Endocrinology

Question 1

What is usually the starting dose for insulin for a diabetic patient?

Answer 1

Lente insulin (medium acting), 0.25-0.5 IU/kg twice a day.

Question 2

What are 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of methimazole (Felimazole) treatment with hyperthyroid cats?

Answer 2

Felimazole blocks T4 production at the thyroid gland
Advantages : inexpensive, no skill really required to administer, readily available, effective, no hospitalisation or anaesthetic
Disadvantages: not curative, side effects, poor long term owner compliance, occasional resistance.

Question 3

What are 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages to radioactive iodine treatment of hyperthyroidism?

Answer 3

Advantages: curative, no anaesthetic, simple procedure, recurrence of hyperthyroidism rare.
Disadvantages: expensive, not readily available, takes weeks/months to become effective.

Question 4

What signs would you monitor in a patient that’s undergone a bilateral thyroidectomy?

Answer 4

Signs of accidental hypoparathyroidism. Inappetance, seizures, weakness, tremours, dribbling. Serum calcium if unsure (PTH increases calcium deposition of bone, and increases phosphorus excretion)