So this week we finally got a diagnosis for what is wrong with Sophie, our cat – and the diagnosis also could explain some of the other bits of her behaviour too.

The reason we had taken her along to the vets was because for the third time in the last year or so she had again had a session of repeatedly vomiting for no apparent reason. Now like most cats she has vomiting sessions, usually after eating grass, or having eaten her food too quickly, but these have been a little different. Usually she hasn’t been outside, or eaten anything recently, she just starts vomiting, does so several times over an hour or so, and then is absolutely fine. However when the vet takes a look at her, the only symptom is a slightly elevated temperature. Alongside that she has also been drinking a lot of water (and she will only drink from the sink in the bathroom), and has been loosing weight, despite eating her normal levels of wet food. Anyway, after the most recent visit, the vet suggested doing some blood tests, and now we actually have a diagnosis.

Sophie is suffering from Feline Hyperthyroidism, which explains the weight loss, the vomiting and the thirst. Hyperactivity is also a symptom, which maybe explains some of the dashing around the house and howling that we’ve previously put down to her quirky personality.

Currently she is on a selection of pills to stabalise her thyroid gland, before a decision on treatment is made in a couple of weeks. The choices are much the same as the human equivalent, either radiotherapy, or surgery to remove the thyroid. Radiotherapy will involve Sophie spending three weeks at a specialist in London, whilst the surgery can be performed locally, so currently, assuming she checks out in a couple of weeks, it may be the surgery.

Having said that, we’re really rather gald that we took out pet insurance on Sophie, as the bill for even getting to the diagnosis stage is the best part of £1000!