Treating hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism can be successfully managed using medication to bring the level of thyroid hormones in the blood back to normal.

Treatment enables your cat’s metabolic rate to return to normal and prevents the development of other serious conditions such as heart complaints and high blood pressure.

Long-term medical treatment

If your cat’s hyperthyroidism is treated using Felimazole this will not cure the condition: your cat will need to be treated for the rest of its life.

Felimazole is a tablet containing the active ingredient thiamazole (also known as methimazole) and is given to your cat every day to block the production of thyroid hormones.

If your veterinary surgeon recommends long-term use of Felimazole, monitoring your cat’s hyperthyroidism is very important. Check-ups, including blood tests, will be required after 3, 6, 10 and 20 weeks to ensure that your cat is receiving the correct amount of medication.

After these initial appointments and once your veterinary surgeon is happy that your cat is stable, you will normally just need to visit every three months for monitoring of your cat’s condition. At some stages it may be necessary for your veterinary surgeon to adjust the dose of Felimazole prescribed.

They will also allow your veterinary surgeon to make sure your cat remains healthy as it gets older.

Felimazole will resolve the outward signs of hyperthyroidism while your cat is being treated, but it does not cure the disease. Even if you notice dramatic physical improvements to your cat’s health this does not mean that you should stop treatment.

It is important that you follow the instructions given by your veterinary surgeon.

  Do

• Take your cat back to your veterinary surgeon for regular monitoring
• Contact your veterinary surgeon immediately if your cat stops eating or becomes unwell while on Felimazole treatment
• Wash your hands with soap and water after using Felimazole or after handling litter used by treated animals
• Wear gloves when handling litter of treated cats if you are a woman of child-bearing age or are pregnant. Wear gloves when handling Felimazole tablets if you are pregnant

  Don't

• Change the dose without advice from your veterinary surgeon
• Eat, drink or smoke while handling tablets or used litter
• Crush tablets
• Don’t give a double does if you forget to give a tablet

Your cat’s diet

You don’t need to change what your cat eats, but it may aid your cat’s recovery if additional dietary support is given. SPECIFIC™ Diets offer a complete range of high quality pet food designed to keep your cat healthy and active throughout its life.