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Mortified - I've been overdosing my cat!!

(32 Posts)
Willow500 Tue 14-Nov-17 09:19:56

She was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism a fortnight ago and as there's no possible way to give her tablets the vet suggested an oral liquid to put in her food. She's been absolutely fine up until Sat when she vomited first thing 3 mornings in a row and just generally doesn't seem herself. Very lethargic and in that awful hunched up position sometimes. For some reason this morning I looked at the dosage instructions again and realised I've been using the wrong side of the syringe measure and have actually been giving her twice as much as she should have - it's no wonder she's gone downhill. I'm absolutely horrified I could be so stupid and worried to death I've done some permanent damage to her kidneys and liver. I'm waiting for the vet to call me back after morning surgery to advise me. She was booked in for the 3 week blood tests on Friday this week but they'll all be wrong now so will probably have to rearrange that. My poor baby sad

vampirequeen Tue 14-Nov-17 10:06:43

I'm sure she'll be OK. You've probably made her feel unwell but she'll soon regain her equilibrium. Try not to beat yourself up about it.

nonnanna Tue 14-Nov-17 10:09:05

You must feel awful. You have done the right thing contacting the vet and they will help you when they get back to you. Our pets are our family too. Big hug. Hope your cat and you are both feeling better soon.

nonnanna Tue 14-Nov-17 10:09:06

You must feel awful. You have done the right thing contacting the vet and they will help you when they get back to you. Our pets are our family too. Big hug. Hope your cat and you are both feeling better soon.

blueberry1 Tue 14-Nov-17 10:09:29

Please don't worry too much,I'm sure the vet will be able to sort this out for your cat. Those syringes can be confusing,I have used them for my dog and you do have to be careful.
Hope that the vet can put your mind at rest and hope puss is ok.

kooklafan Tue 14-Nov-17 10:11:00

I'd give her plenty of water and other liquids, milk perhaps? and try to purge her system by not giving her too much to eat for a day or two then start again with the correct dose but I'd check first with the vet. Hope she's feeling better soon XX

MrsAllboys Tue 14-Nov-17 10:14:15

Oh dear, poor puss cat and poor you, you must be feeling absolutely frantic. I hope the vet will be able to give you some reassuring advice. I will keep my fingers crossed for you and your little cat. flowers

W11girl Tue 14-Nov-17 10:18:42

She will be fine. I am assuming the vet is aware you have "overdosed" her. If it was life threatening you would have been asked to bring her in to the Vet as an emergency. So don't worry. I fed my darling with Hypothyroidism pills for 10 years .... what a nightmare! He passed away at 17 years old.

maddy629 Tue 14-Nov-17 11:09:09

You did the right thing calling the vet, I'm sure they will sought her out. I hope both you and your fur baby are feeling fine very soon.

humptydumpty Tue 14-Nov-17 11:54:49

Willow500 this must de very distressing for you, do let us know what the vet says. [hugs]

Rosina Tue 14-Nov-17 12:13:55

It's easy to say but try not to worry - as I understand it thyroid conditions can be one way or the other - 'over' or 'under'. You may well have propelled poor puss into the other state but with any luck the vet can advise you how to regulate her medication to get her back on an even keel - and perhaps if she is vomiting it hasn't all been absorbed? Do let us know.

HootyMcOwlface Tue 14-Nov-17 12:32:29

Try not to beat yourself up about it, it was a genuine mistake. Hopefully the vet will say your cat will be fine now.
I can imagine how terrible you feel about it though. I took our cat to the vet once because we thought she had eaten an ibuprofen tablet, my husband dropped one and we couldn't find it, puss is very very greedy and we thought she might have gobbled it up thinking it was a cat biscuit. The vet kept her for the day and gave her medicine to make her sick, she looked very sorry for herself when I collected her. Thing is we then found the tablet, so she hadn't eaten it at all! Felt very guilty about that!

darbycall Tue 14-Nov-17 13:26:15

years ago I had a cat who was diabetic and I had to give him insulin shots. at one point my vet upped his dose and went from pet strength insulin to regular people insulin. when I sent to pick up his prescription somehow the pharmacy did not mention this. I ended up giving him a larger dose of much stronger meds. when he began to Meow in pain he was rushed to emergency. after he was given IV he was fine, lived several years after to a ripe old age. I of course felt terrible but it was OK in the end.

Willow500 Tue 14-Nov-17 13:26:43

Thanks folks. The vet nurse rang me and said to start her on the right dose today which I'd done this morning. As her levels will not right we've rebooked her blood test for 3 weeks again. She's still eating and using her tray but just looks so lethargic. At least she's had a reprieve from the dreaded capture and sedation on Friday - not sure who that's more stressful for! She's the third cat I've had with this condition. The first one was on tablets for years but they caused her to have nosebleeds which was pretty distressing (not to say messy) but she was 18 when she passed away. The second one had an op to remove half his thyroid which worked ok until he developed kidney failure - he was 15 and such a loveable boy - I was totally devastated when he died. This girl is only 6 so very young. I'm considering the radio iodine therapy for her but it means she has to go away to a clinic for 2 weeks and then be in isolation another 2 but if it's a cure it will be worth the separation anxiety - on my part smile. Hopefully she'll pick up once the medication levels out - hate it when they're ill!

VIOLETTE Tue 14-Nov-17 15:01:01

So pleased to hear the vet nurse rang you and seems ok with just reverting back to the right dose of meds ....distressing for you to see your poor little cat distressed, but she may be 'sleeping off' in lethargy the after effects of the overdose ...just keep her warm, lots of tlc and see how things develop. I am sure if you feel it necessary, the vet will see her as an urgent case to ease your mind if she doesn't seem to be getting back to her old self !!! good luck to you and little puss flowers

Mistyfluff8 Tue 14-Nov-17 17:01:22

My cat William has been on Thyronorm and do not put it on her food just squirt it into her mouth it takes a few months to get the dose right as William has just had his 4th blood test but hopefully on the right dose .It is cheaper ti buy the Thyronorm on line even paying for a prescription by at least £50and more and good service .These on line companies can sell it cheaper than vets can get it delivered .It was on Rip of Britain with Gloria Hunniford

Willow500 Tue 14-Nov-17 21:19:27

Mistyfluff8 the vet said it was ok to put it in her food although I have read varying items about this - I doubt I'd be able to put it directly into her mouth though - she's impossible to handle hence having to be sedated to have bloods taken etc. Thanks for the tip about the med on line though - I've already paid nearly £80 for 2 lots plus £200 for the sedation. It's just a worry that it's the genuine stuff when you buy online. She's currently under my desk sleeping - I'm hoping the lethargy will ease up in the next couple of days. I've been on thyroxine for hypothyroidism for years (diagnosed the same day my first cat was also diagnosed with the opposite smile ) so it must be akin to me taking half as many tablets as I should. The only 'good' thing about it is she hasn't the energy to chase our other cat out of the room so he's taking the opportunity to spend some time on the sofa instead of hiding upstairs grin

MinniesMum Tue 14-Nov-17 21:59:18

Willow500
Glad she is OK - have been worried about her all day. Cats are more than just pets.
I am glad I am not the only one with a flighty little prima donna!! Minnie is very difficult to catch and we hope and pray that it is raining when she has her annual injection as she can be guaranteed to be in. Minnie is sulking at the moment as I refused to give her any treats until she ate her supper. It is still there in the dish. Its my fault - I spoil her but she looks up at me with those big eyes and does the silent meow and I just give in but not tonight. I don't want her to have health problems simply because I can't say no to her.

Caro1954 Tue 14-Nov-17 22:41:49

Our cat also has hyperthyroidism which we treat with a daily tablet - which sometimes goes down first time and sometimes doesn't! I would be wary of buying medication online - you hear such horror stories. Was really glad to hear of cats with this condidtion living to a ripe old age. Thanks for keeping us up to date Willow and hope all continues well.

blueberry1 Wed 15-Nov-17 10:20:04

Glad to hear that puss is OK,I'm sure she will be back to her normal self soon.Pets are such a worry,it's like having a young child who is sick.Hope all goes well now,let us know how she is doing.

humptydumpty Wed 15-Nov-17 13:08:31

Willow so glad to hear good news about your cat. As regards buying medicine online, I get pet supplies from Vet UK and they also sell meds:

www.vetuk.co.uk/pet-meds-prescription-only-c-21

I haven't checked the prices, but I believe they're a reputable company.

So sorry to hear about your previous cat who died from kidney disease - this also happened to me last year and was truly awful.

Nanabelle Fri 16-Mar-18 23:37:44

hello everyone - I haven't been on Gransnet for a while but my cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and has also been on Thyronorm so I discovered this thread via a google search.We are on the second bottle of 30 ml. He was sick a little in the second week, but seems ok now and is reasonably happy to take the meds in his mouth with the syringe. (I looked on YouTube how to use one). I do it from the side of his mouth - and he doesn't bite me or run away! He would be a devil with a pill - even the vet had trouble with a worming pill! Luckily we have insurance which doesn't cover the whole cost but helps.
How are all your cats doing on thyronorm now?

Chewbacca Sat 17-Mar-18 00:22:45

No experience with hyperthyroidism Nanabelle but just wanted to say what a beautiful cat you have. What breed is he, if you don't mind me asking? He's gorgeous!

Nanabelle Sat 17-Mar-18 00:30:13

Thank you Chewbacca - he is just a moggy who came from the Cats Protection League as a kitten. He has a wonderful thick curly tail! This picture is about 5 years ago but he still looks the same (we got rid of the bird table as not much use with him sitting in it!)

Nanabelle Sat 17-Mar-18 00:32:25

This might show his tail more!