Thyroid problem - cat

Artytarty

I'm sorry to read this. I would have thought that it should be starting to show some effect by now.
I'm feeling pretty gutted as it looks like we are going to have to start our 11 1/2yr old maine coon on carbimazole soon.
I feel like he is starting to slip through my fingers....

50Twuncle

How soon after the op, would you expect to see any change in a cat ?
it has now been 2 weeks and there is no noticeable change in his behaviour
He is definitely fatter (he was losing weight) - but still begging for food 24/7 etc...

Artytarty

Well that's a good sign! Weight gain. I suppose he is just used to eating that amount of food now but at least he can convert it into some body mass which shows his system is slowing down.
Is he any less thirsty? Peeing less?

50Twuncle

Artytarty wrote: »

Well that's a good sign! Weight gain. I suppose he is just used to eating that amount of food now but at least he can convert it into some body mass which shows his system is slowing down.
Is he any less thirsty? Peeing less?

Probably drinking a little less - he used to spend hours with his head in the water bowl - but peeing is unknown (he does his business outdoors)

Artytarty

Ok. Then I think you could say it has already begun to work! Lucky you and your cat.

50Twuncle

This morning - we thought that he was dead
He was lying on the bed and we couldn't see his chest moving - but when poked - he greeted us with a "why are you annoying me" yowl !!

He is still drinking a lot and appears "depressed" but the effects of the anaesthetic can last for weeks - so fingers crossed !!

Artytarty

Jeepers! You scared the crepe out of me there!
I know, I watch mine in the evenings to see if he is still breathing. Then I think it's too fast, etc. he drinks and eats too much and is thin.
I am actually seriously stressed to the point where it's no joking matter.
We need a repeat t4 test done before he can start medications .
I hope your cat continues to improve.

50Twuncle

Artytarty wrote: »

Jeepers! You scared the crepe out of me there!
I know, I watch mine in the evenings to see if he is still breathing. Then I think it's too fast, etc. he drinks and eats too much and is thin.
I am actually seriously stressed to the point where it's no joking matter.
We need a repeat t4 test done before he can start medications .
I hope your cat continues to improve.

It is amazing how our pets pull through operations
He was let out for a wander the evening that he was home from the op - since then, he has returned to his old fat self - unfortunately no change to his original super-clingy self - but what the hell !!

50Twuncle

He is putting on weight daily at the moment - my wife thinks that he must be eating at another house down the road (where a kindly old woman puts out food for strays - but this food is of unknown quality and age !!) - our cat still yowls and claws the bed to be let out at 5 am every day !!
So we are assuming that the op (removal of one of half of his thyroid glands) worked and that the reason for the weight gain is the "spare" food that he is eating
Alternatively - he could be suffering from Feline Altzheimers - forgetting that he has just eaten and having another bowl full ?

paul2louise

Can I join this chat.
Hi,
just returned from the vet who suspects that my cat could have hyperthyroid condition. I have booked her in for a blood test. I see that there is a lot of chat about tablets but my vet recommended the radio therapy treatment. I didnt ask how much this costs didnt ask as i was a bit wound up when i was at the vets. My cat is 10 and has good appetite but she doesnt pester for food constantly just in the evening, and is lively and happy. If she has got this problem i would like to sort this out the best way. I have lifetime insurance for her up to value of £4000

thank you