How do you treat hyperthyroidism in cats?
Treatment options include:
- Methimazole an oral medication that blocks the production of thyroid hormone. Some cats can be treated using this therapy as a lotion/gel absorbed through the skin.
- I-131 (radioactive iodine) treatment is used in both cats and people. This therapy entails giving the patient radioactive iodine which concentrates in and selectively destroys the overactive thyroid tissue/tumor.
- Diet: Hill’s pet food now offers a diet to treat cats with hyperthyroidism called Y/D diet. Iodine is an essential component of thyroid hormones. Hill’s Y/D diet is a severely iodine restricted food, thus preventing the thyroid glands from producing excessive thyroid hormone.
- Your primary care veterinarian will help determine the best course of therapy for your cat. The ideal treatment for each patient depends on the severity of the hyperthyroidism, concurrent illnesses (most importantly the heart and kidney), and the ability of your cat to be medicated. Our goal is open collaboration with you and your primary care veterinarian. Together, we develop individualized treatment to improve the quantity and quality of your feline companion’s life.