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.

[Barch1]

Just to let everyone know that my cat had a bilateral thyrodectomy 9 days ago and is doing amazingly well. I needn’t have worried about it and he really is back to his old self. He doesn’t even seem to notice the wound/scar. If anyone is worrying about going ahead with this op, don’t. Just do it! No more meds and a healthy cat.

[Toddlerteaplease]

My girl has five pills a day for her heart disease. She just has them in one go with a pill popper.

[EthanODonnell]

Meds are the worst and in the long run the most expensive. Radiation therapy is really the best and yes it is expensive. It will buy your cat 2 to 4 years though and it is worth the price. Dont be afraid to shop around and find the best fit for you and your cat. It took me two trys but I found an excellent place and even now they are more than willing to help. Good luck with your moggie and I hope things go well.

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

Has anybody noticed that the OP is dated 5th Jan 2011?
Zombie cat thread?

[hendricksy]

I'm sure they know but the thread has a lot of facts for people with cars and thyroid issues . I've helped a few people on here over the years after having a poorly cat myself . He has since passed away but made it to 19 without an op and just a special diet.

[Barch1]

I agree, I found the thread very helpful and interesting to get different views.

[PickwickThePlockingDodo]

Agree this thread is very useful, despite being old.
I suspect my 11 year old cat has an overactive thyroid, we have the vets tomorrow.
Can I ask how much the radiation therapy was compared to the price of pills. Would the diet work on it's own without the pills? Basically what is the cheapest way to go about this, if she is diagnosed?
Forewarned is forearmed as they say.

[hendricksy]

I decided not to do pills or the operation . My lovely boy had a great life and I didn't want him to go through too much at his age . He wouldn't have liked the pills either . He was on the thyroid diet until his death and I think it was about 3 years in total . He was on hills y/d ( I think that's the one ) .

[Lottie4]

My girl was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism when she was 16 and had it for her final two years. We went down the pill route, she had a few blood tests along the way as we had to increase tablet strength a couple of times and I'd say it worked out about the same as radiotheraphy.

We went down the tablet route as she was a reasonably placid cat, sometimes would decide she just wasn't going to swallow a tablet but she'd never attack me. She was also a very home loving cat and we felt it wasn't right for her to be separated from her home and us - we put her in a cattery twice in her lifetime and she wouldn't eat and just stayed where she was and wet herself.

[Barch1]

I can totally recommend the operation. My cat is 11/12 and was deemed fit enough by my vet to operate. We started on the pill route but both my cat and I found it to stressful. I put off the op for months but decided eventually to go ahead. It was incredibly easy and successful. His recovery was very quick, around 7/9 days and as the stitching was internal he wasn’t aware. It cost me around £600, radiotherapy is around £1,000, but may vary where you are. I can guarantee nobody worries more about their cats than me and I can wholeheartedly say the op was the best thing I did! My cat is like a kitten again! Well nearly!
If your vet has performed plenty of these ops then go for it. If your not confident in your own vet find one who has done plenty of them.