Took my senior cat to the vet - hyper thyroid?

I had posted a few days ago, and people gave me really great advice on what vaccinations my cat might or might not need. I appreciated all the advice very much, and was able to bring notes with me to the Vet.

The only vaccine my cat needed this year is the Purevax rabies one, because it is required by law. She is doing fine this evening and I'm glad. Last year she got more shots and got sick.

They did blood work on her - all organs are working fine. The only concern the Vet called me with is that she is in the gray zone and has mild "high-normal thyroid"? I'm reading off my notes so I hope that makes sense. She said that the gray zone is 2.3-4.7 and my cat has 2.3. She says this might suggest early thyroid problems and that they could do a test for that, with the blood they already have.

She said one of the symptoms could be vomiting (and other things) and my cat has been vomiting at least once a week - not furballs - but food. So I think I really should have the test taken and call them tomorrow to go ahead.

I'm just wondering if your cat has it, and how it is treated...do you give them a pill every day for it, or something else?

Finances are really tight, as many people are experiencing, and today's visit was delightfully cheaper then I expected. So taking this test will make the bill what I originally imagined. So it's feasible and I want to address any problems as soon as possible.

I really appreciate everyone on the forums. Thanks so much.

I would go ahead and get the t-4 done. Sooner caught, better prognosis.

Hyperthyroid is not curable, but is treatable with medication. (actually there is a cure for cats who are good candidates for it, the iodine radiation therapy, but it is expensive and kitty needs to be very healthy otherwise)

hyperthyroid is treated with the medication called methimazole (tapazole). Regular blood work is needed, fairly frequent at first, and then every four to six months once the levels have stabilized.

She may not need medication yet, but it's better to be sure. Untreated hyperthyroid causes extreme weightloss, and a high risk of stroke. Blood pressure should be monitored too.

What's her name?

Please keep us posted!

Her name is Hannah. A friend of mine gave her to me when she was 2 and now she's 10. The Vet says things seem ok...because she has actually gained weight since her last visit. She weighed 9.9 and now she weighs 10.2. But I still want to get the test to know for sure.

What are the most common causes for cats to throw up food? She does that once a week or so.

Thanks so much for the info.

Hairballs and scarf and barf are the most common causes for healthy cats.

Is it regurgitation (right after she eats it comes back up, shaped like a long tube) or vomiting (food is already beginning to digest)

A hairball that won't move up or down can cause gas build up which can cause vomiting.

Scarf and barf of course, just eating too fast and bringing it back up.

What do you feed Hannah? Do you notice any pattern in certain flavors/brands (if you feed more than one)?

Has she always been a frequent puker? Some cats just like to throw up.

Originally Posted by otto

Hairballs and scarf and barf are the most common causes for healthy cats.

Is it regurgitation (right after she eats it comes back up, shaped like a long tube) or vomiting (food is already beginning to digest)

A hairball that won't move up or down can cause gas build up which can cause vomiting.

Scarf and barf of course, just eating too fast and bringing it back up.

What do you feed Hannah? Do you notice any pattern in certain flavors/brands (if you feed more than one)?

Has she always been a frequent puker? Some cats just like to throw up.

Click to expand...

Occasionally she will throw up the long tube thing and it's obviously fur because when I pick it up it's very light. Other times it's food that has started digesting and it really smells bad...

I had posted once because she was vomiting and someone said it could happen if I give her too much dry food...as it expands...so I stopped doing that. She vomits maybe once or twice a week...but it has been a few weeks, now that I think about it. She usually does it in the middle of the night and I have to get up and clean it...

She eats the same food all the time, she is on a limited diet because she has allergies.

Hi there, I am on my second HT cat, Arthur. He takes 1/4 of methimazole per day. Pills are not expensive.

In HT cats, everything is speeded up. They are more hungry and vocal. Arthur used to vomit due to the fact he was always more hungry and bolted his food. Maybe try smaller amounts more frequently to avoid the scarfing down.

HT cats can live the same length of time as non HT cats. Just make sure you get him regulated. Arthur was diagnosed in Oct of 09 and just a week ago was checked again and his numbers are fine. So he is on the correct dose.

Good luck with your kitty. Please keep us posted!