So it turns out Audrey has hyperthyroidism. Her level of T4 hormone was very high, so the vet said it was not in question. He told the humans about the various treatment options, and so today she will start on some pills of methimazole to see how she responds. One of the treatment possibilities is to use radioactive iodine, but the vet said it was a good idea to try the medicine first anyway. So please have crossed pawsies that she will be a good girl and gobble down some pill pockets as well as she now gobbles down her food.
Any input from furriends who have dealt with this medical issue would be welcomed. We know it is quite common in older cats about Audrey's age.
Oh noes! We hope the meds work to control the hyperthyroidism and Audrey is all better soon! We're sending her lots of purrs!
ReplyDeleteWe send lots and lots of purrs to sweet Audrey. I know there are several kitties out there with this, I just can remember who they are.
ReplyDeleteWe are purring that the medication helps Audrey.
ReplyDeleteLuv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
We are sorry to hear that Audrey will be needing medication. We have no experience with hyperthyroidism, so sadly cannot offer any insights. All paws crossed for Audrey, though.
ReplyDeletePurrs,
The Chans
Paws crossed and purrs here. Make sure she's starting on a super-low dose, a lot of vets will start them too high. And remember you can get the meds compounded into a transdermal gel, if you can't pill her.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, after what I went through with Annie and her hyper-t, I think I would prefer to remortgage my house and do the I-131 if one of the boys end up with hyper-t, but I hope it never comes to that. Especially because it would mean travellling 2 or 3 hours to a clinic to get it done, as no one does it in our area.
Anyway, fingers crossed Audrey responds well to the meds.
BTW, at the time Annie was diagnosed, I joined a feline hyper-t Yahoo group. Not sure if it's still running, but it was very helpful, initially, for others' experiences, info, support.
ReplyDeleteThose pill pockets are delicious and I am sure she will take those pills like a good girl!
ReplyDeleteYou know what? My Mom has thyroid issues (that are in remission)...even being a human they also gave her methimazole.
It worked!
Sending purrs and prayers your way!
xoxox
All in the Realm send positive thoughts that the medication will do everything needed to keep Lady Audrey happy and healthy. Princess T.
ReplyDeleteWe are purring for Audrey and hope the thyroid pills help get her levels down.
ReplyDeletePurrs to Audrey and I hope it works-
ReplyDeleteI am sending lots of purrs Audrey's way. I hope the medicine works!
ReplyDeleteAw, poor kidlet. Audrey, you be a good girl and take your medicine and I know things will work out!
ReplyDeleteAww, purring for Audrey. Do you know Mizz Bassie. One of her fursibs just had the radioactive iodine treatments and she documented it in a 3-part series on her blog. It's very informative. http://mizzbassie.net/. You can also contact her on Twitter @MizzBassie. Hope everything works out.
ReplyDeleteAdmiral had hyper T and did great with her methemazole. She would not take the pills so I used the gel on her sweet ear. (just inside) The medication controlled it very well. Tell Audrey she will be fine. Give her my love. Has she been drinking more? Admiral did and that is what made me take her in..I feared diabetes but her blood sugar and her other tests on her bloods were great. She only had hyperthuroidism. Your baby girl there will do fine and many many many kisses and purrs to her.
ReplyDeleteWe highly *highly* recommend the I-131 treatment.
ReplyDeleteOur dad is a radiation physicist and our mom met him when she went back to get her master's in physics. She assists him part time in the evenings, too.
They are happy to talk to your humans about this if they have any questions or concerns.
We posted about this last month on national thyroid awareness day, and if you want to speak to someone who recently had this done, go see Mizz Bassie. Here are the links:
http://www.atonkstail.com/2013/01/monday-medical-feline-hyperthyroidism.html
and
http://mizzbassie.net/2013/01/surfeit-gets-radioactive-iodine/
Miss Audrey, You have my purrs and paws crossed. I hope your med. works well for you.
ReplyDeleteMany Hugs
xox
Awwwww Audrey, we so sorry to hear dis newz, we sending Purrayerz and soft kissez your way. We sure you will do Fine once you get your medz straightened owt ^..^ We purraying fur you ^.,^ ♥♥xoxo
ReplyDeleteI-131 is also a super great idea if it is appropriate to Audrey.
ReplyDeleteWe're sorry Audrey is hyperthyroid. We've also heard that starting with the medicine is a good way to go, but it might take some tweaking to get it right. We've known cats that have had the I-131 treatment and did very well with that too. We hope the medicine helps Audrey.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry. I do know kitties that have been successful with that treatment tho. I'm purring for Audrey. purr purr purr purr purr purr purr purr
ReplyDeleteHi! Finny had the same thing. She took two pills a day (thank cod for pill pockets!) and did very well with them.
ReplyDeleteIf she had been younger and less afraid of being locked up I might have gone with the radioactive treatment.
Big hug to you!
The kitty of a friend of mine had hyperthyroidism and he used a cream that was rubbed on the kitty's ear. Pepper the kitty did very well with the cream for many years. Good luck!
ReplyDeletePrancer Pie has it. He uses the methamazole gel in his ears. Way easier than pilling him! Twice a day. Checkup for him is Thursday. Paws crossed for your pretty girl! XOXOXO
ReplyDeleteOh, poor Audrey. I hope she responds well to the medication (and that she eats the pills without much trouble). I don't know much about hyperthyroidism in cats, but I did get a good tip on giving them pills: give the cat an empty pill pocket, then the one with the pill, then another empty one--all in rapid succession. By the time the cat realizes she's had a pill, she's already into the delicious empty treat. Easy peasy.
ReplyDeleteOh sweet Audrey, I'm purring for you, your humans and Simba. I sure hope they get this under control.
ReplyDeleteOh sweet Audrey, I'm purring for you, your humans and Simba. I sure hope they get this under control.
ReplyDeleteNoooooo! We don't like to hear that. Our paws are crossed that Audrey responds well to the treatment.
ReplyDeleteMany purrs, sweet Audrey!
Siena & Chilli
Oh no, we know what a hassle that is. We hope you feel a bit better on the medication though.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Julie and Poppy Q
xxx
Audrey and Mom: if your mommy uses the ear gel, it comes in a syringe-like thingy that you carefully twist to the correct dosage. The gel appears on the end of a round felted tip. You wear "rubber" gloves when applying just in case any gets on you by mistake thru the process.
ReplyDeleteYou hold the tip of her ear gently and apply to the inside of the ear. Not way down, just the skin of the inside 2/3's or so of her ear that you can easily see. That's how I did the Admiral.
My Molly had hyperthyroid for years. She was on the same medicine as Audrey (half pill morning and night) and did very well. Sending love and purrs.
ReplyDelete2 of our Bridge Angels had hyperthyroid...our beloved Morgan and Jonathan :bows head in honor:
ReplyDeleteFor both of them, mom did not hesitate to get the radioactive iodine treatment. The initial cost is higher, but in the long run it was much cheaper when you consider buying meds and doing blood work rechecks, not to mention having to medicate kitties daily. The treatment gave both kitties a total cure and they lived out their long lives without any further trouble from that issue. If any of us get diagnosed with it in the future, mom would do this again.
Sending purrs.
Cory
We're purring Audrey's hyperthyroidism will be controlled with her medication.
ReplyDeleteHi ya'll! Our Mommy used to wear finger cots, but she says she's so good at it now, it's wham, bam, thank you ma'am. Then she scrubs her one finger very, very good. Prancer is getting re-tested tomorrow. We'll post our findings. Good luck! xoxo
ReplyDeleteHi Simba and Audrey!
ReplyDeleteWe are sorry to hear this news, but you are right - hyperthyroidism is very common in older kitties. It is good that there are different treatment options. There's even a thyroid prescription food, but we don't know if that's a good treatment for her. It's worth asking the vet about if you're interested, though :)
Jewel is "borderline" hyperthyroid so no treatment for her yet. However, she does have blood pressure pills for her high blood pressure. She was gobbling up the pill pockets, but now she turns her nose up at them. I'm going to see if they have any other flavors at the store for her. I think that's my only advice - if you can give Audrey a variety of the pill pockets maybe she won't get tired of them :)
Please keep us updated on how she is doing. We will definitely purr for hers!
Purrrrs,
Carmine, Milita, and Jewel
Looks like you have lots of good advice. I had a cat with that same thing and I gave her pills twice a day and she as fine for a long time. The pills really do work. WE sure do send tons of purrs to you Audrey. Take care.
ReplyDelete