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Original poster

If your cat is on medicine for hyperthyroidism

116 replies

purpleme12 · 21/12/2021 15:56

.........if your cat is on medicine for hyperthyroidism.....
how often do you have to have blood tests for them to check they're at the right level??
appreicate any responses

also how much is your medicine and how much are the blood tests?

OP posts:
AwkwardPaws27 · 24/12/2021 00:08

If you are very low income / certain benefits you might be able to get subsidised care at a PDSA or RSPCA hospital, or Celia Hammond. Depends on eligibility & what's in your area.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 24/12/2021 00:16

Unfortunately the only one vaguely near us is pdsa but it's not actually in our city. it's in the next city at over 12 miles away and i don't drive so i can't just take myself off there.
i am a bit worried he's already got something wrong with his heart
the vet is quite happy that it will probably get rectified if we treat this hyperthyroidism but there is the risk that it might not get mended when this is treated in which case that problem is still there?

OP posts:
AwkwardPaws27 · 24/12/2021 00:24

What makes you think there's a heart problem? Hyperthyroidism causes a racing heartbeat so could well be that.
Why not try the tablets for a month or so?

Original poster
purpleme12 · 24/12/2021 00:30

At the same time as the hyperthyroidism was detected the vet said he had a higher heart rate.
I don't think he's had this before this appointment as no one said - he was last seen in june i think or thereabouts.
And the hyperthyroidism was detected this month
The vet said in most cases when the thyroid is treated the heart goes back to normal but there is a chance that might not happen. i guess they have to tell me that

i am reluctant to start the tablet way of doing it if it's more cost effective in the long run to do the radioacitve thing. ah i don't know

OP posts:
AwkwardPaws27 · 24/12/2021 00:37

An increased heart rate is a classic symptom of hyperthyroidism, so it probably will resolve if you treat the cause.
This link has really good info on the illness - icatcare.org/advice/hyperthyroidism/

It's really common in older cats and very treatable.

AwkwardPaws27 · 24/12/2021 00:40

You could use tablets in the short term and see how much he improves. If the heart rate returns to normal, you'll know it was the hyperthyroidism and nothing else underlying & that might make your decision easier.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 24/12/2021 00:41

thank you that's interesting
i don't know if i've just been lucky before but all the cats we've had before have lived to older than this without any problems and died of old age

OP posts:
AwkwardPaws27 · 24/12/2021 00:47

Is he an indoor cat? Another option is a special diet - but it's the only thing they are allowed to eat, which doesn't really work if they go outside as they might scavenge stuff.

You may have been lucky, but veterinary care is far better now too - in the past we'd think "oh he's losing weight and eating lots cos he's old" whereas now a quick blood test can help diagnose thyroid conditions or kidney disease.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 24/12/2021 00:50

yes he is an indoor cat.
I have another cat as well although mostly we don't leave food out, just the odd time when we forget

OP posts:
gunnersgold · 24/12/2021 06:55

I'm sure I mentioned the special diet on this thread before but I found it preferable to any of thr treatments and it gave my cat 3 years without any scary treatment or a fight daily to have a tablet . I guess the medication is in the food but it worked . We had to separate the cats ( I have 3) but it was worth it . It was about £30 a month if I recall which is nothing really .

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 24/12/2021 07:01

My cat had hyperthyroidism for years though I did do the radioactive iodine option in the end which kept her going for a bit longer.
There is a way of making it all cheaper. Tell your vet you are struggling financially but really want to keep the cat. Ask them to issue a prescription then you can buy the tablets very much cheaper online much much cheaper.
My cat didn't have blood tests more than once or twice a day because she was stained on the medication. It doesn't have to be an expensive undertaking.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 24/12/2021 07:02

Sorry not a day a year!!!!

AnnaMagnani · 24/12/2021 08:24

It was dead easy to give our cat the tablets. Put them in a squishy cat treat, chucked them on the floor, cat ate them, job done.

You cannot leave the cat untreated, that is animal cruelty. You have to pick a treatment or rehome the cat.

Veterinari · 24/12/2021 08:57

@purpleme12

What if i just left him as he is now?
You'd be commuting neglect under the animal welfare act. Hyperthyroidism is associated with a racing heart, anxiety, fatigue, chronic hunger and interrupted sleep so it's a pretty unpleasant experience

Hyperthyroidism is common in older cats. It may be associated with heart and kidney issues which can be tricky to evaluate until the hyperthyroidism is treated. The longer you leave it, the more side effects are likely.
In addition to treatments already mentioned there's a syrup medication which is very palatable and may be a good alternative to tablets? It's the first treatment option chosen by many clients and often works well. I wouldn't suggest radiation treatment until you've achieved stabilisation with meds and are sure the cat doesn't have underlying kidney disease as it's expensive.

Blood testing regularly is required until the correct dose is stabilised (it's in the medication data sheet for correct use of the meds so your vet has to advise it) and then maintenance blood testing to check thyroid levels are normal every 6-12 months

Diagnosis and stabilisation can be a bit intense but once the doses are settled then it is very much maintenance treatment. I assume Dcat isn't insured?
Do discuss the financial situation with your vet so that they can evaluate which tests are necessary and which are preferred. They may be able to reduce some of the blood sampling as long as you consent to it, understanding that it might not give such a clear picture of treatment impacts.

Ohbotherpiglet · 24/12/2021 09:03

Op I’ve not read the whole thread but I was in a similar financial situation to you when our cat got hyperthyroidism.

We feed her special food and it has kept it completely controlled. We had another vets appt to check it was working and not needed to see them since (2 years).

The food is more expensive than normal food but if you feed them mostly dry its much cheaper than medication and frequent blood tests. It’s called thyroid y/d and only works if they don’t eat anything else so think about how well you could manage that.

Tinsellittis · 24/12/2021 09:07

Contact the PDSA Op they may be able to help with costs if you are on a low income. 13 is still only young for a cat, they deserve the treatment to help them live a long, happy life.

Words · 24/12/2021 10:10

Have they discussed thyroïdectomy OP?

I resisted this at first, as it is a delicate procedure and went with medication. Also, considered the radioactive iodine.

In the end I went with the op. £700 and there is a slight chance the other side will need doing, but ok so far. My vet is highly experienced in it though. Small wound, healed perfectly. Wish I had done that immediately to be honest.

Words · 24/12/2021 10:15

Went with medication instead, I mean.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 24/12/2021 10:17

@Veterinari the vets seem quite confident he doesn't have kidney disease?

OP posts:
Warmduscher · 24/12/2021 10:20

I think the bigger problem is that you are being pressured by your family members who presumably think you can’t afford to treat your cat and therefore should do not at all. Am I right?

It just seems strange that someone who is an animal lover (I’m assuming) would ask what would happen if you did nothing and let your cat die. I’m guessing that suggestion came from the people who are telling you you can’t afford the treatment.

Maybe don’t discuss it with them and ask your vet if they can recommend a charity who could help fund your cat’s treatment?

Nidan2Sandan · 24/12/2021 10:21

My cat has thyronorm liquid and a 100ml bottle usually lasts about 3 months and its £100 a bottle (covered by insurance). Blood tests twice a year are around the £300 mark.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 24/12/2021 10:23

@Warmduscher

I think the bigger problem is that you are being pressured by your family members who presumably think you can’t afford to treat your cat and therefore should do not at all. Am I right?

It just seems strange that someone who is an animal lover (I’m assuming) would ask what would happen if you did nothing and let your cat die. I’m guessing that suggestion came from the people who are telling you you can’t afford the treatment.

Maybe don’t discuss it with them and ask your vet if they can recommend a charity who could help fund your cat’s treatment?

well i guess it is only when i told my family about it that all of these doubts and worries came rushing in yes

They would either do the tablets or they would be happy doing nothing at all

OP posts:
Nidan2Sandan · 24/12/2021 10:23

He's 16 next year and literally looks the picture of health! He's put weight on wonderfully (helps that he is an absolute pig!) And as he is naturally a big cat he looks so much better now he's back to his tubby ways.

I cant see him dying any time soon. Xmas Grin

Original poster
purpleme12 · 24/12/2021 10:27

@Nidan2Sandan

He's 16 next year and literally looks the picture of health! He's put weight on wonderfully (helps that he is an absolute pig!) And as he is naturally a big cat he looks so much better now he's back to his tubby ways.

I cant see him dying any time soon. Xmas Grin

your two posts are quite interesting. Going by that price that does show that it would be more expensive in the long run on the medicine rather than the radioactive thing
OP posts:
Nidan2Sandan · 24/12/2021 10:30

True, but given the age of the cat when diagnosed (10) I wanted to choose the least impactful option for him as he is a very nervous cat. His love of gobbling up any food in sight meant a few drops of liquid in his food twice a day was kinder to him than the alternatives