At first I thought he'd reverted to kittenhood but soon found that one of the thyroid glands on the lower part of his neck was as big as a lima bean. A blood test confirmed the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.
I surgically removed the gland and he was normal for a few years before I noticed his appetite rocket again. This time I medicated him with an anti-thyroid drug that worked very well. I gave him a tablet twice a day until he became too cunning for me. I switched to applying a medicated gel to the inside of his ears and won the battle.
Like most old cats George eventually developed kidney disease. I had to ease off the antithyroid medication and nurse his old kidneys along.
This candid shot is of George not long before he died. Even when his kidneys were about to collapse his overactive thyroid drove his appetite to spectacular heights (depths?!)
Hi Dr Kate,
ReplyDeleteMy cat also suffers from hyperthyroidism and I use the gel in her ears - she is 16 going on 17 now and more than likely suffers from kidney disease as well. lately she has taken to peeing in the most incongruous spots - my daughter's suitcase (she is visiting!) the latest in point- often the ducts for the heating and occasionally her litter tray. Is this a sign of old age? or her attendant clinical problems? Prior to this she was the cleanest cat and we had no problems whatsoever. She has also taken to being an outside cat - behaviours I haven't seen in a long time- seriously weird. Do you have any suggestions on how to counteract this problem. I would be most appreciative. Many thanks,
Jill