Hi,

I am new to this forum & would appreciate some views on our current problem with our eldest cat.

Lucy is approx 16 years old & has already been diagnosed with thyroid problems & inflammatory bowel disease -she is on medication for both.
She has lost a considerable amount of weight over the last few months & having had blood tests yesterday it has been confirmed its not thyroid ,kidney or liver problems.She does have a very high heart rate -she does not appear stressed -indeed apart from the weight loss is the best we have seen her in some time .She is eating -although picky -but no sickness etc.
The vets are now saying we need to spend another £300 plus on a general aneasthetic to run some more tests on her .To be honest I am extremely reluctant & wonder whether we are being ripped off.She is old & I know this will stress her considerably.I appreciate I am not a vet but wonder if anyone out there has had a similar experience & whether there is a simple medication answer to this that is another option to consider.
We have had previous experience with these vets before with another of our cats where we ended up spending £400 plus for an upset stomach.

Did she have a T4 test for thryoid? presume she had that test when she was first diagnosed with hypertyhroidism? Are they saying she is not now hyperthryoid? Sounds to me with high heart rate and weight loss she is indeed still hyperthryoid and would have thought her thryoid meds dosage needs adjusting before any further investigations are done. What are they wanting to aneathetise her for? I don't think I'd want to put her under until her thryoid is completely under control.

i agree, the symptoms are certainly consistent with hyperthyroid.....
i'd want to find out exactly what further tests are being recommended, and why

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Thanks for your responses.We have sought a second opinion which confirms the thyroid issue & we are now treating with medication.

One of my mature cats had a very fast heart rate and the vet prescribed tablets for her to take. It was a performance getting her to swallow the tablets; she soon wised up to the techniques (hiding the tablet in butter, crushing it into the food and so on). I agree that that your first vet was ripping you off.

So pleased you got the correct diagnosis, our 15yr old boy had the same symtoms earlier this year & turned out he was hyper & the vet operated removeing both thyroid glands (think thats right) & he is like a brand new cat he always used to be on the skinny side but looks realy well now.

There was one problem before he had is op, he had pills to get it under control & started wobbling on his back legs so the vet prscribed potassium as well which did the trick. I think we paid about £200 that was for his op & drugs. I cant remember how much his first blood test was but he was tested for alsorts beside the thyroid. Hope she's feeling better on her meds

I have never met a vet who would intentionally "rip someone off"
Blood tests can give wrong results, mistakes can be made, you should realise this before you make statements saying someone is ripping someone off.
Anyways, glad you have now got a diagnosis