Overactive Thyroid In Cat Part 2

[237SJ]

Further to this http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nature/Question1430924.html The cat`s blood tests confirmed an overactive thyroid and I decided to opt for the operation. She had it this morning. The thyroid growth was on both sides which means there is more chance of hypercalcaemia due to having to disect out the parathyroid gland but the vet is very pleased with her progress so far. He said he couldn`t believe how well she recovered from the op and is eating. She was under for one hour and he also took out an apocrine cyst that had been growing on her cheek (that was partly why I decided on the op - so that he could do both at the same time). I`m hoping she can come home in a couple of days and keeping my fingers crossed that she doesn`t get the calcium problem.

[wolf63]

Was the operation delayed from July?

Cats and dogs are pretty resilient and seem to recover from surgery so much faster than us humans.

Have you managed to get some time off when she first gets home - not so much for her but for you. Worrying about her will drive you nuts when you are away.

Let us know how things go.

:-)

[237SJ]

Hello Wolf. No, the operation wasn`t delayed. The vet operates on tuesdays and thursdays but he has to do the thyroid op (his speciality, it seems) on a tuesday because the cat has to stay there for a couple of days while he monitors her calcium levels. This is the first opportunity that I have had to be here on a tuesday with a few days at home afterwards.

[237SJ]

It`s not looking good this morning. She`s showing signs of hypocalcaemia. She`s been given a calcium injection but needs vitamine D drops on her food which she`s not eating. She`s been vomiting and is on a drip. Poor little thing. I don`t want her to suffer. If she`s not going to recover, she`ll have to be put down as this can be fatal.

[wolf63]

Be guided by your vet, they will/should give you options.

I know what she means to you but I know that you love her and will put her needs first.

Being a mum is such hard work. :-)

[ladybirder]

Brilliant News 237. So pleased you went ahead with it. Won't it be lovely to see her back to her old self. I hope you have many more happy years together. Well done you, and her, of course. X

[ladybirder]

Oh I've just seen your last post, so sorry I wouldn't have posted as I did if I had read that first. How is she now 237? Got fingers crossed for you both.

[237SJ]

Puss is doing a bit better today. The vet said he was quite worried about her yesterday morning because the hypocalcemia came on quite suddenly and was quite severe. She hasn`t had any calcium treatment since 5pm last night (fingers crossed) and is eating. No wonder she`s eating - he`s feeding her red salmon. Not out of the woods yet though.

[wolf63]

Am I right in thinking that she is only about 12/13 years old? If so she isn't too old to bounce back from this. My two are ten and are like two battling kittens most of the time.

What is her name?

[237SJ]

Wolf - I don`t know how old she is. The vet thinks she is about 14 due to the fact that she has become deaf and has hyperthyroidism. It`s not really a matter of bouncing back - the vet has done thyroidectomies on 19 year old cats before. The risk with this operation (and it is quite a significant risk) is that the parathyroid gland can become damaged or inadvertantly removed during this operation which results in a life-threatening drop in serum calcium levels. The risk is greater in cats that have bilateral thyroid growths which my cat (and most hyperthyroid cats have). The symptoms can show themselves from 1 to 5 days after the operation and can continue for up to several weeks and can be fatal if not treated promptly.

[237SJ]

Some info here http://www.axiomvetlab.com/Feline%20Hyperthyroidism%20Managing%20Post%20Operative%20Hypocalcaemia.pdf

[237SJ]

This is a bit more straightforward http://www.animalendocrine.info/2012/12/complication-of-thyroidectomy-in-cats.html

[wolf63]

The operation sounds quite tricky, they are pretty small creatures. No wonder you're concerned about her. I do hope calcium problems are transient.

[237SJ]

So do I Wolf. I might be able to bring her home at the weekend but I have to go to work on Sunday morning and I`m not back until Wednesday afternoon. The vet has very kindly said that he will look after her until I get back which is really nice of him. I just have to work out how to get the cat back to him on Monday morning but I`m working on it.

[ladybirder]

So pleased she's still hanging on in there 237. Got everything crossed for you. If you're in the South East I might be able to help with getting her to the vets??

[237SJ]

Ladybirder - that is very sweet and kind of you (yes, I am in the SE). I think I should be able to manage something re getting the cat to the vet. I have had a couple of offers. But thanks anyway x

[ladybirder]

Glad you've had offers 237 but if you get stuck don't be shy in asking. Do let us know how she gets on. x

[237SJ]

It`s time to unlock the cat flap - puss is coming home. The vet is really pleased with her progress and she hasn`t needed any supplementary calcium for 48 hours although she is still on the vitamin D drops. He thinks her hypocalcemia was caused by bruising to the parathyroid gland during the operation.

[wolf63]

That is excellent news, she will be up and about and driving you nuts in no time at all.

When you fly off to work are you always away for a few days? Is it a routine or does your trips change all the time. Cats are observant and will learn your work routine. My girl cat, Merlin, is the most stupid animal that I have ever met. Her brother isn't too smart but compared to her he is a genius.

[237SJ]

Wolf - I am always gone for a few days or more. I don`t have a routine. Pusscat knows when I am going to work because she sees my suitcase and me wearing my uniform. She always looks a bit forlorn. I feel terrible when I walk out of the door and leave her on her own. Needs must though. That`s life in this job.

[ladybirder]

Phew! Excellent news. x