Anyone had a cat with hyperthyroidism for a while?

[Lottie4]

If you've got a cat with long term hyperthyroidism or had one, just wondering if it got harder to control as they got older?

My girl was diagnosed two years ago, and has been easy to manage with one increase in medication a year ago.

However, in January her bloods showed it wasn't controlled again. We changed her over to Thyronorm (liquid) as I knew there were times when she was keeping tablet in her month and spitting out an hour or so later. Two blood tests later her levels were back under control (8 March). However, these last few days she's displaying signs of it being uncontrolled again, demanding more to eat, more pacing and I suspect she's lost a little weight again.

Mine has had it for a little over 3 years now, on Vidalta. We've increased once from 10mg to 15mg but apart from small changes in values, her T4 has remained steady. She's about 16 or 17 now, not sure as she was a rescue.

How old is your girl? I understand thyroidectomy is often the recommended treatment now although that was never mentioned to me when mine was diagnosed and now I feel it's a bit too late to have major surgery when she is ok on medication. But if she had issues on medication like yours does, I might consider it.

I used Greenies pill pockets which worked well until the cat got wise to it. She had special diet food. She lasted over a year with it but was already poorly when I took her in.

My girl is 18.5, the vets were reluctant to put her through a dental last summer, so I think a thyroidectomy would be too much risk and cope with at her age, so I think we'll have to manage on medication.

Grumpy has been on vidalta for hyperthyroidism for the last 3ish years. T4 tests every 3 months and the dose changed about 3 times. He takes pills very easily.

Mine were always kept under control with Felimazole.

For an older cat, give Greenies pill pockets a chance and a special diet. Plenty of sunny places to snooze and lots of love and, if the cat fancies it, a bit of playtime.
Afraid you need to start thinking about end of life decisions but just enjoy the time together for now.

My mum's cat had hyperthyroid for about 3 years. She had to go for 6 monthly check ups to have thyroid levels checked - she was on felodipine and the dosage was increased once during the course of treatment. She was about 13 when she was diagnosed and eventually died of a stroke. While on the felodipine she led a normal, active life.

Sorry, tablets were felimazole - felodipine is what my mum takes herself for high blood pressure!

Ours was on Vidalta for about 4 years before old age caught up with her. It was a while back now, but I don't remember the dosage having to be changed. We quickly found an online retailer who sold them MUCH cheaper than our vets (they did need a prescription though).

My boy is on Vidalta, 30mg daily. Took a while to get under control but now he's like a young thing. Mind you quite a bit younger than most of those mentioned here, he was diagnosed about 18 months ago, and will be 14 in May.

He has blood tests every three months and his dosage hasn't changed for the past year or so.
Thinking of ordering online too as it's over £80 a month. NetballHoop who do you use?

Our girl was on felimazole for quite a while and it worked brilliantly. I used a pill popper to start with. Put a tiny drop of water in before the pill. The drop (no more) of water will wash the pill starlight down. Also perfect your cat wrangling position!

CotedePablo this was seven years ago so they may not still be the cheapest (or even still exist) but I have a receipt here for:

Vidalta 10mg x 100 £32.49

They were from petdispensary.co.uk

My old girl is 18 and she's been on vidalta for about 3 years. We've had a couple of dose changes in that time, she's currently on 10mg in the week and 15 at weekends. She's doing really well although has started behaving weirdly around her water bowl, miaowing and digging before drinking so wondering about her kidneys. Her last blood tests were ok but Vet said thyroid problems can mask kidney damage. She's still eating me out of house and home and is pretty perky, all things considered.

Dora, how much does your old girl eat? Even when hyperthyroidism is controlled mine still eats what I think is an awful lot - 4 pouches/Gourmet small tins, with a few treat crunchies or a webbox squeezey yogurt thing.

Thank you NetballHoop.

CotedePablo, I use Animed Direct. If ordering online just make sure you order well before your present medication runs out, allowing a day or so for packaging and then delivery.