So Sammy Has a Negative Thyroid -Hypothyroidism!

Now I understand all the over-grooming and chasing Saba. Sammy is new to us by 5 whole days! We adopted him last Saturday, and he's a charming, affectionate, well-adjusted, happy, playful, pretty boy. He's been so great, it was baffling to me how he could groom...and I mean obsessively groom. In the middle of play he'd stop and groom for 20 minutes. He's been chasing Saba everywhere and she's just not ready. I couldn't figure it out. He is SO sweet, he sleeps all curled up with me every night and is really great with Sandy puppy girl.....but the grooming I figured was displaced stress after being in two shelters, three cages, and one pet store in under a month. He was thre days from being euthanised at the first shelter before they called the second shelter to give him one last chance because he was so sweet! He's sitting with me right now by the laptop...grooming.

His T4 came back .7 That's really low. All other bloodwork looks great though but I've never been through this rare affectation before. He will get medication every day, just like a hyper-thyroid cat, but to make him "have" a thyroid. I guess this is so rare they vet had to send his tests to the canine lab, as it's much more common in dogs. Live and learn!

He is here to stay with us in his new furever home and whatever it takes, I will do. Otherwise, it's not life threatening and can be treated. I think we caught it early - and a lot of it might be due to the enormous stress he's been under, which he's really handled beautifully.
Has anybody had experience with this affliction??

Here's my new boy:

OH Elizabeth, bless your heart for adopting this beautiful boy! Sammy is beautiful and he looks so sweet! I'm wishing him all the best with his medical condition, I'm sure he will do great with you.

That's one I haven't had to deal with...he's so handsome...and so very lucky. I wish him many happy years with you.

I wonder why this would be a problem? It's my understanding, and I could be very, very wrong on this, that cats can live without their thyroid? When my bridge kitty, Abbie, became hyperthyroid, she had it removed. When I asked the vet whether I would have to give her medication, he told me that, no, cats don't need thyroid replacement. I'm not contradicting your vet, but I'm just curious.

She did live for several more healthy years. It was for entirely different reasons that she had to be put down.

I know this is very very rare in cats, I will see if I can find the links I found when they suspected my friends cat had it. I was under the impression they do still take meds when they have their thyroid out, and they actually have 2 thyroid glands.

Bless his little heart, and Eddie i'm sure given time little Sammy will realise that he's not going to be passed from pillar to post ever again

He's just lovely.

I am sure Sammy will be ok once he gets used to his new permanent home.

I have been through this with a couple dogs ... use the medication faithfully and I would suggest an all wet diet ( if not already and if possible) ... with my dog she ended up with veggie kibble and me making fresh meat ....

My baby is a groomer too. And actually I think it's just adorable!!!! I love to watch her clean herself and think it is the cutest thing ever. She spreads out all her little fingers and gets in between them... I love it! And when she washes her face I practically melt! Is that connected medically with his illness? Just curious....

I'm so glad that you saved him! He really does seem like such a sweet boy!

I've had experience with hyperthyroidism in pets (mainly dogs), which was controlled with daily thyroid pills. I myself have hypothyroidism, and take 100 mg. tablets every day, get blood tests periodically, and a thyroid scan at the radiologist's every year. Our radiologist also sometimes does the scan on pets.
As long as Sammy isn't difficult to pill, you should be able to get it under control quickly.

He's lovely! I've got no experience with this condition, just wanted to welcome him to the family!

Originally Posted by LuckyGirl

My baby is a groomer too. And actually I think it's just adorable!!!! I love to watch her clean herself and think it is the cutest thing ever. She spreads out all her little fingers and gets in between them... I love it! And when she washes her face I practically melt! Is that connected medically with his illness? Just curious....

I'm so glad that you saved him! He really does seem like such a sweet boy!

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Yes, I found out it actually is. The excessive, constant grooming...and I do mean constant. He has not gained any weight, although shtelter food for the past month and the many (probable) diet changes in so short a time + adjusting to our household are all contributing factors. The vet called to check in with us today and we need to let Sammy chill out for awhile. They are going to to a cross-check on his kidneys and another thyroid test to confirm and if it comes back the same then we'll start medication. I can crush the pill in his food.....the problem is that he does not eat wet food at all. So we'll have to pill him and I have no experience with him in this regard....or find a wet food he truly likes.

Originally Posted by sashacat421

Yes, I found out it actually is. The excessive, constant grooming...and I do mean constant. He has not gained any weight, although shtelter food for the past month and the many (probable) diet changes in so short a time + adjusting to our household are all contributing factors. The vet called to check in with us today and we need to let Sammy chill out for awhile. They are going to to a cross-check on his kidneys and another thyroid test to confirm and if it comes back the same then we'll start medication. I can crush the pill in his food.....the problem is that he does not eat wet food at all. So we'll have to pill him and I have no experience with him in this regard....or find a wet food he truly likes.

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Maybe try Pill Pockets for Cats?