Help Cure Stitch's Hyperthyroidism
Donation protected
My name is Allison, and I am guardian to three amazing rescue cats. Littermates and bonded pair Lilo and Stitch are 15, and Tonks is 5. I made an emergency exit from a bad living situation in December of 2019, and we now temporarily live with kind friends who took us in.
A couple of months ago, I realized that Stitch had lost weight. I also found out that he had been howling for up to two hours after I left for work. I increased his food, added CBD oil to his breakfast, and started him back on Prozac. It seemed to help. However, a couple of weeks ago I realized that Stitch was drinking FAR more water than usual. Concerned, I made a vet appointment.
At the appointment, Dr. Echentile told me that Stitch had lost 1.6 pounds: a huge amount for a cat as tiny as Stitch! Dr. E suspected hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, or diabetes. My heart sank. One of my childhood kitties wasted away from hyperthyroidism and kidney disease, and there was nothing I could do. It was heartbreaking to watch. I will NOT allow that to happen to one of my babies.
On Friday, November 13th, Dr. E called with test results. Stitch has hyperthyroidism.
According to Cornell University, feline hyperthyroidism is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormones from an enlarged thyroid gland. The enlargement is usually caused by a benign tumor. Thyroid hormones affect nearly all organs, so the disease often causes secondary issues. The heart and kidneys are especially susceptible.[1]
Dr. E decided to put Stitch on felimazole to control his thyroid hormones. He warned me too that once the hyperthyroidism is under control, it can unmask other issues such as kidney disease. Stitch will return for a blood test in four weeks to see if the dosage is correct and to find out whether there are any other issues.
Although it is possible to control Stitch's hyperthyroidism with medication, I have determined that radioactive iodine treatment is the best solution.
1.) Felimazole has many side effects such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, itchiness, vomiting, and liver and kidney issues.[2] Stitch already has IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), has the very earliest stage of kidney disease (this is normal for a cat his age), and is a chronic overgroomer. It would be difficult to know whether to attribute symptoms to side effects or to existing issues.
2.) The Feline Hyperthyroidism Treatment Center (the folks who will treat Stitch) estimates the conservative annual cost of treating a cat with hyperthyroidism with medication at $600/year.[3] This covers medication and blood tests. It assumes that Stitch does NOT experience any medication side effects or secondary issues. On the other hand, radioactive iodine treatment costs $1350-1650 plus requires two follow-up blood tests. Based on Stitch's test results, it would likely cost closer to $1350. The radioactive iodine treatment pays for itself in about three years.
3.) Radioactive iodine treatment is noninvasive. It's just an injection followed by an average 2-3 day hospital stay.
4.) Radioactive iodine treatment IS A CURE. At the treatment center that will treat Stitch, they have a 98.5% cure rate after a single injection, and a 99.8% cure rate if a second injection is required.[3] If a second injection is required, it is free.
I'm asking for help. I cannot afford to do this on my own at present. The sooner Stitch is cured, the less chance he'll develop secondary issues. I've secured $800 in Care Credit to help, but that is only enough for blood tests and exams. Stitch requires at least one set of blood tests to check medication efficacy; a one month follow-up exam and tests after the radioactive iodine treatment; and a three month follow-up exam and tests. If I can't get him in quickly, he'll require another set of blood tests prior to the treatment to ensure they use the correct dosage, plus a microchip feeder to ensure he's eating the proper amount of food.
Please help me get my sweet boy cured of hyperthyroidism. Stitch is my friend, sidekick, and snuggle bug. He and his sister Lilo are the very definition of a bonded pair. Little sister Tonks looks up to Stitch (when they aren't teasing each other half to death ) and still has so much to learn from him. We'd all be lost without him.
A couple of months ago, I realized that Stitch had lost weight. I also found out that he had been howling for up to two hours after I left for work. I increased his food, added CBD oil to his breakfast, and started him back on Prozac. It seemed to help. However, a couple of weeks ago I realized that Stitch was drinking FAR more water than usual. Concerned, I made a vet appointment.
At the appointment, Dr. Echentile told me that Stitch had lost 1.6 pounds: a huge amount for a cat as tiny as Stitch! Dr. E suspected hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, or diabetes. My heart sank. One of my childhood kitties wasted away from hyperthyroidism and kidney disease, and there was nothing I could do. It was heartbreaking to watch. I will NOT allow that to happen to one of my babies.
On Friday, November 13th, Dr. E called with test results. Stitch has hyperthyroidism.
According to Cornell University, feline hyperthyroidism is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormones from an enlarged thyroid gland. The enlargement is usually caused by a benign tumor. Thyroid hormones affect nearly all organs, so the disease often causes secondary issues. The heart and kidneys are especially susceptible.[1]
Dr. E decided to put Stitch on felimazole to control his thyroid hormones. He warned me too that once the hyperthyroidism is under control, it can unmask other issues such as kidney disease. Stitch will return for a blood test in four weeks to see if the dosage is correct and to find out whether there are any other issues.
Although it is possible to control Stitch's hyperthyroidism with medication, I have determined that radioactive iodine treatment is the best solution.
1.) Felimazole has many side effects such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, itchiness, vomiting, and liver and kidney issues.[2] Stitch already has IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), has the very earliest stage of kidney disease (this is normal for a cat his age), and is a chronic overgroomer. It would be difficult to know whether to attribute symptoms to side effects or to existing issues.
2.) The Feline Hyperthyroidism Treatment Center (the folks who will treat Stitch) estimates the conservative annual cost of treating a cat with hyperthyroidism with medication at $600/year.[3] This covers medication and blood tests. It assumes that Stitch does NOT experience any medication side effects or secondary issues. On the other hand, radioactive iodine treatment costs $1350-1650 plus requires two follow-up blood tests. Based on Stitch's test results, it would likely cost closer to $1350. The radioactive iodine treatment pays for itself in about three years.
3.) Radioactive iodine treatment is noninvasive. It's just an injection followed by an average 2-3 day hospital stay.
4.) Radioactive iodine treatment IS A CURE. At the treatment center that will treat Stitch, they have a 98.5% cure rate after a single injection, and a 99.8% cure rate if a second injection is required.[3] If a second injection is required, it is free.
I'm asking for help. I cannot afford to do this on my own at present. The sooner Stitch is cured, the less chance he'll develop secondary issues. I've secured $800 in Care Credit to help, but that is only enough for blood tests and exams. Stitch requires at least one set of blood tests to check medication efficacy; a one month follow-up exam and tests after the radioactive iodine treatment; and a three month follow-up exam and tests. If I can't get him in quickly, he'll require another set of blood tests prior to the treatment to ensure they use the correct dosage, plus a microchip feeder to ensure he's eating the proper amount of food.
Please help me get my sweet boy cured of hyperthyroidism. Stitch is my friend, sidekick, and snuggle bug. He and his sister Lilo are the very definition of a bonded pair. Little sister Tonks looks up to Stitch (when they aren't teasing each other half to death ) and still has so much to learn from him. We'd all be lost without him.
Any money that exceeds treatment cost will be put toward Stitch's follow-up exams and tests. Thank you for your support!
SOURCES
[1]https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hyperthyroidism-cats
[2]https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/hyperthyroidism-cats-theres-fda-approved-drug-treat-it#effects
[3]https://www.felinehtc.com/treatment-options
SOURCES
[1]https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hyperthyroidism-cats
[2]https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/hyperthyroidism-cats-theres-fda-approved-drug-treat-it#effects
[3]https://www.felinehtc.com/treatment-options
Organizer
Allison Wintrip
Organizer
Everett, WA
