Leonard Gets A Check-Up

Today, Leonard saw Dr. Booman for a routine senior check-up (though he doesn't consider himself a senior). He thinks he's just "Sweet 16". He's lost a little weight and he'll need to have his teeth brushed too as he has some gingivitis. His heart rate was slightly elevated even when he was relaxed, plus he had a murmur which was new. So, we decided to run some lab work that includes a thyroid level too. As wonderful as he is, he kept his good nature even during the blood draw, purring the entire time!

Older cats are prone to a couple of disease processes that have an elevated heart rate as one of the symptoms. Hyperthyroidism is very common, as is primary heart disease; the murmur can be a symptom or can be as a result of an elevated heart rate. He has an appointment next Friday with our internist Dr. Slusser for a cardiac ultrasound.

We're hoping for a condition that can be controlled with medication. As you can see in the photo above, he just doesn't have time for much more than that, it would cramp his style! When we got home, he really wanted to patrol the yard and make sure everything was okay, but had to settle for checking all the beds and food bowls inside as it was raining (and rather hard too!) If all goes well and his health is good, we will continue working with him on his pet therapy certification.