My cat went to the vet yesterday and they suspect hyperthyroidism.
I really wasn't expecting to hear that my cat might be ill, so the news has been a bit of a shock.
I'd love to hear from anyone else whose cat has hyperthyroidism.
How are they doing now? Did the treatment work well?
My cat is 11 years old.
Thanks in advance
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She’s also very, very thin...
I also want to point out that I went to the out-of-hours vet last night and he told me she was “fine” and that it was more a case of me stressing out than my cat... I’m not a vet, but I know my cat and I can see perfectly well that she isn’t doing well at all...
Hi everyone, my cat is 15 and I just found out on Tuesday that she has an overactive thyroid (very high T4 levels). She’s stopped eating, is drinking loads, and is howling as if she’s in pain. I went to see the vet and they prescribed Apelka to be given twice a day, morning and night. I’ve been giving it to her for two days now and I’m seeing no improvement—if anything, she’s worse. The vet told me it would take a bit of time for the medicine to kick in... but have any of your cats had major side effects? Since starting it, she's worse than before; she lies down and can hardly get back up again... her neck looks twisted, almost like she’s having a stroke... every time she tries to get up she cries out and then lies straight back down. She’s hiding away in all the nooks and crannies of the house trying to sleep and doesn't really want me to touch her to comfort her. If anyone else's cat has had the same reaction, I'd really like to know if it passes? Is this normal? Should I wait a bit longer for the side effects to wear off? The only positive is that she’s started eating a tiny bit of wet food again... but only a very small amount. Thanks.
Hi, my cat Barnabé was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism about eighteen months ago. He had lost a lot of weight (down to about 9 lbs, and he's quite a big-framed cat) and his T4 levels were very high. He started on treatment twice a day, and I give him the specific dry food for thyroid issues. I also make him homemade wet food using chicken breast, green beans and carrots, with some brewer’s yeast, turmeric and rapeseed oil. I make a big batch every three months and freeze it in small Tupperware tubs; it’s actually quite quick and much cheaper, plus I know exactly what he’s eating. Every morning I crush his meds into it and he scoffs the lot. You should know that the meds from the vet cost an arm and a leg, whereas the human version with the same composition only costs about £1.70... a month. Crushed into his wet food, he’s none the wiser. My cat is nearly 15 now and he’s full of beans; his T4 levels have dropped right down and he’s put back on about 9 lbs. He’s down to just one tablet a day for his thyroid now. His latest blood work doesn't show anything alarming regarding potential kidney damage for the time being. I make sure he drinks plenty of water, with a glass bowl in the kitchen and a porcelain water fountain in the living room. There’s also plenty of water in his homemade food. I’m convinced that diet plays a huge role in the health of our moggies. When the vet first suggested making his food myself, I thought "what a massive faff, I’ll never be able to do that!" But it’s actually quite quick—a pressure cooker, a blender, a dozen small tubs and you’re sorted. It takes 15 minutes every three months and it’s so worth it: my cat doesn’t be sick anymore, he has a lovely coat, and still no sign of arthritis or cataracts at his age. My only regret is not starting sooner! Don’t lose hope, a cat that is well looked after won't necessarily die from this.
Hi, thanks for the tips. My 11-year-old girl was diagnosed a few months ago; she has to take her treatment morning and night and it’s such a struggle to get her to take it!!! She’s very thin and losing her fur... I don't know what to do. I’m worried as I wonder if it’s ONLY her thyroid. Could you give me your recipe so I can try it? It might help with her weight and getting her to take her meds. Thanks in advance.
Thanks for your advice. Could I please have your recipe with the quantities for my girl? She’s nearly 17 and was diagnosed a few months ago. Thanks in advance, and I hope you have plenty more lovely moments with your kitty.
My cat Barnabé was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism eighteen months ago. He had lost a lot of weight (he was down to about 8.8 lbs, even though he's a big-framed cat) and his T4 levels were very high. He started on medication every morning and evening, and I feed him the specific thyroid dry food. I also make him homemade wet food using chicken breast, green beans and carrots, with brewer’s yeast, turmeric and rapeseed oil. I make a big batch every 3 months and freeze it in small Tupperware tubs; it’s actually quite quick, more economical and at least I know exactly what he’s eating. Every morning I crush his pills into it and he scoffs the lot.
It’s worth noting that the meds from the vet cost an arm and a leg, whereas the human ones with the same composition only cost about £2 a month. Crushed into his wet food, he’s none the wiser.
My cat is nearly 15 now and he’s full of beans; his T4 levels have dropped significantly and he’s put about 9 lbs back on. He’s only on one tablet a day for his thyroid now.
His latest bloods haven't shown anything worrying for now regarding potential kidney decline. I make sure he drinks plenty of water; he has a glass bowl in the kitchen and a ceramic water fountain in the living room. There’s also plenty of liquid in his homemade food too.
I’m convinced that diet plays a huge role in our cats' health. When the vet suggested making his wet food myself, I thought "what a massive chore, I’ll never be able to do that!" But it’s actually pretty fast: a pressure cooker, a blender, about ten small tubs and you’re sorted. It takes 15 minutes every 3 months and it’s so worth it: my cat doesn't vomit anymore, his coat looks lovely, and he still has no signs of arthritis or cataracts at his age. My only regret is not starting sooner!
Don’t lose hope—a cat that is well looked after won’t necessarily die from this.
Evening,
My cat Xena is 16 years old. She’s had hyperthyroidism for a good two years now. I get her bloods checked every six months to keep an eye on how things are progressing. She’s on medication, of course—there isn't really any other option.
I’ve also put her on special thyroid-friendly dry and wet food. I definitely think it helps!
Xena is doing well; she’s quite thin, but the vet isn’t worried. Mind you, in the long run, the condition does eventually catch up with them.
In the meantime, just keep a close eye on your cat's behaviour, and getting checks at least twice a year can really make a difference!
Hang in there.
My 14-year-old girl was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and hypertension in September 2018. Her treatment involves a combination of Thiafeline and Amodip, and it’s worth noting that this is a lifelong treatment.
Hi there,
Hyperthyroidism is permanent, but you can extend a cat's life by several months with the right treatment. My neighbour's cat had this condition and lived for another nine months once he started his treatment; he was nine years old. Thinking of you.
