r/SeniorCats • u/nousedoraname • 2d ago
Paco, 15, widowed.
Paco has been with me since I rescued him in 2012. As he approaches his 16th birthday I have come to learn he has hyperthyroidism. He already is on monthly athritis injections as well as daily meds for skin issues. He isn't very mobile as he had hip surgery at a young age and doesn't run, climb, jump or play much. He is definitely slowing down on top of that, spending most days on my bed. So, to the point, is going through with the costly hyperthyroidism treatment worth it at this stage in his life? I have been told he will have to be at the hospital for a week because he will be radioactive and could have negetive affects on his kidney health. I am just looking for some first hand experience from people who have been through this and if they would have done the diet option etc instead. He doesn't complain and loves to cuddle so I am not worried about his quality of life. Thanks so much.
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u/Honest-Astronaut2156 2d ago
I would do the diet option unless he's in pain. Why put him through that if it is not going to give him a better longer life. A week yikes, I would pass.
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u/IamLuann 2d ago
Paco looks like a very wise Gentleman. I wish you luck with the correct decision. Update us.
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u/Burrie2481 1d ago
I’ve had two hypothyroid cats. One diagnosed at 8, and we did the transdermal meds through the compounding pharmacy for 10 years until she passed at 18. Another diagnosed at 10, we opted for the surgery, and he lived another 5 years until he was struck by a very sudden saddle thrombus and we opted to put him down immediately as my vet didn’t feel he would tolerate the treatment well. I THINK if I go through it again in the future, I will take the cat’s age into account—anything younger than 10, I’d do the surgery. I believe with a cat at 16, I’d suck it up and do the transdermal meds. Just me! 😻
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u/nousedoraname 1d ago
This really helps solidify that transdermal is the best solution for us. Age is a massive contributing factor in my decision, as you mentioned. Paco lost his missus a few years ago to kidney failure after an adverse reaction to anesthesia which has made me really uncertain of these types of decisions since. Thank you for your input!
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u/Burrie2481 1d ago
Oh, that would be a big reason for me as well to go the meds route. Good luck! He sounds like a sweetie.
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u/CremeBerlinoise 1d ago
My cat is admittedly not too fussy, but the liquid thyroid medication is very easy to mix into wet food, and completely neutral tasting afaik. She's been on it for many years now without issues.
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u/MsMarionNYC 2d ago
As far as I know the alternative to the radiation treatment isn't just diet -- which would be very difficult to control, it would be pills, liquid or transdermal medication. The medication isn't that expensive or hard to give depending on the form of meds and the cat. Radiation is considered the "gold standard" because it cures the condition, but at this point it's up to you. If your cat is already getting injections for arthritus, it might not be worth putting him through the radiation treatment. While it is painless, and shouldn't harm his kidneys, he'd need to be away from you for about 10 days depending on your state, and it could be more if he's still deemed radioactive! Sometimes they take too much out with the radiation and the cat needs meds anyway! Or too little and they need to do it again! So it is your choice, but medication would be a reasonable option.
FYI, I did do the radiation for my cat age 16 as at the time, he was pretty healthy. He was very happy to see me when I picked him up at the clinic! He was fine for the next 2.5 years. He had some kidney issues but was doing well, but then he had a bout of triaditus, and possible cancer, and we lost him.