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Thyroid issues and high BP

3 replies

mysparkleismissing · 19/10/2026 21:38

My girl (age 16) has changed her behaviour recently and lost weight

Very vocal meowing all the time and no longer hangs out with us in the lounge or on the sofa preferring to sit on top of the bookcase or on the dining table/kitchen surface (not comfortable at all!)

Blood tests highlight overactive thyroid which explains the weightloss and she also has high BP which ciuld be linked

Vat called to discuss options
Surgery
Pills
Liquid medication
Or 2 week + stay at a vets in Yorkshire for some kind of radiotherapy (i think) (we are in Hertfordshire)

Thinking of doing the liquid medication route as which is twice a day as I think she will tolerate that better than tablets and the surgery/radiotherapy options are too much, her in the car each way to Yorkshire and away from home isn't fair. And surgery at her age when it might not work.

So the medication means we try for a month repeat bloods and see what has happened - it could induce problems with her kidney so they'll also need monitoring

And repeat a month's medication and another blood test until the levels are OK and see if that fixes her BP or if she will need separate medication for that

Anyone had experience of this

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
vetprob · Yesterday 05:51

We chose surgery for our (then) 14yo boy. It was successful.- we chose it because we didn't want the expense and hassle of ongoing medication, and insurance covered most of the surgery costs. Medication would probably have been our next choice. Radiation therapy sounded distressing for our old boy to be away from home (and have no human interaction) for so long. He loves a fuss too much.

Since then hes developed diabetes and potential bladder issues - not connected, just an old cat! So pleased the thyroid was dealt with as he's now on a multitude of other treatments.

His brother has/had a completely different set of health issues. You just never know what's around the corner!

Defiantly41 · Yesterday 06:46

Veteran owner of our 3rd elderly cat, they almost all seem to develop thyroid issues in late teens. The liquid treatment (Thyronorm) suits most cats, much easier to administer than a pill. It’s expensive, if it works, get a prescription from your vet and buy online. Has worked well for all 3 of mine , only not worked for 2 cats I know, one it wasn’t the right med for her and they ended up switching to a pill form, one was too clever and refused to be caught (it has to be administered twice a day). I’ve also a neighbour whose cat had the surgical option.

all have lived long and contented lives afterwards, our current cat is 20 and has been medicated since 15. Previous cats lived to 19 and 20. If I had another cat newly diagnosed, I’d consider surgery as it’s not just the med costs but the prescriptions and repeat blood tests whereas with surgery it’s back to an annual test, depends on age at diagnosis

mysparkleismissing · Yesterday 11:32

Thanks for the reply its reassuring to hear your experience

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