Mochi's vocal changes after starting meds

Mochi is a 1-year-old Siamese mix who has been quite vocal lately. We recently started her on thyroid medication, and I’ve noticed a significant increase in her meowing and general agitation. As a vet tech, I’ve seen various side effects, but I’m not entirely sure if vocalization is a known reaction to this specific type of medication.

Has anyone else experienced this? I want to make sure I’m not missing something obvious before I schedule a follow-up.

I had a similar issue with Ziggy when he was on meds. Not thyroid though. I think it's just the stress of the new routine. Check out this thread I posted a while back about behavioral shifts, it might help you see the pattern: Behavioral shifts after starting thyroid meds

Also, Siamese are chatty by nature. Did you read Dealing with a chatty Siamese? It’s mostly about management, not medical causes.

Oh no, I’m so sorry Mochi is stressed! Hazel is a 6-year-old tabby and she gets really anxious with any changes in the household. I completely understand wanting to rule out medical issues first.

Have you tried looking at dosage? I remember reading something about how the amount of medication can affect energy levels. Maybe Adjusting thyroid dosage for cats has some info on how to talk to your vet about those tweaks?

Haha, I feel your pain. Gizmo is a 4-year-old Maine Coon and he’s a menace when he’s hungry or upset. 🐱💥

I wouldn't worry too much about the meds causing it unless she’s also acting weird physically. I posted about his food aggression here: Gizmo's food aggression. Sometimes cats just get loud when they’re frustrated, and meds can make them feel weird enough to be frustrated. But definitely keep an eye on her.

I lost Whiskers, a 15-year-old DSH, to cancer a few years ago, and I remember how much the medications changed his personality. He became very quiet, which was the opposite of Mochi, but it shows how much impact these drugs can have on a cat’s spirit.

I think it is worth asking your vet specifically about the vocalization. I found this thread very helpful when I was trying to understand side effects: Vet tech perspective on medication side effects. It’s a long discussion, but it covers a lot of ground.