Treatment of Feline Hyperthyroidism with Carbimazole

Frenais, R., et al., Clinical efficacy and safety of a once-daily formulation of carbimazole in cats with hyperthyroidism. J Small Anim Pract, 2009. 50(10): p. 510-5.

Traditionally, medical treatment of feline hyperthyroidism has involved daily use of the azole drugs, methimazole or its pro-drug, carbimazole. Many cats require twice daily treatment with these drugs. A novel controlled-release formulation of carbimazole (Vidalta) has been developed by Intervet. These researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of this new carbimazole formulation via a multi-center study of 44 client-owned cats with hyperthyroidism. Treatment was started at 15 mg/cat once daily, and dose was adjusted as required. Cats were followed for 53 weeks. The median dose over the study period was 10-15 mg/cat once daily. Clinical signs improved in almost all cats within 3 weeks after treatment was started. An increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was noted in 25% of the cats, eosinophilia was noted in 20%, and lymphopenia in 16%. The researchers conclude that once daily administration of controlled-release carbimazole is effective with acceptable tolerance during short and long term treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. [SL]
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Related articles:
Frenais, R., S. Burgaud, and L.J.I. Horspool, Pharmacokinetics of controlled-release carbimazole tablets support once daily dosing in cats. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2008. 31(3): p. 213-219.
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Trepanier, L.A., Medical management of hyperthyroidism. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract, 2006. 21(1): p. 22-8.
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Treatment of Feline Diabetes

Marshall, R.D., J.S. Rand, and J.M. Morton, Treatment of newly diagnosed diabetic cats with glargine insulin improves glycaemic control and results in higher probability of remission than protamine zinc and lente insulins. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(8): p. 683-691.

Diabetes mellitus is a moderately common disease in cats. The most effective and reliable treatment is insulin therapy to achieve glycemic control. The authors’ study compared the glycemic control and remission possibilities in 24 newly diagnosed diabetic cats. The cats were treated twice daily with either glargine, protamine zinc (PZI), or lente insulin along with being fed a low carbohydrate-high protein canned food. The primary finding was that for newly diagnosed diabetic cats, treatment with glargine resulted in a higher probability of remission compared to PZI or lente insulin. Better glycemic control of cats after 17 days of treatment with glargine was noted and based on lower mean blood glucose concentrations. By day 112, 8 of 8 cats treated with glargine achieved remission while 2/8 in the lente group and 3/8 in the PZI group had achieved remission. None of the glargine-treated cats exhibited signs of hypoglycemia while 3 cats in the other groups developed clinically severe hypoglycemia. The study indicates that twice-daily treatment with glargine insulin may deliver better glycemic control and possibility of remission than similar treatment with lente or PZI insulin. The authors note that good glycemic control soon after diagnosis with diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased probability of remission and this should be the goal of insulin therapy. [VT]
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Related articles:
Hall, T.D., et al., Effects of diet on glucose control in cats with diabetes mellitus treated with twice daily insulin glargine. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(2): p. 125-130.
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Weaver, K.E., et al., Use of glargine and lente insulins in cats with diabetes mellitus. J Vet Intern Med, 2006. 20(2): p. 234-8.
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