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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:
Imagineit · 24/12/2021 21:29

Hey OP. My cat has this condition and needed weekly meds which she detested. I also found her insurance went up loads and didn't even cover the condition. Rightly or wrongly, I have withdrawn medication. She hated it, cowered every time and it was traumatic for both of us. I looked into operating and it was ££ridiculous plus really invasive and not guaranteed to help. They wanted three-monthly reviews at the vets which cost a fortune plus the medication which was ££ and special food. I had to weigh up what was best for everyone and she's been without the meds for three years now. She's also 13 now

Thirtytimesround · 24/12/2021 21:45

We do the meds. Cat not insured. Vet is insane and wanted to do blood tests every 2 weeks at £250 / test. The tests never told them much, apart from ‘try a bit more’ of the meds. After a while we told the vet that while we’re able to buy the meds we are not able or willing to keep paying for the blood tests. The agreed to keep selling us the meds if we do 2 blood tests a year. Another option is the thyroid surgery, is about £1200 instead of the £2000 for the radioactive treatment.

Veterinari · 24/12/2021 22:06

Are you saying that kidney disease tests aren't reliable until they've been treated for hyperthyroidism?

Generally, yes

Original poster
purpleme12 · 24/12/2021 22:10

So I shouldn't trust my vet?

OP posts:
Veterinari · 24/12/2021 22:11

@Imagineit

Hey OP. My cat has this condition and needed weekly meds which she detested. I also found her insurance went up loads and didn't even cover the condition. Rightly or wrongly, I have withdrawn medication. She hated it, cowered every time and it was traumatic for both of us. I looked into operating and it was ££ridiculous plus really invasive and not guaranteed to help. They wanted three-monthly reviews at the vets which cost a fortune plus the medication which was ££ and special food. I had to weigh up what was best for everyone and she's been without the meds for three years now. She's also 13 now
Unfortunately pet ownership is a responsibility, including a financial one.

All of the research shows that untreated hyperthyroidism negatively impacts on quality of life and increases the risks of heart and kidney disease

Veterinari · 24/12/2021 22:12

@purpleme12

So I shouldn't trust my vet?
Umm.. no that's not what I said Maybe re-read my posts
Original poster
purpleme12 · 24/12/2021 23:31

@Imagineit

Hey OP. My cat has this condition and needed weekly meds which she detested. I also found her insurance went up loads and didn't even cover the condition. Rightly or wrongly, I have withdrawn medication. She hated it, cowered every time and it was traumatic for both of us. I looked into operating and it was ££ridiculous plus really invasive and not guaranteed to help. They wanted three-monthly reviews at the vets which cost a fortune plus the medication which was ££ and special food. I had to weigh up what was best for everyone and she's been without the meds for three years now. She's also 13 now
Why didn't the insurance cover hyperthyroidism?
OP posts:
Imagineit · 25/12/2021 08:11

They did whilst I was in the first year with the condition but then the second year they took it off and put the price up!

Original poster
purpleme12 · 25/12/2021 08:26

Oh you mean you didn't have the lifetime cover?

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 25/12/2021 23:43

My mum and step dad hate me for being willing to spend this much on a cat
Cats are 'just cats' they say

OP posts:
AwkwardPaws27 · 26/12/2021 18:24

@purpleme12

My mum and step dad hate me for being willing to spend this much on a cat Cats are 'just cats' they say
What's it got to do with them? Unless they fund your lifestyle, it's your money and your pet. Personally I'd be happy to cut out luxury items (takeaways, eating out, etc) to keep my cats. You might not feel the same way, but you are an adult and it is your cat, not theirs.
Original poster
purpleme12 · 03/01/2022 14:51

If I try the liquid medicine how often would you expect blood tests to be done after starting on it?

OP posts:
Maximuss · 03/01/2022 15:44

The data sheet recommends at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 20 weeks then every 3 months, if cost is a concern for some of my
Clients then sometimes we stretch that a little ie. 3-4 weeks instead of 3 exactly but making sure they are fully aware of the risks

Original poster
purpleme12 · 03/01/2022 15:57

Ah right ok this is helpful
But I had thought it might be every 6 months when it's settled like some previous posters had said ☹️

OP posts:
Maximuss · 03/01/2022 18:13

If they are stable and doing well then 6 monthly is something I’ve done once we’ve got the correct dose and am happy kidneys are ok etc

hawleybits · 10/01/2022 22:19

My cat is having a thyroidectomy tomorrow morning after trying the Thyronorm liquid for a couple of months. It really didn't suit her and made her nauseous to the point she wasn't able to eat. Medication isn't always the simple answer.
Our veterinary practice is also a hospital and we have a lovely vet, so I'm optimistic about the outcome of the operation. It will cost £621 including blood tests beforehand.
Only when my cat had started taking Thyronorm, did the reduced kidney function reveal itself via another blood test and this apparently happens when the thyroid condition is stabilised by medication - something to do with the reduction in blood flow through the kidneys . Fortunately, our cat is early stage and should be controlled with diet alone.
I hope you find the answers you're looking for; I know what a dreadful worry it is when you love your pet so much.

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