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A very common endocrine problem in the middle-aged to older cat is an over-active thyroid
gland. The over-active thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormone
creating the condition known as hyperthyroidism. This condition presents itself as weight-
loss, a ravenous appetite, agitation, excessive water consumption and urination, rapid heart-
rate with a heart murmur and high blood pressure. A cat with this condition can present with
just one symptom or all of them.
Excessive thyroid in the body causes damage in numerous ways. The excessive heart rate
and hypertension can permanently cause an abnormal thickening of the heart. The increase
in metabolic rate causes excessive muscle wasting and subsequent strain on the heart and
kidneys. High blood pressure can cause bleeding in the eye and can cause the retinas to
detach.
The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is rather straight forward with a simple blood test. Rarely
additional testing needs to be done to find “occult” or hidden hyperthyroidism. Once the
diagnosis has been made there are a number of treatment options available.
This common endocrine problem can be treated with medication, radioactive iodine or
surgical removal of the offending gland. Medical treatment consists of giving medication on
a twice daily basis for the remainder of the cat’s life. Medication will not cure the disease,
only control it. The thyroid can be irradiated with radioactive iodine at a referral center and
this will essentially cure the disease; however, there is a five percent recurrence rate. While
this takes care of the over-active gland, its main drawback is its expense. It is, however, the
safest way to treat. Surgical removal of the thyroid gland is possible and at one time was a
common way to handle hyperthyroidism. Surgery can have life-threatening complications
and with the ready availability of radioactive iodine treatment in our area surgical removal
isn’t worth the risks.
This condition is easily controlled or cured in the feline population. Very rewarding to treat, a
cat suffering from this condition can be restored to reasonable health and can usually enjoy a
normal life-span.
gland. The over-active thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormone
creating the condition known as hyperthyroidism. This condition presents itself as weight-
loss, a ravenous appetite, agitation, excessive water consumption and urination, rapid heart-
rate with a heart murmur and high blood pressure. A cat with this condition can present with
just one symptom or all of them.
Excessive thyroid in the body causes damage in numerous ways. The excessive heart rate
and hypertension can permanently cause an abnormal thickening of the heart. The increase
in metabolic rate causes excessive muscle wasting and subsequent strain on the heart and
kidneys. High blood pressure can cause bleeding in the eye and can cause the retinas to
detach.
The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is rather straight forward with a simple blood test. Rarely
additional testing needs to be done to find “occult” or hidden hyperthyroidism. Once the
diagnosis has been made there are a number of treatment options available.
This common endocrine problem can be treated with medication, radioactive iodine or
surgical removal of the offending gland. Medical treatment consists of giving medication on
a twice daily basis for the remainder of the cat’s life. Medication will not cure the disease,
only control it. The thyroid can be irradiated with radioactive iodine at a referral center and
this will essentially cure the disease; however, there is a five percent recurrence rate. While
this takes care of the over-active gland, its main drawback is its expense. It is, however, the
safest way to treat. Surgical removal of the thyroid gland is possible and at one time was a
common way to handle hyperthyroidism. Surgery can have life-threatening complications
and with the ready availability of radioactive iodine treatment in our area surgical removal
isn’t worth the risks.
This condition is easily controlled or cured in the feline population. Very rewarding to treat, a
cat suffering from this condition can be restored to reasonable health and can usually enjoy a
normal life-span.
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| Hyperthyroidism |