Hyperthyroidism in cats

Question
Hi, my 11 year old male cat was just diagnosed as hyperthyroid.
I've started feeding him Hills y/d food while I decide whether to have the radioactive treatment.
My cat seems perfectly healthy except that he has lost a few pounds, but he was overweight to begin with. Is it possible that he may have been misdiagnosed & should I consider getting a second opinion?

Thank you,
Holly

Answer
Your cat may seem perfectly healthy but so why did you take him to the vet in the first place and end up with this diagnosis?

What I mean is this; he must have had some symptoms to make you feel that he needed to see a vet. Perhaps he was hungry all of the time, the weight loss, and other symptoms that he may have been showing. Usually cats with hyperthyroidism are pretty vocal, want to eat constantly, have a mussed up looking hair coat along the midline top of their backs (not all cats get that), and their heart rate is racing.

I am not saying that you shouldn't get a second opinion if you'd like, but this disease is not hard to diagnose with these symptoms and the proper blood work.And unfortunately it's pretty common.

The treatment here is the best one simply because you don't have to deal with medication that is costly, messy and usually makes the cat sick every day.

If you don't feel comfortable with the first diagnosis, then by all means get a second opinion with a trusted vet. But I would stick to your first vet afterward for treatment.

I hope that you cat does well!!