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Skogafoss' Kitty needs help.
Skogafoss is a bit distressed and is asking for help. I said that if she wrote it up I'd pose it to the collective group to see just what thoughts can come from other people. Thank you in advance.
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This is from: http://www.thyroid.ca/Articles/EngE12A.html Information is from the Thyroid Foundation of Canada.
Is the Treatment Safe? This form of treatment of hyperthyroidism by radioiodine has been used routinely for more than 35 years on well over one million patients in the United States alone. Many studies of people treated and examined at a later time show no harmful side effects or complications to the patients or their offspring. Radioiodine is now recognized as the safest, least expensive, and most convenient and effective treatment for hyperthyroidism. In the United States approximately 90 percent of hyperthyroid patients are treated with radioiodine. My side note: From other readings, it appears that the radioactivity of the feces will be at such a low level that it is basically a non-issue. Honestly, if you have the money, I'd go for it. If it's going to be at all a financial hardship, though, that's where I'd stick with your last option and give her the best quality of life. Best of luck to you and Kitty. |
http://www.catsvet.com/I-131.htm
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that site lists some of the side effects of the drug that the cat has to be on for 8 days before the treatment - the drug is Methimazole. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Not to make a joke..does the kitty have a DNR? I have a DNR because I would not want extraordinary measures taken to preserve my life... If I lived a good life, I would want to go quietly comfortably and peacefully. Cats are just like family members, I think she has to ask herself what the kitty woudl really want. Good luck to you both, and hugs to the kitty ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Age of the cat doesn't seem to be a factor... |
According to Dr David Brunner's "Cat Owner's Manual":
18 years = 88 years in human years (if your cat is indoor, only). 18 years = 152 years in human years (if your cat is outdoor). The kitty has lived a very long life. I would let live out her life happily, without surgeries or pills, etc. nwlinkvxd says that the one thing he regrets is the last thing he did with his 12 year old cat was shove a pill down his throat. |
My cat lived to 18. She recently passed on on the 18th anniversary of my receiving of her.
Personally, I don't think spending that much money on an 18 year old cat is worth it, but if you have the money and you're willing to spend it, go for it. My choice would be to make the cat as comfortable as possible and let her finish out her days. Good luck. I do understand how hard this is, probably better than anyone else here. |
Hmmm... I found this site http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/heal...hyroidism.html
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My family has had pets (dogs and cats) well into their late teens... we have done both, operations and making life as comfortable as possible. I can understand your position... to do or not to do. I would personally try to get some clarification on the heart and kidney status and go from there. Best wishes for you all... |
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The kitty looks fine, she runs about, insists on playing with some stringed beads 2-3 times a day. The reason we brought her to the vet was because of the patches of hair she would chew out (seems to be a symptom of HT.) The next step for us would be to get her heart checked out, and yes, we're aware that HT may be masking other issues like kidney issues. Thank you for the reminder, it's important that during this ordeal we don't lose sight of small details. |
I'm checking with my neighbor. She has hyperthyroidism, and was vehement about not getting the radio-iodine treatment for herself. Since they have the same condition and get treated similarly, maybe her reasons will carry over too. I'll post back.
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My husbands childhood cat had the Radioiodine treatment and ended up doing just fine and living many many years more.
At 18 though, I really don't know. I would almost say just let her be. |
the stress of not being home for a week and stuck in a vet office (remember animals can smell other animals fear / death)......could be enough to 'age' your cat very quickly. I would let it be and live out the rest of its life the way it is......
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This is what E said about her own hyperthyroidism, and her decisions about treatment - yes, I know she's a human, but the disease and the treatment are similar in both kitties and humans:
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The one thing I can say about this, is my opinion on what *I* would do.
That is.. If my pet needed treatment, he would get it, I got the money, or I don't, doesn't matter they get what they need. They are family to me. |
A cat's a cat in my family, and we have one with hyperthyroidism. Pills are doing the trick, and aren't costing a fortune. Kitty is still around and happy. :)
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One of the things your wife needs to weigh Cyn is quality of life.
If your kitty is running around and enjoying her life for the most part, then i think trying the pills would work. The other two methods of treatment seem too invasive, and indeed she is too old to even risk putting her under anaesthetic for the surgery. If she takes pills without too much of a fight, i would personally suggest that method. and if she were my kitty, that is what i could choose. IF at some point, taking the pill becomes a huge daily battle, then i would let your kitty live out her days in peace and forgo the treatments. I think what it comes down to (and this has applied to my pets too), i do everything nessasary medically to keep them going when they get older, but when the treatments start to outweigh quality of life, that is when you'll know it's time. Animals are special creatures, they will let you know when it's time for them to go. You'll know right away. But if your kitty is in good spirits and enjoying her life as you described, i think that pills would be the way to go for now! :) Sweetpea |
Oh Cyn I almost forgot to mention there are two very cool ways to "pill" a cat who doesn't like to take meds.
There is a small treat that vets/ some pet stores sell that is a "pill pocket" that you can slide the pill in and then the cat eats the treat. There is also a "Cat Piller" which is a syringe like device that holds the pill on the end, you open the cats mouth, depress the syringe and in pops the pill right down the throat!!! I know they have this at Pet's Mart. Good Luck to you both! |
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