My kitty has Hyperthyroidism
Discussion
Poor little Mabel went to the vets this morning as she has been losing weight significantly over the past few weeks. I have never had a sick pet before and am pretty upset after the chat with the Vet.
Tablets for life or an operation, on top of this she needs a tooth out but can't until the tablets stabilise her. Poor little thing is about 17 and very much loved.
Now I have never had to give a cat tablets, is there anyone who can advise me how to do this as she hates being pinned down and gets quite bitey/scratchy when you need to do anything to her face.
Mabel with her best pal Willem the Hedgehog. (She won't pose for photos so I have to sneak them!
Tablets for life or an operation, on top of this she needs a tooth out but can't until the tablets stabilise her. Poor little thing is about 17 and very much loved.
Now I have never had to give a cat tablets, is there anyone who can advise me how to do this as she hates being pinned down and gets quite bitey/scratchy when you need to do anything to her face.
Mabel with her best pal Willem the Hedgehog. (She won't pose for photos so I have to sneak them!Our big old cat (Mr.Sax) has had this for almost two years. Two years of two pills once a day then last year he had an operation to remove one of the thyroids, we thought this may cure it, but no he's on two different tablets once day again.
He takes the pills well when my wife gives them to him in the morning, but if she's not around I tend to put them on his plate along with his food, and he just hoovers them up.
He's 14 now and looks quite hollow against his former big majestic size.
So you just have a choice of constant pills or an operation, but the ooperation could still mean having pills afterwards, depending on the outcome of it.
An expensive couple of years it's been, the pills aren't cheap, then the bi-monthly blood-tests not to mention the operation...
He takes the pills well when my wife gives them to him in the morning, but if she's not around I tend to put them on his plate along with his food, and he just hoovers them up.
He's 14 now and looks quite hollow against his former big majestic size.
So you just have a choice of constant pills or an operation, but the ooperation could still mean having pills afterwards, depending on the outcome of it.
An expensive couple of years it's been, the pills aren't cheap, then the bi-monthly blood-tests not to mention the operation...
My Vet said she would have to have blood tests every 6 months once the pills settled her. Twice a month would bankrupt me, I have insurance but it is capped at £1k per illness.
I wish I hadn't posted now. Crikey I can't believe how upset I am. Ill start with mixing the pill in with her food and see if it gets left.
I wish I hadn't posted now. Crikey I can't believe how upset I am. Ill start with mixing the pill in with her food and see if it gets left.
I use a pill popper whenever I have to give pills to any of ours - a kind of syringe you put the pill between 2 'jaws' at the top and a alittle water and then basically scush the pill down their throat - can do thios one handed now with my old lady for her steroids.
Good luck - they soon get used to it, if never liking it.
Good luck - they soon get used to it, if never liking it.
Bi monthly bloods is not usually necessary unless a complication.
Take one step at a time
1. Work out how to give the tabs, as a thyroid cat she probably has a good appetite so try hiding tablet in some pate etc. Hopefully this will work.
2. Take for repeat blood test (usually 3 weeks later) hopefully good result, if so book in for the surgery (unless by now you have giving tab down to a fine art and would rather carry on with this and regular blood tests). Anaesthetics on elderly animals are more common that on the youngsters so as long as a few precautions are taken she should do well (such as intravenous fluids) So get theyroid removed and teeth sorted
3. Allow recuperation and lots of spoiling
and the relief that you no longer need to give tablets. (Fingers have to be crossed though that the second thyroid doesn't start playing up, some do some don't)
4. May need an occ blood test to monitor in future but should not need further tx otherwise.
All of the above should be covered with the insurance (though the teeth may not or will need to be under a separate claim)
I am a vet nurse with over 20yrs experience yet if I was in your position right now with my little four legged friend I would be in the same state as you so I'm just trying to break it down into steps to make it easier to take in, I hope it helps.
Take one step at a time
1. Work out how to give the tabs, as a thyroid cat she probably has a good appetite so try hiding tablet in some pate etc. Hopefully this will work.
2. Take for repeat blood test (usually 3 weeks later) hopefully good result, if so book in for the surgery (unless by now you have giving tab down to a fine art and would rather carry on with this and regular blood tests). Anaesthetics on elderly animals are more common that on the youngsters so as long as a few precautions are taken she should do well (such as intravenous fluids) So get theyroid removed and teeth sorted
3. Allow recuperation and lots of spoiling
and the relief that you no longer need to give tablets. (Fingers have to be crossed though that the second thyroid doesn't start playing up, some do some don't)4. May need an occ blood test to monitor in future but should not need further tx otherwise.
All of the above should be covered with the insurance (though the teeth may not or will need to be under a separate claim)
I am a vet nurse with over 20yrs experience yet if I was in your position right now with my little four legged friend I would be in the same state as you so I'm just trying to break it down into steps to make it easier to take in, I hope it helps.
Broomsticklady said:
I use a pill popper whenever I have to give pills to any of ours - a kind of syringe you put the pill between 2 'jaws' at the top and a alittle water and then basically scush the pill down their throat - can do thios one handed now with my old lady for her steroids.
Good luck - they soon get used to it, if never liking it.
I've never heard of one of these gadgets, but it sounds great. Where did you get it?Good luck - they soon get used to it, if never liking it.
Came across these humorous instructions for giving a cat a pill. Sure they've probably been posted before, but never mind...
1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.
3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.
5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from yard.
6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.
7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.
9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink one beer to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with rubber band.
11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of Scotch. Pour shot, drink. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw tee-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
12. Call fire department to retrieve the friggin' cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.
13. Tie the dang thing's front paws to rear paws with twine and bind tightly to leg of dining room table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour two pints of water down throat to wash pill down.
14. Consume remainder of Scotch. Get spouse to drive you to emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.
15. Arrange for Humane Society to collect mutant cat from **** and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.
How to Give a Dog a Pill 1. Wrap it in bacon
haha I love the humourous instructions 
I have hypothyroidism, I assume its not much different for cats! sound the same with the medication for life and regular blood tests!
Our cats wont eat pills we just crush them and mix with a little cream cheese or beef paste and or something the like , good luck!
I have hypothyroidism, I assume its not much different for cats! sound the same with the medication for life and regular blood tests!
Our cats wont eat pills we just crush them and mix with a little cream cheese or beef paste and or something the like , good luck!
I agree with Bex, a hyperthyroid cat is likely to have a good appetite due to their increased metabolic rates, a hypothyroid is likely to be the other way round.
As for giving tablets there is one way that always works. Providing you can get the tablet to the back third of the tongue or further back the cat will swallow it due to the nerves from there back being automatic. Wrap the cat in a towel if it is a wriggly customer, tip its head back with one hand and lightly prize the bottom jaw down and put the tablet at the back of the mouth. Should be stress free and quick with practice
As for giving tablets there is one way that always works. Providing you can get the tablet to the back third of the tongue or further back the cat will swallow it due to the nerves from there back being automatic. Wrap the cat in a towel if it is a wriggly customer, tip its head back with one hand and lightly prize the bottom jaw down and put the tablet at the back of the mouth. Should be stress free and quick with practice
My small cat had hyperthyroidism
She died Feb 2011 at the grand age of 17 1/2
It was diagnosed when she was about 10 or 11 so 6 ish years of Felimazole.
Small but quite feisty when it came to meds.
Fortunately, the little orange pills are easy to fire off the end of your finger but, as mentioned, the green pill-givers (injection-like article) work well.
I think vets sell them but i would guess Pet Shops would also sell them.
Oh and ebay
Just checked Pill Gun
Good luck
She died Feb 2011 at the grand age of 17 1/2
It was diagnosed when she was about 10 or 11 so 6 ish years of Felimazole.
Small but quite feisty when it came to meds.
Fortunately, the little orange pills are easy to fire off the end of your finger but, as mentioned, the green pill-givers (injection-like article) work well.
I think vets sell them but i would guess Pet Shops would also sell them.
Oh and ebay
Just checked Pill Gun
Good luck
My cat has hyperthyroidism also. We give her the pills once a day wrapped in a portion of cheap cheese slices liek those craft slices. they mold so easily round the tablet, and the cat won't eat her tea now until she gets her 'treat'.
The other alternative treatment is radioactive iodine, which my cat is going to have in 2 weeks time. This however will cost 2k so you would have to pay the bit the insurance dosent cover. This option of treatment is not suitable for all cats though, and due to your cats age the vet may not think this is appropriate if the tablets can sort it out. The treatment however is pretty much a cure.
hope you get on okay x
The other alternative treatment is radioactive iodine, which my cat is going to have in 2 weeks time. This however will cost 2k so you would have to pay the bit the insurance dosent cover. This option of treatment is not suitable for all cats though, and due to your cats age the vet may not think this is appropriate if the tablets can sort it out. The treatment however is pretty much a cure.
hope you get on okay x
Our Misty had both of her thyroid glands removed about 6-7 years ago, and was fine. bizzarely last year the problem came back. As she is now 19 she has had to go on tablets, and we have found the perfect way of giving her the tablet every day with no hassle.
Basically we buy whiskas 'sticks' from the supermarket (she likes the fish ones), cut a small piece off, make a hole in it and push the tablet into it. she eats it as a treat and doesn't even know she's having a tablet!
It may sound a faff, but after a few goes it takes seconds. The tablet occasionally falls out, but usually works fine on the second attempt. even my mom can do it when she looks after her when we are away.
It works great for us and avoids all the issues in the how to give a cat a pill joke.
Basically we buy whiskas 'sticks' from the supermarket (she likes the fish ones), cut a small piece off, make a hole in it and push the tablet into it. she eats it as a treat and doesn't even know she's having a tablet!
It may sound a faff, but after a few goes it takes seconds. The tablet occasionally falls out, but usually works fine on the second attempt. even my mom can do it when she looks after her when we are away.
It works great for us and avoids all the issues in the how to give a cat a pill joke.
Morning all. Thank you so much for your advice. This morning I totally failed to give her the pill and got myself so worked up about it. I have left it in her food which she is refusing to go near as I am a meanie and she suspects I have done this I think.
I will go an find one of these pill poppers and maybe a cat bag. I have a gash on my hand that hurts like hell where she slipped one of her back legs out from between my knees and sliced me.
At the moment I just can't see how I am going to manage this twice a day but I am sure I will get better!
ETA: Just bought a Mikki Pill gun on amazon. Hopefully that will save myself from the teeth, now I just need to worry about the claws!
I will go an find one of these pill poppers and maybe a cat bag. I have a gash on my hand that hurts like hell where she slipped one of her back legs out from between my knees and sliced me.
At the moment I just can't see how I am going to manage this twice a day but I am sure I will get better!
ETA: Just bought a Mikki Pill gun on amazon. Hopefully that will save myself from the teeth, now I just need to worry about the claws!
Edited by Lady Muck on Wednesday 8th February 08:50
You could take her back to the vets and get one of the nurses to do it in front of you. Then if they can't do it at least they'll realise the struggle you'll have!
Speed and confidence is the key. Though your added problem is she may be in genuine discomfort with her mouth so even more likely to object having her mouth forced open.
Try some more tempting foods than just her normal food for now.
Speed and confidence is the key. Though your added problem is she may be in genuine discomfort with her mouth so even more likely to object having her mouth forced open.
Try some more tempting foods than just her normal food for now.
I know what you mean about her mouth. I wish I could sort out her tooth right now but I know I have to sort out her Thyroid first.
She hasn't shown signs of pain in her mouth but I have a feeling she really is in discomfort. I have had her on "Plaque off" for a long time and stupidly didn't realise this was not working until she yawned one day and I spotted her back tooth didn't look good, then over a course of 2 weeks has dramatically lost weight and is eating 4 times as much.
It all happened at one and I feel like I have let her down. I am going to get some temptations tonight and see if I can inject a pill into one. I hate stressing her out.
She hasn't shown signs of pain in her mouth but I have a feeling she really is in discomfort. I have had her on "Plaque off" for a long time and stupidly didn't realise this was not working until she yawned one day and I spotted her back tooth didn't look good, then over a course of 2 weeks has dramatically lost weight and is eating 4 times as much.
It all happened at one and I feel like I have let her down. I am going to get some temptations tonight and see if I can inject a pill into one. I hate stressing her out.
You haven't let her down at all.
She is an elderly girl as such she has old age related problems. By using plaque off you rpmably slowed down the dontal disease but just like us even with brushing twice daily we can still end up with a problem tooth.
What you did is you got her seen and treated, that is not letting her down.
I'm sure it'll get easier for you both
She is an elderly girl as such she has old age related problems. By using plaque off you rpmably slowed down the dontal disease but just like us even with brushing twice daily we can still end up with a problem tooth.
What you did is you got her seen and treated, that is not letting her down.
I'm sure it'll get easier for you both
We've had a couple of cats with hyperthyroid problems over the years. One cat had the operation and was fine, the other was ok with tablets.
As mentioned above, the Whiskas stick things work for us as well. Break off an inch or so, press tablet in and give to cat. Repeat if the tablet falls out. Give cat the rest of the stick when done.
As mentioned above, the Whiskas stick things work for us as well. Break off an inch or so, press tablet in and give to cat. Repeat if the tablet falls out. Give cat the rest of the stick when done.
Have you tried every treat method of giving tablets, as if you start having to give them by force (pill popper etc) the cat will soom learn to avoid you. this will be a problem for the ongoing medication.
I know the tablets can't be crushed, but try wrapping them in some nice treat: craft cheese slices, pate, fishy sandwich paste, butter or something
give it just before you feed the cat so shes hungry.
I know the tablets can't be crushed, but try wrapping them in some nice treat: craft cheese slices, pate, fishy sandwich paste, butter or something
give it just before you feed the cat so shes hungry.
I pot one in a bit of cat meat last night and though she was very suspicious she ate it eventually. I will try the feed it to her before she has her tea tonight and see if that works. Putting my had in a bowl of cat meat to extract a chunk is not very nice!
Thank you all for your advice. I just couldn't see past my own fears and it really is not the all consuming disaster as I saw it 2 days ago. I can see there is a way through this now.
Mabel is on 2 1/2 tims what she used to be fed in my attempt to fatten her up and she is liking me a lot for that. Last night she sat next to me for a good 1/2 hour curled up round my hand like a cat glove getting a belly tickle which she hasn't let me do for weeks.
Thank you all for your advice. I just couldn't see past my own fears and it really is not the all consuming disaster as I saw it 2 days ago. I can see there is a way through this now.
Mabel is on 2 1/2 tims what she used to be fed in my attempt to fatten her up and she is liking me a lot for that. Last night she sat next to me for a good 1/2 hour curled up round my hand like a cat glove getting a belly tickle which she hasn't let me do for weeks.
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