Mom got a call from the VET today and while we are still waiting on some results to come back, the preliminary diagnosis is hyperthyroidism. We will wait for all results before deciding on a treatment option. I'm almost 15 years old so we need to make sure there's nothing else going on before proceeding with treatment.
Any kitties have hyperthyroidism? What treatment options did you choose?
Thanks for continued purrs, prayers and positive thoughts!
Love,
CJ
Sending healing hugs.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lily Belle & Muffin
Sending tons of healing purrz to you, CJ. Lots of blogging kitties have hyperthyroidism including Flynn and I'm drawing a blank right now.
ReplyDeleteCJ and Kathi, I am sharing your post and asking anyone with useful info, to get over here.
ReplyDeleteWe send the best love we have for CJ and for you.
Marjorie and everyone at Dash Kitten
We're sorry to hear you have hyper-T, CJ. We don't have any first hand experience, but we know other kitties who have it. Many take the medication for it which helps control it. A few have had the surgery for it with success. We're purring for you.
ReplyDeleteI know other kitties have been hyperthyroid - I'm sure you will find some help and support, CJ. All I can do is send purrs... wish I could do more!
ReplyDeleteMy Siouxsie was hyperthyroid, and I chose I-131 therapy because it's the gold standard of treatment and it provides an end to the hyperthyroidism for good. It is expensive, but as I said it is a one-time cure. Medication may be a less expensive option in the short run, but once you factor in all the blood tests needed to monitor thyroid levels, the cost does even out in the long run.
ReplyDeletemommy had a cat that had this and you can get a cream compounded that you rub inside the era daily
ReplyDeleteMy BooBoo had hyperthyroidism back in the 1980's--she was diagnosed around age 14 and took the medication to control it (other options not really available back then I don't think). She had a very good life and lived until she was 19. I hope your girl does well, too XOXOXO
ReplyDeleteWe had a kitty with hyperthyroidism and she lived for five years after that and she was older too. We did some prednisolone and another medicine which we can't remember and she did well. We sure send lots and lots of purrs and prayers.
ReplyDeleteWe send you tons of healing purrs and hope you feel better soon. Purrs
ReplyDeleteWe're sorry to hear about the diagnosis. It's scary to you and your family! Hyperthyroid is really common in older cats. Four of the five cats in our previous generation of kitties had it, so we take a big interest in thyroid issues. There are a few kinds of treatment you can get:
ReplyDeleteOne is daily doses of tapazole (generic is methimazole), which blocks thyroid hormone secretion. If you take pills well and respond well to it, you can be on it for years, and it keeps things in check. The medication itself is inexpensive, and once your vet figures out what dose you need, the Walgreens perscription club covers this medication for a really good price. (We actually have a blog post scheduled for tomorrow about that.) While on methimazole, you have to go to the vet periodically to get bloodwork done to be sure your necessary dosage doesn't change. One of our cats was on methimazole for 5 happy years! If you respond well to the medication but have difficulty taking pills, you can get it compounded into a cream that is rubbed into your ear. This isn't as effective as taking a pill, and we don't have direct experience with it.
Another option is radioactive iodine treatment. Veterinarians will tell you this is the gold standard treatment for hyperthyroidism, and one of our four hyperthyroid cats, Rhett, had I-131 treatment at a specialist clinic. Rhett's treatment was not successful. It was only after treatment that the specialist explained that cats often need a second round of treatment, which they would provide at a discounted cost. Rhett's being off of his methimazole for weeks before treatment and then weeks after an unsuccessful treatment revealed heart problems, and he was no longer a candidate for I-131, so he did not get a second treatment. We know several cats in the blogosphere who have been very happy with their I-131 treatment results, but we personally do not consider it a first choice due to our poor experience with it
A recent form of treatment is dietary, where the cat eats an iodine-deficient prescription diet. They can't eat anything at all other than that prescription diet. No treats, ever. But without iodine to absorb from the blood, the thyroid can't produce the thyroid hormone. However, this is a very low protein diet, and that's not great for cats, especially seniors who need protein to avoid muscle wasting. Since this is a newer treatment option, we don't have any experience with it, but there are members of the blogosphere who do.
Sending you and your family lots of purrs!
Thank you for this info! It helps to know other kitties have had hyperthyroidism and that there are options available.
DeleteHi CJ, check with Sammy at onespoiledcat and Flynn at twodevoncats. They both have hyperthyroidism, and I'm sure their humans can provide yours with lots of information. Hope you will not be diagnosed with any other problems. It may take awhile to figure out the right medicine dosages, but this is very manageable. Good luck. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
ReplyDeleteHello CJ! We are hoping that you feel much better and that the humans can give you all the good medicines you need! We will keep you in our thoughts and cross our paws for you!
ReplyDeleteSending tons of purrz fur you dear C.J. We just mets and hope to gets to know you more! We puts your badge on our bloggie... purrz, Katie Kat.
ReplyDeleteJust saw this update and you have some very good info from JaneA and Julee. Can you tell me his T4 and T4ED numbers, as well as his BUN, Creatinine and HCT numbers. RadioIodine treatment is the gold standard and frees you up from twice a day medication and some cats react to methimazole by nausea and/or facial skin rashes, and then they can't take it at all. Also, when a cat is hyperthyroid, their body is in 'overdrive' the whole time so night time yowling, ravenous appetite with weight loss and hypertension are common. Once the thyroid levels are controlled, oftentimes the true kidney function becomes apparent and their values get worse and treatment for kidney disease is begun. Here's a good link to info: http://icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/hyperthyroidism-overactive-thyroid-gland
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I'll have mom go check out the link. They only test value we know so far is the T4. It is at 10.2 which according to VET should be between.8-4.0. Should have other results back soon.
DeleteYears ago, my kitty Sandy Red Tigger had to have thyroid medicine as hims thyroid had stopped working right. We will put your bloggy link and badge on the side of our blog... purrz, Katie Kat.
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ReplyDeleteI hope the hyperthyroidism can be treated successfully. I know of a few kitties in the CB who have it and it looks like you have received some good advice here! Sending megapurrs for you to feel better soon, CJ xx
ReplyDeleteMany many purrs still coming for you CJ.
ReplyDeleteHi CJ! Sorry you've been feeling poorly. My sisfur had thyroid problems at about ur same age. We had da option to give her pills or undergo a one time radiation treatment. Unfortunately, most kitties have thyroid problems when they're older. For us in our area (Florida), a years' worth of MEDS was the same as the one time radiation treatment. We chose the radiation treatment and did not regret it. Hope you feel better soon. Hugs n Purrs
ReplyDeletePS - Princess had to cross over for other problems unrelated to her thyroid. We were happy with our choice of radiation treatment.
The pills are pretty small and easy to swallow. At least that is what I've been told. purrs
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great information! Mom has had leaky eyes worrying about me. You pals have provided some great info. I promise to have mom update as soon as we know more results and start a treatment plan. Thanks for purrs and good thoughts!
ReplyDeleteLove,
CJ
CJ, @AdmiralHestorb if you recall her was diagnosed with hyperthyroid at 10 years of age. She would not take the liquid med and I could not get a pill down her. So we opted for the ear gel applied with a felt tip applicator and she did very well. She passed from idiopathic hypercalcimia. But her thyroid was under control. XXOO
ReplyDeleteHave had 2 kitties with it. One had it for 7 years and lived to the ripe old age of 23. She was on methimazole compound in the ear. She had a partial parathyroid removal at 12 but it only worked for a few years and is no longer recommended. She tolerated the methimazole very well.
ReplyDeleteOur 12 year old, Leo, has it now. Iodine treatment was not recommended because he has had megacolon in the past and the iodine treatment can be upsetting to the system if there are any other issues. So...he went on methimazole bit did not tolerate it well. Severe diarrhea and ibsd. He now rotates a few weeks of methimazole and a few weeks of steroids.
Have you considered using the y/d food? Socks' had to switch to the food as the methimazole made him very ill.
DeleteSo sorry to hear you are having health issues. Sending purrs for feeling better.
ReplyDeleteWe have had two kitties with it. Both did very well on meds and lived many years comfortably. In addition to the meds, both cats, Daisy and Lillian, went to the vet on a regular basis and had their dosages adjusted as needed. Once the meds start working, they feel much better. Let us know if you have any questions.
ReplyDeleteDr. Tinycat recommends lots of hugs and kisses. :)
ReplyDeleteLuv, Angel Keisha and Murphy the Poodle
Our thoughts and purrs to you, CJ! A Cat Who Came Before had it and did well fer a couple years on those mithemizole pills. She never knew she was taking pills cuz TBT ground it up in a little cream cheese an rubbed it on her lips.
ReplyDeleteWe are sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well. Jenny had hyperthyroid for years. She was truly a feral cat who lived inside, and we couldn't medicate her. But we would smash the pills up in tuna juice every day, and she received her meds that way for years. She lived over 19 years, and never had any other health issues, other than kidney issues when she got to be about 17. But we still couldn't medicate her, so she just kept getting the smashed up methimazole in tuna juice. That is why we all like tuna. We received tuna daily because of Jenny, and we still receive it daily because we are used to getting it!
ReplyDeleteFrom all of us at Forty Paws and Maw
We're sending purrs and prayers and hoping you find a treatment that works and you feel good soon!
ReplyDeleteHi CJ, we are very pleased to meet you and are sending healing purrs.
ReplyDeleteSocks (he is 15) has hyperthyroidism, we control it with y/d catfood from Hills Science Diet. You can read about it here. http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesconditionscat/a/Feline-Hyperthyroidism-Hills-Y-D-Diet.htm
We tried the pills first but they made Socks very sick. You can read about Socks experience with hyperthyroidism here https://atcad.blogspot.com/2013/10/words-on-wednesday-how-yd-works-and.html
Socks has been using the y/d for a number of years and is doing great on it. His vet was very pleased with his blood work when we had it done in January. Mom and Socks will try to answer any questions you may have.
Feel better ~Socks, Scylla, Fenris, Tuiren, YinYang, & Chimera
Dear CJ........I'm 16 and have hyperthyroidism. I take methimazole and have done so for almost a year now. I don't like the taste of it but Mom puts it in baby food (yum) and I lap it right up after she's crushed the pill in! Lots of cats do well on the special food but I wouldn't eat it. It's just finding the RIGHT thing that works for you dear CJ and I hope and pray that you, your Mom and your vet can figure that out. It's not fun feeling yucky but you will be just fine I'm sure. If we can help, let us know!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Sammy
We heard you weren't feeling well CJ, so we dropped by to leave you lots of love and purrs to help you feel better.
ReplyDeleteThere have been a few kitties over the years here who developed Hyper T. All had the condition stabilised with Methimazole first, then for all but one - Teddy who lived to be 22, developed Hyper T at 21 and wasn't up for the surgery, so he stayed on Methimazole. the others had surgery. All cats did well with the drug and the ones who had the surgery did well, except for Thomas, who never regained all the weight he lost, but he did live well after the op.
We wish you all the best little CJ and are purring for you
Luff
Mungo & Jet
Sending you lots of healing purrs
ReplyDeleteMoe
Mindy
Cookie
Mike
Sweet CJ we just found out about you over on sweet Katie's blog. We are just now meeting you and we are so sorry that you are not well. We are sending lots of purrs and prayers for you. Hugs and nose kisses Pooh, Chancy and Mumsy
ReplyDeleteWe are so happy that it is that a d not something much worse! It is treatable and should work for a long time. The kitty before e had thyroid problems. At that time they had a medication that M just rubbed in misty' sear every day. Misty didn't seem to mind M rubbing it on her ear.
ReplyDeleteWe hope whatever. Option you choose that CJ will be tolerant about getting the meds.works.
Praying and purring for you CJ. Hope you find the right treatment that fits you needs.
ReplyDeleteLubs,
Angel Normie, Mika, Sasha & Grady Lewis
We send purrs and prayers to you and your family CJ. Get well soon. Our Buddy Budd developed HyperT in the past year. He is 16 (May be a year or two older) and on Methimazole twice a day his numbers went to normal. Now he is not eating but Mirtazepine helps. If considering this check the web as many have strong side effects with the vet dose. Buddy got 1/8 15mg tab for 4 doses and we just upped it to 1/4 tab. We give it by syringe as he is hard to pill. We pull the plunger out of the syringe, put a little piece in restore the plunger and suck up a cc or less of warm water. It dissolves easily with a few shakes with your finger on the end so none drips out. We have info on pills on our blog. At the top page "Dads Pill Magic" We are at http://timmytomcat.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHope this helps a little
Hi CJ!! We are sorry to hear that you have hyperthyroidism. We hear it is very treatable, so hopefully your vet will be able to find the right treatment for you so you can get to feeling better. We are sending purrs and prayers your way!
ReplyDeleteHyperthyroidism is very treatable. My Tungsten had it and though she passed away last year, it was not due to hyperthyroidism. Methimazole (under several names) is the medicine to treat it. Tungsten had it as an ointment and I rubbed it into her ears twice a day. It was a very simple treatment and very effective.
ReplyDeleteSorry we can't help on hyperthyroidism but we wanted to say thank you for stopping b our blog ad leaving words of support for Genji. We really appreciate it!And we sih you the best.
ReplyDeletePurrs,
The Chans
I have 3 cats that are hyperthyroid and take a pill twice a day. I get them from Walmart pharmacy which is much hceaper than through the vet. I will be praying for you.
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