Treatment options include medication, radioiodine therapy, surgery, and dietary management
Radioiodine treatment is curative and considered gold standard
Medical management with methimazole/carbimazole requires lifelong administration
Concurrent kidney disease management is a critical welfare consideration
Welfare Considerations and Management
Each treatment modality has welfare implications. Methimazole can cause skin reactions and immune-mediated side effects in some cats. Radioiodine is curative but requires a period of isolation post-treatment. Surgical thyroidectomy risks hypoparathyroidism. Low-iodine prescription diets are an option for indoor-only cats. Critically, treatment of hyperthyroidism can unmask underlying chronic kidney disease, requiring careful monitoring.
What You Can Do
Discuss all treatment options with your vet including benefits and welfare trade-offs
Monitor kidney function carefully before and after starting treatment