Hi guys
It has been a very long time since I've posted but you have all helped me through very difficult times in my life. Unfortunately, I am again at one of those times. My 12 yo Siamese, Simon, is not doing well. He is insulin dependent x 3 years and is now hyperthyroid. He is literally skin and bones. He thinks he is starving 24 hrs a day. He gets 3 units every 12 hours and never seems satifified. I know it's unhealthy to feed him constantly but he is seriously SOOO hungry. Our extremely trusted vet (who saved his life) says thyroid meds would mess with his insulin levels and his insulin levels mess with his thyroid. Does anyone have any advice? Ive had my sweet boy since he was 6 weeks old and bottle fed him and taught him to use the litter box and how to be a kitty . I need help. Love and appreciation in advance
I think it may be more important to focus on the hyperthyroidism and getting his levels at a therapeutic level moreso than focusing on the diabetes at this point (as long as his glucose levels can be in as optimal a range as possible), ask your vet about this. Yes, nearly any other health condition can affect the diabetes, but hopefully you can keep his glucose levels under control.
Ask your vet about which type of diet is more beneficial for Simon, one to keep him satiated, if it might have to be changed to help give more calories, for example, you can adjust his insulin if necessary. If you test glucose at home, that would help considerably so you have a daily baseline (glucose level and peak times) to aid you when transitioning to a new diet - but you have to work with your vet extremely closely when doing this (to avoid hypoglycemia).
If Simon isn't a candidate for surgery or radioiodine treatment, the Hill's Rx YD (thyroid care), might be an option, but if chosen, he cannot eat anything BUT the YD food - some cats are managed well on the diet, and may not need thyroid medication while on the diet, please ask your vet if this would be appropriate for Simon. The downside to the diet is not all cats find it palatable.
Ideally, I think if your vet can come up with an appropriate diet, it will play a major role in managing both conditions, as long as his thyroid levels are therapeutic, and as long as his insulin is adjusted properly, then it might be possible to manage both, and still keep him satiated as well as keep his nutrition optimal. Remember though, if the YD diet is chosen, you also have to be careful with other medications, treats, supplements etc so they don't offset the iodine levels in the food. Otherwise, please talk to your vet about a diet that will help add calories, with good digestibility, and that won't raise his glucose levels considerably (again, this is where glucose testing at home would be ideal - follow your vet's advice precisely with this).
If you're already feeding Simon an Rx diabetic diet and if his glucose is regulated well, I don't think it would be harmful to simply feed him a bit more, or something like smaller meals more often, you can ask your vet about that option as well, especially if his thyroid is already at a therapeutic level, you can test his glucose before and/or after each meal as you do this, but only do this on strict advice from your vet.
. I need help. Love and appreciation in advance