Hyperthyroid Cats and Transdermal Methimazole

How to apply the transdermal gel on a hyperthyroid cat, plus tips on cleaning the ears and avoiding problems with the syringe.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• hyperthyroid
• cat;feline
• hyperthyroid;cleaning
• cat's
• ears;
• hyperthryroid
• feline

[planetilex]

Thank you for this clear, calm, smart video. A week ago I began using transdermal Atenolol on a difficult cat, and had so many questions and concerns. Neither the vet & pharmacy mentioned regular cleaning. On the web there are differing opinions on frequency. Since she hates it and am worried about stressing her with her heart condition - if the build up is not great, is weekly (both ears 10 hours before dosing) ok?

[ginfor1]

@planetilex How often you need to clean is going to be a bit of an experiment because it varies from cat to cat. It also varies depending on the base the medcine is in and the strength of the dose. I'd try not to go more than 3-4 days if possible. I think you'll find that if you approach it as grooming, not medicine (shared time). She will eventually tolerate the whole process better. A couple of treats afterward doesn't hurt either.

[ginfor1]

And it wasn't a stupid question. HT in cats was only confirmed in the 70's...and the vet who did it is a member of the Yahoo group. Much is still being learned, and vets are often too busy to stay up to date. Some of the current understanding and protocols have come from info gathered by that group. It's tricky at first, but this can be coped with. Lance is going on 2 years since diagnosis, now past 17 years old.

[ginfor1]

The med is absorbed by the numerous blood vessels in the ear, helped by the base the med is in. Much easier than getting a pill in most cats and bypasses the digestive system...biggest potential side effect area with the pills. If vet says more than 1.25mg twice a day dose, it's too high. Please visit the feline hyperT group on Yahoo.

Twelve years accumulated experience there, biggest single source of info on the subject, links to more.

FDP

[ginfor1]

Your vet really should have explained things. However, most vets aren't really that familiar with hyperT and even less so with the transdermal....just things too new relatively speaking.

I really do suggest that you join the Yahoo group called feline-hyperT (not letting me add address).

They can probably answer a lot of questions that you don't even know you have. The group has been around for 11 years, which means a whole lot of HT cats have been discussed.

Forrest

[Shadepuppy]

I just read about transdermal option tonight and found your video here - excellent use of video for training and sharing information. Thanks for taking the time to set this up. Lance seems to be used to the treatment and accepting of it - as you explain, just make it like it's part of a loving grooming time together instead of a medical procedure. Hope he continues to do well.

[ibits44]

Thanks for taking the time to make and upload this video. It was a real help. You seem to have a pretty patient cat, and I'm sure your technique helps a lot too.

Thanks again!

[WHHS2001]

This is a stupid question but how does that work different from a pill? Because what putting something on their ear going to do? My cat took a blood test yesterday at the vets. They think she has thyroid problem. They haven't called yet but I'm sure its that. Because she lost a lot of weight and wanting to eat so much plus she's old. And I wanted to learn how to take care of her the best way and even the cheaper way if possible. 

[biggfoxy]

Thanks, I've applied it twice and was doing it wrong! I had a feeling there'd be a video to show me the right way, so thank you. I was just squirting it that little outer flap. I questioned what was really being absorbed....probably not much!

[mdawnt1]

Thanks for this very helpful video. Though vet prescribed transdermal meth, didn't get much info on how to administer.