Stray cat. Thyroid. Costs

[CottonSock]

Hi cat lovers. I've been feeding a stray for about 3 months whilst searching for owner. No microchip and has ear clipped as neuter and release.
She was emaciated and still very skinny.
Vet thinks she is 10 to 12 years and approx 1kg underweight. Refuses hard food and is always hungry.
On Tuesday she's being taken in for a dental to remove the worst teeth.
He suspects thyroid as she seems bright and not drinking excessively or looking unwell (which could indicate diabetes or kidneys).

Anyone with a thyroid cat, how does the medicine get given and approximate cost. I doubt I'll be putting tablets in her mouth. I'm not even a cat person! Can it go in food?
Freaking out a bit about what I've taken on here.

She was too underweight for vaccination or microchip. Let's hope we can get her sorted for a decent retirement. We suspect she was dumped after getting into poor health. She's house trained and affectionate so no ferral. I'll try and share some photos

Pics of cat

Oh it's lovely that you've taken her in. Thyroid treatment isn't nearly as expensive as dental treatment. Generally the protocol is to treat with tablets for at least two weeks, until levels are stabilised (perhaps longer if she needs to put on weight) and then to have an op to remove the thyroid. Of course all vets charge differently, but it's not a big operation and should be much, much cheaper than a dental for example. And I don't think the tablets are particularly expensive.

DCat has thyroid problems. His medication costs about £1.50 per day, so it is quite expensive. But he's worth every penny.

Initially the biggest expense will be the blood checks to check that levels are stabilised, once that's sorted we always asked for a written prescription from the vet and bought meds online from animed. The Thyronorm was much cheaper than through a vet.

Owch. At least a cat rescue are helping with some of the cost.

So will I need to force a daily pill down the neck of moggie? That's my biggest current worry.
If a thyroid operation can sort it I will opt for that I think.

Thyronorm is a gel you squirt in their mouths. Much easier than tablets. I had two cats who needed this and they both accepted it quite well.

It's easy to hide a pill in a little blob of Gourmet Gold pate.

My parents cat has thyronorm which can be squirted in mouth but they also add to a tube of “Lick-e-Lix” which is basically a liquid cat treat.

They are basically a cat yoghurt so fairly calorific but our girl also has weight problems so two of these a day are not an issue!

I haven't a clue about thyroid issues, sorry, but I do know a kind hearted person when I see one. Bless you @CottonSock (!), you're a good soul.

Didn’t think I was a cat person either until I ended up with my old boy 😂 You’re a good person. She’s lovely.

Well I feel slightly reassured now that I can cope with thyroid. I guess there is still a chance its just teeth and worms.

The vet will sedate then check bloods before the anesthesia for teeth. I had confidence in him and its who the cat rescue use. My normal vet has gone right downhill.

Unfortunately it was a bit of a journey to this vet so she was sick, poo and wee! The vet receptionist cleaned everything up - what a job! I thought I might vom. Obviously need a stronger stomach. At least Tues she will have an empty stomach and we will be better prepared. Plus I'm sending DH

One of my dogs had thyroid issues. It wasn’t expensive so I can’t imagine it would be for a cat.

There’s a knack for getting pills in a cat but, once you’ve mastered it, it’s not hard. Years ago I had one with a bone infection in her tail (eventually amputated) so antibiotic tablets weren’t optional - it’s not a problem after a few days.

We used to have regular medication for our old lady and I'd give it to her either crushed or on top of Lick-e-Lix if it was a liquid (basically cat treats that are small tubes of purée which she loved and saved us all the hassle of dosing her with a tablet) The drugs worked fine, they will always say if the drugs can't be taken with food, most can. Although the cat treats are 20p a dose, the tablets were about 22p per dose and were given one a day.

Sorry should clarify that was the cost of Felimazole which was our thyroid drug, she was on 3 other drugs as well so I worked hard to make sure it was stuff I could give with goo and not have to pill pop to minimise distress for her (and us!)

Thank you everyone. I will update after vet visit. Let's hope it goes smoothly. She's so fragile poor thing.

One of my cats refused to eat dried food as a kitten. I assumed it was the texture but it turns out that many kibbles have a very distinct smell he objected to.

He happily wolfs down Royal Canin Exigent Fussy cats.

It's more likely to be a dental issue, which must be so painful.

I hope the vet trip goes well.

Vet day update.
Good news was that she survived the anesthetic and 3 teeth out. Does not have obvious kidney failure. Everything else pretty bad :(

Lost weight since Thurs. I thought she looked better but it's fluid on belly (bad).
Heart is not good either. Long name. Thickened and Beating too fast.
Fluid on lungs also. Breathes heavily.
Had to give her sugars and fluids

Didn't want to microchip or vaccinate. Will weigh Monday and see how she recovers before possible trying thyroid gel. If she tolerates that and improves there are future treatments to consider for the Fluid and heart issues. But will consider what's in her best interests.
She could be very old. She could also die any day. But she's still happy and bright and whilst she is we will do our best.

You’re doing a good thing. I hope everything goes well.

Cat was put to sleep today, poor old girl just wasn't strong enough to recover from the anesthetic

So sorry to see this @CottonSock. Your little cat had a lovely last few months being cared for, a million times better than having remained a stray and suffering alone.

Ah so sorry op... But you gave her a chance.. She hadn't had that love and care in a long while.

Sorry you lost her. At least she knew love in her final weeks and was happy and content. You did a good thing to even try and save her.

You tried, she had major heart problems by the sound of it.