Male cat with hyperthyroidism yowling

[lovelylifetoo]

My 19 year male cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism 9 months ago and has had 3 blood tests done after starting daily medication for the hyperthyroidism.  He has gained weight and is not as desperate for food anymore.  He has started sleeping inside all day, very unlike this mostly outdoor for life cat, and when let outside will yowl uncontrollably to come inside.  Of course we let him in but as he pretty much yowls whenever he wants in or out, any time of the day or night, it's becoming a problem.  His brother who also had hyperthyroidism had a bout with scratching his face to the point of bleeding and baldness a year ago and within a few weeks had disappeared, never to return or be found.  Only recently have I discovered that this was a symptom of the hyperthyroidism and possibly even the medication and that I should have taken him to the vet.  I'm concerned that my current cat's yowling is a symptom of the medication hurting him.  It could just be his old age and not feeling so great.  Considering the amount of money I've spent already on the bloodwork and his medication, I don't want to take him for more tests unless it's likely a problem that can be fixed by adjusting his medication.  If it's normal for elderly cats that are sick, then we will accommodate him.  Thank you for any direction.

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

The I 131 treatment does not leave residual radiation in the cat after it goes home.
There is radiation in soil and when ion an airplane from the suns rays. Treated cats are at or below that background level when they go home.

While it is more costly all at once, it is a cure not just a treatment, and makes frequent blood test monitoring unneeded, and thereby saving you money over a 1 to 1/12 year course of treatment.

Hyperthyroid cats yowl and are hyperactive, along with at risk of heart disease if incompletely treated. Get the I 131 and solve all your problems, while still having your cat.

CareCredit is a no interest credit card for all health care (human too!) that can allow your cat to get the care it needs while delaying your financial commitment and spreading it out. From my point of view, a faithful pet of 17 years deserves more of a commitment from its owner than a younger animal one has owned longer. But thats my view alone. Every family makes its own calculus, but your cat need not suffer untreated.

The time to treat definitively or elect euthanasia is at hand. I vote for I 131, but do understand the difficulty of affording it. I hope you will find the right answer for you and for your cat.

Sincerely,

Dr G

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

Dear LLT,

Hyperthyroidism in cats can variously cause increased appetite in the face of weight loss, increased thirst and urination, hyperactivity and vocalizing (yowling) and secondarily heart disease. It does not cause facial itching, however, the oral medicine methimazole can occasionally do so. I suspect your other cat may have had methimazole-related facial itching.

Treating hyperthyroidism with methimazole requires periodic blood test monitoring and sometimes dose adjustments based upon the results of that monitoring. Without tests, no rational adjustments can be made. Overtreating or undertreating may occur.
A better treatment, indeed a CURE, for hyperthyroidism is available through certain specialists who use Iodine 131, which is mildly radioactive, to kill the abnormal thyroid cells while sparing the normal cells. Once completed, no treatment need be given thereafter. It is not used if concurrent kidney disease exists.

In sum, the medication doesnt cause yowling. Hyperthyroidism itself, or other problems such as senile dementia or even pain may. See your veterinarian to sort this out.

Iodine 131 is available near you through:
Dr David Evans, 1045 Gateway Lp, Suite F, Springfield Oregon, 97477
Phone/Fax: [phone]

Sincerely,

Arnold L. Goldman DVM, MS
MedHelp & PDOC

[pudds99]

I also have a yowling elderly cat with hyperthyroidism. Unfortunately, she gets diahrea from the methimazole at the dose required to bring down her levels (which I was told by the vet were extremely high).
I can't afford the iodine shot, and even if I could, I'm reluctant to consider it because I have a baby in the house and the idea of a radioactive cat concerns me.
Our family is at our wits end with the endless yowling at night keeping us all awake, the vomiting and irritablity. I have had this cat for 17 years, but we may be at the end of the road. If anyone has any suggestions or advice, it is greatly appreciated.

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

Hi Again,

If your main concern is the yowling, and the hyperthyroidism is already well controlled, then your doctor must look elsewhere. Cats do get a form of senile dementia that may be helped with medications. Your doctor is best situated to determine what if anything will help. I am sorry I cannot be more help, however, this venue limits what I can offer.

Very best regards,

Dr G

[lovelylifetoo]

From what I see in your post, since the medication isn't causing this yowling, further bloodtests are not required.  I have done 3 tests in 9 months, a bit excessive already.

And you don't address it but the iodine 131 is expensive, over $1000 at that clinic in Springfield which I had already found, and given his age and shortened life expectancy, not a viable option.

I appreciate your taking the time to write this but isn't much help to me.