Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Kirst on January 11, 2010, 15:01:21 PM

Title: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Kirst on January 11, 2010, 15:01:21 PM
Does anyone have any experience with this?

We just took Fredcat to the vets for his booster and it looks like he has an overactive thyroid. I had noticfed he was eating more lately but put it down to the cold weather. :-[

He has had bloods done but the vet is pretty certain. Also , he is terrible at taking pills so any hints on that would be appreciated too.
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: clarenmax on January 11, 2010, 15:07:09 PM
Max had thyroid issues, think his was overactive as well.

We had to have Vidalta tablets every other day, and regular blood tests to check the Tyroxine levels.

The tablets are tiny, and I used to hide them inside Defurrum treats, as you can break them in half and the tablet used to hide inside the gooey centre, they were a godsend in my house  :shy:

Post up the blood readings when you get them, but don't worry, thyroid if its in its own is pretty simple to rectify, and the thyroid can also be removed if necessary.  Its only trickier to deal with when its combined with kidney issues, which is what we had with Mr Max, and why it was harder to control.

Don't worry  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Kirst on January 11, 2010, 15:10:01 PM
The vet did mention kidney issues , and asked if Fred-cat has been drinking more than usual , but luckily he hasn't. The only symptoms are excessive eating and slight weightloss. :(
Will go and check what tablets we have been given - the vet was that certain.


edited to add - Vet has just called( hows that for service!) and they have done the bloods , kidneys and liver are fine , but he does have an overactuve thyroid. Off out to buy de-furrums now.
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Gillian Harvey on January 11, 2010, 16:56:11 PM
Webbox treats are good too for pill giving  ;)

My Elsa had hyperthryoidism, she was on Felimazole, unfortunately once the hypert was under control she had kidney issues (this often happens as the hypert actually helps the kidneys and by getting it under control sometimes kidney issues are revealed) Years back, when Poppy had hyperT she was on Neomercazole. How old is Fred? surgery can be an option.
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: clarenmax on January 11, 2010, 18:36:10 PM
Yes I seem to remember my vet saying that the thyroid can mask other things.
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Millys Mum on January 11, 2010, 18:40:02 PM
Yes I seem to remember my vet saying that the thyroid can mask other things.

It increases blood flow so helps in that way!

Good luck getting fred to have his meds, the tablets are nice and small so easy to hide, cheese spread can be useful too  ;) most important is not to crush them up as it affects how the body absorbs it.
Vidalta is once a day whereas felimazole is twice so if hes difficult for meds then vidalta would be worth trying first
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on January 11, 2010, 18:44:33 PM
HUgs to Fredcat  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Kirst on January 11, 2010, 18:45:54 PM
He has been given Vidalta - we got some defurrums , but he's not wanting to talk to me tonight so I shall see if he wants one tomorrow. He did beg like mad for some cheese at lunchtime so I might try hiding a pill in that too.

Hoping as the bloods for his kidneys came back clear they will stay that way :scared:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Millys Mum on January 11, 2010, 18:49:24 PM
He has been given Vidalta - we got some defurrums , but he's not wanting to talk to me tonight so I shall see if he wants one tomorrow. He did beg like mad for some cheese at lunchtime so I might try hiding a pill in that too.

Hoping as the bloods for his kidneys came back clear they will stay that way :scared:

Is there a time hes more greedy? If so i'd tablet him at that time, more chance of him eating the baited treat!
IF the kidneys were to alter you could know very quickly as he will need regular blood tests for his thyroid so could easily have his kidneys checked at the same time  :hug:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: CarolM (Wendolene) on January 11, 2010, 18:55:29 PM
Early days I know but so long as his kidneys are still fine when the tablets start to work you might want to consider surgery as he difficult to pill.  I've had a hyperthyroid cat and I can tell you from experience that pilling them gets more difficult (and surgery gets more risky) as they get older and start to have other issues as well.   :hug:  :hug: to you and Fred-cat.
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on January 11, 2010, 19:04:00 PM
Just wanted to send a big  :hug: to you and Fred cat, Tiggy was hyperthyroid and as conditions go I think it's an easy one to manage and the tablets and/or surgery can restore his levels to normal  :)
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: ginge66 on January 11, 2010, 19:10:29 PM
Hi one of my previous cats had an over active thyroid gland, he was about fourteen when diagnosed. Tablets were never an option, i assume his levels were too high and the vet recommended surgery, and he lived for another four years. Cats apparently have two thyroid glands and can survive quite well with just one.
Hope Fred cat is feeling ok and you too :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Janeyk on January 11, 2010, 19:40:09 PM
I have had a few hyperthyroid cats and my latest addition Pepper is hyperthyroid and his kidney's aren't too good either, he's on Vidalta and doing pretty well.  Hope that Fred-cat soon stabilizes  :hug:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Kirst on February 05, 2010, 11:45:11 AM
We went back to the vets today , the vidalta made him very sick so we have stopped those. He is going to be monitored and tested in another couple of weeks and we will try another type of tablet then.


Failing that it will be surgery. :(
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Janeyk on February 05, 2010, 12:51:13 PM
 :( aww poor Fred-cat, good luck with whatever the vet suggests  :hug:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: clarenmax on February 05, 2010, 13:35:25 PM
Asw, poor Fred-cat  :hug: I hope the vets can come up with an alternative to surgery  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on February 06, 2010, 16:17:30 PM
Surgery is the best thing in the long run, as the tablets only control it, they dont cure it. I am hoping that Sam will have the op this year, I dont fancy years of pilling him, although he is very good, you shake the bottle and he comes running, as he hasn't yet connected the tablets with his cheese, although from time to time it doens't work and I have to put it straight down the hatch (like last night!!).
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Rosella moggy on February 06, 2010, 23:38:01 PM
Sorry to hear Fredcat not well Kirst  :hug:

Don't know how common our experience with Tom is but bear in mind perhaps.  I would say Tom, if HyperT, at all was very borderline and am convinced Vidalta dose (once a day) was far too high and certainly affected his liver enzymes which made him sick so was stopped after 10 days.

Whilst felimazole is twice a day tablets, I think it may have less side effects.

Everything will of course depend on Fredcat...age, health otherwise, ease of giving tablets etc.  Surgery can however be best option.

Is he insured as you may possibly even want to consider radioactive iodine therapy although that might be considered a non stater in view of long period of hospitalisation and he would have to be otherwise perfectly healthy to undergo that treatment.  I think this FAB article is very good.

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/hyperthyroidism/info.html
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on February 07, 2010, 08:45:51 AM
Also, Felimazole doesn't have to be given twice a day, it can just be given once a day - Sam is only on one tablet a day
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Rosella moggy on February 07, 2010, 14:46:00 PM
Didn't know that Desley.  Glad to hear it.
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on February 07, 2010, 16:43:49 PM
 :hug: :hug: Thyriods can be a worry but it's a simple condition to manage once the right meds have been found.  ;)
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Schmew on February 08, 2010, 20:26:39 PM
Just found this thread after posting one in FIV section, Hope Fred cat is ok Kirst, will be watching and waiting for news

x
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Debsymiller (Rufus' mum) on February 08, 2010, 21:04:12 PM
Sorry to hear you have a poorly pud, Our Monty was hyperthyroid and after having it removed, he is absolutely fine. It is easily controlled with drugs too once the rigt ones are found so hopefully he'll be better in no time  :hug:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Kirst on April 19, 2010, 18:27:17 PM
Well Fredcat has been on the Felimazole for 5 weeks and was due to have his operation today , but when he went in his thyroid levels were still too high.  :(The vet has suggesteed that we double the dose and assess him in a week. If they still haven't gone down he may need to have iodine injected straigh into his thyroid , but that will mean a two week stay in the hospital as he will be radioactive!!! :Crazy: :Crazy: :Crazy:

Can he have some much needed Purrs vibes please????
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Teresa Pawcats on April 19, 2010, 18:54:58 PM
Poor Fred,hope you can get those levels under control quickly, sending  :hug: to you as I know how worrying it can be.
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Janeyk on April 19, 2010, 20:39:48 PM
Best wishes for dear Fred cat  :hug:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on April 19, 2010, 22:55:00 PM
Positive vibes coming Fred-cat's way  :hug:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 20, 2010, 08:00:20 AM
Fingers crossed the higher dose works - what dosage was he on? Surprised they only want to give one week on the higher dose, I would have thought he would have needed a few before they could decide it hadn't worked. I'm impressed he would only have to stay in hospital 2 weeks if they use the iodine, at one point it was 6.
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Kirst on June 24, 2010, 21:59:03 PM
Well after a month on three tablets a day , Fred-cat finally had his op today! It all went well , he is home , happy , hungry and looking like frankencat!
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: clarenmax on June 24, 2010, 22:22:11 PM
 :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Rosella moggy on June 24, 2010, 22:32:41 PM
Sending Fred lots of healing vibes Kirst  :care: :care: :care:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Gillian Harvey on June 24, 2010, 23:10:54 PM
and looking like frankencat!

LOL!  :evillaugh: - well done Fredcat!
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Janeyk on June 25, 2010, 06:45:32 AM
Glad to hear all is well  :)
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on June 27, 2010, 11:04:11 AM
Glad to hear this
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Kirst on June 28, 2010, 18:45:49 PM
He went for his post op check up today and his weight is up again so its all good! :Luv2:
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: clarenmax on June 29, 2010, 09:04:57 AM
Excellent news  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Fred-cat is poorly - overactive Thyroid.
Post by: Janeyk on June 29, 2010, 16:29:50 PM
 :) that's great news!