Anyone got an old cat with an over-active thyroid?

[TheLemur]

My cat is 13 and has been diagnosed via a blood test with an over-active thyroid (133 when it should be 60 or something?). The main symptoms are awful yowling, pulling his fur out, weight loss, eating & drinking more.

I'm going to see the vet tomorrow to discuss the options.

I think she will recommend medication but I'm worried about the cost, having to take the cat to have his blood tested periodically (he HATES going in the box/car, and pooed himself TWICE on the last vet visit which is only about 1/2 mile away), and having to get pills down him (which again he hates).

I'm wondering maybe it is kindest to do nothing? But then is he in pain? And if he is, how do I know when the time is right to PTS? Oh I don't know, I'm very confused.

[chrisha100]

Further to my post on 13th June last year. Crushing up Thiafeline in Tuna worked for my hyperthyroid cat to a certain degree, as frequent blood tests at the vets showed his thyroid levels reverting to normal range. However, having to medicate him twice a day to keep his thyroid levels normalized was far from ideal and so I opted to put him forward for radio iodine treatment. He had this late last year and I pleased to be able to say that he is now cured of hyperthyroidism :)

[LanaorAna1]

Mr C has a really overactive thyroid. I was dreading the How to Give Your Cat a Pill in 100 Easy Steps but it was fine - I stuff it into a dreamie, and he has it as the overture to the nightly cuddle. Took about 3 weeks to get The Routine down pat.

Do not stress.

[Jcmal]

My girl is about 13 and was diagnosed as hyperthyroid. Her T level is now normal after being solely on Hills Y/D dry and wet food. She loves it with a tiny bit of water added to make it less dense. I get it at chewy.com for about $53 a case. She is worth every penny! It was the easiest alternative and has now worked for three years!! Try it. Yes, expensive, but what can you do?!Good luck

[Barch1]

My 11 year old has just been diagnosed. Since he's impossible to give pills to I've got the liquid to administer in a syringe. One of my vets said I could administer it in food so I put it in one of those Gourmet soups which he devours. I give him half a pouch in the morning and the other at night. He's due to go for blood tests next week so see if it's working. Only prob is he's due to go into the cattery in 3 weeks so I'm a bit concerned. If he's suitable I think we'll go for the op to remove the thyroid.

[Jcmal]

My cat is about 13 diagnosed a couple of years ago as HYPERTHYROID. SHe is on hills y/d which has saved her life! No pills necessary. No other food allowed. She likes this food too!

[imjessie]

I controlled my cats thyroid with a special diet ( y:d) . It gave him 3 more years and he made it to 19!

[Barch1]

My vet discussed diet, but said because he goes out during the day and he hunts he couldn't be put in the diet? Is your cat an indoor cat?

[fortifiedwithtea]

My parents were given a very elderly cat by a relative who had enough of her. I know, we were all very judged of relative. At first Ebony was a nightmare worrying for food and attention non stop. DM took her to a vet and got the tablets. Amazing change.

My parents had Ebony for another 18 months and she stole their hearts. They were very upset when she had to be pts for something else even those they'd had other cats for their whole lives.

[imjessie]

No he was very much an outdoor cat!

[Barch1]

That's very interesting. I'll speak to my vet again!

[imjessie]

I decided I would try the diet first and if that didn't work we would pts . He hated tablets and was 16. He had a wonderful life and we adored him ( I rescued him and his brother at a few weeks ) .. I may have changed my ins aviut the tablets but luckily they worked for him. He died recently at 19 . I miss him 😞😞 but I felt we had the right balance between quality of life and keeping him alive .

[heatherscakeclasses]

My 14 year old cat has been diagnosed but vet quoted £30-£40 a month for a pill a day. I can't afford this each month but love him so would like to know where you got pills cheaper? can you get them on line or were they all from peoples vets?

[heatherscakeclasses]

my 13 year old cat has been diagnosed and I was told a pill a day would cost me £30 - £40 per month!!! can't do this, am wondering why preople on here have managed to do this cheaper?

[IrritatedUser1960]

You can't do nothing, my elderly cat had the same symptoms and I took him to the vet for a blood test and unfortunately they gave me the wrong results and said he was fine. A few months later due to his very rapid heart rate and high blood pressure as a result of hyperthyroidism he went suddenly blind, looked awful skinny and his coat was terrible and he was clearly in pain, his heart was racing and I rushed him back to the vet who had to put him down.
I put in a formal complaint but it didn't get my cat back.
It would be kinder to have your cat put down that leave it, he will develop heart failure eventually and die in pain if he doesn't go blind first.
My second cat with hyperthyroidism aged 14 was diagnosed early, went on tablets didn't work, had his thyroid removed at a cost of £1000 and then died of heart failure two months later. I was distraught.
You really only have two choices - have your cat euthanised or try tablets.

[LittleCandle]

CandleCat2 has this issue and gets one tablet every other day. He is also on ranitidine for his stomach. I just take hold of the back of his head and chuck the tablets to the back of his mouth and rub his throat. Most of the time, they do down without a problem. This morning, my aim was clearly off, as I had to do both of them again. In fact, it took 3 goes with the ranitidine, as it is quite a small tablet. My other cat is also good with tablets, but we did have one that we had to wrap in a towel every time and it was really stressful for him.

My old boy is due back at the vet at the end of this prescription, which will be interesting, as he is seldom in. I do suspect he is coming towards the end of his life, as he is now very stiff if he's been lying sleeping and is quite thin. Both the cats are 15 now, so I suppose it is to be expected.

[Barch1]

Don't rush to put your cat to sleep. My cats takes liquid medicine in his food and is doing really well, back to normal! It costs me about £70 and it lasts 3 months. However we are probably going to have the operation so that we don't have to worry about him. The main thing is to get a positive diagnosis as early as you can. If you are not happy with your vet try another.

[Dodie66]

Yes our cat had it. He was on pills for about a year but then got worse so he had an op and had one of the glands removed. They have two in their neck. Only one of his was affected. He was fine after that for a while but then suddenly became ill and only a week later we had to have him PTS because he had cancer in his lungs and stomach. You wouldn't have known he was that ill though. The week before he died he was out in the garden jumping over the fence etc,
Your vet will advise you on the best treatment. I doubt he will advise PTS

[Ginkypig]

Iv not read much of the thread but

Can I suggest webbox sticks (there are other brands too) to put the tablet in. A pack is about a pound for 6 sticks but one stick does about 3-4 tablets if your careful.

I take as little a bit as possible cut a slit in it and squash it round the tablet and if she takes it ok give her another little bit after as a treat.

She is on 3 tablets a day now, one of which needs halved (so it is 4 pills to get her to take p) and these stick although not fool proof have proved to be good because they are mouldable.

[Chris2662]

Hi everyone so glad I'm not alone having problems with my cat going the tablets. I am at my white end, the vet was like the grim reaper saying pts before she's even checked to see what blood results were. Started on1 tablet which I put in cheese spread -he loves that lol! Then got wise liked it all left the tablet. Was told by someone about the gel. Lynnb59 where did you get it for that price??? B answer to my problems!!receptionst cheked for me and said was £144 per the. 😮😮 much as I love fluffy that's ridiculous. Levels are still high so she has prescribed 2 a day now. She said couldn't crush them??? That would be easier. Hasn't had any now for few days , because no matter what I do ,he susses them out clever boy he is 😸
If you can solve my dilemma be so grateful for any tips.

[Barch1]

Hi Chris, my cats medication is in liquid form administered by syringe. I put it directly into food, or a treat like cat soup or Webbox which I make last a couple of days. The medication is called Thyronorm. Ask your vet, it makes life a lot easier. We are probably going to opt to have the operation in the near future though, so life will be easier for my cat and me!

[DianaSheldon13]

Hi, I took my 21 and a half year old cat to the vet's today. Vet ran a blood test & Rose has hyperthyroidism. She hates tablets & is very fussy with food so vet has prescribed Thyronorm which is to be administered twice a day from a syringe. She has deteriorated over the last couple of weeks but we are hoping that this will work. Have to maintain 12 hours between meds but if she can have some more time with better quality of life I am glad to do it.

[Barch1]

Oops sorry! The Thyronorm in the various food disguises sees to work. If he's being awkward we give it to him directly into his mouth, but that is a 2 man job, and I hold him while my husband squirts it in! But most of the time he takes it in the food. He's doing really well and seems pretty healthy. I think we are going for the op though in the next few months to reduce stress levels all round!

[Chrisywizzy]

My cat who’s now 15 had one of her thyroid out last year, now she is looking ever so thin, was wondering if this is normal. She is eating and drinking fine. Running around when she’s awake sleeps a lot, but her coat and eyes are much nicer now than before op. Not sure how she will be if she has to go on tablets, as it’s a fight to get them into her. She doesn’t like cheese so that’s out. Just wish she was like my young boy, he just takes tablets from my hand. He runs after me when he sees a box in my hand wanting to take them.

[pigpoglet]

My old boy is no longer with us but made it to 19 on the thyroid special diet . I wouldn't have medicated him because he hated tablets and they are big . It would have been a miserable life for both of us . I loved him so so much and we had a lovely life together .

[ifonly4]

OP, if your girl needs tablets for treatment, ask about Thyronorm. My girl is the only cat in our practice that has it, it is more expensive but you can buy a large bottle online for a third of the price the vet charges. It's a liquid you can insert into their mouths twice a day. Once a day I get my girl while she's sleepy. It's much easier than struggling with a tablet and at least you know some of it's in their system.