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

Re: looks like

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Merlyn seems to have become stubborn about taste changes, so I'll think it over carefully. The liquid might save time and serious hassle -- on bad hand days, it's hard to pill him, if the pill is lousy, and I've wasted more food with pills in it. I hope the liquid doesn't make the food too weird -- he's not a bolter of food, though fast!

Thank you! XXOOOXX

Re: looks like

[sheilagh.livejournal.com]

When my cats are reluctant about an herbal med that goes in their food, I'll portion out a tablespoon "appetizer" and dose that with meds, smooshed in, and maybe topped with bonito-flakes to make it extra appetizing.

Then, the rest of their food is made available to them once they've finished the med-food :)

Re: looks like

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Hummmmm.... Maybe we will try the bonito flakes. The Vet called while I was out -- said I could try a topical version of the med. Cats usually don't have GI problems with the topical. However -- Merlyn reacted badly even before the heaving, and to only a 1/4 of a tablet. So I suspect his system is too delicate for such a powerful drug.

Too bad tea can't cure it!

Re: looks like

[sheilagh.livejournal.com]

a few pages into the reviews on http://www.petwellbeing.com/products/cat-hyperthyroid

there were people noting the drug you mentioned (various reviews) and how their cats reacted poorly to the drug, vomited, etc.

has your vet checked out that link?

They also offer a wiki page on hyperthyrodism, in cats specifically
http://pethealth.petwellbeing.com/wiki/Cat_Hyperthyroidism

Re: looks like

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Don't know what the Vet thinks about it, other than she has used the drug successfully, and she has found that 20% of cats react poorly to it. I'll try to do some homework tonight after the client leaves (and before, knowing him, he'll be late...)

er, no, wasn't clear :)

[sheilagh.livejournal.com]

I mean just her awareness of the herbal approach in general, aside from / in addition to and specifics of comparing the herbal with the Rx med!

Re: er, no, wasn't clear :)

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes -- she has worked with natural remedies before, and has no problem coordinating efforts using the same. I will call her tomorrow and bring up the topical and the multiple herbal preps, and we'll discuss it.

I love your pumpkitten!