Hyperthyroid in cats

[mom2rtk]

It's been a rough year for cats at our house. Had to let the 20 year old calico go in March. The 6 year old dropped dead unexpectedly in August. No idea what happened with him. That left us as a 1 cat house for the first time in decades.

Now our 12 year old girl Fritz is having issues and I could just cry. She has been losing weight for a while, which wasn't a bad thing since she was overweight and we had her on a weight loss food. Then all of a sudden I realized she wasn't eating. We all refill the food bowl so I assumed others were feeding her. I took over, weighing the bowl daily and realized she wasn't eating.

Today she had a full blood panel and they said she has hyperthyroid disease. And her liver numbers are off. I guess it's possible that is somehow related to the thyroid issue. Or not. I came home with thyroid meds and an antibiotic in case she has an infection in her liver.

Anyway, I'm looking for feedback on how others' cats have fared with this disease. Here's our girl a couple weeks ago:

 

[morgan98]

My cat that is pictured here, Morgan, had hyperthyroidism. She was diagnosed around the age of 11 in 2009. She too lost weight, but we had a second cat and just did not notice. It was when my mom came to visit that she said, "What is wrong with Morgan, she has lost weight?"

She had some of the other symptoms too like being very thirsty. We took her to the vet and had the blood work done and at first treated her with methimazole. But honestly, she had a severe case and it really didn't do much. So, we decided to do the radioactive iodine treatment. The treatment went well and honestly, she was much, much better after that.

She lived until 2014, so for 16 years. She was really in pretty good shape after the iodine treatment. She actually died from having a sudden stroke one Sunday afternoon. However, the vet did think her body dealing with the hyperthyroidism probably did take a toll. We were just thankful that the treatment worked and we had her for several more years.

 

[mom2rtk]

My cat that is pictured here, Morgan, had hyperthyroidism. She was diagnosed around the age of 11 in 2009. She too lost weight, but we had a second cat and just did not notice. It was when my mom came to visit that she said, "What is wrong with Morgan, she has lost weight?"

She had some of the other symptoms too like being very thirsty. We took her to the vet and had the blood work done and at first treated her with methimazole. But honestly, she had a severe case and it really didn't do much. So, we decided to do the radioactive iodine treatment. The treatment went well and honestly, she was much, much better after that.

She lived until 2014, so for 16 years. She was really in pretty good shape after the iodine treatment. She actually died from having a sudden stroke one Sunday afternoon. However, the vet did think her body dealing with the hyperthyroidism probably did take a toll. We were just thankful that the treatment worked and we had her for several more years.

I've always loved your avatar! I didn't realize that was Morgan. Thanks for the encouraging story. I'm just hoping we caught this before it did too much damage. If we end up considering the radioactive iodine treatment down the line, I'll be back with questions I'm sure.

 

[morgan98]

I've always loved your avatar! I didn't realize that was Morgan. Thanks for the encouraging story. I'm just hoping we caught this before it did too much damage. If we end up considering the radioactive iodine treatment down the line, I'll be back with questions I'm sure.

Yes, please feel free to ask questions. The radioactive iodine treatment felt like a big step when we did it, but she was just not getting any better. She recovered from it fairly quickly. The hardest part once we got her home was separating her from our other cat. Not because keeping her in another room was really hard, but because she did not understand why she couldn't roam around the house and see the other cat or us.

Also she hated taking the pills and then was causing us plenty of stress too.

Hopefully you did catch it relatively soon. It is so hard to see our pets sick.

Yes, that is my Morgan and she will always have a special place in my heart (like all pets do) I adopted her when I was still living in Indiana and when I was married the first time. She came with me after my divorce and a move to Michigan and Georgia and a new husband...lol! We went through a lot together.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes, please feel free to ask questions. The radioactive iodine treatment felt like a big step when we did it, but she was just not getting any better. She recovered from it fairly quickly. The hardest part once we got her home was separating her from our other cat. Not because keeping her in another room was really hard, but because she did not understand why she couldn't roam around the house and see the other cat or us.

Also she hated taking the pills and then was causing us plenty of stress too.

Hopefully you did catch it relatively soon. It is so hard to see our pets sick.

Yes, that is my Morgan and she will always have a special place in my heart (like all pets do) I adopted her when I was still living in Indiana and when I was married the first time. She came with me after my divorce and a move to Michigan and Georgia and a new husband...lol! We went through a lot together.

How long did it take to realize the meds weren't helping?

I'm giving a liquid version of the meds, and I'm quite sure it won't go well. First dose was a battle, and I just hate that when she doesn't feel well to start with. Plus, she's still not eating. Not exactly sure what to do with that. I'll probably give it another day or two then she'll have to go back.

 

[morgan98]

How long did it take to realize the meds weren't helping?

I'm giving a liquid version of the meds, and I'm quite sure it won't go well. First dose was a battle, and I just hate that when she doesn't feel well to start with. Plus, she's still not eating. Not exactly sure what to do with that. I'll probably give it another day or two then she'll have to go back.

Honestly, it did not take that long. Probably a month or so? I wish I remembered exactly, but I don't, unfortunately. But her symptoms were really not improving and giving her the meds was just not working. But the iodine treatment worked pretty much immediately.

Good luck to you and Fritz.

 

[bennifer]

Our 14 yr old cat, Kitty, was losing weight and not eating recently and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, too. She hates the pills, and we had to adjust her medication 5 times. Finally the thyroid medicine started working, but at the same time she stopped eating and when she did eat she couldn’t keep it down. We really thought we were going to lose her. She was then diagnosed with diabetes. So she has to take her pill before she eats and then get a shot of insulin as long as she eats half of her new expensive diabetic food. I don’t really have any advice because it’s all so new for us, too!

 

[mom2rtk]

Our 14 yr old cat, Kitty, was losing weight and not eating recently and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, too. She hates the pills, and we had to adjust her medication 5 times. Finally the thyroid medicine started working, but at the same time she stopped eating and when she did eat she couldn’t keep it down. We really thought we were going to lose her. She was then diagnosed with diabetes. So she has to take her pill before she eats and then get a shot of insulin as long as she eats half of her new expensive diabetic food. I don’t really have any advice because it’s all so new for us, too!

Oh my goodness. That's a lot. We had a diabetic dog years ago so I know what a commitment that is.

Your cat is lucky to have a family willing to go the distance for her.

 

[LSUmiss]

I had a cat who was diagnosed with it. Lived a few years after the diagnosis. We had meds that we rubbed on his ears. He did great on the meds!

 

[22Tink]

My 12 year old ragdoll was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism about a year and a half ago. She lost weight and her fur started to look really bedraggled. She was put on methimazole pills twice a day and luckily responded really well to the meds. We noticed a change in her coat quality within the first couple of weeks and a slight weight gain in the weeks to follow.

 

[sarahann77]

I'm just going through this myself. My calico was diagnosed this past August after her annual visit. I had notice some weight loss in July but wasn't a lot; he's a heavy cat so some weight loss was okay. We initially put her on methimazole. After the pharmacists my husband works with approved, I crushed it and put it in food she'd eat. At about the month on the med, she started throwing up. Had her blood work redone. Her thyroid numbers did come down but her liver went up. After the fasting for the blood test I couldn't get her to eat for a few days as she seemed to realize the food was making her throw up. Vet confirmed to stop the med. I'm now in process to get her scheduled for the radioiodine treatment; as long as I can get through on the phone.
She's back to eating but picking at her food so she's lost more weight. Started at 17 and down to 14 in 2 months. She'll be 15 in Dec.

There's a fb group to find that's very helpful.

 

[DisneyHardin]

My 19 year old cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism about a year ago. I do the liquid meds and it is a fight, I generally have to sneak up on her when she's sleeping to get her to take the meds, but she is doing much better. She has put a couple pounds back on and her fur looks much better.

 

[mom2rtk]

I appreciate hearing the reports. It really does seem like a mixed bag in terms of the meds helping.

My immediate problem is that she's still not eating very much. She ate a decent amount of canned chicken on Saturday, then almost nothing. No go yesterday. I did offer her some Temptations cat treats and she enthusiastically ate some of those. But that's almost worthless nutritionally so don't even know if it's worth trying. I tried some canned tuna this morning and no go.

I really need to get her to eat enough to give time to even give the meds a chance.

Anybody have some advice on getting some food into her? This could get real serious real fast if I don't get more food into her. She used to be very large and has a large belly left from that. But her head and shoulders and hind quarters are very thin. She was 16 pounds a few years back at the height of her weight. She was 10 lb. 6 oz. when we had her to the vet this summer. She was 9 lb. 1 oz. when I took her in on Friday. Probably less now.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm just going through this myself. My calico was diagnosed this past August after her annual visit. I had notice some weight loss in July but wasn't a lot; he's a heavy cat so some weight loss was okay. We initially put her on methimazole. After the pharmacists my husband works with approved, I crushed it and put it in food she'd eat. At about the month on the med, she started throwing up. Had her blood work redone. Her thyroid numbers did come down but her liver went up. After the fasting for the blood test I couldn't get her to eat for a few days as she seemed to realize the food was making her throw up. Vet confirmed to stop the med. I'm now in process to get her scheduled for the radioiodine treatment; as long as I can get through on the phone.
She's back to eating but picking at her food so she's lost more weight. Started at 17 and down to 14 in 2 months. She'll be 15 in Dec.

There's a fb group to find that's very helpful.

Thanks for the heads up on the FB group. I'll go check it out!

 

[sarahann77]

I suggest the Delectables/Squeeze Ups. My cat loves those. Doesn't seem to be enough for full nutrition but definitely helped for me.

 

[mom2rtk]

I suggest the Delectables/Squeeze Ups. My cat loves those. Doesn't seem to be enough for full nutrition but definitely helped for me.

Thanks. I'll give that a try. I'm willing to try about anything at this point.

 

[J'aime Paris]

Our almost 18 year old kitty won't take any meds by mouth, and we've tried so many 'tricks'.

We were able to have her prednisone compounded into a cream, which we applied to the inside of her ears.
We're fortunate to have a Pet Apothecary in the area. I know they will do mail delivery.

Just a thought in case your cat resists taking medication....

Also, our vet gave us tubes of Churu Nourish. It's an appetite motivator for cats.
Best of luck to your dear Fritz!!

 

[BrianL]

Our almost 18 year old kitty won't take any meds by mouth, and we've tried so many 'tricks'.

We were able to have her prednisone compounded into a cream, which we applied to the inside of her ears.
We're fortunate to have a Pet Apothecary in the area. I know they will do mail delivery.

Just a thought in case your cat resists taking medication....

Also, our vet gave us tubes of Churu Nourish. It's an appetite motivator for cats.
Best of luck to your dear Fritz!!

I understand that - trying to give my cat oral meds is a good way to die from blood loss! She's just not having it. With my prvious cat I had to use a compounding pharmacy for some meds, but they also did human medication too. I guess in some cases its the same.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'd love to end up with a topical. But he started us with the liquid, and of course I didn't get to be in with her, so this was all by phone from the parking lot, which is really just awful. But the other vet who will let you go inside with your pet couldn't see my cat (who wasn't eating) for a week. And that's just not OK. So back to parking lot vet care by phone I went, because they let her come as a walk in last week.

So we'll see how she does on this then pursue other forms of the medication. It's definitely hard on her. It's hard on any pet. My approach is to firmly wrap her in a bath towel, and put another on my lap (to absorb back claws) hold tight and get it in quickly and immediately release. Not fun for either of us, but it's quick at least.

 

[mom2rtk]

So 3 days later, eating is still a problem. No idea if she's drinking. Took her back yesterday and she got fluids and a B12 shot. I'm highly invested in various cat foods and kitten food. I boiled chicken. And she's not having it. She does still love eating Temptations cat treats, probably the cat equivalent of eating potato chips. But at this point, I can only assume it's better than nothing for the short term.