Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Cat was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism this past weekend. She was started on Tapazole 5mg twice a day since Tuesday night. She is not eating at all. I have tried tuna, baby food, I don't know what to do. She is drinking. Has anyone come across this problem before? What should I do? Help, I'm so worried about my cat.

Thanks, Judy

Hi Judy,

Loss of appetite is not unusual for cats on Tapazole. It's hard on the stomach and ideally should only be given with food.
I would not give the medication to a cat that isn't eating.

Please ask your vet about stopping the Tapazole for a few days, until your baby is eating well, then re-starting the drug at a lower dose. This will enable your kitty's body to adjust to the drug easier. Then the dose could be gradually increased again, and hopefully she will do well. I highly recommend that you only give the Tapazole when she is eating. With my hyperthyroid cat, I medicate her at mealtimes. She has never had a problem with her appetite since she has been treated.

Now, some cats may not be able to tolerate oral Tapazole at all, but the drug can be made into a transdermal gel that is absorbed through the skin. It's more expensive and doesn't seem to control the disease quite as well, but it doesn't affect the GI tract at all.

Take care, and please keep us updated.

PHKitkat

Thanks for your help! I spoke to my vet and she suggested I use Hills A/D food and mix it with warm water and feed her with an oral syringe. I did that just now, but I don't know how often I should do that. My cat didn't enjoy that either. She said if that doesn't get her started we may have to try other things to help get her appetite back. She didn't want me to stop or cut back on the Tapazole.

Judy

I just wanted to let you know, she is eating. Thank God! The Hills A/D is working. I mixed it with a little bit of tuna and she's eating.

Thanks for all your help!

Judy

Hi Judy,

You are very welcome.

Thanks for the update. I'm so glad that your baby is eating now!

PHKitkat