<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?attachment_id=332" rel="attachment wp-att-332"><img class=" wp-image-332 alignleft" title="Millie" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Img2002-11-09_0016-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>We have shared our home with cats since before we were married - so that's over 40 years. In most cases we have been very fortunate in that they have generally lived to a ripe old age. The last time we experienced serious illness or death in our cats was about 16 years ago when Milo died at the age of 17. Now we are facing a problem with Millie who has been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism and chronic kidney failure.

We started giving her tablets for the hyperthyroidism however after ten days she started being sick and was unable to eat. Another visit to the vet didn't give us a great deal comfort and we were given some Zantac syrup which was to reduce the production of stomach acids, a side effect of chronic kidney failure. After three days of medication she has stopped being sick and has started drinking water again however she hasn't eaten a thing.

Our Millie is the dearest of cats and has always been a lovely addition to our family however we are having to face the reality that her days are numbered (as are all of our days). This also raises the dilemma as to when quality of life drops below a reasonable standard and is this a temporary or permanent drop. We continue with her medication and hope that she will start to pick up in the next few days.