my 13 year old female cat has enlarged thyroid glands?

Question

vet wants to remove them at the cost of $1200 and there would be a very high risk that my cat could die and then there is medication that she can be put on for the rest of her life that costs $30 per month. the vet really wants to do the operation instead and we can't afford it but we can afford the pills.

Answer 1

While the surgery is the optimal correction for this procedure, many owners choose to manage hyperthyroid by medication. That is just fine as long as its controlling your cats symptoms. You may also want to call around town and find out if any of the vets in your area are liscenced to do radioactive iodine treatments, those usually work very well for these cats. Im not sure what the cost would be, definetly cheaper than surgery. If your have a exclusively feline practice in your area they could probably refer you to someone who could tell you more.

Answer 2

When I did the radio-iodine threatment for my cat seven years ago it was $1200 and she had to stay an extra week. The price has dropped considerably and I am hearing $700-800 now. That is the optimum treatment. I wouldn't let a vet touch the cat with a scalpel unless he is top-notch and very few vets get that kind of experience in a general practice.

Do not feel guilty about not paying for the surgery. You have the chance now to get your cat stabilized on the medication, find out if there are radiation treatment centers near you, what the cost would be and do it when you can - next year will be fine.

The medication will help your cat get much better and I would not hesitate to use it for even up to two years. It can have some adverse effects if used over too long a term and you still have time to make constructive plans for the radiation in the future.

I understand there is a special credit card for veterinary expense which vets accept. I can't give you the name unfortunately and another poster may be able to do that for you.

Answer 3

my cat also has hyperthyroidism and is currently on medication.

2 things,

1- there is another treatment, but it must be performed by a specialist that involves iodine injections.

2- the pills are only supposed to be temporary to get your cats levels back up. The pills are given twice a day, everyday, for the rest of her life, and cats don't usually like being pilled, and the ones that don't mind it, won't usually tolerate it everyday, twice a day, for the next 7+ years of your cats life.

Trust me... the iodine treatment is a better option and usually costs less, and is less risky.

the surgery, while risky, there is always a risk any time you put an animal under anesthesia, they have to mention the dangers and risks for legal reasons, but i would not anticipate any problems.

There are blood tests that your vet will run prior to performing the surgery that will tell him how safe/what precautions that need to be taken.

13 is old, but not that old for a cat. if your cat was 17, then yes, that is older and could involve more risk.

also, talk with your vet about making payment arrangements. maybe he will let you pay 50% now, and the rest later, or make payments weekly prior to performing the surgery.

but pilling cats everyday, 2 times a day for several years is not a successful plan for long term treatments.

Answer 4

Well, if you can't afford the surgery then you surely can't afford radio-iodine, which usually costs considerably more. That leaves medication.

All three treatments work, so I don't know why your vet is pushing surgery over medication. A small percentage of cats have trouble with the meds, but that risk is probably no greater than the risk of surgery for a high-risk surgery patient.

But... your vet may have a reason for not wanting to put this particular kitty on the medication, so you should ask about that.

Answer 5

all you can do is what you can. don't beat yourself up over it, at least you have taken your cat to the vet and are willing to try something. try the pills and see if they help, if not then possibly see if you can afford the surgery. it sounds like you are doing everything you can, and that's all anyone can ask. now there is a company called care credit that you can apply for. it's like a credit card for you pet's medical expense. you can try that route also. good luck.

Answer 6

Making dietary changes is your first line of defense in treating hypothyroidism. Learn here https://tr.im/oI77d

Many people with hypothyroidism experience crippling fatigue and brain fog, which prompts reaching for non-nutritional forms of energy like sugar and caffeine. I’ve dubbed these rascals the terrible twosome, as they can burn out your thyroid (and destabilize blood sugar).

1. Just say no to the dietary bungee cord. Greatly reduce or eliminate caffeine and sugar, including refined carbohydrates like flour, which the body treats like sugar. Make grain-based carbohydrates lesser of a focus, eating non-starchy vegetables to your heart’s content.

2. Up the protein. Protein transports thyroid hormone to all your tissues and enjoying it at each meal can help normalize thyroid function. Proteins include nuts and nut butters; quinoa; hormone- and antibiotic-free animal products (organic, grass-fed meats, eggs, and sustainably-farmed fish); and legumes.

Answer 7

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