Medication details
Hyperthyroidism in catsis the most common endocrine disorder found in domestic CT , particularly previous cats . It is most often diagnose in older felid ages 8 year and older .
Feline thyrotoxicosis is well-nigh always due to a benignant ( non - cancerous ) tumor of the thyroid gland gland . While it can also be triggered by cancerous thyroid tumors , thyroid carcinoma is far less vulgar in cats .
In both casing , veterinarians may advocate the medicinal drug methimazole to manage thyrotoxicosis in quat , alone or as part of a broader treatment plan .
What is Methimazole?
Methimazole is an antithyroid thioamide that inhibits the constitution of thyroid gland hormones . It is used to handle hyperthyroidism in both humans and brute .
Methimazole is useable in both brand name and generic formulations . Of the branded options , only the formulation that go by the brand name Felimazole is FDA - O.K. to plow thyrotoxicosis in cats . Felimazole was grant commendation by the FDA in May , 2009 .
Generic formulations of methimazole are considered excess - recording label , mean they can be used at the discernment of your veterinarian .
Is Methimazole Safe for Cats?
Yes , methimazole is safe for adult cats , as long as they are not pregnant or nursing .
Methimazole is available for use in cats only with a prescription drug from your vet . you could sate the prescription drug at a pharmacy or arrest with your veterinary clinic , as many keep methimazole in line .
Because methimazole is also used in world , it is generally wide available and inexpensive .
What Does Methimazole for Cats Look Like?
Methimazole come in liquid and pad of paper format for oral administration , as well as a transdermal colloidal gel that can be go for to and absorbed by a cat ’s skin .
Generic methimazole lozenge are small , round , and white . There may be imprinted letter on the tab . If there is a turn imprint on the tablet , it argue the strength of the pill . Felimazole make tablet are cake in a backbreaking , shiny scale , which may be pink or orangish , depend on the Cupid’s itch .
The transdermal conceptualisation of methimazole is a sticky gel that may come out clear or semitransparent . It come in a metered dispenser for more accurate dosing .
What Is Methimazole Used For in Cats?
Methimazole is used to treat thyrotoxicosis in cats , which come about when the thyroid secretory organ is overactive and develop more thyroid gland endocrine than a computed axial tomography ’s torso needs .
Thyroid hormones are creditworthy for managing a cat ’s metamorphosis , which is consanguineous to the “ energy engine ” of the feline body . When thyroid hormone levels are upgrade , it causes a cat ’s body to run in “ overdrive . ” This imbalance puts a Brobdingnagian strain on a cat ’s consistency and organs , which can cause severe illness , such as heart disease , and even death .
The most common symptom of hyperthyroidism report by cat parents isweight lossdespite an gain in appetence . Other signal of thyrotoxicosis in cats includevomiting , increasedthirstand micturition , and changes in behavior . Your veterinarian may also discover aheart murmur , increased roue pressure sensation , and enlargement of the thyroid gland .
How Does Methimazole Work?
thyrotoxicosis in cats is a progressive disease that requires lifelong management . As an antithyroid drug , Methimazole work by prevent the formation of thyroid hormones — specifically thyroxine ( T4 ) and triiodothyronine ( T3 ) . This action is dose - pendent , so it can be adjust to keep a cat ’s thyroid hormones at the optimum stratum .
alas , over meter , cats are likely to command more methimazole to do their thyrotoxicosis . Over many year , the medicinal drug may finally become ineffective or require a dose so high that it make undesirable side effect .
Although thyroid gland carcinoma is rare , cats treated for thyrotoxicosis are at increase risk of exposure for developing the cancerous disease .
How to Give Methimazole to Cats
There are two different ways to give methimazole : by oral cavity ( by word of mouth ) and on the skin ( transdermally ) .
Methimazole for Cats: Side Effects
There are many possible side effects of methimazole that you may notice at home . These include :
Cats are most likely to show augury of such side effects during the first month of handling , and these often conclude over clip .
Cats with gastrointestinal upset as a result of methimazole may tolerate transdermal formulations without side effects .
Changes to a cat ’s electric organ function may also occur , including inflammation of the liver ( hepatitis ) and decrease in kidney office . Although it is uncommon , some cats can develop descent abnormalities when exact methimazole , in which pillowcase the medicament should be discontinue .
Symptoms of Too Much Methimazole in Cats
It ’s authoritative to take down that any side core that may stem from giving your guy methimazole are not dose - dependant . That mean that you could not bank on symptoms of overdose to decide if your cat is taking too much of the drug .
thyroid gland values should be monitored on a regular basis by a veterinary surgeon to check that your cat ’s venereal infection is appropriate .
Reactions With Other Drugs and Medications
Administration of methimazole with phenobarbital or anticoagulant medication may decrease their efficaciousness . Some parasite preventatives should not be given with methimazole . Cats who are on some medications before starting methimazole may need to conform their Zen after their thyroid gland disease is controlled . These let in theophylline , blood pressure medications , and sure heart medicine .
Methimazole Dosage for Cats
Methimazole for cats is dose based on item-by-item response . Most cats are started on a low dose and increase slow following serial blood testing of thyroid levels . The goal is to keep total thyroid endocrine ( T4 ) within the normal image . There is no defined maximum VD for methimazole in cats . However , if methimazole is not effective for your kat , your vet may recommend alternative treatments .
What if My Cat Misses a Dose of Methimazole?
If your African tea overleap a dose of methimazole , give the next dose at the appropriate clock time . Do not double doses or give doses too near together to compensate for the omit dose .
If your cat-o'-nine-tails misses a Venus’s curse within 1 week of a planned thyroid gland story examination , alert your veterinarian as the missed dose may alter results .
Alternatives to Methimazole for Cats
If your cat formulate side gist from methimazole or their disorderliness does not respond to the medication , talk to your veterinary surgeon about alternative discourse for thyrotoxicosis . These include :
I-131 radiation – Injection of radioactive iodine that destroy the thyroid gland secretor . This treatment is used in both man and animals to bring around hyperthyroidism .
operative thyroidectomy – operating room to remove the hypertrophied thyroid gland , which eliminate the disease .
iodin - free diet – Therapeutic diet for cat-o'-nine-tails made without iodin and available by ethical drug only . This will not bring around thyrotoxicosis in Caterpillar , but can be used to bring off the disease supply hombre are restricted to a prescription , tincture of iodine - detached diet only .
Cost of Methimazole for Cats
Generic methimazole tablets are inexpensive and can be purchased now through your veterinarian or a prescription to a human pharmacy . A month of tablets will cost $ 5 - 50 .
Liquid and percutaneous formulation may be more expensive at $ 40 - 75 per month .
Methimazole Storage Instructions
Methimazole should be stack away at room temperature , out of direct sunlight , in a sealed container unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer .
