Hyperthyroidism

Boy Kitty's hyperthyroidism test came back high and I picked up his medication today afterwork.

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder that effects cats. It creates an overproduction of hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Some common symptoms include weight loss, being extremely hungry, as well as vomitting. There are three ways to treat hyperthyroidism: radioactive iodine, surgical removal of the affected glands, and medication. The route that the vet decided to go with Boy Kitty is most common -- with medication.

Hyperthyroidism medication is methimazole (Tapazole) which is a human medication. It works by blocking the secretion of the hormone in the thyroid gland and balances (hopefully) the cat's system out. This is a treatment and not a cure.

Because Boy Kitty has chronic renal failure his dosage has been lowered to 5mg twice a day (that's a 1/4 of a pill twice a day). Apparently, this drug has negative effects with CRF and that is why they treat cats with CRF with a lower dosage.

He will have to be monitored a bit more frequently now, but I am not sure exactly how frequently yet. We go back on May 2nd to have his bloodwork and thyroid rechecked to see how things are going. Bloodwork/thyroid tests run about $230

Cost of medication: $23

I put the pill in a blob of NutraCal ($4 approx) and smear it inside his lips (as far as he'll let me go) and on top of his mouth. He seems to like the NutraCal but doesn't appreciate the forcefeeding. I don't want to give him too much because the protein content of NutraCal is high. However, a little will not hurt.

The Hi-Tor Neo Diet cat can food was delivered today at the office and I gave Boy Kitty half of a can with a squirt of Welactin ($10 approx)when I got home. He didn't eat it all but he did seem to like it. He hasn't been acting crazy hungry today -- and it can't be the hyperthyroidism pill yet. We'll see tomorrow if the rest of the food is gone or if I need to mix some "junk" food in with it to get him to eat better.


Cost of the 24 cans $29 and change via amazon.com. Delivery was fast and packaged well. Cost of this food is MUCH less than the Hill's KD food sold at PetSmart. So, hopefully he will like it. I told my vet about the food today and I told her I would give her the label to the food when I see her next week since she's never heard of it.

Ok, some odd behavior today. He hasn't been sleeping in his bed but underneath the covered grill on the patio (he usually hangs out on the patio). He doesn't appear sickly or lethargic. He's alert and upbeat. Maybe it's cooler there?

I gave him fluids tonight. Finished out the bag so it may have been over 100ml but not by much. Cost of sub-q fluids: $20-30 depending on if I buy the attachment thingie. Sometimes it is free if I get it when my vet is there. However, the staff always gives me needles for free and I return the used needles so they can dispose of them properly.

I am looking forward to having his bloodwork/thyroid rechecked. Naturally I am hoping for improved numbers.