Hyperthyroidism in Old Cat Biting Face Whilst Sleeping

Mercurial123 · 2023-02-09T04:34:51+00:00

My 17 year old cat has hyperthyroidism and kidney issues for the last couple of years. In the last 6 months, she's been biting my face at night, drawing blood. It was only occasionally, but now it's at least twice a week. I know it's connected to her hyperthyroidism, and I'll discuss it with the vet on our next visit in a week or so. Has anyone else had this issue? She's eating well and playing, grooming, etc. Would it be a sign that her issues are worsening? She's on palliative care, refuses meds, and specific diet food. We're overseas, so the meds we get are very limited. TIA

Sunriseinwonderland · 09/02/2023 12:13

If she's refusing meds she's probably getting very confused. I made my hyperthyroid cat take her meds or she got very bitey. I just opened her mouth and put the pill in the back of her throat and then kept her mouth shut until she swallowed it.
If she doesn't take her meds her blood pressure will shoot up and she'll probably go blind.

Original poster

Mercurial123 · 09/02/2023 14:58

Sunriseinwonderland · 09/02/2023 12:13

If she's refusing meds she's probably getting very confused. I made my hyperthyroid cat take her meds or she got very bitey. I just opened her mouth and put the pill in the back of her throat and then kept her mouth shut until she swallowed it.
If she doesn't take her meds her blood pressure will shoot up and she'll probably go blind.

I guess it depends on how easy it is to give the meds. My cat is a nightmare, even the vet struggles. She was feral, living on the streets and still is slightly wild. She was totally stressed and stopped trusting me. It wasn't a decision I made lightly. But thanks for making me feel a bit rubbish.

The vet said she may get a detached retina but that wasn't guaranteed.

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nancyglancy · 09/02/2023 15:01

I really struggled to get meds in my hyperthyroid cat too. We used to put them in a tiny bit of smoked salmon. She reacted badly though and eventually had the radioactive iodine treatment. She was 13 then, still young compared to your puss. There is a hyperthyroid diet but they can't eat anything else at all. Wasn't an option for us as dcat was a bit of a milk and butter thief.

nancyglancy · 09/02/2023 15:02

Sorry just realised cat on the diet already.

Zephirine · 09/02/2023 15:09

I’d shut the cat out of the bedroom for a start. You need to be so careful with cat bites. I would also consider putting her to sleep if her behaviour is that distressing, both for her and for you. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh.

Original poster

Mercurial123 · 09/02/2023 15:11

nancyglancy · 09/02/2023 15:02

Sorry just realised cat on the diet already.

Yes, we did try the Youngs wet and dry food iodine specific diet food but she hated it. The meds we can get are limited. Thyroidechtomy was suggested, but I didn't want to put her through the trauma.

She's fine within herself, still grooming and playing.

Hyperthyroidism in Old Cat Biting Face Whilst Sleeping

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Original poster

Mercurial123 · 09/02/2023 15:15

Zephirine · 09/02/2023 15:09

I’d shut the cat out of the bedroom for a start. You need to be so careful with cat bites. I would also consider putting her to sleep if her behaviour is that distressing, both for her and for you. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh.

No, we're not at that point yet. My vet will tell me when he thinks it's time.

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Pearfacebanana · 09/02/2023 15:20

I've got a cat with hyperthyroidism and there's no biting of faces going on. Sounds more like dementia.

MangoBiscuit · 09/02/2023 15:20

Are there any wet treats that she likes? I can handle feeding ours a pill as a one off, but regular medication and they won't let me near them. Instead we grind the tablets up with a pestle and mortar, mix it into a gravy treat tube, and serve it on a plate. Both of ours will lick the plate clean, meds and all.

Original poster

Mercurial123 · 09/02/2023 15:22

Pearfacebanana · 09/02/2023 15:20

I've got a cat with hyperthyroidism and there's no biting of faces going on. Sounds more like dementia.

Aggression is linked to hyperthyroidism in older cats. Yowling at night also.

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Original poster

Mercurial123 · 09/02/2023 15:23

MangoBiscuit · 09/02/2023 15:20

Are there any wet treats that she likes? I can handle feeding ours a pill as a one off, but regular medication and they won't let me near them. Instead we grind the tablets up with a pestle and mortar, mix it into a gravy treat tube, and serve it on a plate. Both of ours will lick the plate clean, meds and all.

No, it doesn't work. I tried all flavours of Like liks (sp).

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Original poster

Mercurial123 · 09/02/2023 15:25

Aggression in hyperthyroidism

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longtompot · 09/02/2023 17:20

I would think you cat is incredibly hungry due to the hyperthyroidism. I know our old boy would get very insistent when he had been off his meds. Even would try and beat up our dog!
Have you tried a pill putty to give her the meds? Ours was very fussy with his, and could eat all around the pate or cheese if we used that and leave the pills! Pill putty is expensive but you only need a tiny amount, enough to cover the pill, so you can eek it out.
The vet is correct with the detached retina. Ours didn't quite have that, but he did temporarily go blind when his blood pressure got too high. He was put on blood pressure pills and his sight came back. Sadly we had to have him pts last year but he lived to almost 20, the last 7+ years with the hyperthyroidism.
If you aren't going to give her meds anymore, and I really do understand how hard it is with a pill refuser, then I am sorry to say this, but I think the kindest thing would be to put her to sleep.

longtompot · 09/02/2023 17:21

This is the stuff www.amazon.co.uk/Easypill-Gram-Individually-Wrapped-Bars/dp/B00NMKUIKC?th=1

Vinvertebrate · 09/02/2023 17:25

We use liquid thyroxin and yes he gets very aggressive if he doesn’t get it. Sadly I think it’s only going to be sorted if you can get the right medicine in the cat. I also ruled out the surgery because I thought it unfair on my old boy (and also because I’d never be able to keep him away from DS).

Original poster

Mercurial123 · 09/02/2023 17:35

longtompot · 09/02/2023 17:20

I would think you cat is incredibly hungry due to the hyperthyroidism. I know our old boy would get very insistent when he had been off his meds. Even would try and beat up our dog!
Have you tried a pill putty to give her the meds? Ours was very fussy with his, and could eat all around the pate or cheese if we used that and leave the pills! Pill putty is expensive but you only need a tiny amount, enough to cover the pill, so you can eek it out.
The vet is correct with the detached retina. Ours didn't quite have that, but he did temporarily go blind when his blood pressure got too high. He was put on blood pressure pills and his sight came back. Sadly we had to have him pts last year but he lived to almost 20, the last 7+ years with the hyperthyroidism.
If you aren't going to give her meds anymore, and I really do understand how hard it is with a pill refuser, then I am sorry to say this, but I think the kindest thing would be to put her to sleep.

Thanks, we tried pill pockets she ate it with the meds and realised what was hidden in there and refused to touch it again.

I trust my vet's opinion, and he's advised she is doing OK considering. No doubt we will be having the conversation, but not yet.

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Original poster

Mercurial123 · 09/02/2023 17:36

She's maintaining her weight and isn't losing.

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GoldDuster · 09/02/2023 17:36

Is this not what doors are for? Bless you, once would be enough for me! You have the patience of a saint!

007DoubleOSeven · 09/02/2023 17:39

I know two cats whose thyroid is treated using liquid medicine. For one, it's gently syringed into the mouth (treats before & after) but she is v placid. The other is a traumatised rescue and has it in some cat milk or lik e lix - or even cream.

Original poster

Mercurial123 · 09/02/2023 17:39

GoldDuster · 09/02/2023 17:36

Is this not what doors are for? Bless you, once would be enough for me! You have the patience of a saint!

It's not so easy. The house is on one level. She's slept in the bedroom for 15 years, and she yowls if she can't come in. If we had stairs, that would be a different story.

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Cookerhood · 09/02/2023 17:42

You can get thyroid medication to put on their ears, it's absorbed through the skin. Is this an option? I'd ask the vet.
Our hyperthyroid cat is on meds,which has improved his hunger & he's gained weight, but he has a mad 5 minutes about 9pm every day.

longtompot · 09/02/2023 17:42

@Mercurial123 pill pockets are very different. This stuff is like a putty but I assume is very highly flavoured and scented which is why our cat would eat his pills.
I'm glad she isn't losing weight and that you are in frequent contact with the vets. I hope you find a solution that works for both of you 💐

Original poster

Mercurial123 · 09/02/2023 17:43

007DoubleOSeven · 09/02/2023 17:39

I know two cats whose thyroid is treated using liquid medicine. For one, it's gently syringed into the mouth (treats before & after) but she is v placid. The other is a traumatised rescue and has it in some cat milk or lik e lix - or even cream.

Thanks, I know most cats like lik e lix but she hates it. We can't get the liquid medication only pill form. Have tried everything available to us with zero success.

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Original poster

Mercurial123 · 09/02/2023 17:44

Cookerhood · 09/02/2023 17:42

You can get thyroid medication to put on their ears, it's absorbed through the skin. Is this an option? I'd ask the vet.
Our hyperthyroid cat is on meds,which has improved his hunger & he's gained weight, but he has a mad 5 minutes about 9pm every day.

We can't get transdermal gel. Pills are the only option.

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Soggyhouse · 09/02/2023 17:47

Poor little kitty. My 17 year old cat has recently been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism too, I wondered why she was so bitey. I have liquid meds for her and put them in wet food. No way I could get a tablet in her daily, and I can't use the skin pipette due to being pregnant so liquid it is.

Can you shut her out at night? My cat would go ballistic at my bedroom door if I did that though so I understand if it doesn't work.