Hyperthyroid Medication

[sirswithin]

I've had two cats with Hyperthyroidism so I have a bit of experience in dealing with it. But I was wondering if anyone had ever heard of, read about, or experienced first hand a cat going deaf after months of continuous use of transdermal methimazole, the topical thyroid medication you apply to the inside of the outer ear? Grady's hearing was fine before we started the medication, but by the time we decided to stop it and do the I-333 treatment he was completely stone deaf. I haven't found anything online that would suggest deafness may be a side effect, and the vet just reiterated that sentiment. He is an older cat (not really sure how old), so maybe it's just coincidence that this happened. At any rate, it's a moot point at this juncture. I'm just curious.

 

[macal]

I don't know if it was a side effect of the medication, but my civie Daphne is hyperthyroid and went completely stone deaf in both ears after diagnosis/methimazole. I can't remember the time progression between diagnosis and deafness, but pretty close. But it's actually been a Godsend...she was so jumpy before..and between the medication and being deaf, is now so wonderfully calm. She is on the transdermal meds rather than oral ones and I only use one ear if that's useful information for you. It is possible it's from hyperthyroidism itself too...

 

[Deb & Wink]

I had a cat on the transdermal methimazole for a year with no signs of deafness or hearing loss.

 

[BJM]

My civvie Emmy was on oral methimazole for 5 years; no deafness.

 

[sirswithin]

Thanks for the replies. Like I said I have no evidence that the medication did anything adverse to his hearing. Maybe it was just a result of the hyperthyroidism. I had another cat with the same issues and medication and she didn't seem to have any hearing loss, so I guess it's just coincidence.