Pharmacologic management of feline hyperthyroidism.
Radioiodine is considered the treatment of choice for hyperthyroidism, but in some situations, methimazole therapy is preferred, such as in cats with preexisting renal insufficiency. Unfavorable outcomes from methimazole are usually attributable to side effects, such as gastrointestinal upset, facial excoriation, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, or liver enzyme elevations. Because restoration of euthyroidism can lead to a drop in glomerular filtration rate, all cats treated with methimazole should be monitored with blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in addition to serum thyroxine (T(4)) and a complete blood cell count. Transdermal methimazole is associated with fewer gastrointestinal side effects and can be used in cats with simple vomiting or inappetence from oral methimazole. Hypertension may not resolve immediately when serum T(4) is normalized, and moderate to severe hypertension should be treated concurrently with atenolol, amlodipine, or an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.
Trepanier
Lauren A
LA
Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1102, USA. latrepanier@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
D000818:Animals; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008713:Methimazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D008713:Methimazole