Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   Based on symptoms my 20 to 22 year old cat Tigger has developed, my vet wants to run a thyroid test on him as she suspects he has developed a benign tumor on the thyroid gland, which triggers hyperthyroidism. He goes in Thursday of next week for a complete blood work-up and urinalysis (he has already been suffering from chronic renal failure for the past three years but still hanging tough.)

   I just looked up the typical symptoms online and sure enough he has the weight loss, increased appetite with continued weight loss, diarrhea, oddly increased energy and friskiness for an aged cat w/ arthritis, more vocalization (even though he always has been vocal), demanding frequent feedings at an ever increasing rate, drinking more water with resultant more frequent urination.

   I'm curious if any other TDK'ers have dealt with treating feline hyperthyroidism in their cats and what typical issues arise in giving such afflicted kitties treatment??? Just trying to be prepared with any appropriate questions for the vet next week.

   Thanks.

   On a side note, the girls, Alice and Mandi, will be getting their kitty teeth cleaned early next month. Frisky, lucky boy, doesn't need it at this time and Tigger is too old and frail to risk the anesthetic. I keep thinking I ought to have a funding donor plaque on at least one examination room at the vet or simply sign my entire bank account over to the vet! :-) Eh, it goes with the responsibility of caring for four cats, two with special medical needs -- but it is rather appalling to find I'm spending more on their food, litter, and medical care than I do for myself!

   Again, any first hand experience info dealing w/ hyperthyroidism in cats is appreciated.

   Posted 1 year ago by Marnet #

2. 

   Marnet, my Max who is 15 has hyperthryoidism and takes meds (pills 1.5 twice a day) which I crush with a pill-crusher and put into his wet food. It works for him because he hates liquid meds, and so far he is doing fine on the meds. He goes to the vet every 3 months to have his levels checked, and sooner if he appears to have problems with the meds. His kidneys are going slowly but its because of the age, its expected. Once the vet gets the med levels right, then it just becomes a watch-and-see deal with making sure they eat, drink water, and just do well. Max's started last summer and he initially lost more than half his body weight within a 6 week period, he has gained a little bit back but still hasn't gotten close to his original 16 lbs. Good luck, trust your vet and while it does cost a bit, its worth it. I too have 2 cats with medical issues and spend more on them than myself on any given day.

   Posted 1 year ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

3. 

   Thanks for the info Azdebra. Sorry your kitty has this but sounds like you're taking wonderful care of him.

   Tigger's kidneys have already been going downhill for three years, complete with a kidney stone he had for some time (eventually he passed it, poor beast, and has been noticably better sinece) and chronic UTI's that no longer respond to antibiotics very well. And he gets the powder from Cosequin capsules mixed into his canned wet food every day. So adding some add'l thyroid meds shouldn't be a problem other than absolutely making sure Alice doesn't steal his food -- an ongoing problem I have to sit and prevent each feeding time. I can see Tigger ending up w/ feeding time being in a separate room if he goes on thyroid meds!

   We do what we have to because we love them!

   Posted 1 year ago by Marnet #

4. 

   My Jerrie was hyperthyroid for many years. He was a terrible pill taker, so I gave him his meds (Tapazole, I think?) in a transdermal gel (applied to the inside of his ears). He took that for a few years, then when it wasn't working so well anymore he had surgery to remove the thyroid. He was still relatively young. They couldn't get it all though and about three years later the hyperthyroid condition came back. He went back on the meds for the rest of his life. I recommend the transdermal gels to anyone who has a hard time pilling their cat.

   Posted 1 year ago by NNGM #

5. 

   The transdermal gel does work well, I will end up with that if the pills stop working.

   Posted 1 year ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

6. 

   Hi Marnet, sorry Tigger has to deal with this, isn't old age enough for our kitties to handle? Anyway, Shaddo dealt with hyperthyroidism for many years. Early on, I was able to give it to him with his food, taking care that he didn't switch to Jiggs' dish, as was his habit. He needed bloodwork every six weeks or so, and the medication was adjusted accordingly. He developed anemia, and took liquid meds in his food for that as well. Eventually, I switched to transdermal meds, which I highly recommend, although it's really expensive. At least I knew he was getting it as opposed to him not eating the food with the meds in it. I won't sugar-coat it; as the dosage and strength of the meds rises, it becomes a delicate balance with the kidneys because the meds are really rough on them. Shaddo lived happily for quite a while with this balancing act, even though he too lived with chronic renal failure. It was only when I noticed the meds weren't absorbing into his ear tissue and his body wasn't requiring food (I force-fed him the last few days, along with sub q's; wasn't going to let him starve, too painful) that I had to let him go.
   Good luck with Tigger - it sounds like he's got a chance. Oh and I'm convinced extra luvin gave my boy more time too. {{{Marnet & Tigger}}}

   Posted 1 year ago by JoanfromNewJersey #

7. 

   Marnet, Wishing best of luck to you and Tigger!

   Posted 1 year ago by jRoc #

8. 

   My Joshie had hyperthyroidism. The vet knew a pharmacist who compounds the medicine into a transdermal lotion that you rub in the kitty's ear. Since the tapazole (methimazole) that they give for this condition is extremely bitter and will be taken forever, I found that rubbing a cc of lotion into the ear went much smoother. The compound is a standard vet pharmacy recipe; ask your vet or find another one, as this is basic stuff.

   Posted 1 year ago by Ivory Bill #

9. 

   Just got home for the evening and found all your wonderful replies. Thank you so much.

   It is extremely helpful to know about the transdermal method of giving the meds. If Tigger does indeed test as suffering hyperthyroidism I will definitely ask about this med option as he totally hates pills and ends up hiding from me to avoid them. And he might not eat it put in his food. So it is good to know of the transdermal option.

   I'm busy praying that God will allow my precious boy to be okay. He went through some terribe injuries from abuse many years ago before he came to us and I've spent the past 13 years dedicated to make his life full of comfort, love, stability, kitty happiness, and generally being spoiled rotten.

   Thanks again for the info. Bless you all.

   Posted 1 year ago by Marnet #

10. 

    Hi Marnet, only just seen this thread. Mum's elderly cat Bones (who now lives with us) had a thyroid problem, they went straight to surgery with him, and he's been fine since (if you discount failing kidneys & senility!) - certainly doesn't have to be a damning diagnosis. That said, hope all goes well witht he tests and at the vets {{{hugs}}}

    Posted 1 year ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #

11. 

    Thank you. I am blessed with a great vet who has a real love for the animals she treats. She has been fantastic helping me keep several previous special needs kitties alive and happy for years longer than normal, just as she has to date with Tigger. So I know she will provide me with full explanations, options, and co-operation in helping me care for his royal kittiness Tigger the Terrible (because he is soooo terribly Tigger!)

    Posted 1 year ago by Marnet #

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