Most cats with his condition eat ravenously but a few don't. I take it his teeth & mouth are OK? Has he had an appetite stimulator and/or treatment for nausea? Are you warming his food? Are there any treats he really loves? (mine are all crazy about freeze-dried chicken and the water from canned tuna) When is his next blood test for thyroid due? He might not eat much until it's normal.

Do keep in touch with your vets. I could email an update to mine which would be added the cat's record.

 

Yes he's had mirataz applied to his ears and the vet did give him an anti nausea injection. After coming back from the iv drip appointment he went back to eating somewhat normally then now he's off his food again

I've tried both tuna and sardines he's only ever interested in licking the water.

 

Hi there
My cat has hyperthyroidism... what medication has he been prescribed? Thyronorm? Nausea can be an initial symptom and also a side effect of the meds so I would ask the vet about anti nausea if he hasn't had that already.
There are several medications for HT so if he doesn't get on with one, you can try something else - gel to rub on the ear for example.

To get him eating, I would try cooked chicken, little tidbits of his favourite treats, I resorted to fresh king prawns (he got a taste for those!). Anything to get him eating.

 

He's been on thyronorm which he doesn't seem to mind taking and seemed to improve after initial administration but now he just drinks water and just takes a few bites of whatever I give him and turns away. Also he did have two anti nausea injections within the span of a week

I didn't know there was a gel form. It's worth asking the vet for an alternative

 

How long has he been on the Thyronorm for? I was signposted to a Facebook group for cats on Thyronorm which was incredibly helpful and supportive, you might want to take a look:

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It is quite common for cats to have side effects around the 2 week mark after starting thyronorm. Not all cats get side effects (luckily, mine didn't) but tummy upset and issues with itching is quite common.
It could be that the dose is a bit high for example, do you know what his T4 levels were when he was diagnosed, and have you got as far as the first 3-week check in yet?

Yes there is a gel to apply to the inside of the ear, and also a tiny tablet called Vidalta. You also have the option of Thyroidectomy (removal) or the radioactive iodine treatment. A lot depends on your cats age, temperament and general wellbeing aside from the hyperthyroidism, as well as how they tolerate the first line medication treatments too x

 

He's been on thyronorm for almost a week now. Thank you for the link I will be checking it out. Yeah he's on 2.5mgs twice a day because his thyroid levels were quite high bless him.

I have opted out of the iodine and surgery as they are quite risky from what I gathered. His blood test will be in two weeks time.

 

Aww poor baby. Did your cat immediately start eating after you came back or did you have to slowly get him back to eating?

 

Double Post

 

How old is he? Sorry if I missed that.

 

He is 9. Sorry forgot to add that chalk it up to lack of sleep recently

 

@VioletSkies I don't think the radioactive iodine or the thyroidectomy are especially risky per se. More expensive short term though, of course. If my cat was as young as yours I would probably consider the radioactive option as once they've had the treatment, they can then live medicine-free. I don't know the exact ins and outs but it does involve a hospital stay for them, so can depend on their personality and whether you felt they could cope with that - and being careful with their cat waste on their return. Worth reading up on for sure.

What were his T4 levels, you say they were quite high? Milo's were only just into the abnormal range at 62, many cats have levels much higher before diagnosis. 2.5ml twice a day is the standard starting dose but this can need tweaking quite early on.

Does he like Lick E Lix or anything like that?

 

Well the surgery will be operated around alot of critical areas and nerves and iodine would also mean a 2 week stay away from home and he literally shakes at vet visits. So those two options aren't viable for us

His levels were in the 80's range which are quite high. I'm going to be getting some today. Will keep you all updated

 

@VioletSkies Something I just remembered: a few years back I was sitting next to an elderly guy, a retired vet from Cumbria, on a train, and he was talking about working as a vet. I mentioned a cat I had at that time with HT and he said that when he was in practice, cases of HT were practically unheard of. I asked if it was because cats were living longer and he said obviously that was one reason, but that even taking that into account, cases were rocketing compared to other stuff that old/older cats get. And HT often affects middle--aged cats like yours. Cause was "assumed to be" dietary or environmental.

 

Update : My cat started eating again. Thank you everyone for your help and input. Greatly appreciate it🌻

 

Thank you for letting us know.
Just one thing I will mention: HT can sometimes cause high blood pressure in cats. My Maggie (my most recent HT patient) saw eight different vets during her three years of treatment: not one suggested checking BP.
The reason you might mention it to your vet: my first HT patient went blind because of her high BP. Apparently the blood pressure can cause the retina to detach. It was only after she went blind he suggested doing BP checks. Fortunately there was a med that helped restore some of her vision, enough that she could see shapes and not bump into stuff. Also there is a med, Amlodipine, which will control the BP if necessary.
Maybe your vet has already mentioned it, but if not, ask him. The signs of high BP can be subtle - hence only detected when the cat appears to have reduced vision. After it was detected, she used to spend a day there having it checked. This gave her time to calm down and settle after the car trip, have her lunch etc.
Just let your vet know you are aware there can be a possible issue with high BP. 🐱

 

I'm really sorry to hear about your cat's diagnosis. Hyperthyroidism can be tough, and it's great that you're seeking solutions. While medications are essential, sometimes enticing your cat to eat can make a significant difference.

You might want to try offering a variety of wet foods with strong aromas or adding a bit of tuna juice to their meals. Warming the food slightly can also enhance its scent and appeal.
For a range of options, consider checking out Chewy's selection of cat foods. They offer various brands and flavors that might tempt your cat's appetite. You can explore their offerings here: Chewy Cat Food Selection.

Additionally, if your cat isn't eating much, it's crucial to monitor their hydration. Offering fresh water or even ice cubes can encourage drinking.
Remember, you're doing a great job by seeking advice and trying different methods. Stay patient, and hopefully, your cat will regain their appetite soon.

Best wishes to you and your feline friend!

 

Thank you so much for all these tips and I will be checking chewys brand. I have placed two water bowls around the house where he mostly hangs out.

This community is so lovely and helpful and I'm glad I found it.