My old cat with hyperthyroidism & diabetes can't walk. What to do?

Poor Willow! I'm sorry she hasn't been feeling well. Generally speaking, yes - it's perfectly fine for a cat to be on medication for hyperthyroidism as well as insulin for diabetes. These two illnesses are both common in older cats, so many cats are on treatment for both problems. But, it isn't normal for Willow to be acting tired and miserable since starting her thyroid medication - this indicates that something needs to be changed. Some cats get an upset stomach and don't feel well on the oral tablets, but may do better with a transdermal gel or other formulation. Other cats simply don't tolerate methimazole (the medication) well no matter what, so other treatment options may need to be discussed. In rare cases, we can see potentially serious side effects with this medication such as bone marrow suppression, which could also cause lethargy and weakness - so it would be a good idea to have blood work rechecked with your vet as well to make sure that this isn't the problem. I would recommend calling your vet today to discuss the issue and see what they would suggest as the next step.

Hi. I would be concerned about a neuropathy and that Missy isn't regulated well enough. I would recommend calling your veterinarian in the morning for a recheck and to check the glucose and discuss further testing. Another option is to get a second opinion. If she is wobbly, and weak, I would recommend the ER to get the glucose checked.

Poor Shadow! It's possible that he may have injured his back somehow, or he could have pain or stiffness due to arthritis. Some systemic illnesses, such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism, can also cause weakness and difficulty jumping or walking in older cats. It's good that you're planning to talk with your vet in the morning, since it sounds like Shadow really needs to be seen for an exam and some lab work to help determine the problem - most of these problems are very treatable once a diagnosis is made :)

I'm sorry to hear that this is going on with Virtue. My biggest concern would be that he has a developed a blood clot that has disturbed the blood flow to the back legs. This is unfortunately one of the common side effects of kidney disease and hypertension. I would recommend taking Virtue in to see your vet for a recheck as soon as possible. They will need to check his kidney values and see if they have worsened, check a blood pressure and may recommend starting Virtue on additional medication, such as aspirin, to help with the clots. There is a chance that this abnormal walking could be due to arthritis and aging. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

I'm sorry you lost your other cat and that Bird is now showing symptoms of another disease. The most common diseases in older cats are renal failure, hyperthyrodism and diabetes. It is really not a wise decision to give Bird any of the other cats medications. Just because you think she looks like she has symptoms of hyperthyroidism doesn't mean she actually has it. As a vet, I have been fooled many times. You could certainly kill her by doing this or make things worse. Even if she is hyperthyroid she may not need the same dose that the other cat was on. If she is that stressed getting to the vet I would ask your vet if they would be willing to make a house call to draw blood as that is the way to diagnose this issue. The other option is to find a mobile vet in your area that could come to your house. I hope this helps. If you have any additional questions please feel free to ask!

CJ really needs a vet visit when you can manage it. In older cats hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease are possibilities and require bloodwork to diagnose. The good news is many of the conditions can be treated or managed but you need a diagnosis in order to determine the best treatment. Some areas may have low cost clinics or many vets accept Care credit http://www.carecredit.com/apply/ I would contact local humane societies to see if they can offer any suggestions. Some have programs that may help with vet bills. Good luck and thank you for using PetCoach.

So sorry she is having these problems. It sounds like she should be re-examined by a veterinarian since her signs are not well managed. Your vet may need to add in a blood pressure medication and/or an anti-seizure medication, as well as adjust her thyroid medication. If your vet is not able to manage her disease than your could go to a different vet for a second opinion or even take her to a specialist for an evaluation. Please call your vet an give him/her an update.