Cat acts like hyperthyroid, but tests have come back negative?

cinqchats

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Hello all,

I adopted a 12 year old DSH, spayed female, back in June of this year. I work for a humane society and learned that according to their test she was hyperthyroid. She was slated for euthanasia but I took her in because she was so friendly and cute. Since then she's been tested twice more for hyperthyroidism, I believe the standard T4 testing, and has come back definitely negative both times. Once was in mid-July at a highly respected university veterinary hospital (because I was planning to have her admitted there for the radio-iodine treatment), the other at the end of August at our normal vet. Our normal vet suggested that one more test because it was odd to get one positive that was obviously positive and another that was obviously negative. So she's currently not on any medications.

After the testing at the university, they suggested that perhaps she had a parasite so she (and the rest of the menagerie) were all thoroughly de-wormed. I don't recall the exact de-wormer, the vet prescribed it and it was powder-form to be sprinkled on their food.

However! She really does act like she has hyperthyroidism. She is obsessed with food, constantly trying to scavenge around the house, get in the recycling bin, licking dishes, etc. This morning she stole and ate half a muffin. She eats a 4-5oz can of wet food in the AM and about 6-7oz of wet food in the evening, with a puzzle ball full of treats at bedtime. No kibbles as she refuses to eat them, and I've tried several different types. She eats in a crate so no other cats are stealing her food (she steals theirs, that's why she goes in the crate). She is very active and vocal, moreso  than you'd expect from a 12 year old cat. She also has occasional problems with vomiting and diarrhea. She had an bad episode in mid-August where the vet gave her Cerenia and an anti-diarrhea medication that worked well and she rebounded with no problems. When I first adopted her, her coat was matted along her butt even though she's short haired, and it was ill-kept and a little greasy. It's better now that I've given her a few baths and some good grooming.

She has had complete bloodwork done, CBC, T4, the works and all looked well. I've thought that perhaps she has a psychological problem instead, maybe anxiety mixed with a food addiction and am currently trying to work with her from this angle. Lots of playtime, mental puzzles (thus the puzzle ball of treats), clicker training some tricks, attention without food around, Feliway, crating her while we're eating so she doesn't get the chance to steal food, trying to keep the kitchen completely clean....all that good stuff.

I'll be back at the vet this week for another pet and will ask their opinions again but I'm wondering if anyone has heard of a cat being hyperthyroid without it appearing during testing? Thanks!
 

Sarthur2

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I would try a low iodine diet. Hill's makes both wet and dry low iodine food. This may help with the vomiting and diarrhea, which can be symptoms of hyperthyroidism. You could have a thyroid scan done to see what her thyroid looks like. The scans will show if she has the tumor or not.

Is she overweight? If she's not overweight it may be that she needs an extra meal each day. Older cats also absorb fewer nutrients from their food.

Thank you for saving this cat!
 
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