Alternative hypothyroid medicine?

Best Answer

You can get the meds compounded as a transdermal gel that you rub on the inside of your cats ear and the meds get absorbed through the skin. This often causes less sickness / stomach upset than taking the methimazole as pills. If the vet can't provide the transdermal gel version ask them to write you a prescription taht you can take to a local compounding pharmacy.

There's also another treatmement option called radioactive Iodine 131. This is only done at specialist vets but there is probably one in your area. Make sure you find a place that does an initial scan to calculate the correct I131 dose. The way it works is that hyperthyroidism is caused by small growths on the thyroid and they absorb iodine. The vet will inject a dose of radioactive iodine 131 and it is absorbed by the growths on the thyroid and kills off the tissue that produces the excess thyroid hormone. Cats need to stay in isolation for 3-7 days til the radiation levels is safe and the cost is ~$1100.

Sassy answered on Nov 15th.