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Original poster

Other ways to treat hyperthyroidism in cats

57 replies

Adollop · 19/11/2019 20:19

Following on from my previous thread, my 11 year old siamese has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and prescribed thyronorm.

He's not reacting well to the medication, being sick a lot, still has diarrhoea, which looks pinky at times and obviously feels nauseous and unhappy. I reduced the dose, after reading that the initial dose is often too high, his thyroid count was 70, but he's the same.

I've read about prescription diet food for thyroid problems, has anyone tried that successfully?

He's not insured and I can't afford the radioactive treatment plus he couldn't be away from me and my other cat for weeks on end until he's not radioactive. I'm just not comfortable with the whole thing. Unfortunately money is an issue.

Just wondered if anyone had treated their cat with something other than Thyronorm.

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 19/11/2019 22:32

There are tablets two different types once daily and twice daily.
There is cream applied to the inner ear twice daily.
Minimal iodine food this must be absolutely the only food fed no treats at all - it is not suitable for cats who go outside and may eat vermin.
Surgery to remove the thyroid gland.
Radioactive iodine - it is expensive up front, but not dissimilar in total cost to the other treatments if the cat lives another 5 years. I have had clients take a loan to have the treatment and get it all sorted. The time they are away varies from centre to centre some are as low as 10 days now.
But yes lots of options beyond thyronorm.

Sparrowlegs248 · 19/11/2019 22:34

I had a cat that had a thyroid removed and was fine thereafter. Until he became diabetic but that's another story.

Original poster
Adollop · 20/11/2019 01:13

I can't get a loan so that's not an option, plus he's extremely clingy, I don't think he'd be happy being away from me at all.

He's on the liquid at the moment. Are the tablets better tolerated?

He doesn't have treats so only feeding him one food isn't a problem, but I have another cat and not sure how they'd be with being fed separately ... the siamese can't stand closed doors and scratches the carpet terribly.

He's had infections in his ears that have caused swelling, itching and subsequent draining. Would the cream need to be applied to his ears?

Thanks for all the info.

Sorry to hear your cat also became diabetic Notta Sad

OP posts:
BovaryX · 20/11/2019 08:40

Hi Adollop, sorry to hear your poor boy is having a tough time with the medicine. I can’t advise because I have no experience of this condition, but just wanted to say that I really hope things work out for him. How long has he been on the reduced dosage? Is there any improvement with that? Would it be possible to to just phone another vet and get another suggestion? I understand that it would be very difficult to have in surgery treatment for a long time because it would upset him. Good luck with it Adollop, I hope you find something that works

Original poster
Adollop · 20/11/2019 10:08

That's Bovary. He's been on the reduced dose over a week, I thought he was doing ok, but yesterday he was just repeatedly sick, very unhappy and not eating, again. I can't bear to see him this unhappy.

I'm going to try a different vet, because I wasn't happy last time. I may ask about trying the transdermal treatment, a s hopefully that wouldn't affect his stomach.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 20/11/2019 10:14

Sparklingcat is on Vidalta (2 tablets a day) and it seems to suit her.

BovaryX · 20/11/2019 10:16

The very best of luck Adollop, it’s obvious you really care about him and you are trying hard to find a treatment that works. I think it’s a good idea to speak to another vet if you are not happy with your original one. My cat is part Burmese and I can imagine how stressed a Siamese would be about this situation. The very best of luck getting it resolved

Original poster
Adollop · 20/11/2019 10:49

Should have read "Thanks Bovary" .. sorry Blush

Yes I love him to bits.

OP posts:
ifonly4 · 21/11/2019 10:27

Speak to your vet about the best way forward. The symptons could actually be due to high levels still.

igotdemons · 21/11/2019 10:36

I’d stop the Thyronorm and take him back to the Vets straightaway as my cat was continually sick, lethargic and not eating when she was on Thyronorm and blood tests discovered her levels had gone from 83 to -3. She’s now on the Methimazole gel, she seems to be tolerating that much better and so far no irritation to her ears (which I was worried about).

Original poster
Adollop · 21/11/2019 13:22

Thanks. I've stopped the Thyronorm Abbas have an appointment tomorrow. I'm going to ask about the gel. I'm worried because he's had problems with itching ears in the past that swelled up and had to be drained, but it's better than him being sick. I'm fairly sure it's the Thyronorm because he's eating again now since i stopped it and hasn't been sick. I can't bear to see him that unhappy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Adollop · 21/11/2019 13:23

Abbas ... ???? Should say And ...

OP posts:
alterego2 · 21/11/2019 13:37

Has your vet checked for any other issues? Our cat showed symptoms of hyperthyroid and her levels were very raised. Thyronorm helped a little - levels did go down - but her symptoms were still bad. In the end we decided to go for the radioactive solution. However, the specialist vet's investigations threw up an entirely different problem that had been hiding behind the hyperthyroidism.

I think I'm just trying to say - are the vets sure all the symptoms are definitely only due to the hyperthyroid?

Original poster
Adollop · 21/11/2019 16:43

They did a blood test .. it showed slightly raised liver results and slight inflammation, they said both could be linked to thyroid. I'll speak to the new vet about it. Main symptom is diarrhoea.

OP posts:
Original poster
Adollop · 22/11/2019 15:15

I'm just back from the vets. The vet I saw wasn't familiar with transdermal medication for thyroid but will look into it.

Igotdemons could you let me know the brand name of the gel you use so that I could pass that on to her? Thank you! Flowers

OP posts:
Confusedbeetle · 22/11/2019 15:20

My cat has been in Vidalta tabs for a year and is well well and happy

Original poster
Adollop · 22/11/2019 15:54

The vet thought that if the Thyronorm liquid causes sickness, the tablets will too. Apparently most cats are fine on them, but a few feel sick and don't eat, lose weight, become dehydrated .. which he is a bit.

OP posts:
igotdemons · 22/11/2019 16:42

@ADollop What was his thyroid level from the latest blood test? Was it high or now within the normal range as at least that will give you an idea of dosage. Yes, sadly not all cats will get on with the meds.

I’ve attached 2 pictures from Google of the gel - my Vet told me it’s only manufactured by one supplier in the UK - the box says ‘Summit Veterinary Inc.’ and you can’t buy it from anywhere else (i.e. online). It costs me roughly £55 for 30 days if the dose is 0.1ml once a day.

My Dcat is up and down since being on the gel - some days she is her usual vocal self and has a good appetite. Other days she is quieter and hardly has an appetite. I’m struggling with never knowing how she is going to be on a day to day basis and my anxiety is through the roof! 😰 The worst thing about it all is that the Vets just don’t seem to have the answers! 😕

Other ways to treat hyperthyroidism in cats
Other ways to treat hyperthyroidism in cats
igotdemons · 22/11/2019 16:53

I also want to add something about the other available treatments - I did consider her having the op to remove the affected thyroid gland. However, what stops me is knowing she could go through all that only for it to fail because of possible tumours in the chest cavity, which cannot be removed. There is also the risk of damaging the para thyroid glands and the possibility she could end up hypothyroid and still need meds.

In respect of the radioactive iodine treatment, I didn’t opt for this because there is a chance she would fail the tests required for her to be considered a candidate. I was told she would need various tests and scans before the treatment (dread to think of the cost!) and I don’t want to put her through that only to be told she wasn’t a candidate. She has a heart murmur and some iffy kidney results (she will be tested for CKD once her thyroid levels are stable) so I don’t think she would be suitable.

She is aged somewhere between 14 and 18 years so is not a young girl and I feel I would like to let her enjoy the time she has left - it would be different if she were younger.

Original poster
Adollop · 22/11/2019 18:27

Thanks Igot. It's all very discouraging. I myself take thyroxine and presumed this would all be very simple. I don't want him to be unhappy, he's only 11, but very clingy and has to be with me all the time, so I can't put him through radioactive treatment. I don't want him to have an op, especially as it's not a certain that it'll be successful. I just want him to be healthy and happy.

Thanks for the details of the gel. I've passed this on to the vet.

He hasn't had another blood test yet, his first was on 6th November and the result was 72.4. I and the vet presume the Thyronorm was helping because his diarrhoea was improving iyswim Wink .

He had a hard start, diagnosed with liver problems as a kitten, they never found out what caused it, but he had many tests, a biopsy. They could only find one kidney when he had a scan. He has nystagmus. And he's a siamese, so very needy! I adore him and can't bear him being unhappy in any way.

OP posts:
Original poster
Adollop · 22/11/2019 18:30

Sorry you're finding it so difficult, it is indeed extremely worrying, especially if you don't know how she's feeling. We just want them to feel ok don't we?

I asked the vet about Hills Prescription diet thyroid, but she seemed to think it was just for after the thyroid level had stabilised.

OP posts:
T0tallyFuckedUpFamily · 22/11/2019 18:32

I’m so sorry OP, I’m going through the same with one of my wee cats. I’ve tried the anti sickness medication along with decreasing the dose and it still makes her really ill. I’ve never heard of that gel, so I’m going to take a note and ask my vet about it. Good luck with your wee kitty.

Waveymaevey · 22/11/2019 18:34

He would cope fine away from you - any cat would manage the 10 days they have to stay away now!

Original poster
Adollop · 22/11/2019 18:36

Thanks Totally. Sorry you're having the same problems, it's hard isn't it?

Can I ask what dose you're giving? I was initially told to give 0.5 ml twice a day, but the first time he was sick I reduced the dose to 0.25 ml. I don't know whether to reduce it further or whether that's pointless as it won't be enough.

OP posts:
ChrisPrattsFace · 22/11/2019 18:42

I don’t think that you not wanting him to be away is a good enough reason to not send for radioactive treatment. It has an almost 100% success rate and the clinics I know that do it have the most amazing staff.

Thyroidectomy is another option, but if it’s not just the thyroid then this is pointless, and the only way to tell is to have a scan. By then you might as well have the radioactive treatment - because that absolutely works if it’s more than thyroid.

Meds can take some time to get used to. In my experience some patients can take weeks to adapt to medication and changes in hunger etc.

If cost in as issue I would persevere with the ends. I’ve also seen a difference in cats swapping between gel/tablet/liquid so I don’t agree with your vet saying I’d they’re sick with one they’ll be sick with another!

That’s all my opinion away. Good luck, hope you find something that works for you.