Absolutely beautiful.

Maybe you could also try to give her a special treat after the pilling, that way she associates the treat to you giving a pill. I know cats are very different than dogs but I give Misty her pills in a spoonful of canned food and a treat after. Now whenever she hears a pill bottle rattle she comes running, whether its my pills or hers. She wants her treat.

I feel you are making the right decision. Keep us posted on how its working out.

Interesting and good to know info on the transdermal application.

Oh Peg. I am so sorry to hear this. Find comfort in your happy times. He had a wonderful life with the best Mom.

GreyGhost,

Our eating habits have changed drastically.  Don't eat out, and don't buy prepared foods.  This saves $'s for healthier food options.  LOL, DH still has to have his potato chips, though.

Luckily, we're able to buy farm raised fresh chickens and locally grown vegatables from a small community mercantile grocery.

Only eat beef occasionally, and haven't eaten pork since the FDA thought it would be swell to feed contaminated Menu food to hogs.

Have noticed that most (all?) meat in the large grocery chains are "enhanced" with flavorings and sodium solution.  Not good for those who must restrict their sodium intake.

We have also changed most of our eating habits. We grow most our own veggies and we grow our own beef. I know where its been and what it is fed. Not too much into the pork either.

There are some supermarket chains out here that have good natural beef. Thankfully.

Very scary indeed. Its getting ridiculous too. Pretty soon we won't be able to eat unless we grow it ourselves.

What did they say when you said the vet recommended them and you had to purchase from a pet store? My guess is there is nothing can do about it. They truly are the bottom of the barrel when it comes to pet foods.

My suggestion to all even though it may be too late is to have your Vet write an Rx for everything. Even supplements. There are many things I purchase outside the vet office. I also purchase most of my Rx's from somewhere else. Usually Walgreens or other Pharmacy. make copies of all the Rx papers of course.

I wonder if anything can be done about their closing date. maybe go to the local news or advocate of some kind. Some of our news channels have people that work on just that. Get this on the news and maybe they will change their tune.

This is still very disturbing to me. I can't believe this company has turned out so bad and heartless, well yes I can. I guess I really shouldn't be surprised. Keep us posted on what they say to you when you call and try to get answers about the check.

I have been boycotting this company since the bone in food issue months ago. I will not support a company that lies and cheats over and over again.

I'm so glad to hear she is back to eating. Also glad that you are going to get the test done to find out if she is truly hyperthyroid.

This has been one hell of a cold. I missed everyone here too. Thanks. Right now I am just worried sick about Tinker.

Found this too.

How Much Will Iodine Treatment Cost?

Many cat owners are of the mistaken opinion that radio-iodine therapy is more expensive than treatment with methimaole. It is true that methimazole tablets are relatively inexpensive. But the number of thyroid hormone level checks and repeat visits to the vet will make up for this. Besides, radio-iodine treatment gives consistently better results than managing the condition with medications.

The cost of radio-iodine therapy varies widely between facilities in the United States and Europe. A casual look on the internet in 2009 found the cost running from $785 in Arkansas to $1,700 in the New Jersey/New York area. Costs in Canada are generally a bit lower than in the USA. In Belgium it is a bargain. The University of Gent offers the procedure for 320€ ($446). So it is very wise to check a number of facilities within your driving distance when planning this treatment for your cat.

I thought this might be helpful. I like the idea of a transdermal gel. Much easier to deal with than a pill.

Two closely related medications,  methimazole (Tapazol , Northyx USA) ,carbimazole (Neomercazole UK,etc) are very effective in preventing excessive thyroid hormone production. Methimazole is relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, every cat requires its own special dose and the difference between too high a dose, too low a dose and the right dose is small. So cats going this rout run the larger expense of frequent thyroid hormone level checks to be sure the dose is working correctly. In most cats, twice-a-day dosing is required, but dose frequency ranges from 1-3 times a day.

Although both drugs do work, I am not enthusiastic about their use in pill form. Too many owners report that their cats hardly eat when on the medication. Vomiting and lethargy are also common and it is s very difficult to get cats to take this bitter pill. Lowering the dose and then increasing it again ,very gradually, sometimes avoids some of the side effects. These bitter medicines must be given for the rest of your cat's life. After a while, most cats will become very displeased with you. The medications can also have a number of serious side effects which include diarrhea, liver damage and bone marrow suppression. A few cats develop skin irritation while taking either drug. A newer option that may avoid some of these problems is to have a compounding pharmacy custom-make the medication into a transdermal gel that you apply to your cat's ear.

I just seen this. been sick for about week with a cold. I agree with everyone that a full thyroid panel should be done to confirm. Hope it works out. I know you must be a wreck. Prayers are going out to all of you from Me & the gang.

Again in the Veternary Technician magazine. An update. I posted last months article before and here is this months.

 
Issue Date: Veterinary Technician
June 2009
(Vol 30, No 6)

Nutro Recall Not Related to FDA Investigation Rumors

Paul Basilio

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Nutro Products, manufacturers of Nutro pet food, voluntarily recalled select varieties of Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care dry cat foods and Nutro Max Cat dry foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010, and August 22, 2010. Nutro has not received any consumer complaints related to a formulation error.

 

This recall does not affect any Nutro dog food products, canned dog or cat food or dog and cat treats, according to the company.

 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Nutro officials said the dry cat food recall was the result of a third-party production error that resulted in incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in the product. “A third-party supplier produces the premixes,” said Monica Barrett, pet specialty communications manager at Nutro Products. “We have a formula for them to follow, but the premixes were misformulated at the supplier’s [facility].”

 

A premix is a combination of ingredients in the diet that are preblended to ensure that they are evenly distributed in the product, Barrett said. The ingredients are typically included at low levels. Vitamins and minerals are often premixed.

 

Barrett said the misformulation was discovered on May 18 after an audit of documentation from the supplier. “We conducted an extensive review of all of our products that use premix from this supplier and confirmed that only two of the premixes were affected,” she said. “That led us to conduct a recall, which we announced on May 21.”

 

The delay, Barrett said, was to confirm the problems with the premixes. “When we became aware of the issue, we held all of the products we still had in our inventory, but we felt it was prudent to go through the checks to make sure we knew which products were impacted to get accurate information to consumers, retail partners and veterinarians.”

 

A press release announcing the recalled products was emailed to more than 40,000 veterinarians on May 21.

 

“[Nutro] has been very cooperative in enacting the voluntary recall,” said Laura Alvey, spokesperson for the FDA.

 

Last month, Nutro was the subject of an incorrect media report that claimed the company was being investigated by the FDA. The Internet article claimed that Nutro was being targeted for potential criminal or civil investigation into the complaints.

 

The FDA does not usually comment on potential or current investigations, but Alvey reiterated that Nutro is not the subject of an investigation.

 

For a list of recalled products, visit http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm154317.htm.

   This is a relief. Just wish Nature's Variety had been forthcoming with this info to avoid all the speculations as to what the problem was.  Now we know....

When was NV not forthcoming? They are the ones that told the stores and wharehouses. You know more now only because NV has been forthcoming. If it wasn't for their honesty no one would have ever known anything. Like Pet Food Express I'll give credit where credit is due. To NV.