|
|
|
#1
February 5th, 2012, 01:49 PM
|
||||
|
||||
Hyperthyroid cat, need experiences
My approximately 12 year old cat, Rusty, was recently diagnosed as hyperthyroid. She also had/has some liver involvement or affected liver, with elevated liver enzymes.
Here are her lab values: Amylase 1907 (ref range 100 - 1200) U/L T4 150 (ref range 10 - 51) She had 2 seizures (that I know of) before she was diagnosed. One was less than 10 seconds, the other maybe 30 seconds. We started treatment with 0.5mL of liquid methimazole (5 mg/mL) twice a day, on Friday January 20. I started a food transition on Wednesday evening, and Thursday night she vomitted quite a few times. She also vomitted (just a little fluid) Friday. She did not vomit up any of the medication. This morning she had another seizure, worse than the others. It lasted close to a minute. The vet is closed today but I will be calling first thing tomorrow. I have not taken her in for a repeat analysis yet as they said she needed 2 full weeks of the medication before doing so. Today I am looking for experiences. Does this dosage sound right? (I don't know her exact weight but I can get it from the vet tomorrow) Is the vomiting and seizure today related to the thyroid? Is there a commercial food that seems better for these kitties? (She shares her food with Aubrie who does not have thyroid problems) Any and all experiences are welcome. Thank you in advance, Melissa
__________________
Guardian of  Taz (10) & one-eyed wonder  Cube (11).Forever in my heart: Patches Gizmo (1987 - 2008), Sierra (1999 - 2010), Rusty (1999 - 2012), Aubrie (1999-2014)"If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet." 
|
|
#2
February 5th, 2012, 05:45 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Melissa,my Rocky had HT was on meds for a couple of years,past from cancer on his Para-Thyroid.
My Chico at 14yrs now also has HT and he is on Felimazole 2,5mg twice /day..he weighs about 15 lb's. He has never had any seizures and neither did Rocky,but they both vomit liquid,Chico only small amounts ever now and then. The pills I give Chico are sugar-coated which is a great thing,he does not mind them. There is also a special food out to lower the thyroid-level,but I chose not to go that route,because they have to eat this food exclusively,nothing else. There also is another option and I am sure Growler will tell you about that. My Chico is doing good,gaining weight,but the vet said his level is too low,so he will be rechecked again,since this blood-test was in the morning almost right after he'd gotten his pill,next time he'll go in the afternoon. I am hoping Growler can tell you more,maybe the seizures are unrelated to HT???
__________________
"The cruelest animal is the Human animal" 3 kitties,Rocky(r.i.p my boy),Chico,Vinnie
|
|
#3
February 6th, 2012, 03:02 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The other option being the radioactive iodine? I read an article yesterday that said it doubled the average life vs oral medication, from 2 years to 4. Now I'm honestly wondering if Rusty is even going to have 2 years, and what her quality of life will be - and ours. It's hard enough to go on a vacation when Taz needed meds, now Aubrie is also on meds and Rusty needs meds twice a day. I'm not suggesting we're going to put her down, but I'm not sure what we can afford. The vet guessed that the radioactive iodine was $1500 and would require a 2 week stay in the vet hospital. Rusty hates being kenneled, it's very stressful on her. But I'm not sure how many blood tests I can afford either. They're easier to budget for, rather than a big fat payment.
The vet checked her heart, I'm not sure about bp. Her heart rate was really high and she had a small murmer. She said the seizures were probably related, because her values were so high. She's 3 times over the "normal" range, so I'm a bit surprised the dosage started so low. Anyways, I called and am taking her in this afternoon again. I will report once I get her results back (tomorrow). Thanks, Melissa
__________________
Guardian of Taz (10) & one-eyed wonder Cube (11).Forever in my heart: Patches Gizmo (1987 - 2008), Sierra (1999 - 2010), Rusty (1999 - 2012), Aubrie (1999-2014)"If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet."
|
|
#4
February 6th, 2012, 03:21 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
High heart rate (tachycardia) can certainly be an issue with hyperT (and may be part of the "thyroid storm" talked about in my second link). Ask the vet about Atenolol. It's easy to administer (it's tasteless so can be pulverized and mixed into wet food or a treat). Good luck at the vet! (and glad to hear Y/D isn't in the picture - the ingredients are brutally bad).
__________________
"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler
|
|
#5
February 7th, 2012, 02:17 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Since this was already on the board I thought I would just post the link for you to read, this is my experience with Radioactive Iodine Therapy
__________________
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do The Spirit Lives As Long As Someone Who Lives Remembers You - Navaho Saying
|
|
#6
February 7th, 2012, 08:56 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
dogmelissa,who told you they'd live 2 yrs on meds and 4 with the Iodine treatment??
My Rocky lived longer on meds,unfortunately he grew a tumor on his para-thyroid and had to be sent to the Bridge  I certainly hope Chico will live longer than 2yrs,but you never know,the thyroid has to be stable before the Iodine treatment. I could be wrong,but I thought the treatment is more like $3.000???
__________________
"The cruelest animal is the Human animal" 3 kitties,Rocky(r.i.p my boy),Chico,Vinnie
|
|
#7
February 6th, 2012, 08:21 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
 Quote:
Try to stay away from foods containing fish, as they tend to be higher in iodine.
__________________
"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler
|
|
#8
February 6th, 2012, 08:37 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Nice to see you back, dogmelissa, just sorry it's under these circumstances
 . I don't have any advice for you, but you are in good hands with chico and SCM. 
__________________
Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey
|
|
#9
February 6th, 2012, 02:51 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
I don't think I want to go vet-food route as I don't know how I could separate her food from Aubrie and prevent her eating other's food. I had a bad experience with a high protein food with Taz so I'm a bit scared to try another with the girls. I don't really know what to do! Melissa
__________________
Guardian of Taz (10) & one-eyed wonder Cube (11).Forever in my heart: Patches Gizmo (1987 - 2008), Sierra (1999 - 2010), Rusty (1999 - 2012), Aubrie (1999-2014)"If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet."
|
|
#10
February 6th, 2012, 01:18 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Did Rusty have his heart and blood pressure checked recently? That might also provide an important clue.
__________________
"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler
|
 |
«
Previous Thread
|
Next Thread
»
Hybrid Mode
|
|
Forum Terms of Use
- All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
- Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
- Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
- Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
- Read the Full Forum Rules
Forum Details
- Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%). - All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:05 AM.