Hyperthyroid Tapazole

[BuddyBoo]

My 9 year old cat was just diagnosed with hyperthyroid. Over the last two years he's lost 4 lbs and visited numerous vets and had numerous tests before hyperthyroid was finally diagnosed. He's now weighing in at 5.6 lbs. The dr. suggested Tapazole as the first medical option to get the thyroid under control and then ensure there are no other underlying kidney or heart issues. He's presently taking 2.5 ml a day and I'm wondering if anyone has any idea how long he'll need to take the meds before I start to see some results. He's very tired and seems quite weak but no different than before he started the meds. I just really am hoping to see some weight gain and wondered what the average time is before I'll see some improvements with him. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

[kanis]

My cat Ares was diagnosed with a hyperthyroid. His tummy couldn't take the tapazole and we ended up using methimazole (a topical cream). From what I recall, it took about two weeks to notice a difference in his weight, coat and behaviour. Later he was also diagnosed with a heart murmur. If it's feasible, I would consider getting either the operation or the radioactive iodine. We medicated Ares for over 3 years. And I think that had we dealt with the thyroid issue earlier, we may have identified the lymphoma sooner (we all assumed that the increase in his meds = weight loss).

[BuddyBoo]

Thanks for the quick response Kanis. I'm hoping the Radiocat will be an option after we are on the meds for a while and can ensure there are no other issues. I'm on constant watch of my poor little guy since this last weekend when they took the blood to run the tests. I'm relieved that we finally know what's wrong with him but he's been soooo out of it and I've been worried sick he's to far gone for the meds to have a chance to kick in.

[growler]

I'm surprised it took a while to diagnose HyperT, it's usually one of the first things they look for when an older cat starts losing weight.

The medication usually takes about 2-4 weeks to control the thyroid level so there is a stabilization in the blood test. It make take longer to stabilize depending on how quickly the appropriate dosage is discovered since it is different for each cat.

My cat had HyperT when she was tested she was just several points above the high end of normal, I went straight for the Radioactive Iodine Therapy & she's now been cured for a couple of years.

Often HyperT can mask other conditions such as kidney disease, usually if there is any other issues present they will show within 3 months of starting any of the treatment options when the T4 level starts to be controlled.

High blood pressure (Hypertension) can also coincide with HyperT, this needs to be monitored as well.

If you are feeding a fish based food, it is a good idea to wean your cat off fish foods & onto other protein based food and do not store opened canned food in the pull top cans, put into a glass container cover & store in the fridge.

Some reading for HyperT & treatment options:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=138

On medication
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...&S=0&C=0&A=510

An overall view:
http://www.2ndchance.info/hyperthyroid.htm

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/hyperthyroidism/info.html

RaId is only available in a few clinics across Canada & the US. It is expensive (cost me $1300) but when you compare that to the cost of years of medication, Drs appts, blood tests for rechecking levels - it works out to be either around the same amount or cheaper.

This site is full of information on RaId - this is the clinic in Vancouver BC I went to for my grrl's treatment, it is the only thing they do http://www.iodinecafe.com/ {they seem to have a problem w/their site right now}

There is another alternative treatment for HyperT - homeopathic remedies prescribed by a Homeopath Vet working to treat the symptoms of the whole cat not just one issue.

[Big Dog Mom]

My 17 year old cat, Nutmeg, was diagnosed a few weeks ago. She has been on Tapizole for about two and a half weeks. So far, no problem.

Many years ago, I had a Siamese cat, Ming Lei, who was on Tapizole. It caused her to get what the vet called "mulberry spots". They were purple spots on her tummy (something about blood pooling in the gut - sorry, it was about 25 years ago...). Anyhow, when I asked my current vet about this, it was something he never heard of. So who knows, but I am just throwing it out there for your consideration.

[BuddyBoo]

Thanks for your helpful links and feedback. Has anyone tried the homeopathic path for treating hyperthyroid and if so how did it work and what treatment was used?

[BuddyBoo]

My cat has been doing well on the Tapazole....been taking it for a little over a month now and he's gained two pounds!!

Recently he's been scratching himself (indoor cat only, so it's not fleas) and excessively grooming himself and shedding more than normal. Has anyone ever heard of this being a side effect to the Tapazole? Thanks for any feedback!

[growler]

Originally Posted by BuddyBoo

Thanks for your helpful links and feedback. Has anyone tried the homeopathic path for treating hyperthyroid and if so how did it work and what treatment was used?

Not sure how I missed this question....I didn't use the homeopathic treatment for my grrl, but my previous Homeopath vet has his cat on a remedy for HyperT and she's doing really well - I've seen her myself There are certain basic remedies that work for most animals but you really need to be seen by a homeopath vet to get an accurate remedy or combo that is tailored to work best for your cat.

Originally Posted by BuddyBoo

My cat has been doing well on the Tapazole....been taking it for a little over a month now and he's gained two pounds!!

Recently he's been scratching himself (indoor cat only, so it's not fleas) and excessively grooming himself and shedding more than normal. Has anyone ever heard of this being a side effect to the Tapazole? Thanks for any feedback!

That's great on the weight gain I'm glad Buddy's doing well

Yes unfortunately itching, scratching, excessive grooming & subsequent furloss can be a side effect of the Tapazole it can be quite serious given that they will not stop even after self inflicting wounds, this can then lead to infection.

Side effects generally occur within the first 3 months of starting the medication though not all cats are affected.

Medication for Hyperthyroidism from Veterinary Partner
Approximately 15% of cats will experience some kind of side effect. The usual side effects are: lethargy, loss of appetite, and vomiting. If one of these side effects occurs, medication is discontinued until the symptoms resolve. Medication is then restarted at a lower dose and gradually increased to the former dose. These side effects do not generally recur if medication is increased gradually in this way.

Facial itching is a more serious side effect. This side effect also resolves with anti-itch medication and discontinuation of methimazole. Cats who have this side effect can be expected to have it again if medication is restarted, so another form of treatment should be used. Facial itching occurs in less than 4% of cats on methimazole.

Make an appointment with your vet and mention the itching related to the Tapazole you can then discuss alternatives.

[BuddyBoo]

Thanks Growler. I did see when researching on the internet the facial itching side effect and the fact that it's only found in 4% of cats. Since it's not just facial itching I was hoping that maybe it wasn't a side effect to the Tapazole. :sad: My baby is very sensative to EVERYTHING so I'm not surprised he's one of the 4% just disappointed. I've recently been laid off from work and just last week refilled the Tapazole perscription so I'm not looking forward to now having to go in and see what other meds might work and having to pay the extra $. My unemployment will be going to my vet bills I guess!

Do you know if the Tapazole that you put in the ear (liquid, not pill) has the same side effects?

Thanks again!

[Dr Lee]

Originally Posted by BuddyBoo

He's presently taking 2.5 ml a day....

2.5 mg? or 2.5 mls?

Typically if methimazole (tapazole) is made in a liquid it is often concentrated. A common concentration is 5mg/ml. Just want to make sure we are not going too high with the meds. Tapazole is not tolerated well if given in high doses.

[BuddyBoo]

He's taking 5mg tablets but only a 1/4 dose twice daily every 12 hours. I understand from my vet this is the lowest dosage recommended to ensure the thyroid is balanced.

[growler]

Originally Posted by BuddyBoo

Since it's not just facial itching I was hoping that maybe it wasn't a side effect to the Tapazole. :sad: My baby is very sensative to EVERYTHING so I'm not surprised he's one of the 4% just disappointed.

Do you know if the Tapazole that you put in the ear (liquid, not pill) has the same side effects?

Was Buddy often itchy/scratching before the HyperThyroid diagnosis & treatment with Tapazole? or has it just started since he started the Tapazole?

If he was itchy prior to the HT diagnosis Buddy may be allergic to something, food (wheat, corn, chicken etc) is the most common allergin along with grass, pollen and environmental allergins like cleaning products, scented dyes in laundry soap etc.

Has he been vaccinated this year? I would ask you to speak to your vet about not vaccinating Buddy anymore, it is stated on the vaccines to only give to healthy animals & Buddy doesn't fit into that category anymore. Since Buddy is indoor only & if he has no contact with other cats that shouldn't be an issue with your vet - but please discuss it with him/her. The vaccine could aggrevate the HyperT condition as well as increasing the side effects of the meds. My new homeopath vet has informed my that my grrl is allergic to the vaccines & that is the reason she has been itchy every year in Sept/Oct cuz that is when she used to be vaccinated had I been told years ago she wouldn't have been vaccinated. With her kidney issues she was not vaccinated last year & will not be again.

The Transdermal (in the ear) Tapazole has reduced side effects on the gi tract (loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting) but according to the above posted link all other side effects are the same:

A study by Sartor, Trepanier, Kroll, Rodan and Challoner published in the September/October Journal of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine compared T4 levels and other parameters in 17 cats receiving oral methimazole (brand name Tapazole) vs. 27 cats on transdermal methimazole. They found fewer GI side effects (vomiting, diarrhea etc.) in the cats receiving transdermal methimazole but other side effects were the same in both groups.

There are some questions as to the efficacy of the transdermal meds since the skin normally acts as a barrier to keep things from entering the body, but not enough study has been done to truly gauge the results aside from reduced stomach upset.

As I mentioned previously I have no first hand experience w/Tapazole just what I've read/researched, but I'm happy to help find the answers for you.

Sorry about the job hope you find something soon & please update after Buddy's vet visit

[BuddyBoo]

Buddy's itchiness unfortunately is not a condition he had before. Like I said he's been taking the Tapazole since the end of August and just last week started the scratching and excessive grooming. He also hasn't been vaccinated for some time (they didn't vaccinate a few years ago when I started having all these tests done to determine what was ailing him) and then once he was finally diagnosed with the hyperthyroid they said it was better not to vaccinate until we got him healthier.

I spoke to the vet over the phone earlier this week and was told that unless he's got scabbing from all the itching and grooming I should continue to keep him on the Tapazole. Just this morning I noticed some scabbing on his neck so now I guess I'll have to see what direction they want to take this. They said there were no other meds for hyperthyroid to put him on and that even the gel in the ear would likely cause the same side effects. I just find it very odd that he had no real noticable side effects until we refilled the perscription for another 30 days of meds and when he started taking the new perscription is when this all started. It's labeled as the same dosage and the vet is telling me that it is the same but I guess I'm suspect that maybe just maybe they refilled the perscription inaccurately.

My poor boy seems to be so uncomforatable in his skin and I feel so helpless knowing that we've now determined it's hyperthyroid, gotten him on the meds, he's gained some weight and seemed on the road to recovery and now to have this uncommon side effect!