Joseph

Joseph, an old cat, came from a vet practice in Gloucester. He arrived near Christmas 2007 (hence his name), skinny, snuffly and hyperthyroid. Despite his age and poor condition, he did extremely well here. We used to 'steam' him from time to time by sitting him in a basket with a steaming mug of hot water infused with Olbas oil just outside the basket. The basket is covered with a towel to retain the fumes, which the cat breathes for ten minutes or so - wonderful treatment for snuffly cats.

Joseph did well on his thyroid tablets, to such a degree that it was felt right to have the operation to remove the thyroid in 2008.

Joseph used to love jumping into a cat carrier (very unusual); he would frequently jump into a basket opened up ready to take a more reluctant cat to the vet. Joseph absolutely loved the attention he got at the vets, and at the hospital when he had his thyroid removed. He was a real character.

Barbara found him dead one morning in his bed, having eaten supper as normal the night before. Hyperthyroid cats, it seems, quite often die quite suddenly from heart attack. Lovely to have given an old boy a new lease of life, thanks to vet nurse Laura pointing him in our direction.


Although Joseph was only with us for a short period, he illustrates well how, even a cat who is elderly and in poor condition, can still flourish when given the chance.