Event Calendar

Hill’s Pet Nutrition y/d™ Roadshow.: a new way to manage feline hyperthyroidism

The Hill’s 2012 Roadshow will feature an exciting new management tool for feline hyperthyroidism- Hill’s Prescription Diet™ Feline y/d™.

Feline hyperthyroidism is commonly diagnosed, especially in elderly cats. The condition is progressive leading to emaciation, metabolic and cardiac dysfunction and ultimately death. Current treatment regimens involve potentially curative measures (surgery to remove the diseased gland and radioactive iodine therapy) and medical management (daily anti-thyroid medications).   The anti-thyroid medication can be given in an oral form or a transdermal gel form.

Each treatment method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Surgery carries a risk of damage to the small parathyroid gland embedded in the anterior aspect of the thyroid gland. The parathyroid gland is essential for vital metabolic pathways involving calcium. If both parathyroid glands are damaged, lifelong calcium supplementation may be necessary.

Both surgery and radio-active iodine treatments carry the risk of inducing post-therapeutic hypothyroidism. This may be temporary or permanent. In addition, many cats with hyperthyroidism also have renal disease. The increased glomerular filtration rate associated with hyperthyroidism can mask the renal disease which becomes apparent post treatment. Where underlying renal disease is suspected, carefully titrating anti-thyroid medication may be the preferred option to manage both conditions.

Daily medication, especially oral medication, can be arduous for cat owners. Hyperthyroid cats also tend to be feisty! Most cats need twice daily oral medication to control their disease.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition brings the first therapeutic diet to manage feline hyperthyroidism to the veterinary profession. This breakthrough nutritional management is a safe and effective addition to the feline hyperthyroidism management toolbox.

Join Dr Dru Forrester during May 2012 at a town near you and learn how Hill’s Prescription Diet™ Feline y/d™ can help your feline hyperthyroid patients and their owners. Dr Forrester is a world renowned veterinary educator. She has received many awards for teaching excellence. She will give an update on hyperthyroidism and how y/d™ fits into the management of this condition. She will detail the clinical studies that underpin y/d™. Your vet team will have confidence in recommending this new approach to managing the condition, how to transition existing cases on daily medication to y/d™ and how to use y/d™ as part of the management best care options. 

Veterinary nurses (and other members of the veterinary support team) are vital in helping pet owners understand and engage with therapeutic nutrition. The veterinary health care team needs knowledge and belief to back up veterinary recommendations. Hill’s welcomes veterinary nurses to attend the upcoming roadshows.

Last year’s roadshow was sold out in most venues. Please book through VetLearn early to avoid disappointment.

Dr Helen Beban BVSc (dist) MBA (dist)

Technical Services Veterinarian, Hill’s Pet Nutrition