Thyroid problem - cat

50Twuncle

paul2louise wrote: »

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

I am sorry to hear that
What prompted you to believe that your cat had thyroid issues in the first place ?
Because "pestering for food" is a classic case - always hungry - never getting
fat !! and you say that your cat doesn't do this ?

Your other option - which you have not mentioned is straight forward surgery

paul2louise

50Twuncle wrote: »

I am sorry to hear that
What prompted you to believe that your cat had thyroid issues in the first place ?
Because "pestering for food" is a classic case - always hungry - never getting
fat !! and you say that your cat doesn't do this ?

Your other option - which you have not mentioned is straight forward surgery

Because the vet suspected it, she said her heart beat was unusually fast, not just because she was stressed at being at the vets. She does ask for food a lot but only in the evening. She always has dry food available but prefers wet food. She has lost weight, I don't know how much but maybe enough to worry the vet. I know I don't have all the answers. It was difficult as I had my son with me who is a chatty 4 year old. I spoke to friend who rescues cats and she was worried about the operation and said that she was more familiar with the tablets. She hadn't had much experience of the radio treatment but she said she has another friend who might know a bit more,

I might be panicking too soon, I hope I am, but if it is the case I want to make a rational decision and not be swayed by costs, just what is right for my little girl.

Thank you

50Twuncle

Our Mungo is a 12 year old big bruiser of a black male - he dropped to 4 kg and we decided not to put him through radiation
We tried 2 different types of tablets - they initially appeared to be working - but after a week - the side effects kicked in - he was vomiting constantly - until clear foam came out (not very nice for him either) - anyway, the vet advised us to have the op - and half his thyroid was removed - cost was less than £100 - so cheap for what he did !!
Mungo has regained his lost weight (back to 6kg) but his temperament has stayed the same - waking us up at 4am every morning for food and to be let out...
We think that it is now just age related and put up with him...
The vet has given him a clean bill of health.

paul2louise

50Twuncle wrote: »

Our Mungo is a 12 year old big bruiser of a black male - he dropped to 4 kg and we decided not to put him through radiation
We tried 2 different types of tablets - they initially appeared to be working - but after a week - the side effects kicked in - he was vomiting constantly - until clear foam came out (not very nice for him either) - anyway, the vet advised us to have the op - and half his thyroid was removed - cost was less than £100 - so cheap for what he did !!
Mungo has regained his lost weight (back to 6kg) but his temperament has stayed the same - waking us up at 4am every morning for food and to be let out...
We think that it is now just age related and put up with him...
The vet has given him a clean bill of health.

Seems mad that the op costs about £100 when a blood test costs £85. Mind u I suppose the tests they do might be quite technical.

50Twuncle

paul2louise wrote: »

Seems mad that the op costs about £100 when a blood test costs £85. Mind u I suppose the tests they do might be quite technical.

Sorry - I was wrong - the Op cost £176 - vidalta was costing £90 for 30 tablets and the radiation treatment was estimated at £5000

paddypaws101

50Twuncle wrote: »

Sorry - I was wrong - the Op cost £176 - vidalta was costing £90 for 30 tablets and the radiation treatment was estimated at £5000

I had a quote from Queen Mothers Hospital at Potters Bar which was £1200 for the radiotherapy, about two years ago. Felimazole costs me £20 for 100 at one tablet a day, but regular check ups, blood tests and prescription charges do add up.
With a 10 year old cat I would opt for radiotherapy every time.

paul2louise

paddypaws101 wrote: »

I had a quote from Queen Mothers Hospital at Potters Bar which was £1200 for the radiotherapy, about two years ago. Felimazole costs me £20 for 100 at one tablet a day, but regular check ups, blood tests and prescription charges do add up.
With a 10 year old cat I would opt for radiotherapy every time.

Thank u for ur advice.

paul2louise

Got my blood test results for pebbles yesterday and she has a t4 reading of 120 so vet gave me some pills to take to bring her hormones down to safe level. Got to go back in 3 weeks for more tests and then we can discuss future options. My problem is now administering the pills. Got a tablet in last night no problems but this morning she seems wise and wouldn't sit still. So hid it in a piece of ham. I am ok trying different ways but I need a way that my husband doesn't mind doing if I am away and can't do it.

50Twuncle

paul2louise wrote: »

Got my blood test results for pebbles yesterday and she has a t4 reading of 120 so vet gave me some pills to take to bring her hormones down to safe level. Got to go back in 3 weeks for more tests and then we can discuss future options. My problem is now administering the pills. Got a tablet in last night no problems but this morning she seems wise and wouldn't sit still. So hid it in a piece of ham. I am ok trying different ways but I need a way that my husband doesn't mind doing if I am away and can't do it.

They are very clever at seeing what is going on - you can get a special "pill giver" that you put the pill into the cats mouth using
try cheese as well - you can wrap it round the tablet
Hope that your cat doesn't react to the tablets like ours did - after a week or so - he erupted violently with sick
Keep us informed of how she progresses
Good luck

rainybird

Hi,

I recently visited (Oct 2014) the Langley Animal Hospital in Bristol for the health assessment which is required before the Radio Active Iodine treatment. The whole treatment plan is capped at £2400 this includes everything & they except payment direct from your insurance company. ( £24 admin charge.)
My 12 year old boy Joseph was diagnosed with over active thyroid in Jan 2014. Our vet recommended the RIT & we got a referral to Bristol. This includes up to a 3 night stay to assess if your cat is suitable before they agree to do the treatment. Every test is done to make sure they are fit & healthy enough for the treatment. All the tests are non invasive like Ultra Sound & Scans. The staff are fantastic & the hospital is state of the art. (if only our health care was as good).

Unfortunately our boy was one of the unlucky few who wasn't suitable. The scans showed he had un-diagnosed lymphoma of the stomach & only had a few months left to live.

Although we were devastated by this news we were also very lucky to find out & be able to enjoy him while we still could. 6 months on he is still with us & enjoying life to the full with the help of steroids. Without the tests at Bristol we never would have been able to treat him appropriately.