What would you do? (**Update 6-18-09 - need your prayers)

[kb2yjx]

I forgot to say that Molly was on the transdermal because the Tapazole by mouth upset her stomach. Also, I buy the pills from our vet, that is cheaper than going to the human pharmacy. The transdermal cream is dispensed for 30 days(at least that is how the pharmacy we used in NJ dispensed it). It is involved and you do have to wear gloves. You rotate the cat's ears. We used the right ear in the morning, and used the left ear in the evening(that was all that was LEFT to do). The tip of the ear is washed to remove all the transdermal med that may be left. In the evening, we washed the right ear off so it would be ready to use in the morning, and the left ear was washed in the morning, so it would be ready for the evening application. I know it sounds like alot, be Barry and I did this for several years....if you have any questions, please ask!!! Sandra

[kittykatharine]

Another thyroid kitty, was little Molly Meu. Molly was given the transdermal Tapazole. It was very effective for Molly and her T4's were in the NORMAL range.
And now we have Norton. He is 17 yrs old. Norton get the Tapazole pill twice a day. His dose has been successfully titrated to a 1/4 tablet in the morning and a 1/8 of a tablet in the evening. His T4's have been in the normal range.

Sandra,

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences - I have been searching all the previous forums to see others experiences with the three treatment options. My one concern is many of the pet owners who chose to give their pets the daily meds had issues with diarrhea. Have you noticed this to be a problem? Sydney is so very delicate with the cancer and I would really not want electrlyte imbalances because of diarrhea. The story about your baby going from one extreme to another (hyper to hypo) is also very scary. This would be very detrimental to her as well. I am so sorry about Boo. How old was Boo when he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism? Was his death related to the thyroid issues? So many things to consider....

[Randi]

Katherine, I'm afraid I don't have any advice, but just want to wish Sydney the very best. I really hope you will find the perfect treatment for her. She looks like a wonderful girl and I send her lots of kisses and positive thoughts.

[kb2yjx]

Katherine!
No Boo died of kidney disease. She was 16 yrs old. I never had a problem with cats having diarrhea on the Tapazole, just the upset tummy with Molly. I hope that helps....

[jennielynn1970]

I had a foster with thyroid issues, and he was on a high dose of meds for a while when I first got him. After a while, the thyroid started to get under control, and the medicine amount got lower and lower. Within time, it was so minimal, he was almost totally controlled, and on 1/4 of a pill once a day. It wasn't that expensive of a medicine either, and you may be able to get it at a Walmart cheaper than at the vet office. I'd check there or a Walgreens if you have them (they get the $4 Rxs, so maybe since it's an older drug, they may have it??).

I will keep Sydney in my thoughts and prayers and hope that she will be ok and that whatever you choose to do, she will continue to thrive and be a healthy girl!

[Catty1]

I know when I had temporary hyper-thyroid, I was told that meds could actually correct it after a while. That seems to match what Jenn is saying.

My vote, personally, is for the meds, as they are inexpensive and the dose might decrease over time. With the surgery and iodine, Sydney might have to be on meds to keep her level UP if "too much" if the gland's effects are removed.

Seems to me the med can be compounded into a cream that's applied on the ears.

What does your vet think?

HUGS! to you and dear Sydney.

[Lizzie]

I'm another who has gone through several routes with different cats, including transdermal. The radioactive iodine treatment worked very well on Nougat, who was perfectly awful to pill, and she lived another three happy years before dying of rapid onset renal failure. The Tapezol pills have worked very well on three other cats whose age and/or other medical issues made them a poor subject for the iodine treatment. Alexander has been on the meds for 18 months now, and my Ginger was on them for 5 years (she was 17 when diagnosed and so considered too old for the radio-iodine treatment). They have/had no problem at all with digestive upsets, diarrhoea, etc. I think the transdermal does work, but it is not as effective, at least that was my experience.

I must admit that in your place I wouldn't want to risk the gift you've both been given of extra time for Sydney by having her go through the radio-iodine treatment. It is stressful for the cat, no doubt about that. And, unless the protocol has been changed, even when she is back home you won't be able to spend more than an hour a day with her for a week.

[Moesha]

I have no experience with thyroid problems in kitties, or humans for that matter. But I just wanted to say hello and am so glad to get an update on Sydney. I've wondered often how she is doing. That's great news about the cancer. Hopefully you will be able to treat the thyroid issues as well. Please keep in touch with us.

[lvpets2002]

Oh wow that is a tough decision to make.. I agree with the others on getting second advise from a diff Vet.. Sending Lots of Prayers & Huggss.. keep us posted ok..

[carole]

I really feel for you, what a difficult situation to be in, you are really caught between a rock and hard place, you can only do your best for you sweet Sydney and it is obvious you are doing that, and that you love your kitty with all your heart, bless you, and dear Sydney , i can only hope you can find a solution that you are comfortable with and keep you in my thoughts and hope for a good outcome that will benefit Sydney, thinking of you and HUGS , i Know how hard this is for you, keep doing your research and maybe the second opinion would be a good idea.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so glad to hear that Sydney's cancer is still in remission. I'm sorry to hear that she now has hyperthyroidism. Hopefully whichever method that you choose to treat her hyperthyroidism will do the trick without causing her stress or any other side effects. I'd probably try using the pill method first to see how that goes. Good luck.