Many hyperthyroid cats that are being treated with radioactive iodine therapy, methimazole or thyroidectomy can benefit from eating a high-protein, high-energy food like Instinct by Nature's Variety Original grain-free chicken recipe wet cat food or Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau wild salmon grain-free wet cat food.
Can you give methimazole to cats with food?
Methimazole is a very bitter medication. Different formulations of the medication are available and giving the medication with food may improve may improve palatability. Methimazole is available in a transdermal cream or gel, which can be rubbed on the inside of your cat's ear.
Can I give my Cat methimazole for ear infection?
Methimazole is available in a transdermal cream or gel, which can be rubbed on the inside of your cat's ear. If you use the transdermal preparation, be sure to wear gloves when applying the medication. Wash your hands after giving your pet this medication. Be sure to discuss any side effects with your veterinarian immediately.
How long does methimazole stay in a cat's system?
For cats with hyperthyroid diseases or normal health condition, the circulation of methimazole is pretty short - from 2.3 hours to 4.7 hours. What Should You Do If You Want To Give Methimazole To Your Cat? What Should You Do If You Want To Give Methimazole To Your Cat? What should you do if you want to give your cat methimazole?
Is Felimazole safe for cats with hyperthyroidism?
Felimazole Coated Tablets is the only FDA-approved hyperthyroidism drug treatment for felines. Compared to human methimazole products, Felimazole is proven to be safer and more effective when used exactly as prescribed by the vet. If administered without following the recommended dosage, the following may occur:
What food should I feed my cat with hyperthyroidism?
It is best to feed: Canned or raw diets, that contain little to no fruits, vegetables, or grains. Any canned cat food is better than any dry, which contains too much carbohydrate and plant-based protein.
What can I feed my hyperthyroid cat to gain weight?
Wet, or canned, cat food is the most recommended form of diet. Canned/wet cat food helps cats by getting more water into their systems. Cats fed canned food have a higher total water intake than cats fed dry food, even when they have free access to water. Cats evolved in desert environments and have a low thirst drive.
What wet food is best for cats with hyperthyroidism?
The best overall canned food for hyperthyroid cats is Hill's Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care Cat Food. This is the only canned food made specifically to help cats with hyperthyroidism, and it is available in a case of 24 cans that are 5.5 ounces each.
Should I feed my cat more if she has hyperthyroidism?
If your cat is suffering from hyperthyroidism their metabolism will speed up. This means that your cat will tend to burn energy too quickly, resulting in weight loss even if you notice that your kitty is eating considerably more food than usual.
Can I feed my hyperthyroid cat tuna?
Don't use fish prepared for humans or fish-based cat foods as your cat's primary diet. If you feed your cat tuna fish, use chunk light in water rather than albacore, which has higher mercury levels.
Can methimazole for cats be crushed in soft food?
Methimazole is a medication that can be given in tablet form (the tiny tablet can be crushed and mixed into wet food) or as a topical gel that you rub on the inside of the cat's ears (ideal for non-pillable cats).
Is salmon good for cats with hyperthyroidism?
Avoid Fish-Based Foods. A study in 2000 found that cats who preferred canned cat food in fish or liver and giblets flavors had an increased risk of hyperthyroidism. Fish and other ocean creatures have higher levels of iodine than do other foods.
What foods are low in iodine?
Breads, cereals, and grainsPlain cooked barley, oats, millet, buckwheat, bulgur wheat, and quinoa.Cereals, pastas, and rice made without ingredients that contain a lot of iodine.Homemade bread made without iodized salt.Plain unsalted rice cakes.Plain unsalted matzo.Plain unsalted popcorn.More items...•
Is Fancy Feast high in iodine?
This recipe has an iodine content of 0.95 parts per million on an as fed basis. Due to your pet's diagnosed condition, we recommend consulting your veterinarian to ensure this would be a good fit for your pet's current treatment plan.
Does methimazole increase appetite in cats?
Methimazole may produce side effects in cats, including depression, vomiting, and lack of appetite.
How Long Can cats live on methimazole?
The average life expectancy of a methimazole patient is ~3 years.
What are the final stages of hyperthyroidism in cats?
Over time, this progresses to increased blood pressure, severe weight loss, heart disease, blindness, and kidney damage. The slow onset of signs means that cat owners will often miss these changes until the late stages of disease.
How can I fatten up my cat with hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroid cats need high calorie and high protein diets to reduce the rate of weight loss and muscle wasting that accompanies the disease. Thyroxine (the major hormone produced by the thyroid gland) is one of numerous counter-regulatory or anti-insulin hormones.
What are the final stages of hyperthyroidism in cats?
Over time, this progresses to increased blood pressure, severe weight loss, heart disease, blindness, and kidney damage. The slow onset of signs means that cat owners will often miss these changes until the late stages of disease.
Does methimazole increase appetite in cats?
Methimazole may produce side effects in cats, including depression, vomiting, and lack of appetite.
How do I increase my cats weight?
What to Feed a Cat to Help Them Gain WeightFind a Type of Food That Fits Your Cat's Preferences. ... Make Sure the Food Fits Their Nutritional Needs. ... Feed Small, Frequent Meals. ... Try Warming Up Your Cat's Wet Food. ... Offer the Right Snacks Between Meals. ... Decrease Your Cat's Anxiety.More items...•
What Is Methimazole Used For in Cats
Methimazole (the active ingredient in Tapazole) is an effective veterinary medication used for the management of hyperthyroidism in pets, a conditi...
Mechanism of Action: How Does It Work
The production of thyroid hormones, including triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), is initiated by the peroxidase enzyme through the oxidation...
Methimazole Dosage For Cats
Talk to a vet to determine your cat’s daily dosage requirements and the best time to administer.The usually recommended initial dose for cats of al...
How Long Does It Take For Methimazole to Work
Although studies have revealed that methimazole can effectively work for 2.3 hours in hyperthyroid cats and 4.7 hours in normal cats, a single dose...
Methimazole (Tapazole) Side Effects
The following common side effects may occur within the first one to three months of treatment: 1. Vomiting 2. Headache 3. Dizziness 4. Drowsiness 5...
When Should It Not Be Given to Cats
Make sure to discuss with your vet of any existing health conditions in your cat. Methimazole is not prescribed for cats that have: 1. Anemia 2. Ki...
How to give methimazole to cats?
How to give methimazole to your cat. Give the medication as instructed by the vet. As a tablet, it can be administered with or without food. However, you need to check with the vet before dividing the tablet or crushing it to mix with your cat’s food [12]. Make sure you give your pet plenty of water to drink [8].
What are some alternatives to methimazole?
Metoprolol (Lopressor) Digoxin (Lanoxin) Theophylline (Theo-Dur) [8, 9] Homeopathic and herbal remedies, as well as acupuncture, are considered alternatives for a methimazole treatment. However, there is not enough evidence to prove their effectiveness [21].
What is the best medication for hyperthyroidism in cats?
Methimazole (the active ingredient in Tapazole) is an effective veterinary medication used for the management of hyperthyroidism in pets, a condition that causes an excessive production of thyroid hormone in the body [1, 2]. While there are two drugs available, methimazole and propylthiouracil, for medical therapy of feline hyperthyroidism, the former is more commonly used because it has a lower rate of adverse side effects compared to the latter [3].
How to apply transdermal cream to cat?
For the transdermal cream or gel, wear gloves and measure the dose onto your finger before gently applying it on your cat’s skin (usually to the pinna) [4]. Clean the site using a small piece of moist cloth before giving the next dose.
Is methimazole a liquid?
It may also be provided as an oral liquid [4]. Since methimazole tastes bitter, you may choose the flavored varieties that are compounded in some pharmacies [22].
Can cats take methimazole?
When should it not be given to cats. Make sure to discuss with your vet of any existing health conditions in your cat. Methimazole is not prescribed for cats that have: Its use is also not recommended for pregnant and nursing cats because it may be toxic to an embryo and cause birth defects [1].
How fast does methimazole work for cats?
Methimazole For Cats – How Fast Does It Work? Why is methimazole prescribed to be given twice a day and a 5mg tablet every 8 to 12 hours a usual initial dose for cats with the hyperthyroid disease? Because it is a very short-action drug that will leave the system within less than a day (approximately 20 hours)!
How long does methimazole take to circulate in cats?
For cats with hyperthyroid diseases or normal health condition, the circulation of methimazole is pretty short - from 2.3 hours to 4.7 hours.
What is the medication used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats?
Middle-aged to geriatric-aged cats tend to suffer from hyperthyroidism. And methimazole – the drug that is used to treat overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) occurring in cats is similar as that is used to treat hyperthyroid disease found in humans.
What happens if my cat has an overactive thyroid?
If your cats develop any sign of an infection, immediately contact your veterinarian. Unfortunately, in the worst case, if your sick lovely friend is suffering from overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), he/she is sure to continue to deteriorate and ultimately pass away from his/her condition, especially if you do not take him/her to your vet office for a thorough examination.
Is methimazole bad for cats?
There’s nothing wrong with methimazole – just in case you are ready to tolerate a high side-effect rate of up to 20%. If you do not want to get angry when your cats have an adverse reaction to methimazole, tell your veterinarian everything about your cats’ health condition.
Can methimazole be used for thyroid surgery?
Also, methimazole is now popularly considered as a drug of choice before any radio active iodine treatment or thyroid surgery. Don’t expect this form of medical management to cure the condition! For your cats’ happy life, methimazole is of importance. However, the symptoms cannot disappear once the medication is stopped.
Is methimazole a good treatment for thyroid disease?
Also, methimazole is now popularly considered as a drug of choice before any radioactive io dine treatment or thyroid surgery.
What happens when cats overproduce methimazole?
To understand methimazole’s mechanism of action we have to understand what thyroxine does to the body. When a cat’s body has an overproduction of thyroxine it causes weight loss, increased appetite, polydipsia (increased thirst), hyperactivity (being unusually or abnormally active), tachycardia (increased heart rate), unkempt hair coat, and in extreme conditions vomiting/diarrhea.
What is Methimazole?
Methimazole is an antithyroid drug used to treat and manage hyperthyroidism in cats. Hyperthyroidism is a disease where the thyroid is overactive producing too much thyroxine. Thyroxine causes unwanted clinical signs and can lead to secondary diseases. By using this drug these clinical signs can be managed and secondary diseases avoided.
What to do if my cat is taking a concurrent medication?
If your cat develops any concurrent diseases while taking this medication, you and your veterinarian should discuss the quality of life. If your cat is worse without the medication you can monitor closer while giving it, under the direction of your veterinarian.
Why is it important to monitor cat metabolic function?
Cats can also develop blood disorders. This is another reason why it is so important to monitor your cat’s metabolic function. Your cat will need blood work done in order to do this monitoring. It will also allow your veterinarian to decide if the dose needs an adjustment.
How often should cats be monitored for thyroid?
After this blood test, your cats’ thyroid level should be monitored every 3-6 months, between 4-6 hours after Methimazole is given. Adjustments can be made by your veterinarian at any point if the dose is too high or too low.
Why do you need gloves when handling methimazole?
To further ensure safety when handling Methimazole (or any medication for that matter) use gloves. This is to protect yourself from absorbing it. Because this medication is excreted mainly through your cat’s urine it is also important to also wear gloves when handling the medicated cat’s litter.
Does Methimazole cause thyroid problems in cats?
An influx of it will cause your cat’s body to go into overdrive leading to the unwanted signs mentioned above. Your cat’s body uses the element iodine to produce the thyroid hormone. Iodine is obtained from the food your cat eats. Methimazole interferes with iodine forming into tyrosyl.
How often should cats be monitored for methimazole?
Other blood tests for liver function and immune function may be performed as needed. The cat's natural thyroid hormone levels will be reduced in one to three weeks. After your cat is stabilized on methimazole, blood tests for thyroid hormone levels usually are performed every three to six months.
How long does methimazole affect cats?
A very small number of cats will develop very serious changes in their bone marrow, blood counts or liver problems. Approximately 50% of animals receiving methimazole for more than six months develop other blood abnormalities (positive ANA). These cats may require a dose reduction.
Why is it important to monitor thyroid levels in cats?
Regular monitoring of thyroid hormone levels is necessary in order to avoid drug-induced hypothyroidism. Kittens born to cats receiving this drug may be born with low thyroid levels. Your veterinarian may recommend a milk replacement for your kitten.
What to do if you miss a dose of methimazole?
Give this medication to your pet exactly as your veterinarian prescribes. If you miss giving your pet a dose of methimazole, give the next dose as soon as you remember or, if it is close to the next scheduled dose, return to the regular schedule. Do not double dose to catch up. Methimazole is a very bitter medication.
Why is methimazole used in dogs?
Methimazole also is being used experimentally to protect the kidneys in dogs that are receiving cisplatin chemotherapy.
Can cats take methimazole?
Do not give this medication to a person. Methimazole should be avoided or used with extra monitoring in cats with liver disease , autoimmune disease or pre-existing blood abnormalities. Individual response to methimazole may vary.
Is methimazole a human drug?
General Drug Information and Indications . Methimazole is a human drug that is used for the medical management of hyperthyroidism in cats. It currently is the drug of choice for the treatment of over-active thyroid and has largely replaced propylthiouracil for this purpose due to the lower incidence of side effects.
How long does methimazole treatment last for cats?
Usually, these symptoms stop after a week of treatment. Others, however, may self-mutilate or injure themselves through excessive scratching.
What to do if my cat is meowing loudly?
But if your cat’s meows turn urgent and loud, it’s best to visit a vet to have her checked out as soon as possible. Again, if the veterinarian found that her distress is caused by the methimazole, your vet may either lower the dose, change it from oral to transdermal, or offer other treatment solutions.
What to do if my cat doesn't feel well?
If your cat still doesn’t feel well after a week, your veterinarian may prescribe a transdermal methimazole gel. Instead of taking the medication by mouth, a transdermal gel is applied on the skin, where it’s then absorbed into the cat’s bloodstream.
How long does it take for a cat to stop vomiting?
According to Wedgewood Veterinary Pharmacy, the largest animal-devoted pharmacy in the US, up to 20% of cats experience the aforementioned side effects. Most cats stop vomiting and begin to feel relatively better after a couple of days of regular administration, but others require their dosage reduced.
Why does my cat lose weight?
Like most of the symptoms on this list, this might be caused by the cat’s hyperthyroidism or a sign of medication overdose.
How long does it take for a cat to change his red and white cells?
Usually, changes occur within two months of the treatment.
How long does it take for a cat to gain weight?
As long as your cat doesn’t gain more than 5% of her weight within the first six months of treatment, and doesn’t appear to show any other worrying symptoms, it shouldn’t be much of a concern. A cat with hypothyroidism often has an increased appetite, which therefore causes weight gain.
How is methimazole given?
Methimazole is administered by mouth in the form of an oral tablet or is compounded as an oral liquid. It can also be applied to hairless skin (usually on the inside of the earflap) in the form of a transdermal gel. This medication can take days to weeks before effects are noted, and sometimes effects are not visibly obvious.
What is methimazole?
Methimazole (brand names: Tapazole®, Felimazole®) is an antithyroid medication used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats.
What if I miss giving my pet the medication?
If you miss a dose, give it when you remember, but if it is close to the time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and give it at the next scheduled time, and return to the regular dosing schedule. Never give your pet two doses at once or give extra doses.
How do I store methimazole?
Methimazole tablets should be protected from light and moisture and stored in a dry, dark place, at room temperature. Compounded products should be stored according to the compounding pharmacy’s label.
How long does methimazole take to work?
It can also be applied to hairless skin (usually on the inside of the earflap) in the form of a transdermal gel. This medication can take days to weeks before effects are noted, and sometimes effects are not visibly obvious.
Where should methimazole be stored?
Methimazole tablets should be protected from light and moisture and stored in a dry, dark place, at room temperature . Compounded products should be stored according to the compounding pharmacy’s label.
Can cats take methimazole?
Methimazole should not be used in pets that are allergic to it, or those allergic to carbimazole or polyethylene glycol. Cats with autoimmune disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or blood and clotting diseases should not use this medication, or it should be used with extreme caution and significant monitoring.
Is it worth radiation for a cat?
Not worth the radiation treatment if it's old, but definitely do it if he's young! My cat had hyperthyroidism (or whatever the one is where they eat heaps). She died last year, but she was was on the tablet treatment for years and was fine. It wasn't fun tabletting her but it was worth it.
Can you take iodine with a lap cat?
Normally, with all medications, they need to take it for a time for some side effects to subside. I considered the radioactive iodine treatment, however, it is difficult to do with a lap cat. The have to remain so many feet away from you for a time after returning home due to radioactivity. Jun 29, 2015.
Does iodine help cats?
My friend got the iodine treatment for his cat when she was 13 and she's 17 now with no problems. They first did the methimazole to bring down the thyroid levels so the blood pressure would drop and that would reveal whether the kidneys could function with the lower blood pressure (sometimes they can't) and hers were fine so they did the iodin. It's no longer a 2 wee stay away. His cat is doing great. His wife's cat lived to be 23 or 24.
What is the best medicine for cats to stop thyroid glands?
Methimazole. Marketed under the name Tapazole, methimazole is used to block production of the T3 and T4 thyroid hormone. You'll need to give your cat pills two or more times daily for the rest of his life, although a transdermal version, a gel you place in his ear, is also available.
How to treat hyperthyroid cats?
Radioactive iodine therapy is now the treatment of choice for hyperthyroid cats. While it's expensive and only available at certain veterinary facilities, it offers an excellent chance at a cure. The actual treatment is no more complicated than giving a cat a shot containing radioactive iodine, which kills abnormal thyroid cells. However, because it is radioactive, Kitty must stay in the hospital for a number of days until his radiation levels drop enough for him to return home. You can't visit him during that period. You must take precautions for a week after he is home. The veterinary facility will inform you about proper disposal of litter while your cat might still emit low amounts of radiation. According to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, that one injection cures 95 percent of cats.
Why does my cat have hyperthyroidism?
Your cat has two thyroid glands in his neck, which regulate his metabolism. Hyperthyroidism generally occurs because of a benign tumor on a gland, although malignancy is possible.
How many cats can you cure with one injection?
According to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, that one injection cures 95 percent of cats. Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion. 00:00. 00:04 08:19.
How long does a cat stay in the hospital?
However, because it is radioactive, Kitty must stay in the hospital for a number of days until his radiation levels drop enough for him to return home. You can't visit him during that period. You must take precautions for a week after he is home.
Can a cat's thyroid be removed?
If your cat is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia, surgical removal of the affected tissue in the thyroid gland often solves the problem. However, even removal of the thyroid glands won't cure certain cats . In some cats, thyroid cells have moved to other locations in the body, generally the chest cavity.
Can cats take methimazole?
If your cat suffers from hyperthyroidism, your vet might prescribe methimazole to treat his condition . Kitty might have to stay on the drug for the rest of his life, but medication for hyperthyroidism is no longer the only game in town for treatment. Alternative methods can actually cure hyperthyroidism.
General Drug Information and Indications
- Methimazole is a human drug that is used for the medical management of hyperthyroidism in cats. It currently is the drug of choice for the treatment of over-active thyroid and has largely replaced propylthiouracil for this purpose due to the lower incidence of side effects. Treatment with methimazole is a form of medical management; it does not cur...
How to Give This Medication
- Give this medication to your pet exactly as your veterinarian prescribes. If you miss giving your pet a dose of methimazole, give the next dose as soon as you remember or, if it is close to the next scheduled dose, return to the regular schedule. Do not double dose to catch up. Methimazole is a very bitter medication. Different formulations of the medication are available and giving the med…
Side Effects
- Be sure to discuss any side effects with your veterinarian immediately. Adverse side effects usually occur within the first three months of therapy. The most common side effect is upset of the digestive tract. Up to 20% of cats may experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and just not feel well. Usually this is self-limiting and most cats stop vomiting and begin to feel better wit…
Precautions
- Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children. Methimazole is a prescription drug and should be used according to your veterinarian's directions, and given only to the animal for which it was prescribed. Do not give this medication to a person. Methimazole should be avoided or used with extra monitoring in cats with liver disease, autoimmune disease or pre-existing blood abnormalit…
Drug Interactions
- Be sure to review with your veterinarian any medications or supplements your pet may be receiving. Bupropion may increase the possibility of liver toxicity. If bupropion is used with methimazole, increased monitoring of liver function may be advisable. Methimazole may decrease the efficacy of digoxin. Methimazole may decrease the anticoagulant actions of warfa…
Overdose
- If you suspect your pet or another animal was accidentally overdosed or has eaten this medication inadvertently, contact your veterinarian or the A.S.P.C.A.'s Animal Poison Control Centerat 888.426.4435. Always bring the prescription container with you when you take your pet for treatment. If you or someone else has accidentally ingested this medication call the Nationa…
Storage
- Different strengths or dosage forms of methimazole may have different storage requirements. Read the labeling or ask your pharmacist for the storage requirements of the prescription you receive.
More Information About This Medication
- Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. Methimazole inhibits the body's production of thyroid hormones by interfering with some of the metabolic steps. It has no effect on pre-existing circulating or stored thyroid hormones and it has no effect on supplemented thyroid hormones.