Question:

When my Moses was diagnosed, we were given three oprions, too–the radioiodine, thyroidectomy, and tapazole. Money was tight here, too, so I went with the tapazole. Mo took one pill twice a day.  Sadly, his liver was probably too badly damaged when we found the thyroid trouble, and he only lived about 7 months longer. But, he was 18 yo when he died, so I’m grateful for 18 great years. He had had terrible diarrhea before starting on the tapazole, and it did clear up once he was on the medication. — Our lives begin to end the day we are silent about things that matter.                                 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Response:

My cats seems to have similar problems.  He throws up 4 or 5 times a week, has the runs, and is often hungry right after he eats.  He is 11 years old and started having these problems and losing considerable weight back in October.  They ran blood tests back then and didn’t find anything so we just changed his food andhoped for the best.  This spring he had gone from about 15lbs down to 7 and was miserable so I took him back to the vet.  They did a barium scan and surgery and found nothing so the Dr. diagnosed it as inflamed bowels. She gave us 2 weeks of antibiotics and  and gave him a steriod shot.  He did better while he was on the antibiotics but shortly after they were done, he started having the runs again. In short, are there any signs I ahould be looking for before I have them do another test ($400+ already)?  In humans it makes you hyper but Fluffer is anything but. thanks for any help becki Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Hi Alissa, Our cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism about one year ago.  Her symptoms included losing weight while eating non-stop, vomiting, and pulling her hair out.  She was also diagnosed with a rare tubular kidney defect.  We were presented with the three different methods of treatment, surgery, radioiodine, and oral medication.  Unfortunately our cat, Sasha was only a candidate for the oral medication because of her kidney problem.  She takes half a pill of Tapazole twice daily equaling 5 mgs.  Blood tests are performed every four months to make sure her medication is working.  I think initially you should try the Tapazole, and when you can afford the radioiodine treatment – go for it.  Here’s a great site that will answer all your questions about radioiodine: http://www.radiocat.com/ Sasha takes a total of five pills a day for her kidneys and thyroid, but she is doing great.  Good luck, and let us know how you’re doing. Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi everyone–I really need some advice here.  After dealing with our cat’s >periodic bouts of illness (diahrrea, vomiting, constipation) this past >Thursday (a week ago) she had an attack of constipation and then stopped >eating and drinking.  We took her into the vet and just received word this >afternoon that she has hyperthyroidism.  We are meeting with him to talk >about the next step but I was just curious if anyone has any info about >this.  He started her on meds which she has to take 3 times a day–will >she have to take these for the rest of her life?  If we opted not to treat >the hyperthyroidism would this have disastrous results or can it be >managed otherwise without having to resort to medicating her each day (and >paying for medications for the rest of her life)?  We took her in as a >stray two years ago and have been dealing with her digestive system probs >for awhile now so I guess it is a relief of sorts that we now know there >is something wrong with her.  Has anyone else had experience with >hyperthyroidism in cats?  What is the prognosis?  Will the medication >clear up all the probs we’ve been having with her (i.e. messy stools, >frequent bouts of constipation and then accidents on the floor, vomiting, >etc.). If treating the hyperthyroidism will mean an end to all the >unpleasantness we’ve been dealing with it will be worth it.  But money is >tight for us and if medicating her for the rest of her life won’t prove to >provide too much in the way of change then I’m not sure we can do this. >Would it be ok to just leave it alone? Hyperthyroidism isn’t a terminal >condition, is it? >Anyway, sorry this is so long and we are going to see our vet for some >answers.  But I wanted to get as much info as I could. >Thanks in advance! >Alissa.

Response:

Hi everyone–I really need some advice here.  After dealing with our cat’s periodic bouts of illness (diahrrea, vomiting, constipation) this past Thursday (a week ago) she had an attack of constipation and then stopped eating and drinking.  We took her into the vet and just received word this afternoon that she has hyperthyroidism.  We are meeting with him to talk about the next step but I was just curious if anyone has any info about this.  He started her on meds which she has to take 3 times a day–will she have to take these for the rest of her life?  If we opted not to treat the hyperthyroidism would this have disastrous results or can it be managed otherwise without having to resort to medicating her each day (and paying for medications for the rest of her life)?  We took her in as a stray two years ago and have been dealing with her digestive system probs for awhile now so I guess it is a relief of sorts that we now know there is something wrong with her.  Has anyone else had experience with hyperthyroidism in cats?  What is the prognosis?  Will the medication clear up all the probs we’ve been having with her (i.e. messy stools, frequent bouts of constipation and then accidents on the floor, vomiting, etc.). If treating the hyperthyroidism will mean an end to all the unpleasantness we’ve been dealing with it will be worth it.  But money is tight for us and if medicating her for the rest of her life won’t prove to provide too much in the way of change then I’m not sure we can do this. Would it be ok to just leave it alone? Hyperthyroidism isn’t a terminal condition, is it? Anyway, sorry this is so long and we are going to see our vet for some answers.  But I wanted to get as much info as I could. Thanks in advance! Alissa.

Response:

Hello, Alissa, I’m sorry to hear your kitty is going through this.  To find out more about hyperthyroidism, go to this web page: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/1151/hlthlnks.htm Scroll down a little more than half way, and you’ll find a whole section of links to information on hyperthyroidism.  I hope this helps. Good luck, and kisses to your kitty, Paige – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi everyone–I really need some advice here.  After dealing with our cat’s > periodic bouts of illness (diahrrea, vomiting, constipation) this past > Thursday (a week ago) she had an attack of constipation and then stopped > eating and drinking.  We took her into the vet and just received word this > afternoon that she has hyperthyroidism.  We are meeting with him to talk > about the next step but I was just curious if anyone has any info about > this.  He started her on meds which she has to take 3 times a day–will > she have to take these for the rest of her life?  If we opted not to treat > the hyperthyroidism would this have disastrous results or can it be > managed otherwise without having to resort to medicating her each day (and > paying for medications for the rest of her life)?  We took her in as a > stray two years ago and have been dealing with her digestive system probs > for awhile now so I guess it is a relief of sorts that we now know there > is something wrong with her.  Has anyone else had experience with > hyperthyroidism in cats?  What is the prognosis?  Will the medication > clear up all the probs we’ve been having with her (i.e. messy stools, > frequent bouts of constipation and then accidents on the floor, vomiting, > etc.). If treating the hyperthyroidism will mean an end to all the > unpleasantness we’ve been dealing with it will be worth it.  But money is > tight for us and if medicating her for the rest of her life won’t prove to > provide too much in the way of change then I’m not sure we can do this. > Would it be ok to just leave it alone? Hyperthyroidism isn’t a terminal > condition, is it? > Anyway, sorry this is so long and we are going to see our vet for some > answers.  But I wanted to get as much info as I could. > Thanks in advance! > Alissa.

Response:

When my Moses was diagnosed, we were given three oprions, too–the radioiodine, thyroidectomy, and tapazole. Money was tight here, too, so I went with the tapazole. Mo took one pill twice a day.  Sadly, his liver was probably too badly damaged when we found the thyroid trouble, and he only lived about 7 months longer. But, he was 18 yo when he died, so I’m grateful for 18 great years. He had had terrible diarrhea before starting on the tapazole, and it did clear up once he was on the medication. — Our lives begin to end the day we are silent about things that matter.                                 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Response:

My cats seems to have similar problems.  He throws up 4 or 5 times a week, has the runs, and is often hungry right after he eats.  He is 11 years old and started having these problems and losing considerable weight back in October.  They ran blood tests back then and didn’t find anything so we just changed his food andhoped for the best.  This spring he had gone from about 15lbs down to 7 and was miserable so I took him back to the vet.  They did a barium scan and surgery and found nothing so the Dr. diagnosed it as inflamed bowels. She gave us 2 weeks of antibiotics and  and gave him a steriod shot.  He did better while he was on the antibiotics but shortly after they were done, he started having the runs again. In short, are there any signs I ahould be looking for before I have them do another test ($400+ already)?  In humans it makes you hyper but Fluffer is anything but. thanks for any help becki Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Hi Alissa, Our cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism about one year ago.  Her symptoms included losing weight while eating non-stop, vomiting, and pulling her hair out.  She was also diagnosed with a rare tubular kidney defect.  We were presented with the three different methods of treatment, surgery, radioiodine, and oral medication.  Unfortunately our cat, Sasha was only a candidate for the oral medication because of her kidney problem.  She takes half a pill of Tapazole twice daily equaling 5 mgs.  Blood tests are performed every four months to make sure her medication is working.  I think initially you should try the Tapazole, and when you can afford the radioiodine treatment – go for it.  Here’s a great site that will answer all your questions about radioiodine: http://www.radiocat.com/ Sasha takes a total of five pills a day for her kidneys and thyroid, but she is doing great.  Good luck, and let us know how you’re doing. Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi everyone–I really need some advice here.  After dealing with our cat’s >periodic bouts of illness (diahrrea, vomiting, constipation) this past >Thursday (a week ago) she had an attack of constipation and then stopped >eating and drinking.  We took her into the vet and just received word this >afternoon that she has hyperthyroidism.  We are meeting with him to talk >about the next step but I was just curious if anyone has any info about >this.  He started her on meds which she has to take 3 times a day–will >she have to take these for the rest of her life?  If we opted not to treat >the hyperthyroidism would this have disastrous results or can it be >managed otherwise without having to resort to medicating her each day (and >paying for medications for the rest of her life)?  We took her in as a >stray two years ago and have been dealing with her digestive system probs >for awhile now so I guess it is a relief of sorts that we now know there >is something wrong with her.  Has anyone else had experience with >hyperthyroidism in cats?  What is the prognosis?  Will the medication >clear up all the probs we’ve been having with her (i.e. messy stools, >frequent bouts of constipation and then accidents on the floor, vomiting, >etc.). If treating the hyperthyroidism will mean an end to all the >unpleasantness we’ve been dealing with it will be worth it.  But money is >tight for us and if medicating her for the rest of her life won’t prove to >provide too much in the way of change then I’m not sure we can do this. >Would it be ok to just leave it alone? Hyperthyroidism isn’t a terminal >condition, is it? >Anyway, sorry this is so long and we are going to see our vet for some >answers.  But I wanted to get as much info as I could. >Thanks in advance! >Alissa.

Response:

Hi everyone–I really need some advice here.  After dealing with our cat’s periodic bouts of illness (diahrrea, vomiting, constipation) this past Thursday (a week ago) she had an attack of constipation and then stopped eating and drinking.  We took her into the vet and just received word this afternoon that she has hyperthyroidism.  We are meeting with him to talk about the next step but I was just curious if anyone has any info about this.  He started her on meds which she has to take 3 times a day–will she have to take these for the rest of her life?  If we opted not to treat the hyperthyroidism would this have disastrous results or can it be managed otherwise without having to resort to medicating her each day (and paying for medications for the rest of her life)?  We took her in as a stray two years ago and have been dealing with her digestive system probs for awhile now so I guess it is a relief of sorts that we now know there is something wrong with her.  Has anyone else had experience with hyperthyroidism in cats?  What is the prognosis?  Will the medication clear up all the probs we’ve been having with her (i.e. messy stools, frequent bouts of constipation and then accidents on the floor, vomiting, etc.). If treating the hyperthyroidism will mean an end to all the unpleasantness we’ve been dealing with it will be worth it.  But money is tight for us and if medicating her for the rest of her life won’t prove to provide too much in the way of change then I’m not sure we can do this. Would it be ok to just leave it alone? Hyperthyroidism isn’t a terminal condition, is it? Anyway, sorry this is so long and we are going to see our vet for some answers.  But I wanted to get as much info as I could. Thanks in advance! Alissa.

Response:

Hello, Alissa, I’m sorry to hear your kitty is going through this.  To find out more about hyperthyroidism, go to this web page: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/1151/hlthlnks.htm Scroll down a little more than half way, and you’ll find a whole section of links to information on hyperthyroidism.  I hope this helps. Good luck, and kisses to your kitty, Paige – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi everyone–I really need some advice here.  After dealing with our cat’s > periodic bouts of illness (diahrrea, vomiting, constipation) this past > Thursday (a week ago) she had an attack of constipation and then stopped > eating and drinking.  We took her into the vet and just received word this > afternoon that she has hyperthyroidism.  We are meeting with him to talk > about the next step but I was just curious if anyone has any info about > this.  He started her on meds which she has to take 3 times a day–will > she have to take these for the rest of her life?  If we opted not to treat > the hyperthyroidism would this have disastrous results or can it be > managed otherwise without having to resort to medicating her each day (and > paying for medications for the rest of her life)?  We took her in as a > stray two years ago and have been dealing with her digestive system probs > for awhile now so I guess it is a relief of sorts that we now know there > is something wrong with her.  Has anyone else had experience with > hyperthyroidism in cats?  What is the prognosis?  Will the medication > clear up all the probs we’ve been having with her (i.e. messy stools, > frequent bouts of constipation and then accidents on the floor, vomiting, > etc.). If treating the hyperthyroidism will mean an end to all the > unpleasantness we’ve been dealing with it will be worth it.  But money is > tight for us and if medicating her for the rest of her life won’t prove to > provide too much in the way of change then I’m not sure we can do this. > Would it be ok to just leave it alone? Hyperthyroidism isn’t a terminal > condition, is it? > Anyway, sorry this is so long and we are going to see our vet for some > answers.  But I wanted to get as much info as I could. > Thanks in advance! > Alissa.

Response:

When my Moses was diagnosed, we were given three oprions, too–the radioiodine, thyroidectomy, and tapazole. Money was tight here, too, so I went with the tapazole. Mo took one pill twice a day.  Sadly, his liver was probably too badly damaged when we found the thyroid trouble, and he only lived about 7 months longer. But, he was 18 yo when he died, so I’m grateful for 18 great years. He had had terrible diarrhea before starting on the tapazole, and it did clear up once he was on the medication. — Our lives begin to end the day we are silent about things that matter.                                 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Response:

My cats seems to have similar problems.  He throws up 4 or 5 times a week, has the runs, and is often hungry right after he eats.  He is 11 years old and started having these problems and losing considerable weight back in October.  They ran blood tests back then and didn’t find anything so we just changed his food andhoped for the best.  This spring he had gone from about 15lbs down to 7 and was miserable so I took him back to the vet.  They did a barium scan and surgery and found nothing so the Dr. diagnosed it as inflamed bowels. She gave us 2 weeks of antibiotics and  and gave him a steriod shot.  He did better while he was on the antibiotics but shortly after they were done, he started having the runs again. In short, are there any signs I ahould be looking for before I have them do another test ($400+ already)?  In humans it makes you hyper but Fluffer is anything but. thanks for any help becki Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Hi Alissa, Our cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism about one year ago.  Her symptoms included losing weight while eating non-stop, vomiting, and pulling her hair out.  She was also diagnosed with a rare tubular kidney defect.  We were presented with the three different methods of treatment, surgery, radioiodine, and oral medication.  Unfortunately our cat, Sasha was only a candidate for the oral medication because of her kidney problem.  She takes half a pill of Tapazole twice daily equaling 5 mgs.  Blood tests are performed every four months to make sure her medication is working.  I think initially you should try the Tapazole, and when you can afford the radioiodine treatment – go for it.  Here’s a great site that will answer all your questions about radioiodine: http://www.radiocat.com/ Sasha takes a total of five pills a day for her kidneys and thyroid, but she is doing great.  Good luck, and let us know how you’re doing. Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi everyone–I really need some advice here.  After dealing with our cat’s >periodic bouts of illness (diahrrea, vomiting, constipation) this past >Thursday (a week ago) she had an attack of constipation and then stopped >eating and drinking.  We took her into the vet and just received word this >afternoon that she has hyperthyroidism.  We are meeting with him to talk >about the next step but I was just curious if anyone has any info about >this.  He started her on meds which she has to take 3 times a day–will >she have to take these for the rest of her life?  If we opted not to treat >the hyperthyroidism would this have disastrous results or can it be >managed otherwise without having to resort to medicating her each day (and >paying for medications for the rest of her life)?  We took her in as a >stray two years ago and have been dealing with her digestive system probs >for awhile now so I guess it is a relief of sorts that we now know there >is something wrong with her.  Has anyone else had experience with >hyperthyroidism in cats?  What is the prognosis?  Will the medication >clear up all the probs we’ve been having with her (i.e. messy stools, >frequent bouts of constipation and then accidents on the floor, vomiting, >etc.). If treating the hyperthyroidism will mean an end to all the >unpleasantness we’ve been dealing with it will be worth it.  But money is >tight for us and if medicating her for the rest of her life won’t prove to >provide too much in the way of change then I’m not sure we can do this. >Would it be ok to just leave it alone? Hyperthyroidism isn’t a terminal >condition, is it? >Anyway, sorry this is so long and we are going to see our vet for some >answers.  But I wanted to get as much info as I could. >Thanks in advance! >Alissa.

Response:

Hi everyone–I really need some advice here.  After dealing with our cat’s periodic bouts of illness (diahrrea, vomiting, constipation) this past Thursday (a week ago) she had an attack of constipation and then stopped eating and drinking.  We took her into the vet and just received word this afternoon that she has hyperthyroidism.  We are meeting with him to talk about the next step but I was just curious if anyone has any info about this.  He started her on meds which she has to take 3 times a day–will she have to take these for the rest of her life?  If we opted not to treat the hyperthyroidism would this have disastrous results or can it be managed otherwise without having to resort to medicating her each day (and paying for medications for the rest of her life)?  We took her in as a stray two years ago and have been dealing with her digestive system probs for awhile now so I guess it is a relief of sorts that we now know there is something wrong with her.  Has anyone else had experience with hyperthyroidism in cats?  What is the prognosis?  Will the medication clear up all the probs we’ve been having with her (i.e. messy stools, frequent bouts of constipation and then accidents on the floor, vomiting, etc.). If treating the hyperthyroidism will mean an end to all the unpleasantness we’ve been dealing with it will be worth it.  But money is tight for us and if medicating her for the rest of her life won’t prove to provide too much in the way of change then I’m not sure we can do this. Would it be ok to just leave it alone? Hyperthyroidism isn’t a terminal condition, is it? Anyway, sorry this is so long and we are going to see our vet for some answers.  But I wanted to get as much info as I could. Thanks in advance! Alissa.

Response:

Hello, Alissa, I’m sorry to hear your kitty is going through this.  To find out more about hyperthyroidism, go to this web page: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/1151/hlthlnks.htm Scroll down a little more than half way, and you’ll find a whole section of links to information on hyperthyroidism.  I hope this helps. Good luck, and kisses to your kitty, Paige – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi everyone–I really need some advice here.  After dealing with our cat’s > periodic bouts of illness (diahrrea, vomiting, constipation) this past > Thursday (a week ago) she had an attack of constipation and then stopped > eating and drinking.  We took her into the vet and just received word this > afternoon that she has hyperthyroidism.  We are meeting with him to talk > about the next step but I was just curious if anyone has any info about > this.  He started her on meds which she has to take 3 times a day–will > she have to take these for the rest of her life?  If we opted not to treat > the hyperthyroidism would this have disastrous results or can it be > managed otherwise without having to resort to medicating her each day (and > paying for medications for the rest of her life)?  We took her in as a > stray two years ago and have been dealing with her digestive system probs > for awhile now so I guess it is a relief of sorts that we now know there > is something wrong with her.  Has anyone else had experience with > hyperthyroidism in cats?  What is the prognosis?  Will the medication > clear up all the probs we’ve been having with her (i.e. messy stools, > frequent bouts of constipation and then accidents on the floor, vomiting, > etc.). If treating the hyperthyroidism will mean an end to all the > unpleasantness we’ve been dealing with it will be worth it.  But money is > tight for us and if medicating her for the rest of her life won’t prove to > provide too much in the way of change then I’m not sure we can do this. > Would it be ok to just leave it alone? Hyperthyroidism isn’t a terminal > condition, is it? > Anyway, sorry this is so long and we are going to see our vet for some > answers.  But I wanted to get as much info as I could. > Thanks in advance! > Alissa.

Response: