Topic: Hyperthyroidism operation - anyone have experience of this? (Read 32789 times)

heather sullivan · « **Reply #53 on:** April 14, 2017, 11:51:26 AM »

When I had Silvie tested for thyroid in June 2015 her levels were normal. As she kept eating at least 4 sachets of food a day as well as biscuits I decided to have her retested in October 2015. (only 5 months later) and they were sky high in that short space of time (around 200)

. So even if levels are low at the moment, they can escalate very quickly.

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #52 on:** April 14, 2017, 08:50:41 AM »

Earlier in this thread you mentioned vet had said that blood results not bad enough to indicate iodine treatment. Putting aside whether or not this is ever the case, it would at least mean T4 levels not seriously high.

I had similar situation with our Tom years ago and his blood tests showed raised liver enzymes after a short spell on 10mg Vidalta and had to stop altho vet was reluctant as I recall. Sadly he had other problems mainly anaemia and was 19 and wouldn't eat so we had to say goodbye so didn't have chance to try other meds.

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #51 on:** April 14, 2017, 08:23:48 AM »

I always read data sheets thoroughly when giving the cats medication as it's me who will notice any adverse reactions. It is particularly important the stronger the meds and hyperT meds are strong. NOAH compendium gives data sheets for all meds that I have ever come across.

Sadly it is true what Gill says about vets often seemingly not fully up to date with prescribing for hyperT. It is certainly advisable for you to be in possession of blood results so you can get a feel for how Bass is responding to treatment

You are right that dosages of Vidalta are different to Felimazole too.

I do wish your beautiful girl all the very best

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #50 on:** April 13, 2017, 10:34:53 AM »

YOU ARE RIGHT THE DOSAGES ARE TOTALLY DIFFERENT BUT YOU NEED TO GET THE T4 READINGS FROM THE BLOOD TEST AND START KEEPING RECORDS.

THE T4 READINGS TELL YOU HOW WELL THE SITUATION IS BEING CONTROLLED AND HOW GOOD OR BAD IT IS. IT ALSO DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF DRUGS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN AND TOO HIGH A DOSE IS NOT GOOD,

IT IS RECOMMENDED FROM THE EXPERTS.....NOT VETS LOL...........THAT YOU START ON A VERY LOW DOSAGE AND INCREASE GRADUALLY UNTIL T4 LEVELS ARE STABLE.

THIS IS NOT A STRAIGHT FORWARD ILLNESS AND WHY THE RADIO IODINE IF FEASABLE IS SUCH A GOOD THING.

jezebel · « **Reply #49 on:** April 12, 2017, 21:00:05 PM »

Yes, vet say she'll try Felimazole if the vidalta is causing the problems.

But I don't think the doses are comparable because they have different active ingredients.

heather sullivan · « **Reply #48 on:** April 12, 2017, 20:41:06 PM »

Silvie was on Vidalta and didn't have any problems and Tabby was on Felimazole 2.5 tabs twice a day and then when she stopped eating, she had the ear gel (very expensive though, £62 for a tube)

I hope Bass feels better soon, does seem like the meds don't agree with her

Liz · « **Reply #47 on:** April 12, 2017, 18:21:45 PM »

Maybe worth asking for Felimezole as it comes in I think 2, 5 and 10mg tablets sometimes hey can become intolerant to Vitalda I know our Max did and ended up on the Feli whereas Clio did it the opposite way round and was great on Vitalda

jezebel · « **Reply #46 on:** April 12, 2017, 16:31:07 PM »

Sorry, don't know the T4 markings. Last blood test was in February.

I don't think there's a smaller dose of Vidalta than 10mg.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #45 on:** April 12, 2017, 12:28:38 PM »

VIDALTA IS THE WORST OF THE TWO MEDS AND PROBABLY BETTER OFF ON FEMIZOLE....WELL SOMETHING LIKE THAT BUT THE KEY IS STARTING ON A VERY SMALL DOSEAGE WHICH VETS DO NOT UNDERSTAND AND ALSO AGAINST THE MAKERS ADVICE.

WHAT ARE HER T4 READINGS AND WHEN WAS THAT BLOOD TEST?

jezebel · « **Reply #44 on:** April 12, 2017, 12:22:18 PM »

I've had to take Bass off the vidalta.

Initially she did well on it but then there was the scratching and fur loss and now she's really lethargic. She doesn't even struggle when I pick her up (and she hates being picked up). She either sleeps or wanders around looking confused and shouting. And her fur is still patchy.

I rang the vet last night who said to stop the pills for a week to see if that's the cause - I'm pretty sure it is. I'm really worried about her, though.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #43 on:** March 31, 2017, 12:08:02 PM »

DAN POST BEEN STOLEN, WILL HAVE TO REWRITE TOMORROW

heather sullivan · « **Reply #42 on:** March 29, 2017, 22:50:24 PM »

I also saw the place in Yorkshire that does it in under a week, but was a bit worried about if I went somewhere like that and she came home early, if there were problems we would have a long journey back again. Canterbury was only an hour and a quarter so a better choice for me. Hope Bass feels better soon

Coconut oil is good for hair loss, just rub a little bit onto the bald spots.

jezebel · « **Reply #41 on:** March 29, 2017, 12:33:40 PM »

Poor Bass isn't having a good time. She's lost some fur from the top of her head - I've noticed her scratching around her head/face - and is looking a bit patchy on her shoulders.

Vet saw her last night and diagnosed an ear infection. I've got some drops to put in her ear, and I have to take her back in a week. If the patchy fur loss hasn't improved, the vet said she will change the medication.

On the plus side, I've heard of a new centre that can do the radioactive iodine treatment in five days - not sure how they manage it. Unfortunately for Bass, it's in Yorkshire - I don't think she'd appreciate the five-hour drive.

But it might mean it the shorter stay becomes more common.

Mark · « **Reply #40 on:** March 27, 2017, 08:56:52 AM »

Quote from: heather sullivan on March 26, 2017, 19:35:24 PM

I think its run by a different vet group in the evenings.

Yes, it is our local Vets Now. I'm not sure how that works with the staffing though.

I have only used Barton Vets when I had an eye referral for Kylie. My vet at the time had spent over year prescribing various antibiotics for her eye issue. I took her to see Vanessa, the eye specialist there.She took one look and said she had an idea what it was straight away. She took a scraping and returned in 5 minutes, saying that after looking under a microscope,her suspicion was confirmed and it wasn't and infection at all, but a an immune system thing (Keratoconconjunctivitis) which we were able to control from day one

PS - We only had one Hyper-T cat. I had spoken to my vet about having the radioiodine treatment for him,but my vet said that with his other health issues, it wasn't possible, as one they have had the injection, they can't treat them for any other issues until the radiation is at a safe level, so it was too risky - not to mention the fact that he was such a daddy's boy, that the vet said he was likely to fret if he was left. I think any decent vet would take everything into consideration- but I think it is probably the best thing for an otherwise, healthy cat.

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #39 on:** March 26, 2017, 21:15:27 PM »

My Trigger was treated at Rowe Veterinary Centre in Wooton-under-Bassett in 2014 - he was there for 16 days

I was told he never made a fuss or demanded attention- just quietly watched everything going on around him

He came back heavier than he went which showed he must have been OK as he was not a big eater

Judecat (Paula) · « **Reply #38 on:** March 26, 2017, 20:03:16 PM »

At the end of the day, she is your cat, you know her and will do the best you can for her.

heather sullivan · « **Reply #37 on:** March 26, 2017, 19:35:24 PM »

Silvie is also a very nervous cat and scared of people,doorbells, noises etc and I was also really worried about her going, but she settled in really quickly. Even didnt bother to wake up sometimes when they went in to see her

I rang Barton vets before going there and had long chat with the vet nurses who were really nice. Its also manned 24/7 so always someone there. I think its run by a different vet group in the evenings.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #36 on:** March 26, 2017, 16:28:29 PM »

MISA WAS THE SAME ALTHOUGH HE HAD A GOOD REASON AND HID UNDER A RECLINER, HE STILL HIDES WHEN SOMEBODY COMES INTO THE HOUSE ALTHOUGH NOTB IMMEDIATELY THE DOORBELL GOES ANYMORE,WHICH HE DID BEFORE LANGFORD.

I DONT KNOW ABOUT CANTERBURY BUT LANGFORD HAD SPECIALIST CAT NURSES AND THEY HAD NO CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER ANIMAL AND ALSO THE WARDS FOR CATS WERE SEPERATE FROM THOS OF OTHER ANIMALS.

MISA WILL,BE 17 AY END OF JULY WHICH WAS HIS GOTCHA DAY, SO MAYBE 17 ALREADY.

I THINK THAT BASS WILL BE OK AND I KNOW HOW DIFFERENT CATS ACT WHEN WITH OTHER PEOPLE...........SASA AND LUPIN WITH PAULA FOR INSTANCE LOL.

I WAS TERRIFIED ABIUT MISA GOING, PART WOULD THEY ACCEPT HIM FOR TREATMENT BUT ALSO HOW WOULD HE COPE.............HE COPED FINE I DIDNT AND AM STILL TRYING TO RECOVER!

jezebel · « **Reply #35 on:** March 26, 2017, 15:30:02 PM »

Yes I have seen the thread - thanks Paula.

Judecat (Paula) · « **Reply #34 on:** March 26, 2017, 15:09:10 PM »

Jezebel, have you looked at Gill's thread on Misa? He is also a shy and retiring cat, but by the end of his stay he was demanding fuss and welcoming grooming, which, I think he was resistant to before.

jezebel · « **Reply #33 on:** March 26, 2017, 14:57:40 PM »

Thanks Heather.

Bass is 17 this year but more importantly she doesn't cope well with change. She's a quiet little thing, and I don't think she'd be easy for the nursing staff to interact with. When we first got her, she hid under a wardrobe for three months!

heather sullivan · « **Reply #32 on:** March 25, 2017, 19:32:17 PM »

Silvie was 11 when she had treatment but they did say they had treated cats of 20 before! She was away for 4 weeks and 3 days but had a huge dose of RI as her T4 was sky high and I think it takes a bit longer for them to pass it out. Cannot fault Barton Vet Centre at all, very friendly, updated me every day on their vet type facebook page where you can ask questions and rang me at least 3 times a week. the first week she was away was the worst the 2nd week not so bad and time the 3rd week came round I knew it would not be too long before she was home. (She was also insured)

jezebel · « **Reply #31 on:** March 25, 2017, 07:06:07 AM »

Canterbury would be my nearest centre.

Heather, how old is Silvie and how long was she away for?

heather sullivan · « **Reply #30 on:** March 24, 2017, 19:18:42 PM »

Another recommendation for the RI treatment. My cat Silvie had it last year her thyroid levels were 500 after stopping her meds but that was in May 2016. She is now home and her thyroid levels are now back to normal. She went to Barton Vets in Canterbury, Kent. Def worth while

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #29 on:** March 24, 2017, 12:56:58 PM »

At Langford in terms of T4 etc they dont have to be STABALIZED AS THEY UNDERSTAND SOME CATS CANT B PILLED...............WISH VETS WOULD UNDERSTAND!........AND SOME CANT TAKE THE MEDS.

SO I WAS EXPECTING A LONG WAIT LIKE 6 MONTHS AT LEAST TO GET A LANGFOR APPT BUT THEY RANG ME WITH A DATE I MONTH AFTER BEING CONTACTED WITH MY VET AND THEY ALSO WILL WORK WITH THE VET.

SORRY YOU ARE SO FAR AWAY FROM THEM AS THEY REALLY ARE A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE............I AM ABOUT 2.5 HRS PLUS DRIVING AWAY FROM LANGFORD BUT IT IS NEAREST CENTRE AND WHEN COLLECTING MISA STAYED AT TRAVEL LODGE ABOUT 9 MILES FROM THERE TO BREAK UP THE JOURNEY.

ITS REALLY WORTH THE TRAVEL IN MY OPINION AND THEY CAN STAY THERE IN GREAT ACCOMODATION AND WELL LOOKED AFTER BETWEEN ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT, YOU WOULD NEED AN IMMEDIATE BLOOD TEST AND THEN ANOTHER AFTER 4 WEEKS OR IS IT 6!......MY THREAD SAYS............SO THE T4 LEVELS ARE MONITORED BEFORE TREATMENT BUT LANGFORD ONLY HAD 2 FOR MISA AND WHEN THEY TESTED HIM ON ARRIVAL, IN 2-3 WEEKS HIS LEVELS HAD ALMOST TRIPLED.................MEDS NOT WORKING OR NOT HIGH ENOUGH DOSE?? IT JUST SO IMPORTANT TO GET THIS ALL UP AND RUNNING ASAP COS HAVE TO THINK IF WE HAD WAITED TOO MUCH LONGER MISA WOULD HAVE IN MORE TROUBLE THAN POSSIBLY COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED.

HOPE THAT YOU CAN GET BASS SORTED OUT QUICKLY

jezebel · « **Reply #28 on:** March 24, 2017, 11:57:13 AM »

Thanks Gill. I'm pleased Misa has responded so well to the treatment.

We're nowhere near Langford, but there's a centre about 20 miles away which does this treatment.

I had to take Bass back to the vet on Wednesday as she wasn't looking very well - she's got bald patches which seem to have appeared quite quickly. Vet said it could be a (very rare) reaction to the meds, because apart from that she seemed fine. Taking her back in a week just to be on the safe side, and might get her tested again, so while we're still getting her stabilised, we can't plan anything else.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #27 on:** March 24, 2017, 00:06:08 AM »

JUST TO SAY JEZABEL THAT MISA CAME HOME FROM LANGFORD ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO NOW NERLY 4 I THINK AND HIS T4 LEVEL WHEN ADMITTED HAD SHOT UP TO 400 PLUS SO HE HAD BECOME WORSE VERY BRAPIDLY.

HE DID REALLY WELL AT LANGFORD AND I ELECTED FOR MY HEALTH REASONS FOR HIM TO STAY LONGER UNTIL HE WAS NO LONGERVRADIOACTIVE..........ACTUALLY HE WAS STILL FOR 3 DAYS BUT COULD HAVE LEFT 2 WEEKS EARLIER.

HE WAS GIVEN THE HIGHEST DOSE OF RADIO IODINE THAT THEY GIVE TO NON-CANCER PATIENTS AND THINK HIS TUMOUR WAS GROWING VERY RAPIDLY.

WHEN HE LEFT I WAS SHOCKED AND AMAZED THAT HIS T4 LEVELS WERE NORMAL.

I DONT KNW HOW FAR YOU ARE FROM LANGFORD BUT THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY GREAT WITH CATS.

MY VET DIDNT TBH KNOW MUCH ABOUT THEM BUT I SUGGESTED LANGFORD TO HIM WHEN HE OFFERED PILLS FOR MISA AND BEFORE HE WENT HE WAS ON A LIQUID MED THAT I MIXED WITH A BIT OF GRAVEY, WAS CALLED THYRONORM AND IS RELATIVELY NEW.

HE LOVED IT AND IT HAS A HONEY FLAVOUR SO IS SWEET.

MY VET NOW SAYS HE WILL SUGGEST LANGFORD TO OTHER CLIENTS WITH SUITABLE HYPER T CATS.THEY ALSO HAVE TO BE ASSESED BY LANGFORD BEFORE TREATMENT AND THEN THEY PRDER THE IODINE. DUE TO MY HEALTH AND THE DISTANCE WE HAD TO TRAVEL I ALSO ELECTED FOR MISA TO STAY THERE FOR THOSE EXTRA DAYS TOO.

I HAD DAILY REPORTS DURING THE FIRST WEEK AND AFTER TREATMENT TWICE A WEEK. BY THE TIME HE LEFT HE WAS ASKING FOR ATTENTION WHEN THEY WENT INTO HIS LIVING QUARTERS AND HE ENJOYED BEING GROOMED.

ITS ONLY THE 2 WEEKS AFTER TREATMENT THEY ARE IN A SPECIAL RADIOACTIVE ISOLATION AREA BUT THEY ARE STILL MANAGED BY THE SPECIALIST STAFF SO SEE AND MEET THEM DURING THE DAY.

I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT MISA GOING ETC ETC THAT IT MADE ME VERY ILL AND NEARLY 3 MONTHS ON I AM STILL NOT FULLY RECOVERED, MISA HOWEVER IS DOING WELL

HE WAS A VERY BIG CAT AND HAS LOST HALF HIS BODY WEIGHT WHILE ILL AND I CAN RECOMMEND THIS TREATMENT EVEN FOR A TERRIFIED OF PEOPLE CAT WHO WAS ABUSED AS A YOUNG CAT.

IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE OR THE MONEY £2300 APPROX THEN IF SUITABLE THIS IS THE WAY TO GO FOR A COMPLETE CURE.

MY THREADS ON MISA WHILE AT LANGFORD ARE IN HEALTH SECTION................IN THE NEWS ONE AFRAID I SORTA DRIFT ALONG AS I REMEMBERED THINGS BUT USED IT AS A DIARY WHEN THEY RANG ME AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ETC.

PLEASE GIVE IT A READ.

MISA HAS TO HAVE A BLOOD TEST IN ABOUT 4 WEEKS.............8 WEEKS FROM LEAVING LANGFORD AND THEN BE MONITORED REGULARLY BY BLOOD TESTS FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS UNTIL PRONOUNCED CURED. IF FOR SOME REASON HE WASNT CURED HE WOULD GO BACK TO LANGFORD FOR A TOP UP DOSE WHICH IS VERY SMALL BUT THAT IS NOT EXPECTED AS HE HAD SUCH A GREAT RESULT WHEN HE LEFT.

PLEASE PM ME IF YOU WISH AND WE CAN TALK ON THE PHONE.

LadyJ · « **Reply #26 on:** March 23, 2017, 19:40:28 PM »

My cat has hyperthriodism And surgery just before we adopted her she was 14. She us also renal failure stage 2 and I suppose that's why she has been 6 months in CP

until we saw her and fell in love with her given her furever home.

She was ok for 2 years, now she is 17 and was put on medicine as she lost it of weight and her results were not great, and that made her feel better. I hope she will be with us a lot longer❤
She is bit too old to have another surgery so we will try make her feel as good as she can as long as we can.

Also our vet (pets at home) charging us every time different amount for pills last time 14 pills for £20 and first time it was 21 for £30, whatever I got fed up and requested prescription paid 9-10£ and bought online the same thing for £20 for 100!

alisonandarchie · « **Reply #25 on:** January 22, 2017, 14:54:13 PM »

Good idea.

Let me know if you think of any more questions

I know my friend is happy so far esp as he has put on weight

jezebel · « **Reply #24 on:** January 22, 2017, 14:11:45 PM »

Thanks, but I don't think there is. With the operation, my main concern is how effective it is long term.

I spoke to someone yesterday at the shelter, and their vet does lots of these ops on the shelter cats - apparently with good results, so I might get a second opinion from him as the practice isn't too far away.

alisonandarchie · « **Reply #23 on:** January 21, 2017, 23:11:18 PM »

The op was last spring and her cat is 12.

It was effective, saw him last on New Years Eve. He has put on weight since the op.

The only prob she had was he had a very small fit but that was last summer and he has been ok since.

If there is anything else do let me know

jezebel · « **Reply #22 on:** January 21, 2017, 17:19:58 PM »

Thanks alisonandarchie - how long since her cat's op and was it effective?
How old is her cat?

alisonandarchie · « **Reply #21 on:** January 21, 2017, 13:18:40 PM »

My friends cat had one last year so if you have any specific questions let me know as I am seeing her tomorrow

jezebel · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2017, 13:54:24 PM »

Thank you Sue! Bass is being quite forgiving at having a pill thrust down her throat every day - probably because she's being spoiled with treats! I hope the pills work soon though, the howling is quite alarming.

I will be asking lots of questions when I take Bass for her next blood test in four weeks.

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2017, 12:59:13 PM »

I would maybe have another discussion with your vet and talk through your concerns about each of the options available. In the meantime, am sending more snoozles for Drum and Bass to be applied liberally.

jezebel · « **Reply #18 on:** January 20, 2017, 12:16:36 PM »

Quote from: Rosella moggy on January 20, 2017, 06:28:18 AM

It's such a complicated condition. Such varied treatments. Such varied levels of illness and symptons. Cats seem to react quite differently to the medication and so important to keep an eye on them for initial week of meds or so and go back to vet if anything seems awry.

Exactly!

At her age, I'm not convinced putting her through the isolation of radiotherapy treatment is right. But if she doesn't get on with the pills, I might have to consider it.

Anyhow, from what I've learned about the surgery, I'm not at all keen on it now so at least that's one less thing to think about - thank you!

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2017, 06:28:18 AM »

It's such a complicated condition. Such varied treatments. Such varied levels of illness and symptons. Cats seem to react quite differently to the medication and so important to keep an eye on them for initial week of meds or so and go back to vet if anything seems awry.

Vets experience also seems so varied and more recent advice on dosage levels esp if T4 levels not sky high is lower.

Then of course there is age of cat and temperament.

Given all of that and a worried slave. It's really a very tricky decision to have to make.

Best advice I can think of if med work OK is to take your time and look into everything thoroughly.

heather sullivan · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2017, 22:46:50 PM »

When I took Silvie to Barton Vets I had a really long chat with the vet there, and he was saying that there are so many hyperthyroid cats around these days, and its a shame most people opt for pills/surgery when the Radio iodine is by far the best. He said that sadly a lot of cat owners cant bear the fact of leaving their cat for up to a month somewhere strange but after a day or so he said the cats they have in (2 a week) have always settled down and are fine. Silvie ,even after she was radioactive was still looked after every day, they go in at least 3 times to see them and after about 4 days they let them out in an exercise area where there are toys, scratching posts etc. He also said he had treated cats of 20 before, as a lot of cats do seem to live much longer these days.

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2017, 20:14:30 PM »

You don't have to decide right now - if you find her easy to dose, and the Vidalta (or Felimazole, the alternative) gets her T4 level down without side effects, you can look at alternatives at your leisure

I decided right away on the I-131 for Trigger because of his age and temperament, but every cat is different

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2017, 19:43:25 PM »

MISA IS 15/16 WAS AN ABUSED CAT, IS TERRIFIED OF ALL PEOPLE EXCEPT ME AND RUNS AND HIDES.

HE IS DOING REALLY WELL AT LANGFORD AND THEIR CARE IS SECOND TO NONE. THEY ARE ALSO TRYING TO HELP HIS ARTHRITUS AND TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF HIM.

Author Topic: Hyperthyroidism operation - anyone have experience of this? (Read 32789 times)