A fairly common disease amongst older cats, hyperthyroidism is a disorder that is characterized by the overproduction of the thyroid hormone, which increases a cat’s metabolic rate.
When prescribing treatment, veterinarians have only three choices:
Prescription Medication
Some vet’s will prescribe an oral drug called methimazole to your cat to help treat hyperthyroidism. Methimazole is used to control the effects of a cat’s overactive thyroid gland. Less than 20% of all cats have a reaction to Methimazole, such as lethargy, vomiting, fever, anemia and anorexia. These side-effects can present themselves at least 6 months after the cat has started taking the oral medication.
Methimazole works by preventing the production of any excess thyroid hormones and will need to be given to the cat for the rest of its life. In order to make sure that the cat is receiving the correct amount of Methimazole, the veterinarian will conduct periodic blood tests.
This oral drug is better suited to those cats that are poor surgical candidates due to other health problems or age.
Surgery
Surgery to remove the affected thyroid lobe has proven to be very effective. However, since most cats with hyperthyroidism are over the age of 8 years, there are some risks involved with such a surgery; although if the cat is relatively healthy, then such a risk is considered to be rather minimal.
Seven weeks prior to the surgery, the cat is usually treated with an anti-thyroid medication. Whilst on this medication, the cat will most probably gain some weight as the medication will cause their somewhat ravenous appetite to subside.
Following the surgery, the cat is usually hospitalized for an additional night, before returning home. Once home, the cat should resume its regular eating patterns before becoming ill.
Radioactive Iodine
Another successful treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats is with the use of radioactive iodine therapy. The iodine is administered via injection and is used to destroy any abnormal thyroid tissues without causing harm to any other bodily organ.
However, such treatment will require that the cat remain hospitalized for one to two weeks at a veterinary hospital that is licensed to administer radiation therapy. Because there are so few of these veterinary hospitals, the cost for radioactive iodine therapy can be extremely expensive.
Recurrence
Hyperthyroidism can still reoccur in some cats. Although uncommon after receiving radioactive iodine therapy, hyperthyroidism can reoccur after surgery, especially if any abnormal thyroid cells were left behind. This is because the remaining cells will continue to grow. However, this usually happens in 5% of all cases.
Other Options
However, if you prefer a non-surgical treatment option without administering any harsh medications, you could opt instead for Resthyro. Formulated by a leading naturopathic veterinarian, Resthyro is an all-natural product that is infused with a potent combination of 7 different herbs that together, have proven effective in treating feline hyperthyroidism.
Resthyro helps balance thyroid function, improves cardiovascular function and digestion.
Resthyro is also very safe for long-term use.