Andy had a visit with his veterinarian yesterday morning. I have an appointment for today to get the full report on the $420 worth of evaluations and the extensive blood tests. Andy’s veterinarian had so many patients yesterday the separate appointment to review Andy’s report became necessary, though he did let me know most of his tests were acceptable.
Happiest of all: the eye drops brought the pressure in his eyes – the glaucoma – into the normal range! His blood pressure, on the other hand, was high.
I still feel the blood pressure issue is partly “white coat syndrome” – the stress of being at his doctor’s. I probably will have to give him medication for blood pressure, but I will find out what his veterinarian wants later today.
Andy was a very bad kitty when I had to get him ready to go, but he made up for it by being very good when I put drops in his eyes later. I’ve returned to the technique of swaddling him in a heavy towel when I medicate him. That’s worked well with Andy over the years.
Technically, “white coat syndrome” should be “red coat syndrome” in the instance of Andy’s doctor’s usual dress. Note Andy’s posture. He never moves much from that position except when they check his blood pressure five, six times to get an average. He freaks out!
Great tips regrading blood pressure. You provided the best information which helps us a lot. Thanks for sharing the wonderful information.
I’m not sure how much I helped you, but thanks, I guess!
Sending loads of ‘pawsitive’ heaLing energy your way.
Sorry to take so long to comment! I sometimes miss comments made days after I post something. Anyway, thanks! Everyone can use “paws”itive healing energy!
Poor Andy! He was probably really scared by the blood pressure stuff. (I bet he knew where he was going and didn’t want to go)
The trip to the new clinic is several miles compared with the trip to the old one, which was five blocks away. He never complains on short trips, but the trip to the new clinic brought out a complaint.
I am glad to hear all these dear Doug, vet visit always being nervous for me too. And I know how stressful for them. Lovely Andy, a good one, Love and big hugs to you both, Thank you, Love, nia
I was assured by his veterinarian that they make an effort with pheromones and a quiet wait before measuring blood pressure to make the patient calm and comfortable.
What posture? Mr Andy rolls himself into a fur ball! I am glad glaucoma is out of the picture now. Can’t say that about myself, though.
His posture was telling to me. He clearly was still frightened or stressed in my opinion.
I get the meaning of it, yes.
Poor Andy. Glad the eye drops are helping at least.
They have brought the pressure down to normal range, and that was after very few applications.
I think most cat’s blood pressure rises at the vets. Glad the drops helped and hoping you get a good report.
I brought that concern up with Andy’s veterinarian yesterday (the 13th). He told me that’s why they put their animal patients in a quiet place for an hour or so and use calming phenome spray before they take blood pressures. In Andy’s case, though, the high blood pressure is suspected to be related to hyperthyroidism, just detected in his last exam. He’s on a new medication for that. In three weeks, he has a new appointment to evaluate the efficacy of that medication on that problem.
We hope for more good news in Andy’s test results. The glaucoma drops are working for Buzz – a month ago his right eye pressure was 50. Monday t was 12 (his left eye has stabilized).
I was surprised how quickly the medication brought the pressure down into the normal range. Fifty is a scary number for that condition! Glad you had success, too. Andy’s was 25 in one eye and I forget how much (lower) in the other.
All in all the news are good, Doug . I rejoice with you.
In friendship
Michel
Though he will need medication the rest of his life, he’s been a good boy when I apply it. That helps my blood pressure, too!
I would not be surprised if at least a part of Andy’s BP problem is from being in the vet’s office. Vets do sometimes let clients take BP equipment home to get readings. Sometimes the cats just does not want to cooperate. Keeping Andy, and you, in my thoughts and prayers.
When I brought up that concern with Andy’s veterinarian yesterday, he told me that’s why they wanted him in for the whole morning. They put him in a quiet place and used phenome spray to help calm him down. Also tests results indicated he has a hyperthyroid condition that’s thought to partially explain the blood pressure issue.
Hopes and purrs for good news when you get the full report on Andy!
The main thing is what he does have is controllable with medication. Thanks, Leah.
My husband gets white coat syndrome (at a doc, not a vet!). Fortunately he can take it at home and let the doc know the difference. Hugs to Andy.
I take mine at home, too. I don’t have a problem with white coat syndrome, however, thanks to years of health issues with occasional hospitalizations and lots of follow-up appointments.
I can certainly understand the stress of going to the vet.
It was a topic for my visit yesterday with Andy’s veterinarian. He reassured me that that was why they asked me to leave Andy at the clinic for the whole morning earlier. They put him in a quiet place for an hour or and sprayed calming phenomes before doing bp and blood sampling. He feels a hyperthyroid condition may explain the elevated blood pressure.
I hope it is not a serious issue.
Glaucoma and hyperthyroidism, both of which there are treatments….
Oh, I’m glad it’s treatable.
Wishing you both all the best!
Thanks! I was especially encouraged that the glaucoma was brought into control with just two and a half days of treatments.
I wish him, and you, well
Thanks, Derrick. Andy’s being a good kitty about the medications.
you take really good care of him Doug,even If he acted up when you were trying to get him to the Vets. Have you tried CBD oil? It seems to calm down other pets.
His veterinarian explained to me that that’s why I was asked to bring Andy in for the whole morning – they put him in a quiet place and spray pheromones that calm cats before doing the tests and take blood.
thats interesting Doug,I wonder which pheromone they use?
I’ll try to remember to ask. I am aware of advertised ones for this reason.
hugs to you andy… we have that syndrome too and we hope the ad adventure at the vet is forgotten soon….
I’d never heard of this condition in cats. When I showed my nephrologist the blood test report I got for Andy – it is very comprehensive, with graphs and descriptions of each measured characteristic – he was surprised it looked very much like what is done for people. Of course, for $420, I expect as much!
we hope for this price the good nes are inclusive…
Thanks! Me, too.