Are methimazole and Felimazole the same?
Only one drug, Felimazole Coated Tablets (methimazole), is FDA-approved to treat hyperthyroidism in cats. Approved by FDA in May 2009, Felimazole contains methimazole as the active ingredient.
How much Felimazole should I give my cat?
Felimazole Dosage and Administration The starting dose of Felimazole Coated Tablets is 2.5 mg administered every 12 hours. Following 3 weeks of treatment, the dose should be titrated to effect based on individual serum total T4 (TT4) levels and clinical response. Dose adjustments should be made in 2.5 mg increments.
How to dose and monitor hyperthyroid cats on methimazole?
How to Dose and Monitor Hyperthyroid Cats on Methimazole Antithyroid drugs, including methimazole and carbimazole, are medications that treat an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) by blocking the thyroid gland’s ability to make thyroid hormone.
What are the AAFP guidelines for feline hyperthyroidism?
2016 AAFP Guidelines for the Management of Feline Hyperthyroidism Hazel C Carney DVM MS DABVP (Canine/Feline) Co-Chair WestVet Emergency and Specialty Center, 5019 North Sawyer Avenue, Garden City, ID 83617, USA Email: [email protected] Cynthia R Ward VMD PhD DACVIM Co-Chair
What happens when a cat is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism can produce behavior changes such as increased activity and restlessness, and sometimes even aggressiveness. Your cat’s fur will start looking greasy and unkempt. 4. How is hyperthyroidism in cats diagnosed?
How is radioactive iodine used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats?
Medication and radioactive iodine therapy are just as effective at treating hyperthyroidism in cats as surgery and are less invasive, so surgical treatment is rarely chosen for treating this condition. Certain studies suggest that in some hyperthyroid cats, limiting the amount of iodine in the diet may be a viable option for treating this disease.
How is methimazole used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats?
Marketed under the brand name Tapazole for people and Felimazole for cats, methimazole inhibits thyroid hormone synthesis. Cats with hyperthyroidism, or too much thyroid hormone, usually have a benign tumor on their thyroid glands, located in the neck.
Are there any medications for cats with hyperthyroidism?
One way to treat a cat with hyperthyroidism is with an oral medication that contains methimazole. The medication can be given life-long or to stabilize the cat before other treatment options, such as radioactive iodine therapy or surgery. For years, there was no methimazole product approved to treat hyperthyroidism in cats in the United States.
Can a cat with kidney disease take Felimazole?
Veterinarians should carefully monitor cats with kidney disease that are receiving Felimazole. Older cats often have both hyperthyroidism and kidney disease, and treating these cats is a delicate balancing act.
Can you give a 17 year old cat methimazole?
Yes, if your cat had underlying, concurrent kidney disease (not unusual in a 17-year old cat), then giving methimazole could unmask the kidney disease. This is especially true if the methimazole dosage was too high, leading to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
