Bite Size Meds
Breaking your pets' medication down into palatable and digestible chunks.

Thyronorm
What is Thyronorm?
Thyronorm is a brand name for the drug thiamazole. It is used to treat cats with hyperthyroidism.
What does Thyronorm do?
Thyronorm works by blocking the production of thyroid hormone, so there is less of it in your cat’s bloodstream.
What causes hyperthyroidism?
We still do not know what exactly causes hyperthyroidism in cats. It wasn’t a documented disease before the 1970s and there has always been a suspicion that it is linked to eating tinned cat food, but nothing has ever been proven. It is also more common in cats that live entirely/mostly indoors.
Why has my animal been prescribed Thyronorm?
Because Thyronorm works to stop the production of the thyroid hormone (commonly called T4), it reduces the signs associated with the excess hormone, i.e. the hyperactivity, weight loss, constant requests for food(!), vomiting and diarrhoea and rapid heart rate. It is started at a fixed dose, and the dose is then usually adjusted depending on how your cat responds to the treatment.
How quickly does it help my pet?
Thyronorm begins to reduce thyroid hormone levels within a few weeks, but it can take a month or longer for the full effect to be seen. Regular blood tests (often every 3 weeks or so when they first start the medication) help monitor your cat's thyroid levels and then the dose can be adjusted as needed.
Are there any side-effects I need to worry about?
Side-effects on thyronorm are uncommon, but the most common ones are vomiting and a reduction in appetite, and some animals may also seem sleepier/less active than usual. Some cats develop itching or skin rashes, or changes in their blood cell counts, and these individuals may need to come off the medication.
Importantly, women who are pregnant, or trying to conceive, should NOT handle the drug, or any vomit produced by a cat on thyronorm, or the cat litter of a cat on thyronorm. This is because it can affect the unborn baby.
Are there any pets that cannot have Thyronorm?
Thyronorm should ONLY be given to your pet if it has been prescribed by your veterinary surgeon.
There are some groups of animals for whom Thyronorm should either not be given, or it should only be given after discussing it thoroughly with your vet. These include;
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Cats with liver disease
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Cats with diabetes
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Cats with blood disorders (especially diseases affecting white blood cell counts or platelets)
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Pregnant cats or those lactating to feed their offspring (i.e. breastfeeding)
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Cats that have previously been allergic to thiamazole or other related drugs