Hyperthyroidism

[frostyfingers]

My kitty has just been diagnosed (subject to tests) with this - but the vet said to go away and think about whether we want to do them, or to wait until she seems more stressed.

I've just looked it up and agree that a lot of the symptoms tie in with how she's been over the last month or so - and think that we shouldn't delay in getting her treated. Can you leave them untreated, which is what he was implying, at least while she's not hugely ill apparently?

Once I've had a chat with DH I am going to book her in for tests and treatment, but just wanted to know whether at this early stage it would do more harm than good? My instinct is to get going now, does anyone have experience of it at all who could guide me.

She's not even 5, and has never really bloomed after being very poorly as a kitten (she had a virus which went on for weeks, and then a stroke of sorts which left her poorly sighted on one side) and if this is something that can be sorted quickly and simply then I want to crack on.

If her thyroid level is elevated she is going to loose weight as she will burn extra energy, it could make her blood pressure high - this could put stress on her heart.
I have to say 5 is very young for hyperthyroidism usually 8 and over is the normal time.
My personal way forward is early diagnosis, early stabilisation and then offer owners either long term medication, radioactive iodine treatment or surgery. I do lots of the surgeries including my own beautiful moggy girl last September and they are very successful. Beautiful moggy girl was 12 when she develop hyperthyrodism she (of course) turned out to be one of the hard to stabilise ones (so I fought with that for 18months), but has done brilliantly since her surgery.

The vet said that her heart rate was fast, and that her gums were pale. She has definitely lost weight and her coat is poor, she has also had bouts of sickness and the runs so the symptons fit. I'll book her in for tests tomorrow and see where that takes us.

5 does seem young, but I wondered if her poor health as a kitten may have predisposed her to something like this. She just seems to have lost her spark, and I want it back for her!

Now we're stumped! We've had the results of the blood tests and nothing is showing. Not hyperthyroidism, no virus, nothing to indicate why she is losing weight and feeling glum. Her haemoglobin is slightly down and heart rate slightly up but apart from that zilch.

She's been wormed and vaccinated, and is currently eating 4 sachets of meat daily but her drinking is normal.

Any clues anyone? I'll get her into the vet again I think for another thorough going over - he was so convinced it was the thyroid maybe there's another symptom somewhere.

Have they checked for Haemobartonella ? Causes anaemia and ill-thrift. Machines do no pick it up you need a blood smear and stained to pick the little devils up.