Hyperthyroid Cat

[flybye023]

So all the tests are in for my 13-year-old cat and he's positive for hyperthyroidism. We'll have to start him on medication. He also needs a potassium supplement. Hopefully this will have some affect on his appetite and he won't be so obnoxious at the dinner table.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Hyperthyroidism? You mean the glandular thingy where it feels like you're starving to death? poor kitty, I hope the meds work wonders-- I've seen it in humans a few times, it's night and day! (mentally as well as physically)
... this might sound horrible, but I know of people who would just put him down-- "old and sick"== too much effort

[flybye023]

You mean the glandular thingy where it feels like you're starving to death?

Yes, exactly. That was kinda our first clue is that he got so demanding of food. We've never had a cat live past 10 before so we're in unfamiliar territory here. On the one hand, I'm glad there is medicine available to treat him but on the other hand it's evidence that he's getting old and we've had him since he was a kitten.

[MoonCat]

Here's a tip: If they haven't already, have the vets check his kidney functions. A wonky thyroid can compensate for wonky kidneys. The trick is to keep a balance between them so both the kidneys and the thyroid are functioning as well as possible.

Good luck with kitty!

[taxguykarl]

My tabby (now deceased) was diagnosed with that. The medication mellowed him out nicely--before that I could not even approach him without risking loss of a digit. He lived to 17 1/2 years--well over 90 human years. Doing the math that was about 6 years with this condition.