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Possible thyroid problem2007-11-25 12:25:09

On Saturday I took my cat to the vet for her checkup. While doing blood work, the vet discovered that that there is a thyroid problem. I've been reading the symptoms of this problem and my cat doesn't have any of the symptoms. I'm worried because the vet orginally wanted to clean the cat's teeth and I asked to wait because it was so expensive (please no lectures re: shouldn't have cat if can't afford one.) & the cat was not having oral troubles. All of a sudden she has developed thyroid problems? Should I get a second opinion? I can go to a low cost clinic, where she was adopted from. Do the symptoms appear during the later stages? I don't want my cat to suffer, if I wait for treatment. Please any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much.

Answers:

Only running bloodwork (like a T4) will confirm a thyroid problem. If bloodwork was not done, what makes the vet concerned about it? If bloodwork was done a a thyroid problem was dx, medication is not expensive. Talk with the vet for more clear answers for yourself.

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did your vet show your the bloodwork and explain to you about the thyroid condition your cat has? If you are not happy with the explanation that vet gave you then you should get a second opinion just be aware that the second opinion you get will probably do thet same bloodwork

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Yes, get a second opinion from the low cost clinic. And don't go back to THAT one. Too many vets these days look on people with animals as open wallets. There are still some good old fashioned ones out there who know their medicine and don't rip people off.

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it depends on the condition..hypothyroid is most common in cats. it causes them to eat and eat and eat but not gain any weight and usually they lose a lot of weight. Hyperthyroid is when they can't stop gaining weight. Cats with a thyroid problem are usually on tapazole or methimazole for the rest of their life. Once the thyroid starts the fail.as in hypothyroid..it won't get better, but many cats live well after being put on meds to treat it. Hyperthyroid doesn't usually involve meds, but again it isnt as common as hypothyroidism.

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Did you actually get blood results back stating a thyroid problem?you should be able to get a copy of the results. In any case if you dont feel that you can trust this vet find one that you feel comfortable with and get a second opinion.

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You should definitely call the vet back and clarify what the "thyroid problem" is. Cats can quite commonly develop a hyperthyroid condition when they are older (hypothyroidism is common in dogs and very rare in cats). If the thyroid is overactive there is a medication that is used for that. Symptoms of an overactive thyroid are insatiable appetite, drinking an unusual amount of water, urinating frequently, a general restlessness or neediness. That is what you would observe. The condition causes the blood pressure to rise, straining the heart and can cause problems with the eyes - things that you would not observe.