Hoping for the best...
Hitching a ride on one of my recent blogs, Eva’s Byte #272: The Challenge—Hope, my 15-year-old, black&white female cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. From Eva’s Byte #273: A Whisker from Heaven—Hope’s symptoms worsened so I brought her to Mass-RI Veterinary ER, a 24-hour practice. Subsequent care and tests involved a stay of 48 hours.
The results of those tests indicated a comprehensive list of conditions, besides the original findings of hyperthyroidism and a heart murmur: possible asthma, chronic renal disease, inflammatory bowel disease. Yet, like humans still walking the earth past their prime with pre-existing conditions, none of them are life-threatening for Hope.
Hence, a glimmer of hope.
Sent home with a batch of medications, most of them temporary, to address her gastrointestinal distress, Hope’s pet parent administered them around the clock. The caveat—Hope was not drinking water or eating. She wouldn’t touch any of the food she previously chowed down with gusto, let alone the special dietary formula she should be on for life. The appetite stimulant I’d administered every other day had no effect whatsoever.
Ringing a bell, a line from the nursery rhyme, “All the king’s horses and all the king’s men” (couldn’t get Hope well again).
My glimmer of hope dimmed.
A follow-up visit with Hope to her doctor at our regular veterinary care hospital urged me to forget any special diet, and to let her eat what she likes because the lifelong meds will manage her conditions. It was imperative for Hope to begin taking in nourishment.
As though I’m keeping a diary:
Today, July 24, 2020, I saw glimmers of Hope, herself. This morning, she led me into the kitchen, her way of telling me she wants to eat. For the first time in nearly a week, she did justice to the small portion of wet food doled in her bowl. Since then, she’s petitioned for more at least three times. I’ve obliged with tiny portions, as advised by the veterinarian. She''s also nibbled her kibble and snacked on treats.
Glimmers of Hope, through the quirky behaviors she exhibits and the way she struts around, lead me to see glimmers of hope for her longevity.
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Sandie
Ron