Hyperthyroidism - Need Reassurance

Well I got Rocko's test results back today. He does have a severe case of hyperthyroidism. CAN IT BE CONTROLLED BY MEDICATION?? Can Rocko still live a long happy life?? My mom is at the vet so I am not there to ask these questions.The vet I know wants him there every week. I just feel horrible.

Not every week every couple of weeks.

Yes, it's very treatable, but to start with the correct dose has to be arrived at which is why your vet wants to see your cat back quite often.

You don't say how old he is - or old how you are.  If you are paying the vet bills and he's otherwise well (no heart, kidney or liver problems) and at the younger age range at which cats get this, radioactive iodine treatment is worth considering.  It's curative, highly effective and usually better than surgery as 1) there is no surgery or anasthetic and 2) sometimes there is abnormal tissue away from the thyroid which surgery misses.

I am 25 and Rocko is 13. His vet bills mostly will come out of my college refund checks. What does RAI usually cost around? Would it be smarter just to wait to see if he is controlled on the pills or to jump right into RAI? He takes the pills easily so far. I have been putting them in a pill pocket and he eats it right up.

RAI costs vary quite a lot.  It's something to discuss with your vet - the pills do work well, usually without significant side effects, if your cat is a good candidate for RAI and you can afford it that would be my choice.

This UK page tells you more about it:

http://www.langfordvets.co.uk/pdf/radioiodine_owner_info.pdf

It compares medical, surgical and RAI treatments.

BTW I asked how old you were because you mentioned your mother and we do sometimes get quite young children asking questions and refering to their parent(s).

OrientalSlave said:

BTW I asked how old you were because you mentioned your mother and we do sometimes get quite young children asking questions and refering to their parent(s).

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No problem. I figured that. Most people my age don't live with their mom's, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Lol Anyways thanks for the information.

There is a prescription food made by Hill's Y/D. I tried to put my cat on it. He is 13 years old too. He didn't like the food, but your cat might. You could ask your vet about it. If they eat it, they might not need the pills.

blueyedgirl5946 said:

There is a prescription food made by Hill's Y/D. I tried to put my cat on it. He is 13 years old too. He didn't like the food, but your cat might. You could ask your vet about it. If they eat it, they might not need the pills.

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My vet told me about this, because she knows how much I research stuff. She didn't want me to think that she wasn't offering the food, but she was like I HIGHLY recommend against it because a cat she had put on that food died of heart disease. I don't remember specifically what she said but it was enough for me to think nope. Thanks for the advice though.

I had RAI done for an angel kitty a few years ago and it was about $1000 give or take looking at three providers in my area.   One caution - if you do it make sure the kitty gets lots of fluid therapy, IV or SubQ the first few days after.   There is an association of worsening or beginning kidney disease with feline RAI treatments and the internet group I was on recommended the extra fluids to everyone - I unfortunately learned this too late and my cats CRF manifested soon after.   If your kitty tolerates the medication it is a good alternative!