By Steve Dale
Tribune Media Services
Q: Our 15-year-old cat has been diagnosed with a hyperthyroid condition. The vet says we can choose from three treatments. Is this accurate, and if so, do you have any advice? — N.Z., Atlanta, GA
A: You do, indeed, have three choices. Feline veterinarian Dr. Drew Weigner, of Atlanta, outlines the options:
1. Surgery. This can cure your cat. However, with any surgery there’s some potential for complications. Hyperthyroid cats tend to be older, and surgery may not be the best option for frail cats with additional illnesses. Clearly, this is the most invasive choice.
2. Radioactive Iodine. Your cat would be injected with a radioactive substance, which destroys most of the thyroid gland. What little of the thyroid tissue remains is plenty for most cats to function just fine. While this treatment seldom has complications or side-effects, the cat must be away from home anywhere from a day to several days (depending on what local laws dictate and the facility’s policy.) This treatment is considered curative.
3. Drug therapy. The human drug Tapazole (Methimazole) blocks the thyroid gland from producing too much hormone. Cats on this drug need to be monitored and must remain on the drug for life.
Tapazole is relatively inexpensive. Surgery or radioactive iodine will set you back $900 to $2,000. Weigner points out that realistically, the pills — which do work to control hyperthyroidism but won’t cure the disease — might be the most logical treatment choice for a frail 18-year-old cat. For a 10-year-old cat with at least several more good years, radioactive iodine might be the best choice.
As for pilling your cat, Weigner recommends custom compounding. Your veterinarian probably works with a compounder who can magically transform a bitter pill into a tuna-tasting treat. Or ask your veterinarian about a transdermal patch. Still, the dosage will need to be monitored.
One side note: Interestingly, surgery or radioactive iodine will cure your cat’s hyperthyroid disease, but in some cases, will then unmask underlying kidney disease. You have no choice; though; you have to do something. Left untreated, a hyperthyroid cat will die.
Q: My ex-girlfriend has two rabbits. Her roommate is bringing her two cats from home to live with her. The rabbits are kept in a large cage. How do cats and rabbits get along? What’s the best way to introduce rabbits to cats? — L.R., Chicago, IL
A: Pet cats are typically respectful of rabbits. “I think it’s because the rabbits move so differently than cats,” says Marcia Froelke Coburn, director of Red Door Animal Shelter in Chicago. The only exception may be cats who’ve been outdoors and have a history of taking down rabbits, or trying to.
The first few times you introduce these pets, keep the rabbits inside their hutch. Bring the cats into the same room and offer them some salmon or tuna. The idea is for the cats to associate the rabbits with something good.
Coburn says that in her experience, the cats aren’t as likely to threaten the rabbits as they are to wonder ‘what the heck are they?’ and scamper to the top of a piece of furniture where they can assess the situation from a safe distance. That’s what cats do. As for the rabbits, they instinctively tend to know their best defense is not to act afraid. As long as they act nonchalant about the feline visitors, the cats will more likely be respectful.
However, even if the cats and rabbits seem to be getting along just fine, adult supervision is a good idea for several months when they’re together. Otherwise, restrict the rabbits to their cage.
Q: My 6-year-old Australian Shepherd is in excellent health, except that any time she runs for any extended period she has problems with her left hind leg. She limps around for a couple of days, then seems fine. The leg appears to swell slightly. Could this be a trait of Australian Shepherds? I’ve spoken with other owners of the breed who report the same problem. What’s wrong with my dog? — M.G., Mount Peril, Newfoundland, Canada
A: It’s impossible to determine exactly what’s wrong without examining your dog. However, Dr. Tom Turner, a Berwyn, IL veterinarian with a special interest in orthopedic issues, has some ideas.
Based on your description, Turner says there could be a tear of the cruciate ligament. It’s likely this tear isn’t severe since your pooch only hobbles once in a while. Minor tears might heal on their own. However, cruciate tears may also worsen over time and require surgery. Your pooch could conceivably have hip dysplasia. Depending on the condition of the hip, you can deal with the problem with pain relief medication as needed or hip replacement surgery.
Turner says that despite your dog’s relatively young age, arthritis is possible since it may occur in conjunction with a cruciate tear or hip dysplasia. There’s no magic cure for arthritis, though acupuncture and pain relief medication might make life more comfortable for your dog.
Whether your dog’s problem is breed-related is impossible to say since Turner doesn’t know for certain what the problem is in the first place. Hip dysplasia, a tendency for cruciate problems and arthritis may all have a genetic predisposition, appearing in specific breeds (sometimes including Australian shepherds, but relatively infrequently) or appearing in specific family lines. Australian shepherds are generally athletic dogs. It’s more likely those limping Aussies you see are coincidental and their injuries occurred due to ‘sports injuries.’ Please see your veterinarian to diagnose your dog.
Weight loss might make your dog more comfortable.
Q: What is a calico cat? — F.S., Wichita, KS
A: A white cat with patches of red and black (white predominates on the underparts). Almost all calico cats are female. Mixed breeds may be calico, as well as many pedigreed varieties.
(Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can’t answer all of them individually, he’ll answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve’s website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated “Steve Dale’s Pet World” and “The Pet Minute.” He’s also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.