Thanks for the support! Max is a great cat and I will do whatever I can for him as well as for the other 6 cats, 2 dogs, rabbit, guinea pig and chinchilla that share my home. I got Max when he was 3 weeks old and for the next 4 weeks he went to school with me every day so that I could tend to his needs and socialize him to the maximum. He is fondly known as the "Wal-mart" cat for he greets everyone at my front door.

CA_in_NC: thanks for the advice. I recently had my cat, Figaroe, treated with the radioactive I-131 for his hyperthyroidism. He stayed 2 weeks at the clinic in Louisville and then I had to keep him isolated in my guest bedroom for the next two weeks. I had to use the flushable litter and minimize my time with him. The I-131 destroyed his entire thyroid and he now must take a thyroid supplement every day but he has gained all his weight back, his heart murmur has disappeared, his coat is thick and glossy again and he feels great. If Max must have this treatment I will not hesitate to schedule it for I know he will handle it in his normal stellar fashion and he will be a hit at the speciality clinic.

The new bike will arrive some day just not this month or most likely this year. At least I got to dream about it for a bit. I would much rather have Max pain free and happy than a new bike any day. He is a wonderful cat.