A short summary of my experience: about six months ago, my cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Treatment requires a series of adjustments to her medication to find the correct dose, and Dr. Lindst... Read More
A short summary of my experience: about six months ago, my cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Treatment requires a series of adjustments to her medication to find the correct dose, and Dr. Lindstrom was adjusting it incorrectly (i.e., lowering the dose when she should have been increasing it).
When my cat was initially diagnosed, Dr. Hubner prescribed her 2.5mg methimazole twice daily. Retesting after a month showed her thyroid levels were lowered too much, so the doctor decreased her to 2.5mg once daily.
Dr. Hubner took a new job elsewhere, so my cat was placed in Dr. Lindstrom's care. Retesting after another month showed that her thyroid levels were too high, so the doctor decreased her dose once more to 2.5mg every other day.
And that was where she confused me. 2.5mg twice daily was too much medication, and 2.5mg once daily was not enough medication, so wouldn't she need something between those two doses? If my cat's thyroid levels were too high, wouldn't she need MORE of her anti-thyroid medication? I questioned the doctor, and she convinced me I was confused -- to be fair, I was easily convinced, because I trusted her.
My cat was retested two months later, and as a surprise to no one except Dr. Lindstrom, my cat's thyroid levels increased. She actually told me that it didn't make sense and that she didn't understand why my cat wasn't responding to the medication. I can tell you why! Because she was barely receiving any medication! Her suggestion was to keep her on 2.5mg every other day, but to use compounded liquid methimazole instead of tablets.
I called the office back the next day to request my cat's actual T4 values from each time she was tested, which I should have done in the first place. When she was first diagnosed, it was 8.9. The last time she was retested, it was 8.7 -- nearly identical values.
I thanked them for that information and immediately called to make an appointment at a new vet clinic. I provided my new vet with my cat's information. He was also confused by Dr. Lindstrom's decisions and increased her dose to 3.5mg every day.
She was just retested after a month of her new dose, and her levels went back down to 5.5 (still a little high, but definitely an improvement), confirming that the medication does work and that Dr. Lindstrom was making a mistake. (Also, my bill was significantly cheaper at the new vet clinic.) I am thankful to have found a vet I can trust who can give my cat appropriate care. I only regret that I didn't do it sooner.
VCA's entire staff was always very kind and prompt with their services. However, my cat was being medicated incorrectly. I will be eternally baffled as to what Dr. Lindstrom was thinking. I just hope there's no irreparable damage to my cat's health for going so long without proper treatment. Read Less