Cat recovers from Hyperthyroidism ...

50Twuncle

Our male cat - who was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism - 3 months ago - appears to have recovered
He was losing weight at a dramatic rate - despite a huge food intake - so we took him to the vet - who diagnosed a problem with his thyroid and put him on £90 per month tablets - these appeared to help him for a week - they then had an adverse affect on him - making him vomit and have diarrhoea - so we stopped the tablets and returned him to the vet - he tested his blood again and confirmed the diagnosis. But told us that he was "not too bad"
We have noticed since then - that his appetite as reduced and he has regained all of his lost weight (back up to 6 kg) - so whatever it was has no vanished from his system and (hopefully) - that is it !!
Apart from his "clinginess" with my wife - which some might think is endearing - but NOT at 2pm when my wife is asleep in bed !!

krlyr

If it were my cat, I would be popping to another vet for a second opinion.

How did they diagnose hyperthyroidism? I know with my dog, she had to have a special blood panel to diagnose her hypothyroidism, I'd have thought it would be similar to that.

Hyperthyroidism in cats is usually caused by something like a tumour on the thyroid gland - so not something they'd generally just recover from. I would think that either there was a misdiagnosis, or perhaps something has gone on in the thyroid gland to stop the overproduction of thyroid hormones. I'd be a little concerned that if the thyroid has stopped functioning, maybe the cat will go hypothyroid.

I dont think I'd want to consider it just over and done with - I'd want some through vet checks to ensure he is now in good health.

mrsscattercushion

Glad that your cat appears well again but as above, may be worth a second opinion re the diagnosis, as unless there is either an op or the radiotherapy option, it is not normally cured...


On another note, one reason I'd look for a second opinion is the amount your vet was charging for meds...not sure what he prescribed but we never paid more than £35 a month for our old boy's meds for the same condition...

spidercrab

I don't think your cat will be cured. My cat had this and went on medication (about £75 per month). He then went through periods of looking healthy and had good weight gain but then would suddenly deteriorate and would have to have extra medication again. He lived for several years with this condition and then got kidney disease too. He then lived for another 4 years with this and sadly passed away aged 21 in September last year.

Be grateful your cat is looking ok at the moment but do not assume he is cured as I do not think this happens - he may look fine but hyperthyroidism affects the heart rate and you will probably not notice this just by looking at him. Keep him regularly checked with your vet.