- Nutritional CounselingOne traditional treatment option is the oral administration of antithyroid medication. The most common drug is Methimazole (brand name Tapazole) and it is highly effective in correcting hyperthyroidism in cats. However, side effects arise in 15-20% of treated cats and include loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, blood clotting problems and blood cell abnormalities. Administration of this medication is required for the life of the cat, which can be a deterrent for an owner whose cat is difficult to medicate.
- Vomiting Treatment
- Diarrhea Treatment
- Leptospirosis Treatment
- Thyroid Disease TreatmentThere are several treatment options for cats who suffer from feline hyperthyroidism. Each option has both advantages and disadvantages. A comparison of these will help you choose the right remedy for your pet.
- Heart Disease TreatmentThe blood-chemistry panel and urinalysis will help reveal information about other organs (liver kidneys) and provide your veterinarian with a picture of your cat's health. Radiographs and other tests may be needed in order to determine the overall health of your cat. Hyperthyroidism may cause heart disease. The heart may appear enlarged on an x-ray and may show abnormal electrical activity on an ECG. The heart disease usually reverses in most cats after successful treatment of hyperthyroidism.
- Kidney Disease TreatmentPrior to making a final decision relative to initiating the I-131 hyperthyroidism therapy, all cats are screened closely for the presence of other illnesses, including cardiovascular and kidney disease. The usual screening tests include a complete blood count, serology, urinalysis, and radiographs. Your primary care veterinarian performs the routine tests prior to the final evaluation. The x-rays and results of the routine tests are reviewed by the specialists at Thyro-Cat and the results of your cat's tests are discussed with your veterinarian.
- Cancer TreatmentA Board Certified Specialist in Internal Medicine, Dr. Brooks was inducted as a Diplomate into the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1995. With special interests in endoscopy, ultrasound, immune mediated diseases, leptospirosis and chemotherapy, she has published articles in several prestigious veterinary publications. Some of the books and journals where she has published include the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, the Compendium and the Merck Veterinary Manual.
- Veterinary SurgeryThe advantages of radioactive-iodine therapy are that the procedure is curative, has no serious side effects, and does not require surgery and anesthesia. It does, however, involve the handling and injection of a radioactive substance that is only permitted at facilities specially licensed to use radioisotopes. Thyro-Cat facilities are specially licensed and built exclusively for I-131 treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. They are fully licensed by the State Departments of Health and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
- Laboratory ServicesSurgical removal of the thyroid gland provides a third treatment option. While the surgery is relatively easy and removes the thyroid adenoma (the benign tumor responsible for the condition), anesthesia can prove difficult for older cats. Surgery is also a costly solution, however, in the end, it may prove less costly than years of oral medication and blood work checkups.
- X-Ray
- Boarding