Rosie, the Bodega Cat: Epilogue #2

Hi there,

"Rosie" here again... it's been awhile since I last wrote to you... see my previous posts here to get my background.

• November 2, 2011: The Story of Rosie, the Hyperthyroid Bodega Cat
• November 7, 2011: Rosie, the Hyperthyroid Bodega Cat: an Epilogue

This must be heaven — Cat Heaven, that is!

My new home is beautiful and comfortable beyond my wildest dreams. Yes, I often dreamed of going back to a beautiful apartment again, but this place is absolutely divine, or, as they say: it's the cat's meow! Unbelievable!

Now I have two beds. One is in the living room den area, and one in Gladys' bedroom. I have breathtaking views of the city from a very high, unobstructed viewpoint. I also have lots of toys, and a shiny new feeder and water bowl. There's lots of windows, and a balcony with a bird feeder. So I'm having fun watching the birds again, just like I did during my stay at the Hypurrcat treatment facility at at the Animal Endocrine Clinic to get my hyperthyroidism cured!

This is all very hard to believe —maybe I have died and gone to Cat Heaven! Pinch me, please! But I'm here, and I love it. And Gladys is very happy to have me here, and in her life.

Sometimes I miss my old life at the bodega, but that feeling doesn't last long! Why should it? I'm now "Rosie, the Celebrity Penthouse Queen Cat"!

That's a long title for a little 9-pound "Rosie," but it's true, and I love it! Gladys and I are going to be so happy together.  It's like a fairytale dream come true, and little "Rosie" is the main character in this dream life I'm leading now. I hope you enjoyed hearing about this new and exciting change for "Rosie" and Gladys!

That ends my "Rosie" story for now, because I'm going to be really happy and content in my new home for the rest of my life. Wouldn't you be?

Life is good... And I feel much better now that my hyperthyroidism has been cured!

XOXO
Rosie

Dr. Peterson Interviewed about Hyperthyroidism on PetLifeRadio

PetLifeRadio.com is the #1 pet podcast radio network, featuring weekly 30-minute talk shows hosted by the most well-known pet experts.


On Wednesday, November 10, 2011, Dr. Mark Peterson was interviewed by the Pet Doctor (Diane Levitan, DVM) concerning the latest information about hyperthyroidism in cats. To listen to this interview, click on this link to go to "The Pet Doctor" page on PetLifeRadio.com.

Episode 129:  

Hyperthyroidism In Cats—A Very Common Problem with Many Options—A Must Listen Show for Anyone with Cats Over 9 Years of Age 

Excerpt:
In this episode, we discuss a very common problem that happens in older cats — it’s a disease that has become much more common since the 1980s and is something that has been a difficult one to figure out. There turns out to be a good reason why older cats eat like crazy but still become very thin, they drink tons of water all the time, and their hyperactive behavior keeps their owners up at night! 

It is very likely that the symptoms are due to an over-active thyroid gland, also called hyperthyroidism. There is a great deal of information on feline hyperthyroidism that has been learned in the last 20 years—what is it from? Why is it so common? What are the long-term effects on our cats and how can we prevent it? 

Today we are extremely privileged to have Dr. Mark Peterson, a veterinary endocrinologist and the first in the world to publish information on this ever so common illness in cats, hyperthyroidism. He is known worldwide for his research and contributions to veterinary medicine and veterinary endocrinology and is the go to person in the world when it comes to feline hyperthyroidism and many other veterinary endocrinology topics. 

Learn more about Dr. Peterson by listening and also check out his web site: www.animalendocrine.com.

Click here to listen to the interview or download it to your computer. This is a 30-minute interview. Information on nutritional management using Hill's y/d diet is discussed in the last 5 minutes.

World Diabetes Day

Today, November 14th, is World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes mellitus world and is held on November 14 of each year (1). It was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to the alarming rise of human diabetes around the world. 

World Diabetes Day is a campaign that features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year to address issues facing the global diabetes community. While the campaigns last the whole year, the day itself marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922 (2).

Charles H. Best and Frederick G. Banting (on right) with one of the diabetic dogs used in their studies of insulin

This year's campaign theme is diabetes education and prevention. In the past four years alone, diabetes rates among dogs in the U.S. have increased roughly 33% among dogs and 16% among the nation's cat population, per a national analysis of pet health (3).  This emphasizes the importance of this disorder in our cats and dogs as well as human patients with diabetes.

To successfully manage diabetes in animals, one must understand the disease and monitor and provide daily treatments to the cat or dog with diabetes. Treatment involves a combination of weight loss (if obese), diet, and insulin injections generally twice daily.

References 

1. World Diabetes Day – Official website.
2. Frederick Grant Banting (1891-1941), codiscoverer of insulin. Journal of the American Medical Association 1966;198:660-661.
3. Washburn L. Human health risks on the rise in animals. The Record. April 20, 2011.

Update on the Perilous Situation of Dogs & Cat Exposed to Radiation Fallout from the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Thousands of dogs and cats were abandoned after an earthquake damaged Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant, and continued radiation concerns have stymied recovery efforts.

Although the radioactive material the dogs and cats were exposed to during the disaster should be cleared by the their bodies by now, the animals may have incurred permanent damage according to Timothy Mousseau, a professor of biological sciences at the University of South Carolina, who has extensively studied animals exposed to radiation.

Mousseau's research has found significant genetic damage and breakages in chromosomes among animals exposed to radiation in and around Chernobyl, a situation similar to that of Fukushima. Developmental abnormalities, tumors, and species decline and extinction have also been attributed to radiation exposure in that area, and are likely to also occur in Japan.

To read the story and see photos of dogs and cats living near the Fukushima nuclear plant, which was published in PBS Newshour, the Rundown Blog, click this link.

For an overall update on the situation in Japan, click this link to view a podcast more about the persistent radiation readings around the Fukushima area on the PBS Newshour website.

How Dogs Evolved from Wolves to Become Domesticated

Dogs have aided humans for thousands of years. Man's best friend has provided protection, companionship and hunting assistance since the days of the earliest human settlements. But how and when dogs evolved from wolves is a matter of debate.

 In his book "How the Dog Became the Dog — From Wolves to Our Best Friends," naturalist Mark Derr writes that wolves who attached themselves to human hunting parties for survival ultimately evolved into today's dog species.

Groups of dogs that socialized well with people split off from the wilder dogs, mated and led to the domesticated species we have today.

If you would like to read or listen to an interview with Mark Derr on National Public Radio about his book, click on this link to go to the NPR website.

Rosie, the Hyperthyroid Bodega Cat: an Epilogue

Hi Everyone,

This is "Rosie" again. You won't believe this next chapter in my life!

You remember that beautiful lady Gladys who I'm crazy about? Of course, you already know she's crazy about me, too. We've bonded — it's mutual love!

Well, after my delightful 5-day stay at Dr. Peterson's Hypurrcat facility at the Animal Endocrine Clinic where I was treated for my hyperthyroid condition, it was time to go home.

I had a ball at Dr. Peterson's, living a life of luxury. But now, instead of going back to the bodega, they decided it was best for me to go home with Gladys!

And the amazing thing is that Gladys lives in a beautiful penthouse apartment in a very posh section of NYC. I'm very very excited and happy about this turn of events, because after all the heartbreak of losing my first mistress, now I'm going home to a gorgeous penthouse apartment, living in total luxury.

Although this does seem a fitting domicile for a cat as charming as myself — I still can't believe how lucky I am! I'm going home to my new life tomorrow, and I can hardly wait!

I promise to keep you posted and fill you all in on how everything turns out.

PS: Oh, another thing. Dr. Peterson just called Gladys and told her that the radioiodine treatment worked. My hyperthyroid condition is completely cured!

The Story of Rosie, a Hyperthyroid Bodega Cat

Hello my name is "Rosie."

I'm a cat—but not your everyday, ordinary, run-of-the-mill cat, mind you.  I am, I must say, a beautiful, all-white, Turkish/Persian long-hair with stunning yellow to green eyes. People are easily attracted to me —not just for my beauty, but also for my personality. I am very special in everyone's eyes!

Let me tell you about my past:

As a kitten, I was cared for by a very lovely lady who lived in a large, lovely apartment in New York City. I was very happy with her for many years, but then, a tragic turn of events made me an orphan. My mistress suddenly passed away, and I was all alone in the world! But a kindly doorman in my building knew me well, and he decided to take me into his home. He has a lovely wife and two children, so I thought: "This is going to be a great home for me." But it was not to be— his children were very allergic to cats, and even though they loved me a lot, I could not continue to stay there.

So the kindly doorman started his search for a new home for me.

There is a small bodega in the area run by a nice man and his two sons (for those of you who live outside of the City, a "bodega" is a small deli and convenience store; there's one on every block in New York City).  The present owner has run this bodega for over 30 years. They all work long shifts, 7 days a week. He has other family overseas, so he and his sons rotate, one of them going back to visit the family about every 6 months.

Anyway, I was introduced to the owner and two sons, and they immediately loved me and adopted me as their own. So for the last 3 years, I have been "Rosie the Bodega Cat." I like it there. I see and meet many people, all day long, every day. They treat me very well, feed me, and look after me in all ways, as best as they know how. At night I guard the store, and I'm a good security guard!

Then, in the June of 2011, a wonderful thing happened to me, and my life changed once again.

A very beautiful blonde lady named Gladys, who came to the bodega occasionally, noticed me and took a shine to me. Before long, she fell in love with me and I love her very much. Gladys has been looking out for me in all respects. She comes to see me 2 or 3 times a day. As soon as I hear her voice, I come right out to see her, and she plays with me and pets me. Sometimes she'll give me a treat —I like that!

One day Gladys decided that I needed some grooming. So with the blessing of the owners of the bodega, I was to go to a big animal hospital in the neighborhood to get a bath and grooming. A luxury day at the cat spa! So one morning, I went with Gladys a few blocks to the animal hospital.

It all sounded simple enough, but alas—complications developed. It seems as though I needed a slight sedative so my groomer would have no behavioral problem while grooming me. Unfortunately, during my grooming, another big problem was found.  I had developed a rather large, ugly black tumor on my stomach, near my mammary glands.

So now I needed lots of professional veterinary care. A simple grooming turned into a major medical problem for me. Simply put, I would have to be sedated and put under anesthesia, so that they could remove that ugly tumor and have it checked for malignancy—you know: cancer!

Dr. Peterson examining Rosie

So my surgery was done on a Friday. My operation went very well. My doctor was excellent, and she also loved me very much. To tell you the truth, all the hospital employees loved me to death. They came by my kennel area often, and took me out, made a fuss over me, and played with me, and gave treats too. Not bad, luxurious living for a bodega cat! 

I stayed at the hospital for about 10 days for care and observation. I also had to wear a silly neck collar, so I could not reach my tummy and cause a healing problem by licking the incision. We cats love to groom ourselves — grooming and sleeping are big parts of our day!

I've been dubbed "Rosie, the Celebrity Cat," not just there at the hospital, but in the whole neighborhood! Look out, Hollywood, here I come! The first animated "Rosie the Cat" movie is just around the corner. By the way, good news! The tumor was benign — you know, no cancer!

Oh, I forgot to mention another complication. The doctor gave me a very comprehensive pre-operative exam. As a result, it was discovered that I had a problem common to many cats: hyperthyroidism. That's a mighty big word for a small, beautiful, white, 9-pound cat, don't you think?

So after another grooming, I went home for about 6 days to complete my recovery.  Gladys then took me to a specialty hospital: Dr. Mark E. Peterson's Animal Endocrine Clinic up on West 100th Street. At the AEC, Dr. Peterson has a Hypurrcat treatment facility where he treats cats specifically for hyperthyroidism with radioiodine.  How about that name —Hy-purr-cat? By the way, I purr a lot because I'm a very happy, content cat!

So last Sunday,  I met Dr. Peterson, who turns out to be the world's expert on my condition, having treated over 10,000 cats over his 30 year career. Now, Rosie, the Celebrity Cat will be number 10,001! He carefully examined me but spent a great deal of time petting me, which I actually enjoyed (he is very gentle!). As Dr. Peterson explained to Gladys, there are no side effects, no pain, just one little injection! And it's a very effective treatment!  And he was right: the treatment consisted of a little injection under the skin, and it really didn't hurt a bit.

Rosie in her condo at Hypurrcat

Wow, can you believe all of this? I can't, but guess what? I'm enjoying my stay here!  First, my accommodations are really nice. I'm in the Penthouse condo, high above everyone so I have a great view. I have my own large personal condo, of course, with hiding boxes, perches, litter box, alcoves and good ventilation!

Now get this, folks: I also have my own flat-screen TV that plays relaxing nature videos! I also have a window view of the rear courtyard, where I can see squirrels, and birds, eating from feeders!  Dr. Peterson and his staff are really nice to me here — I can eat as much as I want and I get lots of attention.

I can't believe all this is happening to "Little Rosie, the Bodega Cat!" What a life! I thought you would like to hear my story. I hope you like it!

But most of all, I thank you very much Gladys for your deep love and care for me! Thankfully you got over your cat allergy just in time to look after me so lovingly. You are the best, the best thing that has ever happened to me! I love you to pieces!

XOXO

Rosie

PS: After I leave Hypurrcat (I don't really want to go — the accommodations here are great and I love watching the birds),  I don't know where I'll end up, but I promise to keep you all updated as my saga continues.