Licking due to stress?

[Coleman45]

My cat has been recently diagnosed with a hyperthyroid condition and is being treated for it by my Vet.
Within the same time period as that diagnosis she has also gone blind. I'm sure of this as she is walking into walls, her gait is off, and she misjudges her jumps on to her favorite perches.
Now she has started this incessant licking of her fur. Her front paws, hind legs, and her belly.
She is 18 yrs old and still looks great but seems to be falling apart quite rapidly.
Can this incessant licking be due to stress from her recent changes in her health and her sudden blindness?
If so, are there any treatments for this?
Please help!

[Coleman45]

Methimazole Transdermal Gel is what the medicine is called. You put it inside the tip of the ear and is is absorbed that way as opposed to giving her pills or a special food.
I hate to skip a daily dose but when I do she seems better. She's very sluggish since starting on the meds but that could also be attributed to her recent blindness. While she is quite familiar with the house she is sticking to the bedroom since it is close to her food/box. She still craves attention which is a good sign. I'm going to monitor her behavior and if things don't change I'll bring her back to the Vet.
Thank you for the links and taking the time to help me out, it is greatly appreciated. I think I will post on the other forum and see what Dr Cheng has to say.
I'll keep you posted on her progress.

Cole

[opus88]

it he one Methmazole transdermal?
if so here is some info about it, I see a side effect of the ORAL is facial itching...so IMO the transdermal one would cause the same side effects...there are other alternatives listed on the links to read up on...

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_thyroid_treatment__oral_medica.html

[opus88]

I will send you the link to our expert forum, where a Vet has answered many questions about HyperT....some of these may be quite old but worth reading through to perhaps find a similar problem good luck

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/search/112?utf8=%26%23x2713%3B&query=hyperthyroidism

you can also post on our EXpert Forum, it sometimes takes Dr Cheng a few days to reply but she will...

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Animal-Health---General/show/112?controller=forums&action=show&id=112&camp=msc

[opus88]

hi again, someone on this forum always takes the time to try and respond to every question even if we have no information we still like to pass on a few ((hugs)) to help..
that maybe it Cole...you didn't mention the transdermal patch...she could indeed be allergic to it, many humans can become very irritated by a medicated patch..... I have a full day out with appts etc today but I will try and find some reading about that for you later. In the meantime it wouldn't hurt to ask your Vet as well.
post me back and tell me the name of the patch...and I'll get back to you later today or tonight...♥

[Coleman45]

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question, I was pleasantly surprised.
She is on a transdermal medication for the hyperT and I'm wondering if she may be allergic to it. Seems the incessant licking started when she went on the meds.
It's tough to watch her lose her bearings and start walking in to walls as a result of the blindness. During our last visit to the Vet, I was told that she was not blind because her pupils dialated when a light was shone on them.
Needless to say, I was not happy with that diagnosis since I'm seeing the change in her behavior and know she's confused and scared as a result.
Thanks again for your input, you've been more than helpful.

[opus88]

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/vcs/radioactiveiodine/hyperthycat.html

http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cat-hyperthyroidism

hi and welcome....sorry not under better circumstances never like to hear of another ill kitty.
I included two sites to read up on hypothyroidism and treatments. unfortunately I couldn't find the reading I was looking for concerning the excessive grooming, but I have read that this can be one of the signs of hyperT.....I would hope with continued treatment this condition would improve. It is seldom due to stress.
I will mention that licking in these areas can also be a sign of an allergy to the type of litter you are using, however since she is dx'd with hyperT than its very likely its due to this disease....so sorry she is struggling with blindness as well...poor baby. she's done so well to live a long healthy life thus far. i hope her treatments will be successful to enable her to have more quality time left with you....
keep her safe and in familiar surroundings along with good Veterinary care.....((hugs)) to you both