Anyone helped senior cat survive bad hyperthyroidism?? Advice needed!!

[nurseangel]

I'm so sorry you and your cat are going through this. DH and I have had two senior cats with thyroid issues. One was treated with medication only; the other had a thyroidectomy. I don't remember the doses of the medication now, but both my cats lived long, happy lives. There is hope and as neely said, you are fortunate to live in the Atlanta area, with such a wide variety of vets to choose from. It can't hurt to call around and see which one might be the best for your cat. I just wanted to give you some extra encouragement. Your cat is blessed to have someone who cares so much.

 

[neely]

Are feline only specialists more informed? Been going to a cat clinic but they have a dog side too so that mean they arent specialists? I do think thry’re general vet med w/ maybe some trained a bit extra but nond called specialist.

Feline only vets do have more training and where I live, also a major city, the office treats cat only. They do not see dogs or other pets.
However, a specialist at a veterinary medical university as I mentioned above specializes in different areas of medicine just like for people, e.g. cardiologist, neurologist, internal medicine, etc. I think even if you got a second opinion from another feline only vet, one who does not treat dogs that would be a good start. But it's completely up to you and what you are comfortable with for your cat.

 

[JCee]

thank you!

Are feline only specialists more informed? Been going to a cat clinic but they have a dog side too so that mean they arent specialists? I do think thry’re general vet med w/ maybe some trained a bit extra but none called specialist.

 

[JCee]

I'm so sorry you and your cat are going through this. DH and I have had two senior cats with thyroid issues. One was treated with medication only; the other had a thyroidectomy. I don't remember the doses of the medication now, but both my cats lived long, happy lives. There is hope and as neely said, you are fortunate to live in the Atlanta area, with such a wide variety of vets to choose from. It can't hurt to call around and see which one might be the best for your cat. I just wanted to give you some extra encouragement. Your cat is blessed to have someone who cares so much.

Thank you! He got me through worst time of my life! Hes incredible.
Any ideas on how to find who’s right for him? I need to get in asap but am at a loss. How i know who really understands this illness??

 

[JCee]

Ditto, same for our cat. He was on Methimazole in the transdermal gel form for approximately 8 months. Since he had no organ involvement our vet highly recommended treating his Hyperthyroidism with the I-131 radioactive iodine treatment which is given by injection at a special veterinary facility. The success rate is between 95-98%.

BTW, welcome to TCS! I'm sorry your first post was about your sick cat but there are many members who have or had cats with Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism here. I'm sure they can share their experiences too. If you have any doubts about the vet who is treating your cat and overmedicated him you may want to consider getting a second opinion preferably from a feline only specialist. Best of luck, please keep us updated on your cat.

If my boy survives this overmedication that has messed jim up so badly I def will try to get l-31. Now he just needs to get through this & be strong enough for that treatment.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I am coming back into this post, as I am more concerned about how you are handling his meds, right now. I understand you wanting to find another vet, but in the meantime, please ask the one vet you have about stopping his thyroid meds for a week to help settle him down. You also need to get clarification about the Pred and whether it is really needed right now too. These things can be, hopefully, handled with the current vet while you try to find a new vet.

 

[JCee]

Thank you! He got me through worst time of my life! Hes incredible.
Any ideas on how to find who’s right for him? I need to get in asap but am at a loss. How i know who really understands this illness??

did they get really sick?? Mine was improving but was overmedicated & now hypo & so sick! Trouble walking though he keeps trying, cant drink water b/c something wrong w/ mouth & cant seem to stick tongue in water though he tries & tries. Lost weight, nauseated, clearly uncomfortable. Vet gave gabapentin to ease any discomfort but then he’s a bit stoned & really cant move well at all.

Im trying do hard but feel like he needs someone better educated & experience on this specific problem. Also this vet isn’t very proactive & seems to wait for things to happen rather than trying to prevent. I need someone who will fight for him w/ compassion & not sure thats what Im getting now.

 

[Antonio65]

I believe this cat is taking too many meds.
I mean, methimazole, prednisolone, gabapentin. This is a real bad mix of heavy medicines.
I keep saying that I don't believe, in my humble opinion, that four or five weeks of overdosage of methimazole can give irreversible effects.
Unless life saving, if that were my cat, I would stop those meds and take him to the best cat-only vet in your area. Check the reviews, ask other people.
If there's a veterinary university, I would go there.

Also, keep calm and focus on your cat.

 

[catsknowme]

Welcome to TCS although it's a bleak time for your cat and you. You are getting great direction and "a trouble shared is a trouble halved; a joy shared is a joy doubled". You could ask your area's TNR/rescue groups for vet recommendations - rescuers too often deal with a gamut of challenging cases and often know which vet is a good choice for which situation. Thank you for keeping us updated!

 

[CodyMolly]

Hi- I got Romeo through this- I contacted my veterinarian who currently treated him. She would take his blood see the level and change decrease or increase the methimazole pill she even stopped it for a week. If I were you, call your current vet. I personally think gabapentin is like a sedative pill used for different situations. I would stop the prednisone and gabapentin. If your cat is nauseous they can give zofran. Please call your vet. Then ask your vet if there are specialists. Don’t feel bad asking your vet for a specialist she can guide you to some thyroid doctors. A good veterinarian has no problem with that. Then make an appointment with the specialist. Also have a long talk with your current vet that the gabapentin is not helping. And predisolone. If you notice the meds are worse- stop them. Plus when cats go on gabapentin they get very dopey. Which could make you think things are worse. You asked how I got through— I basically brought my cat back to the vet took bloods found the level of the thyroid and she either lowered or increased the methimazole pill. I brought Romeo every month. Stop the gabapentin your kitty will walk better. Stop prednisone. My Romeo constantly threw up too with his thyroid issue. If I didn’t feed him on time - blah he would vomit. If I didn’t feed him by 7 am in the morning I would find empty bile on the floor. I definitely became a routine for me at feeding time. And he would constantly meow too. Definitely call your vet and tell them your concerns. I am not from the Atlanta area but others found good veterinarians. Reach out on the phone and call people. I know you didnt mention anything about money but there is care credit you can apply for for veterinarians if the specialist is expensive for you. Please keep us posted bless you and I hope your kitty gets better soon!

 

[fionasmom]

Tell your vet that you have concerns about the gabapentin and pred. Both of those should not be stopped suddenly, even if your cat has not been on them for that long. I agree that you have a lot of meds going right now and gabapentin is a very sedative medication.