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- The price
of methimazole has gone up dramatically in the last few years, making
the total cost of long-term administration equivalent to that of definitive
treatments.
- Medication
must be given daily (usually twice daily). Damage to your relationship
with your cat is possible due to the difficulties of pilling your cat
several times daily.
- During
long-term treatment, relapses are common and response to treatment is
poor in some cats.
- Approximately
25% of cats experience side effects, especially lethargy, loss of appetite,
or vomiting.
- Serious
complications are rare but include facial pruritis, liver failure, and
adverse effects on the bone marrow.
- Continual
monitoring and blood tests at 3- to 6-month intervals are necessary
during long-term treatment.
- The disease
is not cured; the thyroid tumor continues to grow in size and may metastasize.
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