What does thyroid medication do for cats?
Anti-thyroid drugs act by reducing the production and release of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. These medications do not provide a cure for the disease, but they do allow either short-term or long-term control of hyperthyroidism.
Is thyroid medicine for cats expensive?
Medications can cost $1 – $2 per day or approximately $350 to $700 per year. Monitoring side effects and dosage adjustments mandates that cats be re-examined and have blood tests repeated every 3-6 months.
What kind of Medicine DO I give my Cat for hyperthyroidism?
2. Get Your Medication. The most commonly prescribed hyperthyroidism medication is methimazole. An antithyroid type drug, methimazole is used to treat hyperthyroidism by inhibiting the thyroperoxidase enzyme, diminishing the gland’s ability to synthesize thyroid hormones.
What do you need to know about hyperthyroidism in cats?
Hyperthyroidism in Cats. This information is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care. Always follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian. Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid glands. Hyperthyroidism occurs most commonly in older cats and is rare in dogs.
What are the side effects of thyroid medication for cats?
Side-effects of thyroid medications can include: 1 Vomiting 2 Loss of appetite 3 Itchiness around the face (which can cause your cat to scratch and hurt themselves) 4 A lack of white blood cells, which can cause reduced immunity to other diseases
Is it possible to remove a thyroid gland from a cat?
It may also be possible to treat your cat’s hyperthyroidism with surgery — either surgically removing the glad or destroying the gland radioactively. These methods can be curative, meaning your cat won’t need to be on daily medications. 3. Give Them the Medication If your cat needs medication, you’ll have to make it part of your daily routine.
Cats Who Are Oversensitive to Thyroid Medication 1 Hyperthyroidism. Your cat has two thyroid glands in his neck. 2 Methimazole Side Effects. Approximately a sixth of cats receiving methimazole suffer from side effects, according to Veterinary Partner. 3 Facial Itching. 4 Surgery. 5 Radioactive Iodine Therapy. 6 Diet.
What are the treatment options for hyperthyroidism in cats?
Treatment There are four treatment options for feline hyperthyroidism: medication, radioactive iodine therapy, surgery, and dietary therapy. Each treatment option has its advantages and disadvantages.
How old does a cat have to be to have a thyroid tumor?
Although thyroid tumors can be cancerous, the chances are less than 5 percent in cats. 1 The majority of cats diagnosed with hyperthyroidism are 10 years of age or older. Not all of the following signs will be seen in every cat with hyperthyroidism, but the presence of one or more are indications for you to have your cat seen by your veterinarian
How to dose and monitor hyperthyroid cats on methimazole?
How to Dose and Monitor Hyperthyroid Cats on Methimazole Antithyroid drugs, including methimazole and carbimazole, are medications that treat an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) by blocking the thyroid gland’s ability to make thyroid hormone.