WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO TREAT HYPERTHYROID CATS?
Hyperthyroid cats frequently experience reduced quality of life through weight loss, muscle deterioration, chronic vomiting or chronic diarrhea. Not all cats experience these signs at the time of diagnosis but there are less visible reasons to treat: heart disease and high blood pressure. These problems can result in heart failure, sudden blindness, or sudden death and all can be prevented with timely treatment for thyroid disease. MEDICATION FOR HYPERTHYROIDISM The most common medication prescribed to treat feline hyperthyroidism is called METHIMAZOLE (TRADE NAME TAPAZOLE). All these medications block the production of T4 and T3. It is important to understand what the potential side effects of methimazole and its relatives are and the monitoring that is generally recommended. ADVANTAGES OF USING METHIMAZOLE/TAPAZOLE: • Medication is inexpensive relative to radiotherapy or surgery. • Control of thyroid disease is achieved only while the pet is on medication so that if there is any prob
