Hyperthyroid kitty will remain hyper....

[alfreda89]

It's official -- Merlyn is hyperthyroid, and cannot handle the one med they use for it. It's radioactive isotopes ($$$) or nothing. Considering I have not worked in three years, I am suspicious of using radiation to kill anything, and he's gonna be 15 in August, there will be no killing of thyroid. I just have to feed him to keep up with the burn, and live with him talking constantly. (They call it night yelling. My cat sitters will be thrilled.)

The biggest concern was shortening his life, but he's outlived his brother and older half-brother, so he's doing fine. I think of him as my Dorian Gray kitty. He looks like a teenager cat! Also, this can mask kidney problems. But he may not have kidney problems, just the thyroid problem. I plan to just love him, and not give him any more of the med that made him hurl constantly and me wash the bedding every day for a week.

Comments

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

It was under the Methimazole name that had him by the throat -- even 1.25 mg was too much. I thought Tapazole was another name for the same drug? From the thioamide group? I was going to see what the natural people had come up with, to see if anything works for cats.

I was low thyroid, so none of the herbal supplements I used apply in this case.

So he can't handle either Tapazole or Methimazole?

[christymarx.livejournal.com]

I've used both for hyperthyroid cats. I guess it's basically the same thing under different names, but I wasn't positive.

It's too bad he can't tolerate the pills, as it works so well to keep the condition under control. I couldn't afford to do the radioactive treatment for my girl either, so I sympathize. At 15, as long as her general health, weight and kidneys remain good, you should be okay.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

The kidneys are the question -- is there a problem, masked by thyroid, or not? I just make sure he has fresh water.

[christymarx.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've had a number of hyperthyroid kitties and with one old boy that was a major question. As the vet probably explained, the overactive thyroid makes the kidneys work overtime, so if the kidneys aren't working right, the thyroid is basically making them work. But the hyperthyroidism has its own consequences, so it's really a balancing act. We struggled between keeping his thyroid somewhat controlled, but keeping his kidneys going. It's tricky.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Have you ever used the topical form on a cat? While I was out the Vet called and said we could try that -- doesn't usually trigger the GI problems.

[christymarx.livejournal.com]

Wow, no, I had no idea it even existed! But it's certainly worth a try. Good luck!