Hyperthyroidism and treatment

My 14 year old cat, tinsel, was losing quite a bit of weight, I originally thought it was just old age and thought nothing of it then she began not eating much and acting not like herself so I brought her to the vet and they said she has hyperthyroidism.

They prescribed the methimazole gel pen to apply on her ears and I've started with that a few days ago, she's not a fan of it obviously but it has to be done.

Due to financial concerns and her age I'm not really considering surgery or radiation treatment at this time, I've been reading a lot about the y/d food that hills makes and if this medication does not work I may consider it.

Any suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated I just want to do everything I can to help her feel better and enjoy her life for however much longer that may be!

thanks and god bless!

I think just having a pharmacy compound the gel may save you money. You would just apply it with a gloved finger instead of a prefilled pen. She may like it better because you would just be rubbing her ear with gel the size of a small pea. Also my cat ambi lived with thyroid issues for 5 years (she died at 18) eating friskies and cat chow, so I'm not sure if you will need to change the food. It may take a couple weeks for things to kick in as well. Good luck I hope your baby is back soon!!

Thank you I hope shes better soon too! She doesn't seem to mind the pen so I'm going to go with that for now, I wish it would kick in right away but I guess that's how medicine works! Thanks for your comment

I would stick with the Methimazole, it usually works really well.  A Veterinary Endocrinologist talks about the y/d diet here and why he doesn't recommend it.  http://endocrinevet.blogspot.com/2011/09/is-hills-yd-nutritious-diet-for.html and this page: http://animalendocrine.blogspot.com/2012/01/why-yd-reasons-not-to-feed-your.html  I had a kitty who did really well with the ear gel Methimazole.  I was unable to get liquid or pills in her.  She lived for quite a while with hyperthyroidism.