Use of propranolol and potassium iodate in the presurgical management of hyperthyroid cats

A prospective study was carried out using a combination of propranolol and potassium iodate to assess whether there were beneficial effects in prepari ng hyperthyroid cats for surgical thyroidectomy. Group A (n = 11) received propranolol from days 1 to 10, followed by propranolol and potassium iodate from days 11 to 20; group B (n = 10) received the reverse regimen, Blood s amples were taken daily for subsequent determination of serum total L-thyro xine (TT4), L-triiodothyronine (TT3) and reverse T-3 (rT(3)) concentrations . The signs of hyperthyroidism improved in all cats over the treatment peri od. At surgery, 36 per cent of the cats in group A had reference range seru m TT4 concentrations, while 89 per cent with initially elevated TT3 concent rations had reference range concentrations. In group B, 10 per cent of the cats had reference range TT4 concentrations, while 75 per cent with initial ly elevated TT3 concentrations had reference range concentrations. The drug regimen used in group A was better tolerated and more effective and offers an alternative before thyroidectomy in cats that cannot tolerate carbimazo le.