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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

1541.0. "Thyroid Tumor?" by DELNI::SNAITH () Tue Jul 12 1988 13:25

    My 13 year old cat has been diagnosed as having a thyroid tumor,
    causing her to lose weight and to breathe rapidly.  The vet (normally
    not anxious to operate) recommends surgery, saying it has been very
    successful on other cats, of course there's always the risk... He
    said he never used to see these tumors but sees them all the time
    now in older cats.  He suspects it's environmental.
    
    Has anyone had experience with this problem.  Is there any other
    treatment, such as diet?  The vet also said the tumor may not be
    malignant, but in either case surgery has been the best route.
    
    Thanks for any info.
    
    Pam
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1541.1CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Tue Jul 12 1988 18:508
    I believe that in humans thyroid problems like this are treated
    very successfully with surgery.  My recollection is that in humans,
    tumors like this send the thyroid secretions out of whack.  The
    thyroid secretions are pretty important --  they affect metabolism,
    etc. 
    
    Please keep us informed about your baby.
    
1541.2ThanksDELNI::SNAITHFri Jul 15 1988 12:416
    Thanks for your support.  I'm scheduling her for surgery at the
    end of August, due to vacation schedules.  The vet said she was
    in good shape relative to other cats in this situation, so I'll
    hope for the best.
    
    Pam
1541.3MEMV03::HASTINGSFri Jul 15 1988 15:429
    My cat does not have a thyroid tumor but is on thyroid medication.
    My vet did not recommend surgery as long as the medication is working.
    If he does remove it, she will still have to be on medication for
    the rest of her life.  He seemed very optimistic that she would
    be fine if we choose to remove it so apparently kitties can do very
    nicely without it, as long as they are on medication.  Good luck
    and let us know how you make out.
    
    Diane
1541.4CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Fri Jul 15 1988 17:1911
    I may be wrong, but I think there are two ways the thyroid can be
    sent out of whack by a tumor -- over production and underproduction
    of whatever it is it produces.  Presumably underproduction might
    be treated by supplying a suppliment.  The tumor, however, can also
    be a physical problem as well, pressing on the innards of the throat.
  
    There is also the tiny chance that it is cancerous, in which case
    the sooner the better, but I believe that cancer is quite rare in
    thyroid tumors.  If your vet really suspected that, he probably
    would not have wanted to wait until the end of August.
    
1541.5Thyroid tumorDELNI::SNAITHTue Jul 19 1988 14:2612
    The vet thought it unlikely that it was cancerous, but even if it
    is thyroid tumors rarely metastasize, so surgery is best regardless.
    I think the vet would have liked to operate sooner , but due to
    family vacations it is impossible since the cat will need 3 weeks
    of intensive care following the surgery.  I feel somewhat caught
    in the middle - I can't tell the kids all their plans are off, yet
    I can see the cat needs surgery, yet I can't have her operated on
    and then take off for a week.  The vet said she was in good shape
    considering her condition and thought she would be ok for the next
    four weeks.
    
    Thanks to all of you for your interest and information.
1541.6Successful thyroid surgeryDELNI::SNAITHMon Aug 15 1988 18:514
    A happy update.  Booty was operated on last week, and , while it
    was difficult for her, she is now home and almost back to normal-
    something she hasn't been for almost a year. Thanks to you all for
    your support.
1541.7Good for you...bothHILLST::MASONExplaining is not understandingMon Aug 15 1988 19:211
    
1541.8Looking for more info on thyroid...JULIET::CORDESBRO_JOFri Sep 23 1988 23:336
    Can we get a keyword made for thyroid?  I have been searching for
    information on this for a friend and all I could find was this topic,
    tho I seem to remember another discussion about thyroid problems.
    Can anyone point me to the right note?
    
    Jo
1541.9Keyword THYROID addedVAXWRK::LEVINEFri Sep 23 1988 23:546
Jo,

I've added a key for thyroid for this note, but don't remember another
discussion on this topic.

Pam
1541.10CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Sat Sep 24 1988 00:212
    try search "thyroid" /notes=1.*-9999.*
    
1541.11CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Sat Sep 24 1988 02:163
    I started the search and got as far as 1198.  Note 471.1 has a pointer
    to a magazine article, several notes had pointers to Tufts.