Can a hyperthyroid Cat take methimazole too well?
A small minority of cats really don’t tolerate methimazole too well as I understand it and can have serious side effects. It might be good check back with the vet and let them know these symptoms and that they appear to be new after starting the methimazole, and see what they say.
Can you give a hyperthyroid cat transdermal iodine?
Considering her age & disposition, doing the iodine didn’t seem like a great fit for us also. My cat was on methimazole for about 3.5 years, but pill form not transdermal. She did ok for most of that time and I was able to dose her with pill pockets for much of that time. You do have to keep up with thyroid level checks though.
How old was my hyperthyroid cat when she died?
My cat had hyperthyroidism (or whatever the one is where they eat heaps). She died last year, but she was was on the tablet treatment for years and was fine. It wasn’t fun tabletting her but it was worth it. I had a hyperthyroid cat who was diagnosed at 7 years old. Giving her pills everyday was traumatic for her so I opted for the I-131 treatment.
What kind of medication can I give my Cat for thyroid?
Medication — typically methimazole (Tapazole) here in the United States — decreases the level of thyroid hormone in your cat’s blood. It is available as a pill or in the form of a gel, which is applied to your cat’s skin. Most cats tolerate methimazole pretty well.
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.
Can you give a 17 year old cat methimazole?
Yes, if your cat had underlying, concurrent kidney disease (not unusual in a 17-year old cat), then giving methimazole could unmask the kidney disease. This is especially true if the methimazole dosage was too high, leading to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
My cat had hyperthyroidism (or whatever the one is where they eat heaps). She died last year, but she was was on the tablet treatment for years and was fine. It wasn’t fun tabletting her but it was worth it. I had a hyperthyroid cat who was diagnosed at 7 years old. Giving her pills everyday was traumatic for her so I opted for the I-131 treatment.
Considering her age & disposition, doing the iodine didn’t seem like a great fit for us also. My cat was on methimazole for about 3.5 years, but pill form not transdermal. She did ok for most of that time and I was able to dose her with pill pockets for much of that time. You do have to keep up with thyroid level checks though.
How long can a cat live on methimazole?
I don’t know many cats who lived much beyond a year after taking it. The best results have always been the radioactive iodine treatment. Expensive, a great call if the cat is young. Read this article by a vet, very thorough.
What is the serum T4 of methimazole for cats?
When the cat was rechecked in 1 month, her weight was stable, but the serum T4 was still high at 5.4 μg/dl. Over the next 3 months, the cat continued to lose weight and the T4 remained high at 6.1 μg/dl, despite an increase the methimazole dose to 5 mg PO BID.
What to do if you miss a dose of methimazole?
For the transdermal cream or gel, wear gloves and measure the dose onto your finger before gently applying it on your cat’s skin (usually to the pinna). Clean the site using a small piece of moist cloth before giving the next dose. Do not stop applying the cream unless the vet advises you to do so. What to do if you miss giving a dose
What to do if your cat can’t take methimazole?
Dietary therapy is another option, especially for a cat who can’t take methimazole and isn’t a candidate for surgery. Your vet prescribes an iodine-deficient food for Kitty. It lowers the amount of thyroid circulating in his body, but he can’t eat anything but that particular food.
Is it worth it to give a hyperthyroid cat radiation?
Not worth the radiation treatment if it’s old, but definitely do it if he’s young! My cat had hyperthyroidism (or whatever the one is where they eat heaps). She died last year, but she was was on the tablet treatment for years and was fine. It wasn’t fun tabletting her but it was worth it. I had a hyperthyroid cat who was diagnosed at 7 years old.
How long is the hospital hold time for methimazole?
Great to hear the hospital hold time is down to 3 days. I do know they do a trial first with the methimazole to make sure that getting the thyroid low doesn’t cause side effects related to lower blood pressure etc. My friend had to do that with his cat.
Why does my cat throw up when I give him methimazole?
According to Debra Eldredge’s book “Pills for Pets: The A to Z Guide,” methimazole ideally should be given to your cat with food. Vet Info suggests that coupling the medication with food will disguise the bitter taste that methimazole has, blaming the disagreeable flavor for causing your cat to throw up or stop eating.
What’s the half life of methimazole in cats?
After oral administration, studies show that methimazole has a relatively short half-life in the circulation—only 2.3 hours and 4.7 hours in hyperthyroid and normal cats, respectively (9,10). But we must remember that this drug does not work to lower T4 by remaining in the circulation.
Is there an alternative to Carbimazole for hyperthyroid cats?
Carbimazole (sustained release): 10 to 15 mg PO Q 24 H. Transdermal methimazole is suggested as an alternative to oral therapy for hyperthyroid cats that are difficult to pill. See Transdermal Methimazole Treatment, for further information on transdermal administration.