Cat lovers know that thyroid issues are fairly common among our feline friends. They are also quite serious and threatening to a cat's well-being. Cocoa, my first cat, had thyroid issues about 10 years ago when he was relatively young, which is when I became familiar with the symptoms and available treatment options...generally a pill everyday for the rest of the cat's life or radioiodine therapy which usually offers a permanent cure. So a few months ago when my cat Grayzie started manifesting the symptoms...manic one minute and lethargic the next, ravenously hungry and thirsty alternating with total disinterest in food or drink, ratty looking coat, etc....I knew what the vet's diagnosis would be.
I might have considered the pill option except that Grayzie has always been Miss Indepedent and does not tolerate being touched unless she is in the mood. Despite all the tried and true ploys, it has always been extremely difficult to administer pills to Grayzie, always leading to her extreme agitation. It also makes it difficult to be sure she has actually swallowed the pill. So, it was not a difficult decision for me to opt for the radioiodine therapy which had been so effective for Cocoa.
Having made the decision and the arrangements for Grayzie's treatment, the next dilemma was how to secure her, an indoor/outdoor cat, for the possible 6-8 weeks of her combined pre and post procedure intervals. This was especially challenging in a house with two indoor/outdoor dogs and a layout that doesn't allow Grayzie or the dogs to be isolated in any one room. The most workable solution was a cat condo.
If you're not familiar with cat condos, they are similar to aviaries, but include adjustable shelves for cats to climb and snooze on. The floor can hold a litter box as well as food and water bowls. There are several lockable doors allowing easy access to your cat without risk of her escaping. They rest on wheels so the condo can be easily moved around to the most advantage spot as the light and temperature change. They require almost no assembly. The whole thing rises up and collapses like a slinky. And, you can hose the bottom off fairly easily while the cat perches on one of the higher shelves. They're made of durable steel so you may be able to find a used one in good condition. Or, shop around at pet stores and on the internet. Prices vary.
I'm not suggesting that condo living is an idea long-term arrangement, but the condos are spacious and open enough for most cats to cope with being locked up in them when necessary. Grayzie was relatively serene and enjoyed the passing scene from her protected perch on the porch or by the window. In my next post, I'll write about the actual procedure, why containment is required and what to expect when your cat comes home, etc.
In the meantime, I welcome any suggestions you may have about how to keep a cat reasonably content during forced containment, whether for a thyroid procedure or anything else.
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