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Hyperthyroidismby With advancements in nutrition and medical care, cats are living to older ages than ever before. With the older age comes diseases which we were unfamiliar with before because most cats did not live long enough for them to develop. One such disease is Hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland consists of two flat lobes located on each side of your cat’s windpipe. These lobes are flattened and cannot routinely be palpated. Embedded in the front end of each thyroid gland are the parathyroid glands. The thyroid gland acts as the thermostat for the metabolic rate of the body, controlling the speed of (how fast or slow) the body functions. It produces two hormones, referred to as T3 and T4 which circulate throughout the body and affect sensors on the organs of the body. Hypothyroidism is a condition where there is not enough thyroid hormone produced by the body and thus the metabolic rate slows down. Animals that are hypothyroid usually become obese (weight gain) become less active (lethargic) are more cold sensitive (cold intolerance), and have multiple skin problems that can vary from itching to flaking to hair loss. Cats are rarely affected by hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism results when the thyroid gland produces an excess of thyroid hormones. This happens most commonly when the thyroid gland has become cancerous. Hyperthyroidism most commonly develops in cats over eight years old. Cats that are hyperthyroid are usually hearty eaters, sometimes even ravenous, yet they continue to lose weight in spite of how much they eat. A more serious consequence of hyperthyroidism is the development of a hypertrophic (increased muscle wall) cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart.) This is first detected by an increased heart rate and confirmed by x-rays & ultrasound. Other signs can include increase thirst, increased urination, vomiting, diarrhea, behavioral changes and central flexion of the neck. Not all cats exhibit all of the signs listed above, however, hyperthyroidism must be considered in any cat over eight years of age that is acting ill or losing weight. It is diagnosed by a blood test that measures the thyroid hormone. Because other diseases can show similar signs like diabetes and renal (kidney) insufficiency, it is important to evaluate all of the organs of the body at the same time. Once hyperthyroidism has been diagnosed treatment can be very successful.
There are three methods to treat hyperthyroidism, medical treatment, surgical
treatment and irradiated iodine treatment. The following table lists these ways
and their advantages and disadvantages:
All three of these treatments can be successful. Which one is best for your cat depends on a combination of factors including the cats age, other concurrent conditions, your veterinarians’ surgical expertise, and your financial resources. Medically, irradiated iodine is the treatment of choice. As our cats live to older ages, diseases which we have never seen before are
being detected. Reasons for this include the fact that we are now more aware of
these conditions and are looking for them, our methods of detection are better
and cat owners are more willing to pursue diagnosis and treatment. The best way
to assure your cat is diagnosed for hyperthyroidism or any other disease is to
have timely physical examinations. Your cat should receive thorough physical
examinations annually between the ages of 1 to 9 and twice a year from 10 years
and older. Patients with existing conditions may need to be checked even more
frequently. |
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