As I thought *Shrug* Gracie has been overmedicated for Hyperthyroid...

I just got the results for the T-4 tests we ran Saturday; did not have a chance to speak to the vet yet, so I do not have a game plan as of yet, but Kelly gave me the numbers...

I always thought she was WAY overmedicated - Her old vet, who I left and never looked back, put her on 3 (THREE!!!!!) Methimazole pills a day; at the time she was a mere 7lbs!

Because she was steadily gaining weight, which she needed, and doing well, and also because I was flat broke duet to all Bugsy's issues and her surgery, I waited until this past weekend to have the test done - of course I had discussed with the new vet waiting and as long as she was eating and doing well, she thought it would be ok to wait.

This week however, her appetite started slowing down, which is completely out of the ordinary for her. She went from being a GREAT eater to being totally finicky even with Fancy feast. When looking at the side effects of Methimazole, one of the first ones is Lack of Appetite - Bingo. Her mouth has been checked, so it is not it. She doesn't have diarrhea... She is not stressed, or lethargic... Her thyroid numbers, below, can shed a light IMO:

T-4 NG/DL Range 0.7 - 2.6 Gracie: 0.3
Free T-4 TMOL/L Range 9.0 - 33.5 Gracie: 3.9
T-4 Overall Range 0.8 - 4.7 Gracie: 0.8

Below, on the back, there was a note that said something along the lines of "Numbers below the range in cats almost always represent over-medication".

So, I will be talking to her vet on Friday, but today I will be lowering her meds a bit to 2 pills a day, instead of 3. I know I can't lower it too much at a time, but I also know I need to do something about it. Her new vet doesn't work full time at the clinic, but they are trying to get on hold of her for me.

Meanwhile I a trying to get as much food into her as I can... It is strange to see an appetite drop like this, but I am pretty sure it is due to the medication.
If I feel that she is not feeling well, seems lethargic, or has a change of behavior, I will take her to Bugsy's vet...

Well... There it is...

Oh my goodness...Blue is around 9 pounds and takes half of one pill a day for hyperthyroid. His dose is very small because they want to re-test in a few weeks with a more accurate test (they used a rapid one at the ER vet where he was diagnosed. At the time he showed..."greater than 7" which is apparently pretty high for this particular test. I hope you can get her meds straightened out and bring those numbers back up. How old is she?

Originally Posted by BlueRexBear

Oh my goodness...Blue is around 9 pounds and takes half of one pill a day for hyperthyroid. His dose is very small because they want to re-test in a few weeks with a more accurate test (they used a rapid one at the ER vet where he was diagnosed. At the time he showed..."greater than 7" which is apparently pretty high for this particular test. I hope you can get her meds straightened out and bring those numbers back up. How old is she?

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I know, I can't tell you how much I despise that vet... I took all my kitties from him some time ago, but unfortunately he was still treating Gracie, as she was not mine (she was my neighbor's). Gracie will be 13 this year

Originally Posted by Carolina

I know, I can't tell you how much I despise that vet... I took all my kitties from him some time ago, but unfortunately he was still treating Gracie, as she was not mine (she was my neighbor's). Gracie will be 13 this year

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She is lucky to have you now! Awww...like my older cat...Blue will be 14 in April. Let us know what your new vet says about her!

Wow. I am very new to the hyperthyroid thing, as of yesterday, but even I would think that's too much meds!!

Dorothy is 10.5 pounds, Total T4 is 5.4, and for now we're giving her 1 pill a day (1/2 twice a day), and getting her blood checked again in a month. These are so great, chewable treat things that she actually seems to like! (so far. knock on wood!!)

Sorry to hijack the thread, but could you recommend any resources to read up on HT in cats, or should I just search the forums here, or both? Thanks so much. I want my new babygirl to be well!!

I don't know anything about Hyperthyroid or medications for it. But it does sound like Gracie is being over medicated. You said you're waiting for her vet to call you back, I hope they call you back soon!

Ok, Just heard from my vet. Yes, she is in fact overmedicated and I am to immediately drop her medication to one pill in the morning and one pill at night. We are going to re-evaluate her in 2 weeks. According to the vet, her appetite should improve in a few days with the lower dosage, if not "push food down her throat" (I know guys, not literally!). I hope she does start eating better, because she would be one horrible kitty to force feed!

Glad you got some answers!

Hope she feels better soon, you were a blessing to her for sure! (and your others)

You're a very good meowmy. Vibes for Gracie and you

Originally Posted by Carolina

Ok, Just heard from my vet. Yes, she is in fact overmedicated

and I am to immediately drop her medication to one pill in the morning and one pill at night. We are going to re-evaluate her in 2 weeks. According to the vet, her appetite should improve in a few days with the lower dosage, if not "push food down her throat" (I know guys, not literally!). I hope she does start eating better, because she would be one horrible kitty to force feed!

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I hope lowering the dosage works, and you don't have to force feed her.

How is she now?

She is doing better, thanks for asking!
Friday I took her back to the vet as she was still not eating well and ti was concerning me there could be something wrong besides the medication... Aside from that, she would be an impossible cat to force-feed, and I wanted to get an appetite stimulant if all else was ok.
The vet ran a CBC and the results came back stellar - everything was perfect, not one number off range GREAT for a 12-13 yr old little lady!
Her vet examined her mouth, which is good, told me to continue to give her temptations hairball treats as a laxative since she was constipated for the last few days, and put her on an appetite stimulant. I also grabbed some cans of Hills A/D.
As soon as we got home she gobbled down some A/D - that food is really great for kitties who are off food... I don't know exactly why, but it beats Fancy Feast by much!! I gave her appetite stimulant for a couple of days just to be on the safe side, but then she became TAZ-Gracie
I had to take her off of it.
For now I am feeding her A/D and Kibbles, and she is eating well. I am also continuing the Temptations Hairball treats.
Not this Wednesday, but next she will have another T-4 test to check her levels and see if we need to lower her medication even more, or if this is ok for now.

I'm glad Gracie's doing better. Hopefully you can find the correct dosage she needs.

Glad she is doing better! I can't even wrap my head around the fact that they were giving her meds she didn't need. Its a teeny tiny bit funny that you got her because they were not giving the meds as prescribed.... then dun dun dun, you she doesn't need them lol. You still probably saved her life, those meds were messing her up. Gracie just knew who would help her. Cats have a way of knowing which person will help them out.

Taz Gracie, no way! You lie!

Originally Posted by KatKisses

Glad she is doing better! I can't even wrap my head around the fact that they were giving her meds she didn't need. Its a teeny tiny bit funny that you got her because they were not giving the meds as prescribed.... then dun dun dun, you she doesn't need them lol. You still probably saved her life, those meds were messing her up. Gracie just knew who would help her.

Cats have a way of knowing which person will help them out.

Taz Gracie, no way! You lie!

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Oh, she does need them, but not THAT much! That vet is dumb to say the least!

I'm glad Gracie seems to be getting back on track!

psst- how about some new pics, pretty please??

Originally Posted by DarkMavis

I'm glad Gracie seems to be getting back on track!

psst- how about some new pics, pretty please??

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Yeah, gracie does need to have some new pictures taken, doesn't she? I will make sure to take some and post!

Originally Posted by Carolina

Yeah, gracie does need to have some new pictures taken, doesn't she? I will make sure to take some and post!

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Great! Can't wait to see more pictures of your beautiful Gracie!

Carolina I know I said it before, but my gosh you are the Guardian Angel Gracie has been needing. Thank goodness you were there, thank you for saving her. May she have many long happy years with you.

Originally Posted by otto

Carolina I know I said it before, but my gosh you are the Guardian Angel Gracie has been needing. Thank goodness you were there, thank you for saving her. May she have many long happy years with you.

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Thank you otto She is SO cute and so full of life and spunk now! She stays in the office with me, and taps my legs all day long with her little paw asking for a cuddle
She is eating like a little Tazmanian Devil - I call her Taz-Gracie , she is getting better from her arthritis too with the hyaluronic acid... She is just doing fantastic!

She is just too cute for words... I never thought that fierce, hissy thing, who wouldn't let me touch or get close to her would become such a clingy sweet heart! Every time she tap tap taps my legs just melts my heart away!