Old Man Rudolph

Rudolph is elderly - at least 15 years old. That's 80+ feline years. He's been on medication for an over-active thyroid for the past 2 years. He's lost a good bit of weight, he's no longer the brute he used to be at 7 pounds and change. But, he was still active and keeping PKers on her toes. The vet said he was doing really well on the thyroid meds and his kidney functions were good.

This weekend, we went to Busan for a get-away. Got back on Sunday and found Rudolph was favoring one of his front paws. The vet happened to call that evening to give us the results of his thyroid level test. (He had a routine check and his levels were just fine.) The vet prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug to help with his leg and told us to keep an eye on it.

So, I picked up the drug yesterday and gave the first dose to him that afternoon. He was still eating and drinking fine. Until today.

I was out with the girls for most of the day. I was home a few hours when I realized at that I hadn't seen much of Rudolph. Found him sleeping under Meaghan's crib. Still breathing, but definitely subdued. I called him out for his afternoon thyroid meds and he came limping in. Now, he's favoring his rear leg as well as the front right paw. Looking very gaunt as well. Crud.

Gave him some TLC and managed to get him drink some water and eat some treats (he refused regular food). He seems to be perking up from the water & food, we'll see. I'm going to call the vet in the morning and see if we can get him checked out. I suspect he's dehydrated as a result of a reaction to the anti-inflammatory meds. I didn't give him today's dose! The med says right on the label - stop if vomiting, diarrhea, stops eating.

Drug reaction aside, I'm still concerned about his limping on the one side. He's suddenly moving like an old cat. It's sudden and difficult to watch.