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natural/homeopathic treatment for hyperthyroidism?
Posted by: munya (IP Logged)
Date: September 2, 2009 03:51PM
I have been trying to figure out how to treat my cat who is diabetic, and who recently developed hyperthyroidism after a scary episode (open-mouthed panting, fever, racing heart, disorientation). She had been taking Tapazole for about 2 weeks, but then became very nauseous and stopped eating. I stopped giving her insulin because it would be dangerous with the absence of food, and I stopped giving her the Tapazol because she couldn't keep it down.
For the last week I have been trying to stabilize her, giving her fluids and feeding her anything she will eat. I am also giving her an appetite supplement, Cyproheptadine, but she is not looking too good. Today I found out that her white blood cell count is very low, so giving her any Tapazole in the future might be dangerous. I am reluctant to try surgery or radioactive treatment, as she is already 16 years old.
I have spoken to a few vets throughout this whole process, and we have taken x-rays and many blood samples, and yet no one can really figure out how to properly treat her. Now they are suggesting an MRI, a biopsy, and an ultrasound, but but my cat is becoming more and more nervous with each veterany visit, and I am reluctant to subject her to so many tests.
I am wondering if there are some alternative medicines I can try, or if anyone has had this sort of reaction from their diabetic/hyperthyroid kitties?
Munya
Re: natural/homeopathic treatment for hyperthyroidism?
Posted by: Jen & Squeak (IP Logged)
Date: September 2, 2009 04:01PM
The two diseases are mutually exclusive from my understanding...
Have you continued to not give insulin? Are you testing blood glucose levels at home as well as urine for ketones? If you aren't treating her diabetes these may become huge issues for her, and may be contributing to her inappetance, vomitting and lethargy.....
Re: natural/homeopathic treatment for hyperthyroidism?
Posted by: munya (IP Logged)
Date: September 2, 2009 04:12PM
We tested for ketones and there was nothing; I am monitoring her blood sugar levels, and she needs to be given insulin, but my vet has told me not to give it to her until her appetite is regulated, otherwise she may become hypoglycemic.
Re: natural/homeopathic treatment for hyperthyroidism?
Posted by: Jen & Squeak (IP Logged)
Date: September 2, 2009 04:17PM
well, your vet is sort of right but if she is no longer nauseous I'd be force feeding plain chicken babyfood and giving small amounts of insulin. Those bgs have to come down and they may be the reason she's not eating...
Re: natural/homeopathic treatment for hyperthyroidism?
Posted by: tuckers mom (IP Logged)
Date: September 2, 2009 04:17PM
What are her BGs?
If she is eating, giving her insulin will only help her feel better. When the BGs are off, the kitty feels very sick. Keep testing for Ketones, just because she didn't have the one time, doesn't mean she wont. Especially if she's not getting insulin.
Regarding HyperT, have you checked Feline Outreach education page?
[www.felineoutreach.org]
Lots of good info.
I use Tap, I do not recommend the surgery as I did that with my Spunky and her HyperT came back within a year.
Maybe tapazole in the transdermal gel would be better, that gets rubbed in the ear. It may not cause the same issues. I'm not all that sure as I give the oral meds to my HyperTs.
Jennifer
Tucker DX 9/05, IBD/Pancreatitis - Remission 6/24/06; 8/7/07 FD again
Sadie (GA) adopted 2/21/06, previously DX - passed peacefully on 9/15/07 from CHF
Misty (GA) adopted 4/11/06, previously DX - passed peacefully on 2/6/09 possibly from cancer or fatty liver
Tucker 
Sadie (GA) 
Misty (GA)
Tucker's Spreadsheet
Re: natural/homeopathic treatment for hyperthyroidism?
Posted by: Cassandra and Sasha (IP Logged)
Date: September 2, 2009 04:53PM
There are some Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas for Hyper-T, but you would need to see a holistic vet in order to get the best diagnosis for them. However, I do believe that most TCM and homeopathic treatments for Hyper-T are meant for situations which the Hyper-T is mild, which does not sound like this case as there has already been respiratory and heart involvement.
The transdermal Tapazole gel would be a solution if your kitty is having problems with the oral form, although the meds in both forms would have the potential to cause the leukopenia (low white cell counts). Some cats with untreated Hyper-T also can develop a similar complication. Was the CBC done before the Tapazole was started normal?
Please don't rule out the I-131 treatment just because your kitty is 16. I had Sasha treated with the I-131 last year at age 16 and she has done wonderfully since, even despite other diseases. If your kitty is not tolerating the Tapazole, for whatever reason, the I-131 may be the best choice.
Hyper-T does also have the potential to increase BGs and cause insulin resistance, so treating the diabetes at this point is even more critical since the BGs are most likely also being impacted by the Hyper-T.
ETA: You may also want to check out the Yahoo Feline Hyper-T group. It is a great resource: [pets.groups.yahoo.com]
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Sasha's Labs