Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Can anyone inform and/or advise me about hyperthyroidism and possible >relationship to stroke in an otherwise healthy, 10-year-old cat? >        Our dear Maggie had trouble sitting-up yesterday morning. Took her to >local vet, reputed to be a good one, who has treated Maggie on other >occasions. Diagnosis: Hyperthyroidism. Symptoms: apparent paralysis in rear >legs; refusal to eat or drink. Pills given for appetite enhancement and >thyroid stabilization. >        Today, no better. Listless, unable to control bowels, etc. New diagnosis: >embolism, stroke. Outlook for survival: guarded at best. Vet care presently >being given: IV fluids, oxygen cage. >        Maggie, "Good Kitty," has been with us for 10 years, and is the light of >our lives. I am heartsick over her condition, and don’t know what to >expect, medically. My family and I, unfortunately, are no strangers to >grief. >        Would appreciate hearing from knowledgeable "voices of experience" with >this constellation of symptoms, diagnoses. >        This happens to be my own very first message on the internet, and I cannot >begin to express how deeply I wish the occasion were a happier one. All >replies deeply appreciated. jbpresto.ix.netcom.com

Hi. I am very sadden to learn that your cat is going through these serious problems.    I am somewhat mystified how your veterinarian thought that hyperthyroidism might lead to some of the signs your  Maggie presented.   Although we have never had a cat with hyperthyroidism, we did have one cat (neutered DSH, about 17 years old, named Bing) have a stroke.   When Bing was around 15 years old, our veterinarian detected that he had mild heart murmur, and while he advised us that is was not serious but could cause problems later.   Several years later Bing suddenly became weak in the hind legs, although he could still walk, and went blind (both pupils completely dilated, unresponsive to light).   He would pace incessantly, walk over his food bowl and into his water bowl, and would not eat or drink.  If he walked into a corner, he would press his head against the wall and just stand there.   The veterinarian said that probably the heart murmur led to blood clot formations that then caused the embolisms leading to the hind leg paresis and blindness.  The prognosis was very grim, the vet said essentially hopeless, but we were not yet ready to give up on the old guy.  We took him home, but he would not eat or drink for several more days and showed no indication of improvement.   I do not believe that he could hear, see, smell or taste at this time.    He did not use the litter at this time, but given the lack of food and water consumption, I can not state whether these functions were lost, or just not needed.  We then returned to the veterinarian to have him euthanized.   While we were preparing for this, I scratched his ears and chin, and he responded by purring, so even in his strickened state I believe he still had an awareness of some things.  It was tough having to say goodbye this way.   I hope your cat recovers from this.  Please let us know. KW Theil Wooster, Ohio

Response:

How did your vet determine you cat has hyperthyroidism? The usual test is by measuring the T4 level in the bloodstream. A more specialized test is for the T3 level. Did you vet perform either of these? Hyperthyroidism does cause an increase in the heart beat rate, and therefore raises the blood pressure. Heart damage and failure are possible, although it is usually reversible with treatment.  There is also a chance of kidney disease due to the strain placed on the kidneys. The reference I use often ["The Well Cat Book" by Terri McGinnis, DVM] does not say anything regarding stroke and hyperthyroidism. But high blood pressure in humans is a factor in causing stroke. re: the paralysis of the back legs, my cat has suffered two bouts of hyperthyroidism. But in neither case did she have this symptom. Although, when she was suffering from diabetes she did have reduced strength in her legs. Anyone else out there know? Best wishes to you during this terrible time! Trish to email me, remove the ~ <trimmed> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Can anyone inform and/or advise me about hyperthyroidism and possible >relationship to stroke in an otherwise healthy, 10-year-old cat? >        Our dear Maggie had trouble sitting-up yesterday morning. Took her to >local vet, reputed to be a good one, who has treated Maggie on other >occasions. Diagnosis: Hyperthyroidism. Symptoms: apparent paralysis in rear >legs; refusal to eat or drink. Pills given for appetite enhancement and >thyroid stabilization. >        Today, no better. Listless, unable to control bowels, etc. New > diagnosis: >embolism, stroke. Outlook for survival: guarded at best. Vet care presently >being given: IV fluids, oxygen cage.

Response:

Can anyone inform and/or advise me about hyperthyroidism and possible relationship to stroke in an otherwise healthy, 10-year-old cat?         Our dear Maggie had trouble sitting-up yesterday morning. Took her to local vet, reputed to be a good one, who has treated Maggie on other occasions. Diagnosis: Hyperthyroidism. Symptoms: apparent paralysis in rear legs; refusal to eat or drink. Pills given for appetite enhancement and thyroid stabilization.         Today, no better. Listless, unable to control bowels, etc. New diagnosis: embolism, stroke. Outlook for survival: guarded at best. Vet care presently being given: IV fluids, oxygen cage.         Maggie, "Good Kitty," has been with us for 10 years, and is the light of our lives. I am heartsick over her condition, and don’t know what to expect, medically. My family and I, unfortunately, are no strangers to grief.         Would appreciate hearing from knowledgeable "voices of experience" with this constellation of symptoms, diagnoses.         This happens to be my own very first message on the internet, and I cannot begin to express how deeply I wish the occasion were a happier one. All replies deeply appreciated. jbpresto.ix.netcom.com

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Can anyone inform and/or advise me about hyperthyroidism and possible >relationship to stroke in an otherwise healthy, 10-year-old cat? >        Our dear Maggie had trouble sitting-up yesterday morning. Took her to >local vet, reputed to be a good one, who has treated Maggie on other >occasions. Diagnosis: Hyperthyroidism. Symptoms: apparent paralysis in rear >legs; refusal to eat or drink. Pills given for appetite enhancement and >thyroid stabilization. >        Today, no better. Listless, unable to control bowels, etc. New diagnosis: >embolism, stroke. Outlook for survival: guarded at best. Vet care presently >being given: IV fluids, oxygen cage. >        Maggie, "Good Kitty," has been with us for 10 years, and is the light of >our lives. I am heartsick over her condition, and don’t know what to >expect, medically. My family and I, unfortunately, are no strangers to >grief. >        Would appreciate hearing from knowledgeable "voices of experience" with >this constellation of symptoms, diagnoses. >        This happens to be my own very first message on the internet, and I cannot >begin to express how deeply I wish the occasion were a happier one. All >replies deeply appreciated. jbpresto.ix.netcom.com

Hi. I am very sadden to learn that your cat is going through these serious problems.    I am somewhat mystified how your veterinarian thought that hyperthyroidism might lead to some of the signs your  Maggie presented.   Although we have never had a cat with hyperthyroidism, we did have one cat (neutered DSH, about 17 years old, named Bing) have a stroke.   When Bing was around 15 years old, our veterinarian detected that he had mild heart murmur, and while he advised us that is was not serious but could cause problems later.   Several years later Bing suddenly became weak in the hind legs, although he could still walk, and went blind (both pupils completely dilated, unresponsive to light).   He would pace incessantly, walk over his food bowl and into his water bowl, and would not eat or drink.  If he walked into a corner, he would press his head against the wall and just stand there.   The veterinarian said that probably the heart murmur led to blood clot formations that then caused the embolisms leading to the hind leg paresis and blindness.  The prognosis was very grim, the vet said essentially hopeless, but we were not yet ready to give up on the old guy.  We took him home, but he would not eat or drink for several more days and showed no indication of improvement.   I do not believe that he could hear, see, smell or taste at this time.    He did not use the litter at this time, but given the lack of food and water consumption, I can not state whether these functions were lost, or just not needed.  We then returned to the veterinarian to have him euthanized.   While we were preparing for this, I scratched his ears and chin, and he responded by purring, so even in his strickened state I believe he still had an awareness of some things.  It was tough having to say goodbye this way.   I hope your cat recovers from this.  Please let us know. KW Theil Wooster, Ohio

Response:

How did your vet determine you cat has hyperthyroidism? The usual test is by measuring the T4 level in the bloodstream. A more specialized test is for the T3 level. Did you vet perform either of these? Hyperthyroidism does cause an increase in the heart beat rate, and therefore raises the blood pressure. Heart damage and failure are possible, although it is usually reversible with treatment.  There is also a chance of kidney disease due to the strain placed on the kidneys. The reference I use often ["The Well Cat Book" by Terri McGinnis, DVM] does not say anything regarding stroke and hyperthyroidism. But high blood pressure in humans is a factor in causing stroke. re: the paralysis of the back legs, my cat has suffered two bouts of hyperthyroidism. But in neither case did she have this symptom. Although, when she was suffering from diabetes she did have reduced strength in her legs. Anyone else out there know? Best wishes to you during this terrible time! Trish to email me, remove the ~ <trimmed> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Can anyone inform and/or advise me about hyperthyroidism and possible >relationship to stroke in an otherwise healthy, 10-year-old cat? >        Our dear Maggie had trouble sitting-up yesterday morning. Took her to >local vet, reputed to be a good one, who has treated Maggie on other >occasions. Diagnosis: Hyperthyroidism. Symptoms: apparent paralysis in rear >legs; refusal to eat or drink. Pills given for appetite enhancement and >thyroid stabilization. >        Today, no better. Listless, unable to control bowels, etc. New > diagnosis: >embolism, stroke. Outlook for survival: guarded at best. Vet care presently >being given: IV fluids, oxygen cage.

Response:

Can anyone inform and/or advise me about hyperthyroidism and possible relationship to stroke in an otherwise healthy, 10-year-old cat?         Our dear Maggie had trouble sitting-up yesterday morning. Took her to local vet, reputed to be a good one, who has treated Maggie on other occasions. Diagnosis: Hyperthyroidism. Symptoms: apparent paralysis in rear legs; refusal to eat or drink. Pills given for appetite enhancement and thyroid stabilization.         Today, no better. Listless, unable to control bowels, etc. New diagnosis: embolism, stroke. Outlook for survival: guarded at best. Vet care presently being given: IV fluids, oxygen cage.         Maggie, "Good Kitty," has been with us for 10 years, and is the light of our lives. I am heartsick over her condition, and don’t know what to expect, medically. My family and I, unfortunately, are no strangers to grief.         Would appreciate hearing from knowledgeable "voices of experience" with this constellation of symptoms, diagnoses.         This happens to be my own very first message on the internet, and I cannot begin to express how deeply I wish the occasion were a happier one. All replies deeply appreciated. jbpresto.ix.netcom.com

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Can anyone inform and/or advise me about hyperthyroidism and possible >relationship to stroke in an otherwise healthy, 10-year-old cat? >        Our dear Maggie had trouble sitting-up yesterday morning. Took her to >local vet, reputed to be a good one, who has treated Maggie on other >occasions. Diagnosis: Hyperthyroidism. Symptoms: apparent paralysis in rear >legs; refusal to eat or drink. Pills given for appetite enhancement and >thyroid stabilization. >        Today, no better. Listless, unable to control bowels, etc. New diagnosis: >embolism, stroke. Outlook for survival: guarded at best. Vet care presently >being given: IV fluids, oxygen cage. >        Maggie, "Good Kitty," has been with us for 10 years, and is the light of >our lives. I am heartsick over her condition, and don’t know what to >expect, medically. My family and I, unfortunately, are no strangers to >grief. >        Would appreciate hearing from knowledgeable "voices of experience" with >this constellation of symptoms, diagnoses. >        This happens to be my own very first message on the internet, and I cannot >begin to express how deeply I wish the occasion were a happier one. All >replies deeply appreciated. jbpresto.ix.netcom.com

Hi. I am very sadden to learn that your cat is going through these serious problems.    I am somewhat mystified how your veterinarian thought that hyperthyroidism might lead to some of the signs your  Maggie presented.   Although we have never had a cat with hyperthyroidism, we did have one cat (neutered DSH, about 17 years old, named Bing) have a stroke.   When Bing was around 15 years old, our veterinarian detected that he had mild heart murmur, and while he advised us that is was not serious but could cause problems later.   Several years later Bing suddenly became weak in the hind legs, although he could still walk, and went blind (both pupils completely dilated, unresponsive to light).   He would pace incessantly, walk over his food bowl and into his water bowl, and would not eat or drink.  If he walked into a corner, he would press his head against the wall and just stand there.   The veterinarian said that probably the heart murmur led to blood clot formations that then caused the embolisms leading to the hind leg paresis and blindness.  The prognosis was very grim, the vet said essentially hopeless, but we were not yet ready to give up on the old guy.  We took him home, but he would not eat or drink for several more days and showed no indication of improvement.   I do not believe that he could hear, see, smell or taste at this time.    He did not use the litter at this time, but given the lack of food and water consumption, I can not state whether these functions were lost, or just not needed.  We then returned to the veterinarian to have him euthanized.   While we were preparing for this, I scratched his ears and chin, and he responded by purring, so even in his strickened state I believe he still had an awareness of some things.  It was tough having to say goodbye this way.   I hope your cat recovers from this.  Please let us know. KW Theil Wooster, Ohio

Response:

How did your vet determine you cat has hyperthyroidism? The usual test is by measuring the T4 level in the bloodstream. A more specialized test is for the T3 level. Did you vet perform either of these? Hyperthyroidism does cause an increase in the heart beat rate, and therefore raises the blood pressure. Heart damage and failure are possible, although it is usually reversible with treatment.  There is also a chance of kidney disease due to the strain placed on the kidneys. The reference I use often ["The Well Cat Book" by Terri McGinnis, DVM] does not say anything regarding stroke and hyperthyroidism. But high blood pressure in humans is a factor in causing stroke. re: the paralysis of the back legs, my cat has suffered two bouts of hyperthyroidism. But in neither case did she have this symptom. Although, when she was suffering from diabetes she did have reduced strength in her legs. Anyone else out there know? Best wishes to you during this terrible time! Trish to email me, remove the ~ <trimmed> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Can anyone inform and/or advise me about hyperthyroidism and possible >relationship to stroke in an otherwise healthy, 10-year-old cat? >        Our dear Maggie had trouble sitting-up yesterday morning. Took her to >local vet, reputed to be a good one, who has treated Maggie on other >occasions. Diagnosis: Hyperthyroidism. Symptoms: apparent paralysis in rear >legs; refusal to eat or drink. Pills given for appetite enhancement and >thyroid stabilization. >        Today, no better. Listless, unable to control bowels, etc. New > diagnosis: >embolism, stroke. Outlook for survival: guarded at best. Vet care presently >being given: IV fluids, oxygen cage.

Response:

Can anyone inform and/or advise me about hyperthyroidism and possible relationship to stroke in an otherwise healthy, 10-year-old cat?         Our dear Maggie had trouble sitting-up yesterday morning. Took her to local vet, reputed to be a good one, who has treated Maggie on other occasions. Diagnosis: Hyperthyroidism. Symptoms: apparent paralysis in rear legs; refusal to eat or drink. Pills given for appetite enhancement and thyroid stabilization.         Today, no better. Listless, unable to control bowels, etc. New diagnosis: embolism, stroke. Outlook for survival: guarded at best. Vet care presently being given: IV fluids, oxygen cage.         Maggie, "Good Kitty," has been with us for 10 years, and is the light of our lives. I am heartsick over her condition, and don’t know what to expect, medically. My family and I, unfortunately, are no strangers to grief.         Would appreciate hearing from knowledgeable "voices of experience" with this constellation of symptoms, diagnoses.         This happens to be my own very first message on the internet, and I cannot begin to express how deeply I wish the occasion were a happier one. All replies deeply appreciated. jbpresto.ix.netcom.com

Response: