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Another update as the saga continues. The people at the vet school (ISU) called me to let me know they are going to release my cat (Vinnie) to me tomorrow. They said his T4 level was above normal so they are going to give him a medication to stop his thyroid production for the next 2 weeks and then another round of blood tests to check kidney and thyroid function after that 2 weeks has gone by. They are also going to give him 2 antibiotics and 1 anti-acid type medication for the next 2 weeks. He hasn't thrown up at all since he has been there. They have been feeding him IAMS wet food. As far as the ulcers, they don't want to do another endoscope at this time since he hasn't had anymore vomiting spells. If he does need one down the road, then they will do a biopsy at that time. The vet did say that cats don't get ulcers in their esophagus very often and when they do it is usually cancer. They said he has been eating well, and his body functions are working normally also. They did have the dermatology department look at him and they want to see what the skin biopsy results were that I had done back in July so I will fax them the results. So I don't know anymore on that issue but the sores on his skin have pretty much healed. He still doesn't have much hair. It makes me wonder if the ulcerative skin came first or the ulcers in his esophagus and stomach came first. I don't think we will every really know. I just want my Vinnie back. Do you know I am still waiting for the blood work results from Madision that were done in August! I think this needs to be addressed once all this is said and done. Thanks again for your responses.

Hi Paige - thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Has Chloe only had the 1 shot so far? If at all possible try not to give her any more. But I know that you may not be able to avoid that if she starts scratching again. The steroids do stop the itching so in that respect they are great. I'm going to pick up some Chlortimenton and try that on one of my other cats who scratches from time to time. Maybe you will be blessed and it will turn out it was a food allergy and that the Z/D is the cure. I sure hope so. How old is Chloe? Is she your only cat?

This whole thing has been such a roller coaster ride. I picked Vinnie up from ISU yesterday and he DOES have a thyroid problem according to their bloodwork. I have now had 5 different vets involved and it is getting to the point where I don't know who or what to believe anymore. He is now on Tapazole to stop his thyroid and then in 2 weeks we will do a blood recheck. They think he could have kidney disease and that the thyroid can mask kidney disease. He is also on 2 antibiotics (Metronidazole and Amoxi-drops) and Sucralfate and Pepcid twice a day for the ulcer problems. He has been eating and he hasn't vomited since he was put on these medications. I dropped him off at my vet today because he needs these various medications 3 times a day and starting tomorrow I am working 12 hour days and there is no way I can administer them. But my vet is upset because according to the bloodwork done at ISU, his thyroid is only 1 point over the high range. And he is concerned about using the Tapazole if the problem isn't that bad. So he is going to call the ISU vets and they will talk. Sometimes I think they get their noses out of joint when you get 2nd opinions. But he looked so much better! He was grooming himself again. And to watch him eat was wonderful. I can't wait to get him home for keeps. He just wandered around the house last night. He has been in cages pretty much for the last 2 months. I really thought last week that he was going to die. And that may still be the end result but at least it appears he is feeling better and if we can truly figure out what the problem is, maybe we can figure out a treatment plan. Thanks again for your response. It is nice to be able to get other perspectives on these kinds of issues. And maybe help someone else in the process.