Cat with thyroid problems advice

Allthedays1 · 2026-06-27T11:17:02+00:00

Hello so my 8 year old cat has just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. We are giving him the meds, just started and it's liquid. Said to give it to him directly but he fought and it's so hot and his heart is struggling as it is so I put it in a liquid treat. Is that ok?!? Also has anyone gone for the iodine treatment. He's a stressy cat but he's so young and cost wise it seems the best option although would need to get a loan. And no we stupidly don't have insurance. Just worried he won't cope with being isolated

Lieblingpotato · 27/06/2026 12:24

I also have a cat with thyroid problems and we put her meds in her wet food. We did, however, have to build up to the full dose as she showed signs of overdose.
I have no experience with iodine treatments. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along to share some of what they have learned.
All the best to you and your cat.

Twelvetimes · 27/06/2026 12:26

My 12 year old cat had hyperthyroidism and she was given tablets, I don't know about the liquid but I can't see how it would matter if you gave it on a treat.

Has your vet not suggested surgery? My cat had tablets for a month to reduce her levels, then she had surgery. This was ten years ago so obviously costs have increased but it wasn't expensive as it was day surgery, she went in at 8.30 and was back home by 5. It was about £300. It worked with no problems, and she had no need for further medication.

I would not have put her through iodine treatment due to having to be away from home for a while. And it must be more expensive than surgery.

Original poster

Allthedays1 · 27/06/2026 12:33

Twelvetimes · 27/06/2026 12:26

My 12 year old cat had hyperthyroidism and she was given tablets, I don't know about the liquid but I can't see how it would matter if you gave it on a treat.

Has your vet not suggested surgery? My cat had tablets for a month to reduce her levels, then she had surgery. This was ten years ago so obviously costs have increased but it wasn't expensive as it was day surgery, she went in at 8.30 and was back home by 5. It was about £300. It worked with no problems, and she had no need for further medication.

I would not have put her through iodine treatment due to having to be away from home for a while. And it must be more expensive than surgery.

He said that surgery works but then it comes back the other side? It was a lot to take in as he went through all the treatments

OP posts:

AnnaMagnani · 27/06/2026 12:39

Ours couldn't have surgery as the side wasn't identifiable. We stuck to the tablets which was easy as we could wrap them in Webbox Catstix and throw them to her like a treat.

TheSomethingRain · 27/06/2026 12:40

Hi - I have a cat with hyperthyroidism and a friend who has 2 cats with hyperthyroidism. We don't bother wrestling our felines twice a day - I pipette it onto wet food and mine just licks it off. Apparently it's created to be a very tasty feline treat, so putting it on something they'll eat is absolutely fine, so long as you are certain that they are eating it/licking it off.

Neither of us went down the radioactive iodine route: my cat is 18 and getting a bit too frail; my mates' cats are also older and moreover bonded so it would be very stressful for them. With an 18-yo cat, I can cope with the idea of rest-of-life medication and (importantly) can afford it. But, if any of the cats were younger, totally would recommend the radioactive iodine route. It spares you the twice a day medication (which is a faff to remind cat-sitters about), and the ongoing lifetime cost of medication - and those little bottles aren't cheap! Basically, what I'm saying is that if your cat is 8 and otherwise robust (they perk up fast on the meds), definitely look at getting the iodine done. Vets are used to stressed animals, and it's a case of once and done.

Twelvetimes · 27/06/2026 13:01

@Allthedays1 It didn't come back for my cat, but she was older and died three years later at 15 of other causes anyway. Maybe it's more of a risk for a younger cat with more lifespan ahead of them, I don't know.

I would go back and talk through the options again so they are clear in your head. Have you asked how much the iodine treatment will cost?

Original poster

Allthedays1 · 27/06/2026 13:27

Twelvetimes · 27/06/2026 13:01

@Allthedays1 It didn't come back for my cat, but she was older and died three years later at 15 of other causes anyway. Maybe it's more of a risk for a younger cat with more lifespan ahead of them, I don't know.

I would go back and talk through the options again so they are clear in your head. Have you asked how much the iodine treatment will cost?

Thanks he said that last time it was £4,500 but he imagines it will have gone up. At my work everyone said to not bother but he's my furry child! We don't have the money so would need to get a loan but I think as he's so young then it's the cheapest option. His meds was £50 and the vet said he would need a blood test every six months ( the one to test it was £156)

OP posts:

DaffyTaffy · 27/06/2026 13:40

We went down the radioactive iodine treatment route for our cat as she was also 8 years old when diagnosed and otherwise healthy. No regrets at all. We timed it for when we were on holiday and would have needed a cat sitter anyway and she has recovered brilliantly.

maddiemookins16mum · 27/06/2026 13:44

Our boy has tablets (Felimazole) twice a day (10 mg in the am) and 5 mg in the evening. His T4 had reached 76 (on a lower dose of 5mg only) and he was losing weight. Now he is on the 15mg a day he is back down to a T4 of 19. He eats them from my hand!

Twelvetimes · 27/06/2026 14:01

@Allthedays1 If you can get a loan then I guess that is a good option. Daily medicating has costs too and is a pain if the cat is not co-operative.

My cat was a nightmare to medicate so I was very happy to go for surgery. If she hadn't been suitable I would probably have had her PTS, but it's different for every cat and owner.

Original poster

Allthedays1 · 27/06/2026 14:58

DaffyTaffy · 27/06/2026 13:40

We went down the radioactive iodine treatment route for our cat as she was also 8 years old when diagnosed and otherwise healthy. No regrets at all. We timed it for when we were on holiday and would have needed a cat sitter anyway and she has recovered brilliantly.

Glad you're kitty is better. The vet did say he had never seen it in a cat as young as mine but I do find on Reddit some younger cats. Do you mind answering what it entailed? I've looked online and some vets say they keep them for 3 weeks, other that they come home and isolate. Also how much did it cost if you don't mind me asking.

OP posts:

PurpleFlower1983 · 27/06/2026 14:59

Ours goes on wet food.

DaffyTaffy · 27/06/2026 17:31

If I recall correctly the only mandatory period for her to be isolated after the treatment (which is literally just an injection) was 7 days provided if, when she came home, we could prevent her from sleeping with family members and could keep her inside (as we would have to bag and dispose of her poo safely). They did say if kids in the house they would recommed her staying with them for 10 days. They were able to check her radiation levels each day and so could minimise how long she had to stay. In the end they ended up transferring her to their boarding house after 7 days where they then looked after her until we returned from holiday (at a cheaper rate). This was at Chipping Norton Animal Hospital. The cost was £3,500.

Original poster

Allthedays1 · 27/06/2026 20:47

DaffyTaffy · 27/06/2026 17:31

If I recall correctly the only mandatory period for her to be isolated after the treatment (which is literally just an injection) was 7 days provided if, when she came home, we could prevent her from sleeping with family members and could keep her inside (as we would have to bag and dispose of her poo safely). They did say if kids in the house they would recommed her staying with them for 10 days. They were able to check her radiation levels each day and so could minimise how long she had to stay. In the end they ended up transferring her to their boarding house after 7 days where they then looked after her until we returned from holiday (at a cheaper rate). This was at Chipping Norton Animal Hospital. The cost was £3,500.

Thank you. How along ago did you have it done?

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Needanadultgapyear · 27/06/2026 20:49

@Allthedays1i have had several patients go for radioactive iodine treatment and if one of mine was to get hyperthyroidism and was otherwise well it is the option I would go for. I have had one patient who was one of the 5% that needed a second dose.

Oxo01 · 28/06/2026 15:18

Allthedays1 · 27/06/2026 13:27

Thanks he said that last time it was £4,500 but he imagines it will have gone up. At my work everyone said to not bother but he's my furry child! We don't have the money so would need to get a loan but I think as he's so young then it's the cheapest option. His meds was £50 and the vet said he would need a blood test every six months ( the one to test it was £156)

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If you stay on the meds then ask for a prescription from your vets ( cost about £25 depending on your vets) buy them on line.

I asked for 3 x 100ml bottles to be on the prescription once it was established it was long term need.

Plenty of sellers online
I opted for Animed so much cheaper, tiny bottle from vets was over £60 compsted to 100ml from Animed £ 48.

Great custmer service online and phone free delivery if you remember to order in advance or can track your order, get faster delivery at a charge.