Little Meg on the Mend after Thyroid Malady
Meet Meg, a little cat diagnosed with hyperthyroidism nursed back to health by Medivet West Byfleet.
When Meg the moggy began eating more than usual, her owner took her to the local Medivet West Byfleet. As increased appetite (polyphagia) and eating more is a common symptom of an overactive thyroid, the vet recommended a blood test to check Meg’s Thyroxine levels (the main hormone secreted into the bloodstream by the thyroid gland).
Some other symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats are:
- Increased thirst
- Weight loss
- Poor condition of fur and skin
- Increased activity
- Restlessness
- Irritability
When the results came back and the hyperthyroidism was confirmed, the vet discussed the different treatment options available with Meg’s owner. There are a number of treatments available including life-long medication, surgery to remove the affected thyroid gland, or specialist radioactive iodine. Meg’s owner opted for radioactive iodine therapy, something that is only offered by a handful of veterinary practices around the country including our own Medivet 24 hour Enfield practice. This treatment is now considered the safest and most effective option for cats with hyperthyroidism.
Meg was sent to the Enfield hospital, where she had ultrasound scans and x-rays to check for any underlying issues before the treatment was given. Thankfully, this was all-clear, and Meg was given a simple injection of iodine under her skin which destroyed the affected tissues without harming the surrounding glands or tissues.
Radioactive iodine has a high success rate however requires some recovery time at the practice, and little Meg stayed in hospital for 2 weeks under exceptional care and supervision to ensure she was recovering well, and the owners were given daily updates on her condition to put their minds at rest.
Meg is now happily back at home. The treatment was a success, and the team at Medivet West Byfleet is happy to report that a recent blood test shows that Meg’s thyroid glad is back to normal.
For more information please see our related articles;
https://www.medivet.co.uk/pet-care/pet-advice/hyperthyroidism-in-cats/
https://www.medivet.co.uk/about-medivet/news/enfield-iodine-treatment/