Does Therapy Eliminate Diarrhea In Cats With Hyperthyroidism?

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Hyperthyroidism is a common issue in cats, causing weight loss, increased appetite, changes in coat quality, and behavioral changes. Symptoms include wei, periodic vomiting or diarrhea, and unkempt fur. In some cases, anorexia develops as the disease progresses. Hyperthyroidism can lead to significant complications, such as hypertension. Treatment options for feline hyperthyroidism include medication, radioactive iodine therapy, surgery, and dietary therapy.

However, many cats are hesitant to undergo radiation therapy or surgery due to their advanced age. Other symptoms include anxiety, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst and urination. Overactive thyroid glands can push a cat’s body’s hormone levels, causing symptoms like anxiety, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst and urination.

The majority of cats with hyperthyroidism can be successfully treated, and most will make a complete recovery. As long as the hyperthyroidism is identified and treated early enough, most secondary complications can be reversed successfully. Treatment options include medication, iodine-restricted food, and surgical removal of the thyroid gland. In most cases, hyperthyroidism in cats can be successfully treated, allowing them to live a long and healthy life.

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Do methimazole side effects go away?

Other side effects of methimazole. Some side effects of methimazole may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

  • Abnormal loss of hair
  • changes in skin coloring
  • difficulty in moving
  • heartburn
  • joint pain or swelling
  • loss of taste
  • muscle pain, cramps, or stiffness
  • pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
Is diarrhea a side effect of thyroid medication?
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Is diarrhea a side effect of thyroid medication?

If you develop diarrhea during your treatment with levothyroxine, talk with your doctor. They may be able to suggest ways to lessen this side effect. For example, they may recommend an over-the-counter medication to treat diarrhea that’s severe or bothersome to you. An example is Imodium (loperamide).

For diarrhea remedies to try at home, see this article. Your doctor may also be able to suggest other at-home treatments for diarrhea.

You may have a headache from taking levothyroxine. Studies of levothyroxine reported this side effect but didn’t indicate how often it occurred.

Do cats with hyperthyroidism poop a lot?
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Do cats with hyperthyroidism poop a lot?

Increased metabolic rates speed up your cat’s bodily processes, which means that all their systems are essentially working overtime and can lead to physical changes like weight loss, changes in their gastrointestinal system, and even cardiovascular changes. Some of these changes are easier to observe than others.

Weight loss, for instance, can be seen and felt, but you might not notice that your cat is experiencing higher volumes of urine and poop unless you scoop the litter box on a daily basis. Weight loss in cats should always be taken seriously, as it is a noticeable sign of health problems.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism worsen over time. If left untreated, you may notice more serious signs as your cat’s condition progresses, such as sudden blindness caused by high blood pressure induced retinal detachment and congestive heart failure.

Cats develop hyperthyroidism most commonly in the middle to old age. In most cases, benign growths on the thyroid gland or glands, which enlarges the gland and stimulates increased production of thyroid hormones, causes hyperthyroidism.

How do I know if my cat’s thyroid medication is working?

Your veterinarian will check your pet’s blood prior to starting the medication and every 2–3 weeks for the first 3 months of therapy to check that the medication is working and also for adverse effects. Once dosing is stabilized, thyroid levels should be checked every 3-6 months.

How do you stop diarrhea in cats with hyperthyroidism?
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How do you stop diarrhea in cats with hyperthyroidism?

Treatments may include anxiolytics (to reduce anxiety), anti-emetics ( to reduce nausea), appetite stimulants, vitamins, probiotics and Imodium® for diarrhea, and subcutaneous fluids (for dehydration). Some cats need blood pressure or cardiac medications to lessen the risk of a cardiac event. Their needs may change from one day to the next.

We will absorb the cost of many of these additional treatments, with the exception of some injections, fluids, or dispensed meds.

We will give you an update on the phone every morning, with an overview. We will spare you the details of every little adjustment in nursing care, but keep you apprised of significant issues.

How do you stop diarrhea with hyperthyroidism?
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How do you stop diarrhea with hyperthyroidism?

To help prevent diarrhea as a result of hyperthyroidism, healthcare professionals may recommend medications like methimazole (Tapazole, Northyx) to slow down your bowel muscles.

Antithyroid medications help keep your thyroid from producing too much T4 and T3. Drugs like methimazole and propylthiouracil are considered safe for most people and can lower symptoms linked to hyperthyroidism.

For severe cases of hyperthyroidism, a doctor may suggest a thyroidectomy to remove part or all of your thyroid gland. Doctors usually recommend this procedure when other treatments haven’t worked or if thyroid nodules cause hyperthyroidism.

Treating hyperthyroidism can help you prevent diarrhea caused by hyperthyroidism.

How long does it take for hyperthyroid medicine to work in cats?

Methimazole inhibits the body’s production of thyroid hormones by interfering with some of the metabolic steps. It has no effect on pre-existing circulating or stored thyroid hormones and it has no effect on supplemented thyroid hormones. It can take 2-4 weeks before you notice a change in your cat’s symptoms.

How long will my cat have diarrhea after antibiotics?
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How long will my cat have diarrhea after antibiotics?

In the case of diarrhea caused by antibiotics or other medications that your cat is taking for a short time, you might just have to deal with diarrhea for a few days. If your cat has to take a medication for a long time that is causing this issue, your vet might choose to adjust the dosage or change to a different brand of medication. There are many ways to deal with diarrhea safely, but your vet will likely need to be involved to make sure that your cat is staying hydrated and that there are no other health issues causing diarrhea.

Are Kittens at Higher Risk?. Kittens are much more fragile than older cats when it comes to diarrhea. You will want to take a kitten with diarrhea to the vet right away to make sure that they do not need to be hydrated and treated for a serious ailment. Even parasites in a small kitten can kill them in a matter of days. You should never ignore diarrhea in very young cats because of the high risk to their overall well-being that can be caused by this issue.

Caring for Cats with Diarrhea Usually Involves a Trip to the Vet. Unless your cat has diarrhea for a day or so and seems to be eating and drinking, you will want to take your cat with diarrhea to the vet. There are many risks to cats who have become dehydrated such as kidney failure and liver failure. You will want to be certain that your cat is not seriously ill when it is showing signs of diarrhea and discomfort.

How long does it take for diarrhea to go away in cats?
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How long does it take for diarrhea to go away in cats?

What do you give a cat with diarrhea?. Mild diarrhea in an otherwise healthy adult cat may pass on its own within 24 hours. Provide plenty of clean, fresh water to combat dehydration caused by water lost in loose stools. Placing extra litter boxes around your home can also help prevent accidents due to an increased urgency to defecate. Do not fast your cat, change its diet, or give medications without your veterinarian’s approval.

When should I be concerned about my cat’s diarrhea?. A bout of mild diarrhea is not uncommon and may resolve on its own in an otherwise healthy adult cat. However, see a vet if diarrhea lasts longer than 24 hours, is accompanied by other symptoms, or occurs in a young kitten or a cat with another health condition. A small amount of fresh blood in diarrhea is normal due to irritation of the colon or rectum, but a large amount of fresh blood or the presence of digested blood in the stool is considered an emergency.

Why does my cat have diarrhea?. Diarrhea is a common symptom of many conditions. Common reasons for diarrhea in cats include suddenly changing their diet, dietary indiscretion, a food allergy or sensitivity, viral or bacterial infection, parasitic infection, or as a side effect of medication.

Is diarrhea a side effect of methimazole in cats?
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Is diarrhea a side effect of methimazole in cats?

Adverse Effects. Common. In cats, the most common side effects of methimazole/carbimazole administration are gastrointestinal (hyporexia to anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea). Most of the gastrointestinal side effects can be controlled by discontinuation of the medication and supportive care. Once the signs have resolved, the medication can be restarted at a lower dose and titrated upward to achieve the desired clinical and biochemical endpoints.

Severe. More severe side effects include lymphadenopathy, 7 hepatopathies, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and agranulocytosis, which are generally manifested within the first few months of treatment.

Uncommon. Less frequent events include facial pruritus, exfoliative dermatitis, myasthenia gravis, 8 and a bleeding disorder secondary to vitamin K antagonism.

How to stop diarrhea from levothyroxine?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How to stop diarrhea from levothyroxine?

If you develop diarrhea during your treatment with levothyroxine, talk with your doctor. They may be able to suggest ways to lessen this side effect. For example, they may recommend an over-the-counter medication to treat diarrhea that’s severe or bothersome to you. An example is Imodium (loperamide).

For diarrhea remedies to try at home, see this article. Your doctor may also be able to suggest other at-home treatments for diarrhea.

You may have a headache from taking levothyroxine. Studies of levothyroxine reported this side effect but didn’t indicate how often it occurred.


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Does Therapy Eliminate Diarrhea In Cats With Hyperthyroidism?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Elle Pierson

Hi, I’m Elle Pierson, RN, MBA—a passionate Healthcare Consultant dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve better health outcomes. As a TEDx Speaker, Author, and Mentor, I bring my expertise in medicine and healthcare management to help others navigate complex systems with confidence. My mission is to inspire change and create meaningful solutions in the world of healthcare. Thank you for joining me on this journey!

Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Executive MBA from Texas Woman’s University.
Email: [email protected]

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