Dilemma

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

The most common medication for feline hyperthyroidism is Vidalta.

That costs the horrendously grand sum of about 42 - 56 PENCE per day.



You aren't just torturing the poor animal because you're poor, you're torturing the cat for the sake of less than a pint of milk a day.

Still feeling 'Awwwwwww woe is me, I'm sooooooooo poor?'?

Mrs_Z

The problem is that you can not treat hyperthoidsm with injections! Not one off or more regular ones. I think Horseunderwater should clarify - did your cat get either Vidalta or Felimazone prescribed?I believe in USA there is a gel that can be applied to cat's ears but that's not available in the UK. I have heard about the Hill diet which I think Ian might be referring to: Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d Feline is a scientific breakthrough – the first and only clinically proven pet food to help support your cat’s thyroid health! NEW Prescription Diet y/d has restricted levels of dietary iodine to help support thyroid function;.ONce your cat has the prescribtion for tables, you can order them relatively cheaply over the internet at around 30p per tablet (half the price). Please just do the right thing and take your beloved cat to the vets. He will be so much more comfortable once his thryoid is regulated and working as it should. His hunger will come down, he will put on some weight and his poor little heart does not have to race for nothing. You owe it to him.</p>

mrsstresshead

You're quite right, it can only be treated with tablets or diet. I spoke to the vet today or at least the nurse. It will cost around £160 - £170 for an appt, blood test and a supply of Hills Science y/d (which can only be bought on prescription) then £50 a month for cat food, which is what I already spend anyway. However it will depend on his kidney function test results as to whether we can pursue the diet option. I'm going to lend the money and take Spikey Boy to the vets tomorrow.
I forgot to add that we will have to take him back for blood tests at least twice a year. I have also just read that you can't crush the pills as it interferes with the drug release into the blood stream - if he has to have pills I'll give them a try but I don't hold out a lot of hope with them (and not because I can't be bothered !!) - just hope that he can do the diet instead. Thanks again

gettingready

supply of Hills Science y/d (which can only be bought on prescription)

It may be cheaper to ask vet for prescription (say 3 months worth on one prescription) abd get the food online from one of the reputable vet pharmacies rather than getting it directly from the vet.

Not sure how much vets charge but for example, Animed direct prices:

http://www.animeddirect.co.uk/search/all/Hills%20Science%20y--d/relevance

Or VetUK prices:

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=hills+yd

Your vet will charge you for writting the prescription but then you can use it to buy the food online - have a look.

Any tablets can also be bought this way - get a prescription from the vet and get them online from a reputable vet pharmacy - not from the dogy ones importing from far east and often fake stuff.

VetUk and AnimedDirect you are safe with.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Wrap the cat in a towel, cradle it like a baby, say 'open', push the side of the mouth, then poke the little pill to the back of the mouth. Rub throat as you bring cat back up to sitting position.

Did it every day for ages once she had lost her appetite for bits of pate/ham/sausage/cheese/prawn/cat stick with the medication poked inside (which worked on and off for roughly 14 years).

gettingready

Jojo - glad you remember as just ordered another lot of worming tablets for my boys so you see.. when you come over

mrsstresshead

Spike is a 'stroke me and give me lots of fuss but don't pick me up' type cat ... but if needs be I will try
Lucky is the complete opposite, he loves being cradled, patted and rocked like a baby and especially likes his paws being massaged lol

Thanks for the links but I think they're about the same price at the cheaper vet x

mrsstresshead

Just phoned the vet we normally use. £190 plus £14.50 per prescription !! We'll be taking him to the other one today !! Nearly a months supply of food difference in price !!

Just phoned, he's booked in 2nd Jan as it's no good having the bloods done before then as they won't get results due to xmas. Fingers crossed for a healthier Spike in the new year Thanks for the advice x

blueybug

mrsstresshead wrote: »

You're quite right, it can only be treated with tablets or diet. I spoke to the vet today or at least the nurse. It will cost around £160 - £170 for an appt, blood test and a supply of Hills Science y/d (which can only be bought on prescription) then £50 a month for cat food, which is what I already spend anyway. However it will depend on his kidney function test results as to whether we can pursue the diet option. I'm going to lend the money and take Spikey Boy to the vets tomorrow.
I forgot to add that we will have to take him back for blood tests at least twice a year. I have also just read that you can't crush the pills as it interferes with the drug release into the blood stream - if he has to have pills I'll give them a try but I don't hold out a lot of hope with them (and not because I can't be bothered !!) - just hope that he can do the diet instead. Thanks again

YOU CAN CUT THE TABLE IN HALF!
nothing less but HALF!

Iain_L

Quite right, it is the Hills that is used by the local CP branch. One thing to think about is how you're going to arrange the feeding of both cats. You're not going to want your healthy cat getting the y/d, or Spike getting the normal food.

Iain