early to give her more time to finish. Perhaps I should wait her out and move the meals back a bit and let her get hungry again.

Breakfast she’s on pace for a remainder after two passes and quite a bit still left.

She only really wants treats from me at two times. As in she will break her no cats in the kitchen rule to tell me so. That’s when I’m cooking. I know the knows the difference between my veggie sausage bag and her treat bag. But when she hears the first even when she sees me going to the freezer, she walks into the kitchen to demand a treat. Which reminds me. I have two rabbit pieces left. I guess I know where I’m going over lunch hour.

I guess.Happy hunting.

 

[daftcat75]

Oh boo! Embrace actually covered most of Betty’s bill last month. Except it all counted towards deductible. So I don’t actually receive any reimbursement this bill. Next bill should be the dental. I don’t think any of that is covered.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Oh boo! Embrace actually covered most of Betty’s bill last month. Except it all counted towards deductible. So I don’t actually receive any reimbursement this bill. Next bill should be the dental. I don’t think any of that is covered.

Insurance. More and more, an extortionist scam, IMHO. Really sorry about that, for you, but at least "it all counted towards deductible." That's something.

 

[BellaBlue82]

I wish they had insurance policies for pets like they do for humans. I'd love a guaranteed renewable policy with either no pre-existing conditions or at least one year waiting period.

 

[daftcat75]

I wish they had insurance policies for pets like they do for humans. I'd love a guaranteed renewable policy with either no pre-existing conditions or at least one year waiting period.

That is Betty's policy. Anything she saw a vet for in the one year lookback on the new policy--and in her case, anything that also happens in the two week waiting period before the purchased policy becomes active--counts as a pre-existing condition. Any of these pre-existing conditions that have not required vet attention in a year can be submitted for review to remove the exception from the policy. I was hopeful that Betty's "vomiting" exception (which widely covers IBD and many other conditions and visits she might have) might be stricken this year. But every time I tell a vet about that spit up or heat hairball, that goes into their notes that insurance will eventually see. So this isn't the year that that exception is removed. I'd rather Betty gets the care she needs than try to game the insurance by withholding information from her health team.

To be fair and honest, I believe they messed up earlier this year and paid out a claim without billing to deductible first. And I wasn't expecting anything back on this claim. I just filed it because I was expecting a no but willing to be surprised. So I was both surprised and not surprised. It was a yes that paid like a no.

 

[daftcat75]

I think Betty's insurance may be better than mine. Certainly cheaper even after the subsidy from work. And now Kaiser is going to raise their rates and work is going to lower their subsidy. So this year, I'll be changing back to a PPO option. Probably a high deductible one and sock all that premium savings into the HSA.

 

[tarasgirl06]

I think Betty's insurance may be better than mine. Certainly cheaper even after the subsidy from work. And now Kaiser is going to raise their rates and work is going to lower their subsidy. So this year, I'll be changing back to a PPO option. Probably a high deductible one and sock all that premium savings into the HSA.

Yeah, it's not a one-size-fits-all thing. Do you like Kaiser? We had it when I was a little kid and it was good then, as insurance goes.

 

[BellaBlue82]

I think Betty's insurance may be better than mine. Certainly cheaper even after the subsidy from work. And now Kaiser is going to raise their rates and work is going to lower their subsidy. So this year, I'll be changing back to a PPO option. Probably a high deductible one and sock all that premium savings into the HSA.

I'll have to do some research on policies for Sadie. She's been doing good, and she only gets blood work for anemia once a year.... I'd be curious to see if we could get past the one year mark? My fear is anything that happens in the future they might tie to her anemia, much like they do with diabetes or IBD. Worth looking into I guess.

Yeah, insurance is great and not great. I work for an insurance company, and we don't even get the best benefits. But at least the plans aren't completely crazy. HSA plans are good especially if you have a great first year and can carry over funds.

 

[daftcat75]

Dental insurance is the worst. It doesn't really seem to matter all that much whether my dentist is in network or out of network. Either way, it's going to come up far short and it maxes out too soon. I can do something like one or two fillings a year before the insurance maxes out. They want me in for four cleanings a year. But insurance only covers two a year, I think? I don't know. It got so bad this year that I had to push my own dental appointment back a month so that I could pay for Betty's first.

I like Kaiser when I used it. Back before they became a Covid hotspot, I could make an appointment with my primary and then he could send me all around the campus--often I could get things like lab work and imaging performed same day as an exam. So it didn't seem that inconvenient that he was my gatekeeper to all the other services and specialties. The few times I had to make an appointment for another visit, it was all really easy. And being a technology person, I really like how much of their resources are online. But it's going to be too expensive next year and only getting worse in subsequent years to keep a plan that I am not really using. It gives me the heeby jeebies just thinking about stepping foot in a Kaiser when Covid is back on the rise. The local Kaiser became one of the biggest treatment facilities during the pandemic. A lot of other hospitals were sending their patients there because they saw it the earliest and the most and knew what they were doing.

I think an HSA plan will be good for me. As a high income earner, it's another tax advantaged investment account I can use that I would otherwise be capped out of. And it will get me in the habit of budgeting and saving for healthcare when I don't need it so that it can cover my butt when I do.

 

[daftcat75]

Betty’s poobiotic and latest gut health test finally arrived on Wed. I ordered it the previous Friday. About a week and a half later than expected. Long enough to see that taking her off it cratered her appetite. She’s back on it for two mornings now. Breakfast is in the books already for this morning. In the last few days, she’s been getting better about breakfast and dinners, but lunch is still a weak spot. Really hoping that improves over the next few days. I did her Gut Health Test the other morning at 2am. I wanted to start her back on the poobiotic but wanted to send in a sample that hadn’t had the stuff in two weeks. So I had to burgle the fresh bomb and perform the sampling with a head lamp. For science!

 

[tarasgirl06]

Betty’s poobiotic and latest gut health test finally arrived on Wed. I ordered it the previous Friday. About a week and a half later than expected. Long enough to see that taking her off it cratered her appetite. She’s back on it for two mornings now. Breakfast is in the books already for this morning. In the last few days, she’s been getting better about breakfast and dinners, but lunch is still a weak spot. Really hoping that improves over the next few days. I did her Gut Health Test the other morning at 2am. I wanted to start her back on the poobiotic but wanted to send in a sample that hadn’t had the stuff in two weeks. So I had to burgle the fresh bomb and perform the sampling with a head lamp. For science!

*All for Science!*
Elvis is weak on lunch, or brunch, too. I think it could be because cats in their natural state are crepuscular and tend to lie up and nap/sleep during the hottest part of the day (cats being desert animals, after all) which is usually the middle of the day. Thoughts?
The HSA sounds good for you. Kaiser sounds good, too, on the whole. I was really lucky on dental. Back in the day, when I was on my now Ex #3's policy, I was able to get all kinds of work done including having all of my yucky amalgam fillings yanked out and replaced with nice ceramic ones. I also got perio work done. I could NEVER afford all of that now. Two cleanings a year, out of pocket. That's it.
It's gotten much more expensive, and the quality is much less good, too.

 

[daftcat75]

Wow! Well, there we go!

New case, new poo, new cat.

She's only been back on the poobiotics for two days but I'm seeing a difference already. Her lunch remainder was half as small (left 1/3 behind instead of 2/3.) We started a new case of the I/D at dinner and she demolished her portion just like she used to do. For all intents and purposes, I'll call that in the books. But she has a little left which I fluffed up for her second pass later. And she left an after dinner bomb that was better formed and less spicy than the stinky tootsie rolls she's been dropping the last few days.

I really wanted to be indignant and take Betty off these pills altogether for how long they left us waiting (and also the dismal test results each time.) But the proof is right there on the plate and in the poo. These seem to be helping her after all. I may even order a second bottle and try a twice a day dosing to see if we can finally move the needle on her poop tests. I will certainly inquire into the shelf life of these pills to see if I can stock up and prevent a crash the next time supply loses to supply chain.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Wow! Well, there we go!

New case, new poo, new cat.

She's only been back on the poobiotics for two days but I'm seeing a difference already. Her lunch remainder was half as small (left 1/3 behind instead of 2/3.) We started a new case of the I/D at dinner and she demolished her portion just like she used to do. For all intents and purposes, I'll call that in the books. But she has a little left which I fluffed up for her second pass later. And she left an after dinner bomb that was better formed and less spicy than the stinky tootsie rolls she's been dropping the last few days.

I really wanted to be indignant and take Betty off these pills altogether for how long they left us waiting (and also the dismal test results each time.) But the proof is right there on the plate and in the poo. These seem to be helping her after all. I may even order a second bottle and try a twice a day dosing to see if we can finally move the needle on her poop tests. I will certainly inquire into the shelf life of these pills to see if I can stock up and prevent a crash the next time supply loses to supply chain.

Great UPdate! What an improvement over the alternative -- hoping they keep and you can double up!

 

[daftcat75]

Almost a pound lost since July 16.

I didn’t get her back on the poobiotic until Thursday morning. A lot of remainders were left this week. It may take another week to stop the weight loss. Especially if she is going to be a stubborn licker and flicker with her poo pill like she was this morning. I think she must have pierced it. She wasn’t getting fooled by the frosting. I used to make it her second capsule (because it contains #2.) I think I need to go back to that practice.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Almost a pound lost since July 16.
View attachment 460277View attachment 460278
I didn’t get her back on the poobiotic until Thursday morning. A lot of remainders were left this week. It may take another week to stop the weight loss. Especially if she is going to be a stubborn licker and flicker with her poo pill like she was this morning. I think she must have pierced it. She wasn’t getting fooled by the frosting. I used to make it her second capsule (because it contains #2.) I think I need to go back to that practice.

Yeah, #2 for #2. Makes PURRfect sense. How's her water intake? Does she still visit her fountain(s) daily? I hope?

 

[daftcat75]

Yeah, #2 for #2. Makes PURRfect sense. How's her water intake? Does she still visit her fountain(s) daily? I hope?

So after a year on steroids and never seeing her use the water fountain, she seems to use it a bit lately. Mostly right after a treat and sometimes after meds. So it makes sense when she drinks. But I have to say that I'm always nervous that it's a prelude to a hairball or a water puke.

Since I no longer have to worry about her ripping though a whole meal in one sitting, I'm thinking I might add a little to each meal. It looks like she's eating what she probably thinks is good enough. And I shouldn't need her to lick the plate clean each time. So maybe if I pad the portions a little, her remainders will become more moot.

I'm conflicted right now. I'm worried that she's still losing weight. Though of course I understand why. She has only been back on the poobiotics for a couple of days. I'm also relieved that she's losing weight because that extra pound was no good for her joints. But this isn't the way for her to lose weight. I'm concerned that she's losing muscle mass. We play a little. But she doesn't seem as interested in chasing the laser up and down the apartment like she used to. I can get some pouncing when it's near her. I can get a couple of spirited chases. But I don't get laps out of her like I used to. In any case, because I can see and because I know there's some joint pain there, we'll work up to it. Right now, if I can get a few minutes out of her each day, that's better than nothing. That's better than I'm doing most days.

I would love for her to level off at 9.5 or 10 lbs. My fear is that she'll keep losing and blow right through both of those levels.

Since we just got the poobiotic back in stock. Let's see how this week goes before I make any further changes or decisions.

In other news, my preferred sitter can't do Thanksgiving. I'm back on Care.com. They kind of make it easy and they kind of don't. They pretty much assume that I'll take the first one who says they are available. And then it looks like I have to cancel the booking and create a new job if I decide not to go with that person--like the first person who accepted before she realized it was a Thanksgiving job. And after all this, I don't think we're going to do a big family Thanksgiving dinner with the extended family like we've done in prior years. So if it's just the immediate family, I'd prefer to come down a different weekend. One without holiday travel and holiday delays and holiday unavailability of certain flights and sitters. I could do a same day down and back for a brunch and not even need a sitter. I am going to let my job posting marinate today and bounce this alternative off Mom tomorrow or Tuesday.

 

[daftcat75]

She probably thinks this is good enough. She doesn’t understand that these remainders left regularly are going to add up. This meal I’m giving her grace since she got a weigh-in Greenie and a rabbit treat to get her on the scale. But a little extra is going on the lunch plate to hopefully account for a remainder she’ll leave.

 

[tarasgirl06]

View attachment 460285
She probably thinks this is good enough. She doesn’t understand that these remainders left regularly are going to add up. This meal I’m giving her grace since she got a weigh-in Greenie and a rabbit treat to get her on the scale. But a little extra is going on the lunch plate to hopefully account for a remainder she’ll leave.

Well, but (most) cats are grazers and in their natural habitat, they come back several times to their prey. So it's not really a cause for worry. And try not to go borrowing trouble as far as weight loss is concerned. We're not there yet.
Plan B sounds good for the visit! That's what I'd prefer to do, too, given the choice. Skip the horrible hassle of holiday travel -- it's your fams you want to see and you they want to see. *Besides, leftover turkey, dressing, cranberry relish etc. make GREAT sandwiches.With or without the bird.* And with the great unknown posed by any person you don't know from Adam (or Eve) caring for your loved one in your space, well, I'd bypass that and do a there-and-back-in-one-day, given the choice. I'm sure that if you asked Betty, she'd preFUR that, too.