Questions and answers – Hyperthyroidism in cats

Click on the question for the answer.

There are a number of treatment options for hyperthyroidism in cats. Surgery is one option. Long term medical management of hyperthyroidism with anti-thyroid medications, iodine restricted prescription diet, and radioactive iodine treatment are other options veterinarian will be able to discuss this and other treatment options with you and recommend the best approach for your cat.

Once treatment has been started, you will need to visit your veterinarian regularly for monitoring of your cat’s thyroxine, clinical signs and other blood parameters to ensure that treatment is successful.

Once your veterinarian is confident your cats condition is stable, you will normally only need to visit your veterinarian every three months for a check up. These check ups are essential to ensure that your cat remains happy and healthy.

Your veterinarian will be able to discuss all the treatment options with you and is able to recommend the best approach for you and your cat. Some tablet formulations only require once daily dosing. Your veterinarian may also decide that another treatment option would be more appropriate for your cat.

As medication controls, rather then cures hyperthyroidism, treatment is lifelong.

If you forget to give a dose, do not worry but do contact your veterinarian for advice if medication is proving difficult for any reason. Some medications only need to be administered every other day in some hyperthyroid cats while others need daily treatment or even twice or three times daily treatment. A missed tablet is only likely to cause a problem if a blood test is scheduled in the next few days. Do not give a double dose.

Some cats develop side effects associated with the anti-thyroid medication they are given. These side effects are generally mild (lethargy, inappetence, vomiting), start within a few days of first treatment and resolve quickly. Please contact your veterinarian immediately for advice should you notice any of these signs.