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Original poster

Difficult Decision Thyroidectomy or Just Leave Her 16 Year Old Cat

36 replies

Mercurial123 · 08/07/2022 16:15

My cat is around 16, not sure of her exact age as she was feral and she decided to live with me 15 years ago.

She's got kidney issues which have improved significantly thanks to change in diet and fluids.

After blood tests she has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. It's impossible to give her Methimazole she hated it and refused to take it. It got so bad she would hide when she saw me. Also tried Hills Prescription Thyroid dry and wet food which she also hates.

I'm overseas so treatment options are limited. Vet had suggested thyroidechtomy but it's not guaranteed to give a good result and may lead to complications. She's old. Do I put her through surgery or just let her enjoy the rest of her life and then PTS when the time comes?

She's eating and playing but sleeping a lot. But generally in good spirits.

What would you do?

OP posts:
VeryQuaintIrene · 08/07/2022 16:19

I put methimozole in my cat's food and she doesn't seem to notice it at all. And she's been on it for years (and BP medicine) and is still going strong at 19+. Can you not hide it in some irresistible treat and try again with it?

Lolabalola · 08/07/2022 16:23

Can you get the liquid where you are ? Thyronorm. You can just stick it in food and tastes fine.
Or there is a gel you apply to ear.
Operation is pretty straight forward
Personally I would treat or accept that time remaining will be limited. It's sort of more aggressive than renal disease in that at some point it will cause heart failure which can be catastrophic.

Original poster
Mercurial123 · 08/07/2022 16:23

@VeryQuaintIrene no it doesn't work she knows it's there. Tried cheese, butter and pill pockets. She sniffs and walks off in disgust.

OP posts:
GerryAtrick · 08/07/2022 16:25

I would let her enjoy the time she has left.

VeryQuaintIrene · 08/07/2022 16:25

The liquid form of it really is completely undetectable if you. can get hold of some of that

Original poster
Mercurial123 · 08/07/2022 16:27

@Lolabalola thanks we can't get the transdermal gel. I'll ask about Thyronorm but my vet said all they could offer was Thyronorm.

I was all set for surgery but now I just don't know. I'm just concerned how much time she has left if we don't get surgery.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mercurial123 · 08/07/2022 16:28

Sorry meant to say Methimazole was the only option.

OP posts:
Stickytreacle · 08/07/2022 16:28

I had thyroidectomy done on an old cat, the thyronorm was no longer controlling his symptoms, we were unsure of his exact age as he was a stray. He died while recovering at the surgery, I wouldn't do it again and would make the most of her remaining time.

Hoppinggreen · 08/07/2022 16:28

I probably wouldn’t go for the surgery to be honest

Original poster
Mercurial123 · 08/07/2022 16:45

How long would you guess if I don't choose surgery?

OP posts:
countrygirl99 · 08/07/2022 16:53

We had the surgery on a cat a similar age. Tbh I wouldn't again. He only lasted a few more months and was never right.

sleepymum50 · 08/07/2022 17:02

It was more than 25 years ago so my memory is hazy. But I had a cat who had to have her thyroid removed. She was about 14 at the time. It had made her very skinny and there were concerns about whether she’d make it through surgery.

She made it through and recovered, she probably lasted a couple of years at most. I remember being shocked when she came out of surgery as she looked as if she’d had her throat cut. Which she’d obviously had, I think I just expected something smaller.

I was able to look after her intensively, so maybe that helped. I remember I had to give her a thyroid pill which I used to put in little balls of raw mince.

im not sure what to suggest for you. 16 is a good age. It’s a big operation. Maybe try the other suggestion re medication first. I think I would be inclined not to put her through surgery, you’ve given her a good life for 15 years. That’s more than many pets get. x

Newnormal99 · 08/07/2022 17:06

My car has thyronorm- initially a little reluctant she is now at the point where she licks the syringe after taking it!

Original poster
Mercurial123 · 08/07/2022 17:22

Thanks everyone and sorry to all who lost their cats.

thyronorm is only available on prescription. From what I understand it has to be written by a vet registered in the country you get the meds from. I can a prescription but am unable to get a vet to dispense it as I'm not in the UK.

I've seen the surgery and it does look pretty brutal. At the moment I'm not going to do it. I just want her to enjoy the time she has.

After a 12 hour nap she's outside patrolling.

OP posts:
Davros · 08/07/2022 17:27

Can you get Lik-E-Lix cat yoghurt? They will take anything hidden in that!

HoppingPavlova · 08/07/2022 17:31

If she has her thyroid out, you will need to give her thyroid replacement hormone medication and this is non-negotiable. It sounds as though you have difficulty medicating her so I’d factor that in, doesn’t really sound feasible.

SupposeItDoesnt · 08/07/2022 17:32

Does your country have radioactive Iodine therapy? That’s a cure without surgery.

moredogsthansense · 08/07/2022 17:43

HoppingPavlova · 08/07/2022 17:31

If she has her thyroid out, you will need to give her thyroid replacement hormone medication and this is non-negotiable. It sounds as though you have difficulty medicating her so I’d factor that in, doesn’t really sound feasible.

No, you won’t need to give thyroid hormone if she has her thyroid out, and the surgery is fiddly rather than brutal- it looks as if they’ve had their throats cut but it’s a very shallow wound.

the bigger risk is that she may relapse if only one side is currently affected and the second goes the same way later, or that there may be other invisible issues that become apparent later. I’ve been a vet for over thirty years. This is a problem that some owners do decide not to treat, accepting that it will shorten life expectancy. It’s a personal decision.

Original poster
Mercurial123 · 08/07/2022 17:57

@Davros thanks have ordered. Even if she detects the meds I can just give them her as regular treats.
@moredogsthansense thanks will discuss with my vet.

OP posts:
Davros · 08/07/2022 19:15

I hope she likes it. My cat is very difficult with anything medical and she will take anything crushed up in that stuff. It's vile to squeeze out of the mini pouch 🤮
I'm having a similar dilemma with my 14.5 yr old with debatable diabetes

Original poster
Mercurial123 · 08/07/2022 19:30

Thanks I hope she does even if it's just as a treat.

Hope you're cat is OK. Mine was indestructible until she wasn't 😔.

OP posts:
Newfluff · 08/07/2022 19:33

No I wouldn't have it done. Good life and good death is the best we can hope for. Not living at all costs.

Original poster
Mercurial123 · 08/07/2022 20:13

Newfluff · 08/07/2022 19:33

No I wouldn't have it done. Good life and good death is the best we can hope for. Not living at all costs.

Very true. She's had a good life and continues to be happy.

OP posts:
Davros · 08/07/2022 20:15

I agree. Once they're a certain age then how much should we put them through?

HoppingPavlova · 09/07/2022 04:46

No, you won’t need to give thyroid hormone if she has her thyroid out, and the surgery is fiddly rather than brutal- it looks as if they’ve had their throats cut but it’s a very shallow wound.

Thx, learn something every day. So cats don’t require hormone replacement if having their thyroids removed. Is this the same for all animals or only cats? I only deal with humans who do need replacement after having the thyroid removed and potentially also extra’s if the para’s go as well dependant on how many (if any) cylinders they end up firing on.

It’s fascinating as learnt in another thread from a vet that pre-op blood tests were standard for all animals, again completely different to humans where we’d only do this if we believed indicated for a reason or checking something specifically. Does happen for certain flagged surgeries obviously but not routine for standard stuff but seemingly animals react differently and it’s required. Fascinating how we can be so similar in some ways (physiologically) yet completely different in other aspects.