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Cat Forum / General Topics / January 2004advice on Hyperthyroidism HELP!
My cat "Suki" has been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. They quoted me a cost of 1,200.00 for treatment. I cannot afford this amount. The treatment will be done at "another" location and my doctor didn't know if any arraignments could be worked out on the cost. Any thoughts, advice, suggestions? I love my gal and would do anything for her. Dave send to: zanoni1@bellsouth.net Dave at zanoni1@bellsouthREMOVE.net wrote on1/19/04 7:31 PM: > My cat "Suki" has been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. > They quoted me a cost of 1,200.00 for treatment. I cannot afford this [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > zanoni1@bellsouth.net This situation is screaming, "Second opinion!" This expensive treatment may be well worth the cost, but if you don't have the money, well, you just don't. My assumption is that, for that price, they want to surgically remove the thyroid gland, then replace the thyroid hormone with medication. If this is in fact the best option, there will surely be someone willing to work with you on a payment plan. Talk to the doctor to whom you are being referred, talk to your local veterinary association, talk to the nearest vet school, etc. Also, go on line and search out everything you can find about treatment options for her particular condition. People with overactive thyroids are often managed with medication only. There are a few posters here who seem to be very knowledgeable in veterinary medicine -- hope you get some other responses, too.  SignatureDiana http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-portaltomypages oh yea.. this does sound like a case of a second opinion. There are medications that can compensate for the malfunctioning thyroid, so removal isn't always necessary. any time a doctor recommends a disgustingly expensive procedure with out explaining it all to you and helping you find a solution that works for you, I would recommend talking to another clinic/hospital/vet > My cat "Suki" has been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. > They quoted me a cost of 1,200.00 for treatment. I cannot afford this [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > zanoni1@bellsouth.net The vet told me that the treatment is radioactive injections which means Suki will be hospitalized for 4 days. What I didn't mention is that Suki has an bladder infection and is being treated with antibiotics. A second opinion is a must! I would think that an infection in the body could screw-up a test on another part...right? possible? either way I will continue to treat the infection and then have her re-tested at another vet. Thank you all for your advice. We gotta keep the true innocent ones happy and healthy! >My cat "Suki" has been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. >They quoted me a cost of 1,200.00 for treatment. I cannot afford this [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >zanoni1@bellsouth.net Dave at zanoni1@bellsouthREMOVE.net wrote on1/20/04 5:36 PM: > The vet told me that the treatment is radioactive injections which > means Suki will be hospitalized for 4 days. What I didn't mention is [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Thank you all for your advice. We gotta keep the true innocent ones > happy and healthy! Right you are, Dave -- on all counts. A test should always be repeated if a major treatment is being considered. After all, the labs can make mistakes. I would never do something major to my cats (or myself!) without a second blood test to confirm the first. Then, of course you and your vet(s) need to discuss risk vs. risk (of treatment vs. no treatment) and cost/benefit regarding treatment. Fortunately, you have some time to do this -- no emergency here, I would assume. Just focus on getting her infection cleared up, and on how to prevent future bladder problems, for the moment. Best of luck. Let us know the outcome. SignatureDiana http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-portaltomypages > The vet told me that the treatment is radioactive injections which > means Suki will be hospitalized for 4 days. What I didn't mention is [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Thank you all for your advice. We gotta keep the true innocent ones > happy and healthy! why don't they just remove the thyroid? > My cat "Suki" has been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. > They quoted me a cost of 1,200.00 for treatment. I cannot afford this [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > zanoni1@bellsouth.net >> My cat "Suki" has been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. >> They quoted me a cost of 1,200.00 for treatment. I cannot afford this [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >> >> zanoni1@bellsouth.net Yes - get a second opinion. >>> My cat "Suki" has been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. >>> They quoted me a cost of 1,200.00 for treatment. I cannot afford this >>> amount. The treatment will be done at "another" location and my doctor >>> didn't know if any arraignments could be worked out on the cost. >>> Any thoughts, advice, suggestions? I love my gal and would do anything >>> for her. And what are they going to do for this $1,200? My suggestion is run, not just walk to another vet. I have a number of relatives who have Hyperthyroidism, they just take medication once a day. Further my understanding is there is no "treatment" that can be done except to take medication which is a lot less than $1200.00 Treatment options for hyperthyroidism include antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine, and surgery. In most cases, one or more of these treatments reduce or eliminate symptoms. Because hyperthyroidism may return after successful treatment, it is important that your thyroid hormone levels be checked regularly. From Web MD: Treatment options for hyperthyroidism include antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine, and surgery. In most cases, one or more of these treatments reduce or eliminate symptoms. Because hyperthyroidism may return after successful treatment, it is important that your thyroid hormone levels be checked regularly. The majority of time it is medication, something like surgery is an absolute last resort. I've found the same to be true of cats with Hyperthyroidism. -------------------------------------------- "It took us 15 years to McGyver this thing." -------------------------Carter on Stargate To send me e-mail exorcise NO Spam from my e-mail address. Hi! I'm a "newbie" here. Hope that's o.k.? Dave, I had to put down my 20yr. old cat last yr. She had hyperthyroidism for about 6 or 7 yrs. I didn't see you mention how old your cat was. Normally, if it's an "older" cat, they don't recommend surgery or the treatment you had mentioned. Those treatments are done most often in an otherwise "healthy, younger" cat. In an older cat, medication would be the way to go. Not a cure with the meds, but a way to "manage" the situation. My cat did pretty well with the meds for several years. The hyperthyroidism is not why I ultimately had to put her down. She had begun to have seizures around 18yrs., which is not uncommon in "old" cats. We were able to control that with phenobarbitol. Then, at the very end, she had problems with balance & walking. I thought she was actually in pain & quality of life wasn't there. So, she made it to 20, which I think was pretty good. I'm not an authority on this stuff. Can only tell you what my vet told me & what my experience is. I agree with the other posters about that 2nd opinion. Good Luck! Janet >Hi! I'm a "newbie" here. Hope that's o.k.? >Dave, I had to put down my 20yr. old cat [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] >about that 2nd opinion. Good Luck! >Janet Good advice -- the thyroid pills are not expensive either. I can't remember the name of the med my cat was on. I think the cost was about $10/month. To me, it was well worth it. I actually expected it to be alot more. I'm in Illinois. Janet |
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