One of my cats was recently diagnosed with a condition known as hyperthyroidism.
To treat this condition a vet prescribed methimazole for my cat and suggested not to miss the daily dose.
However, recently my cat missed just one daily dose; this leads to the question, what if my cat misses a dose of methimazole?
If your cat just misses just one daily dose of methimazole, then you shouldn’t worry too much because most cats will not show any symptoms. But if your cat misses two doses or more, there could be some side effects such as lethargy, which may need veterinary treatment.
Methimazole is a human drug used to treat a condition in cats called hyperthyroidism. It’s what we call an anti-thyroid drug, and it works by blocking the release of T3 and T4 from the thyroid gland.
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If your cat does not take this medication as prescribed by the vet, various side effects may occur. For instance, if the cat doesn’t take their dose for an extended period or misses the daily dose, it may experience complications with its heart rate or blood pressure. In this situation, you should closely monitor your cat so that you can catch any potential problems in time!
Methimazole Dosage for Cats
My cat was about 12 pounds, and the vet prescribed the following dose for my cat:
The recommended dosage is about 0.01 – 0.02 mg per pound given orally twice daily with food to cats weighing less than 15 pounds. A typical starting dose would be half the size of what’s found in the tablet or capsule being split between two meals per day or giving them half what’s found on the tablet or capsule, depending on how much they weigh.
Methimazole Side Effects In Cats
The intake of methimazole drug can lead to the following side effect in cats –
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Upset stomach
If you notice any of these side effects, be sure to discuss them with your veterinarian immediately. Side effects usually occur within the first three months of medication.
However, even if they occur later in treatment, you should still tell them about it so that they can adjust doses or prescribe a different drug as necessary.
Methimazole Drug Precautions
Methimazole should be avoided or replaced with another medication if your cat suffers from any of the following conditions such as liver disease, FIV, thalassemia, or hemolytic uremic syndrome,
Kittens born to cats who’ve been given methimazole might also experience low thyroid levels. However, the mother cat may not produce enough milk for kittens with this condition. In this case, the veterinarian will recommend milk replacement for the kittens.
Can Methimazole For Cats Be Crushed In Soft Food?
Yes, methimazole for cats can be crushed and added into soft food or any type of food your cat might like.
A cat typically smells its food before they eat; that’s the reason why they will never directly take any drug until you trick them into thinking it’s not there. The best way to give your cat a drug is to mix it with their favorite food.
You can crush the pills and mix them properly with the cat food you give them to eat. If your cat loves to eat wet food, you can mix it with it as well.
What Happens If You Accidentally Give Your Cat A Double Dose Of Methimazole Or Thyroid Medication?
If you accidentally gave the cat a double dose of thyroid medication, they may show symptoms like leg cramps, fast heartbeats, and shortness of breath.
However, if your cat is healthy and weighs around 15 pounds, a double dose of methimazole will not show any physical symptoms. But as a pet owner, you should never overdose on methimazole, as it has many side effects.
Did I answer everything you want to know about what if my cat misses a dose of Methimazole?
Methimazole is a human drug that is also used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats.
Methimazole works as a blocking agent, blocking the excessive production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.
To treat hyperthyroidism in cats, the vet suggests giving a daily dose of Methimazole to the cats.
But if you miss the daily dose for a while, your cat may show symptoms like rapid heartbeat, palpitations, weight loss, etc.
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