anyone have a cat with hyperthyroidism?

[chickadee-7815]

I had to take our 11 year old cat to the vet. yesterday. She has been losing weight, even though she has a good appetite.

So far, all the tests were normal, but the vet thinks it might be hyperthyroid. He's running a test for that; but won't have the results for several days.

Have any of you dealt with this in your cats? If so, what was the outcome?

[mom2three]

IS the cat eating wet or dry food? If dry, try wet to see if it's that. We just had to put down an older cat-pretty sure he was diabetic, but tests did not show it. We went the grain free route as well which he tolerated tonnes better, but it was too late by the time I figured it out.

[lelap]

Hello Chickadee,
We live with my MIL and she has a cat who was diagnosed last year with hyperthyroidism. "Lily" had the same symptoms as your cat, eating a lot but still losing a large amount of weight. Her heart was racing and she seemed quite agitated most of the time.

The vet had two options: surgery to remove the thyroid or medication twice daily for the rest of her 9 lives. She's of an indeterminate age on the older end of the spectrum, so MIL decided on medication.
The medication is Methimazole, the instructions read: Apply to inside of your cat's ear flap twice a day. Alternate ear flaps. Must wear gloves when applying.

The ear flap is just the inside of the ears. It is very easy to apply, but it stops thyroid functioning even in humans and that's why the gloves are necessary.

The only "difficulty" is that it must be made at a pharmacy that compounds medication.

Other than that, it is an easy way to give medication (I'm allergic to cats, and have problems if bitten or scratched). Lily is back to her old fat little demanding self and catered to by everyone in the house.
I hope this helps.
lelap

[ilovechocolate]

My cat Maggie was on human thyroid meds at the end of her life. She lived to be 22. It helped her for a number of months until she died of old age, not the thyroid condition.

[pinetree]

I have had two cats with it. If you can use the medicine that you rub on the inside of their ears, it soaks in and you dont have to give them pills. They also mix the medicine to exactly what they need.

The sooner you can find out thats what they have, the better.
Boo lived to be 161/2, I think if we would have had the medicine for her ears, she would have made it alot longer. ( she use to vomit the pills up).

Let us know how it goes

[MTS04]

Hyperthyroidism is pretty easy to deal with. Methimazole can also be given by mouth as liquid or pills. If you get the liquid, be sure it is compounded with a yummy flavor, it's easier to give. Methimazole is relatively inexpensive. You'll just need to follow up with routine bloodwork after starting medication. You'll see improvements in behaviour and appetite etc. as the medication achieves a therapeutic level.
Wishing the best for your kitty. Please keep us posted.

[chickadee-7815]

Thank You Everyone for your comments and suggestions.
The blood test showed that my cat definately has hyperthyroidism. So now I am giving her a pill twice a day, which is really a challenge.