Re: Hyperthyroidism

As our kitties get older, it's important to get full checkups including a full blood panel every 6 months.

I recommend taking your kitty to a vet as soon as possible.

Regarding radioactive iodine treatments, I've had several kitties treated in this manner and it has worked wonderfully. (This is the same treatment they use for humans!) Their thyroid T4 drops right after treatment (as expected), but is back within normal range within a few months. The thing to watch for regarding this treatment is that a bad thyroid can support failing kidneys. If kidney function is questionable, you should look into tapasole so the dosage can be titrated and monitored.

One of the interesting things about kitties is that they hide kidney failure really well. Many times they don't show signs either symptomatically or in bloodwork until over 75% of their kidney function is gone.

Good luck!

Re: Hyperthyroidism

My little girl, Trouble, was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in December 2006. She is on methimazole twice daily and is going to the vet this week for her semi-annual check up and blood work.

Methimazole (tapazole) does work to regulate the thyroid, but the medication also has side effects. The most serious is that It can, in some patients, cause or worsen kidney and liver problems, so you do have to watch kitty and be sure she visits the vet at least twice a year.

Take note of excessive water drinking and too frequent visits to the litterbox. Also, be aware of trying to urinate, yet not being able to go.

I wish your kitty good health and happiness!

Best of Luck! :)

Re: Hyperthyroidism or something else?

Miss Kitty at 14 years began to beg for treats too. Then she stopped coming around us and stayed in her room almost all the time. I took her to the emergency clinic in June and after blood work, x-rays and emergency sonogram we were told she had a lung "problem". They wanted to do a lung biopsy to check for cancer and after already spending $1800 and not finding anything I said no. Last week her breathing became very, very labored and on Saturday we had to euthanise her. Afterwards MY vet checked her mouth and as it turns out she had an infected tooth/gum disease. She was probably begging for the treats because she was not eating enough as a result of the painful tooth/gums. He also stated that if the clinic had checked her teeth 3 months ago they would have seen that - and its possible the lung "problem" would not have developed into a cancer. Please see your vet and make sure they check her entire moutn for any tooth or gum problems. A quick look inside the mouth isn't enough!

Re: Hyperthyroidism

My baby, Krash, also started begging for food a few months ago. He was 18 also. He seemed very active and was still his normal self - chasing the dog around and jumping in the tub every morning for his drink from the faucet. He seemed to have no problems going to the bathroom or eating. On monday, he started having problems going to the bathroom. We took him to the vet and on Thursday had to euthanize him. She said he had thyroid and kidney problems. They were keeping an eye on that the last time I took him in, but everything seemed okay. It hit him quickly. I miss him so much. Best of luck to you.

Re: Hyperthyroidism

My old lady, Mischief, has hyperthroidism and kidney issues. She is currently on methimazole which she abhors and tries to puke up. She is also on Azodyl (pill form). I have to use the 2 together because the medicines counteract each other (methimazole helps HT but hurts the kidneys, Azodyl helps the kidneys but aggravates the HT). It's a pain, but I would do anything for my baby girl. Just make sure that your kitty always has water (mine could drink a lake dry), because their hydration is gnerally bad because of the HT.

Good luck!

Re: Hyperthyroidism

I want to thank all of you for your comments - I've learned alot about cat health from your comments Best wishes to all of you and your furry loved ones!

Re: Hyperthyroidism

I had a cat that got cystitis and the first vet i took him to said it was a "flea allergy"... talk about being waaaay off. The next time i had to take him to the vet to have the real issue revealed, it had turned into an emergency. He came into my bathroom when I was getting ready for bed, looked at me, and whined peeing blood onto the floor. The emergency vet was awesome, and explained that cats often times do not get nearly the water they need. I share this story for this posting b/c I believe so many cat liver, bladder, stomach, kidney issues stem from the food they've eaten their whole life. Most of the food out there has too much seafood content, thus too high PH. Or, too much plant-based ingredients resulting in a too high PH again.
I got him a cranberry juice for cats liquid supplement, and put him on 75% low magnesium, low PH wet cat food. I found one called "instinctive choice" which was great. He recovered very fast, got the SHINIEST most fluffy coat ever and was just beautiful. Has never had a recurrence of the issue, which is supposed to be common once they get it. I think it's only "common" if you continue to feed too much dry, or too much standard grocery store canned or dry cat chow.
It all stems from the diet.

Re: Hyperthyroidism

Being a vet tech and having my own pet sitting buisiness I must comment. The begging for food goes along with the disease. If your vet put the cat on a special diet you must stick to it diligently. Animals do not starve themselves, especially with this disease unless there are underlying problems. IF you are feeding other food along with the special diet you are spending alot of money for the food for nothing. Also a cat with these issues and at this age should not go a year without being monitored . You should ideally go every 6 months for bloodwork and updates on this condition.

Re: Hyperthyroidism

Check out food alternatives ... feeding commercial products may not be the answer.

http://www.drpitcairn.com/books/pitcairn_book.html
One of the most important things you can do for your animal is to give it excellent food. Commercial foods, though chemically balanced, have the disadvantage of often using rejects from the human food industry. In addition, it is processed at a high temperature under steam pressure and this may damage some of the fragile nutrients and change proteins so they are more likely to stimulate allergies.

Fixing food at home can be easy and the least expensive way to keep your dog and cat healthy and resistant to disease.

Re: Hyperthyroidism

My Luke also has hyperthyroidism. He is always hungry. I just recently took him back for his annual checkup. He was having some problems. My vet increased his meds to 3 a day. She also told me to change his food. Give him Science diet or Iams for older cats. Luke is 11. Also for his trats ... give him boiled chicken breat. It's bland and also helps with any loose bowels, which he has had since he has been on the meds. Please keep a close eye on your kittie. I lost Sadie my precious Ragdoll of 13 years in June 2008. She had the same thing and it got the best of her. She was in constant watchful eye with the vet. yet I still lost her. Make sure your baby drinks lots of water. Good luck

Re: Hyperthyroidism

For those of you that have trouble pilling your cat for hyperthyroid with methimazole, you might want to check out certain pharmacies that make a methimazole gel that can be placed transdermally in the inner ear. It works with a lot of cats, but have a T4 checked after treating with it to make sure your cat is one that it helps.
In NJ, Pharmacy Creations on Rt. 10 in W. Randolph makes it up with a Rx from your vet. It's a little pricey but worth it if you have a cat that won't allow you to pill him.

Re: Hyperthyroidism

Before being diagnosed my 16 year old Griz showed no signs of extra eating...she did however start losing weight to such a degree that I assumed cancer. $750 in tests later, we concluded thyroid. She's now on Methimazole 2x/day and doing fine.

However I have a 2 year old who snarfs down his wet food without pausing for breath and then tries to eat his siblings' food too. Does hyperT happen to cats as young as him or does he just have a high metabolism?