Thank you. A company limited by guarantee. Hyperthyroidism Medication for Cats (Methimazole) Hyperthyroidism Treatment Options in Cats and Dogs. I said no to both. 4-22 years old. When the problem becomes alarming, you may observe the following symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats: Chronic diarrhea; Depression; Hyperactivity; Nervous or strange behavior; Frequent vomiting; Inability to jump; Loss of strength; Neglected and knotted coat Not all cats will have all symptoms, and about 20% of hyperthyroid cats will be sluggish and depressed instead of hyperactive. Hyperthyroidism in cats is caused by excessive production of circulating thyroid hormones. What Are the Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in Cats? In cats, thyrotoxicosis is usually caused by a benign tumor on one or both thyroid glands. As a result of this monitoring, the first few months of treatment can be expensive. When the vet told me the treatment options I balked: either surgically remove his thyroid gland and give him thyroid hormone supplements the rest of his life, or give him anti-thyroid medication the rest of his life. Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in Cats. You may have heard people talk about weight gain and lethargy due to an underactive thyroid, it is the opposite for hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder in cats which occurs when there is an underproduction of thyroid hormones. Symptoms of feline hyperthyroidism are not limited to, but include: weight loss and muscle wasting, increased appetite, restlessness or hyperactivity, increased thirst or more frequent urination, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as visible and distinct changes in coat appearance. And please recommend that your clients try a low-iodine diet before more drastic treatments. That overactive metabolism is causing all sorts of havoc internally: With your cat’s body running in overdrive, eventually their energy reserves are used up (hence the weight loss) and there is no energy to put into bodily functions like maintenance of the immune system, thereby increasing susceptibility to infections. There is no rule on whether both glands should be removed together or in separate procedures, and your vet will advise you on the best option for your cat. The medication is given as a tablet and specifically targets the overactive thyroid tissue and destroys it. We started using the tablets and then switched to the cream applied to the inside of the ear, alternating left and right ear morning and night as advised by our vet. People like you are essential to our work. In other cats, the vomiting can result from gastric stasis (e.g., delay emptying of the stomach). On its own, hyperthyroidism is simple to treat, though it requires surgery or medical treatment. Excessive thirst, increased urination, hyperactivity, unkempt appearance, panting, diarrhea and increased shedding have also been reported. Only about 5% of cats diagnosed with hyperthyroidism are less than 10 years old. Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid glands. Levels of thyroid hormone can then be measured by a blood test to diagnose hyperthyroidism. In rare cases, the hyperthyroid disease is a secondary disease and may be caused by tumors in the thyroid area. Hyperthyroidism in cats is a common metabolic problem in senior cats, and it is often hard to make a decision as to how to treat this condition given the age of cats at diagnosis. Hyperthyroidism in cats is caused by excessive production of circulating thyroid hormones. One or both of the glands can enlarge and overproduce thyroid hormone. Has been on it approx. We don’t yet know what triggers this growth to occur. There are 2 thyroid glands located in the neck. The effects of hyperthyroidism occur due to persistently elevated levels of thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormone has many functions in the body so symptoms of hyperthyroidism may include: Your vet will suspect hyperthyroidism based on your cat’s symptoms and a physical examination. The causes of hyperthyroidism in cats There are several symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland is responsible for controlling metabolism, therefore excessive activity of this gland causes symptoms associated with an increased metabolic rate. These patients exhibit atypical signs such as poor appetite, loss of appetite, depression, and weakness. He recently had blood work done and all his blood levels are normal, including his thyroid hormone level. Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in Cats (Felines) If your cat is suffering from hyperthyroidism or you suspect that your cat may have developed an overactive thyroid, it is necessary to beware of common symptoms. Hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity. My cat 15 yr old cat with hyperthyroidism was allergic to the prescription meds. Symptoms of Feline Hyperthyroid Disease. Cats that have hyperthyroidism not only have a reduced quality of life but, if untreated, the condition can result in heart failure, blindness or death. Symptoms of Feline Hyperthyroid Disease. This is usually due to non-cancerous ‘growth’ of the gland. Registered company in England and Wales under company number 00363197. Whilst side effects are uncommon after surgery, your cat may have symptoms including loss of appetite, vomiting and tiredness. Late stage hyperthyroidism in cats. In my opinion, this is the best treatment option for hyperthyroid cats, particularly if diagnosed ‘young’ (e.g. Hyperthyroidism is a common affliction of senior cats and the most common endocrine disorder in the feline. Either would require many expensive vet visits to adjust his thyroid hormone levels until he was stable. Therefore surgery is an expensive option – however it only needs to be done once. The Best Cat Food For Hyperthyroidism Is Packed In A Bpa-free Container. This is a really informative post! The most common symptom of hyperthyroidism is weight loss, and increased thyroid hormones cause it. In the first few months of treatment, it is important that a vet closely observes your cat by watching clinical signs and conducting blood and urine tests to monitor the levels of thyroid hormone and to check the kidney status. The thyroid gland is made up of two lobes and can be … My cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism at age 13, after a year and a half of eating a cat food that was “guaranteed” to cause weight loss. The coat of affected cats may appear unkempt, matted, or greasy (see Figure 1). If one gland is left, it may later start producing an excess of thyroid hormone. As with all surgical procedures, there are a number of risks associated with surgery and anaesthetic (remember heart disease is common with hyperthyroidism). What Are the Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in Cats? I decided instead to restrict the iodine in his diet. One should really have keen eyes to determine when a cat is sick. Side effects are uncommon but include vomiting, inappetence and lethargy. As such, in most cases, cats are only diagnosed once the signs have become apparent and the condition is already severe. How to diagnose hyperthyroidism in cats. The iodine-restricted diet meant no fish or seafood, no salted human foods because table salt is usually iodized, and no cat food containing iodine supplements in the form of potassium iodide, calcium iodate, or kelp. These symptoms of hyperthyroidism include a visible large mass over trachea and larynx of the cat, dyspnea (difficult breathing), dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing), weight loss, dysphonia (hoarseness.) Cat hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder that affects felines. 28-30 The prevalence of CKD in hyperthyroid cats has been reported to be between 14 and 49%. If you can detect it earlier, you may select the right treatment for your cat. Yes, he had lost weight on that stuff, but he’d become very ill, too: he was vomiting several times a day, anxious and yowling all the time, drinking and peeing great volumes of water, was too weak to jump up on a sofa, he even got aggressive with me. We review the three most common treatment options, medication, surgery and radioactive iodine therapy for cats. For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute? Hyperthyroidism in cats is a common metabolic problem in senior cats, and it is often hard to make a decision as to how to treat this condition given the age of cats at diagnosis. He has lost some weight, but he’s doing ok. Symptoms are reduced very rapidly and the body starts to return to normal, including the heart in early cases. There are 2 thyroid glands located in the neck. It’s a safe an effective treatment and in many cases provides a cure. Cat Hyperthyroidism. Radioactive iodine therapy is given with a simple injection under the skin and then absorbed by the abnormal thyroid tissue. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid glands in the neck develop abnormal tissue and produce too much thyroid hormone, causing bodily functions to speed up. Sleeping and Resting Respiratory Rates in Managing Heart Failure in Dogs and Cats. risks associated with radioactive iodine therapy for cats with hyperthyroidism. Robyn is an Australian veterinarian with a strong interest in feline medicine and well-being. Symptoms can become worse as the disease progresses. The thyroid hormones are important to maintain cats’ metabolism, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, including gastrointestinal function. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats. Weight loss is seen in 95 to 98 percent of hyperthyroid cats, and a hearty appetite in 67 to 81 percent. Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in Cats. Diagnosing Hyperthyroidism in Cats Your vet will begin by asking you for a detailed history of your cat’s signs and symptoms including litter box habits, weight changes, eating and drinking habits and amounts, activity levels, and changes in behavior/moods. One study stated that non-pure bred cats were at a higher risk of developing hyperthyroidism but another study said domestic shorthairs were less likely to develop the disease. She won't be able to eat enough to keep ahead of her increasing metabolism, but her appetite will give it a good try, and she'll lose weight. The onset of hyperthyroidism may be quite insidious and as always a good knowledge of your cat and its normal behaviour will set you in good stead if a thyroid problem is suspected. Hyperthyroidism causes weight loss, increased appetite, restlessness and many other symptoms. Registered address Shilton Road, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4PF. Although the clinical signs of hyperthyroidism in cats don’t sound that bad, hyperthyroid cats should be treated since it is the signs you don’t see that are affecting your cat’s quality of life. It then destroys the affected tissues without damaging the surrounding glands or tissues. In fact, they can often lose weight while still eating more than their normal amount of daily food. Vomiting is seen in about 50 percent of affected cats. Hormone abnormality in cats affects middle-aged and older kitties. Canned cat food is frequently contaminated with BPA, a … This may be revealed when hyperthyroidism is reversed by treatment but often can’t be seen on tests prior to treatment. He’s now 15 — and in perfect health! Physical symptoms of hyperthyroidism may be gradual at first, but eventually they may become obvious and problematic. It is rare in cats less than 10 years of age though can not be ruled out. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats can vary; some may show no visible signs at all, which can make it difficult to diagnose in the first instance. The most common clinical signs of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, increased appetite, and increased thirst and urination. Although I would never put a cat to sleep based on a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism if the owners refused to treat, I do think treatment is warranted to maintain quality of life. Enlarged thyroid without clinical hyperthyroidism – The thyroid is enlarged, but there are no clinical signs and a normal serum total thyroxine concentration. Understand that the severity and number of symptoms experienced is subject to variation based on the particular cat. The one with hyperthyroidism has all the symptoms, weight loss (1pound), hyperactivity, crying more but hungry all the time. Increased appetite - very often is the first noticeable symptom of feline hyperthyroidism. The thyroid hormones have an important role in regulating many of your cat’s body processes including metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and even gastrointestinal function. Therefore treating the thyroid disease may lead to overt kidney failure or significant worsening of pre-existing kidney disease. Many cats live long and happy lives with medication to keep hyperthyroidism under control but regular visits to the vet and monitoring tests are often necessary. The condition can be diagnosed with a straightforward blood test taken by a vet. Some of the most common and obvious symptoms to watch out for are: Increased appetite, coupled with weight loss; My cat is 17 and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism almost 2 years ago. The classic picture of a hyperthyroid cat that vets have in mind is an old, bright, thin cat who eats a lot, drinks more than usual and vomits occasionally. My cats hate Hills Science Diet itself, I can get them to eat it if I mix a little Fancy feast in with it. Permethrin Poisoning in Cats: What You Need to Know, Cat Scooting: What it Means and What to Do, High Blood Pressure in Cats: Signs and Treatment, weight loss despite a good or ravenous appetite, increased thirst and therefore increased urination, the heart is racing and therefore has to work harder, leading to heart enlargement, blood pressure may be elevated to dangerous levels causing retinal detachment and subsequent blindness, the body is burning up energy, which is worsened by having to produce more red blood cells to carry more oxygen to ‘overactive’ tissues. Like surgery, this procedure is expensive but is only done once, so the overall cost needs to be compared against the cost of ongoing medication and monitoring including blood tests. Not all cats will show symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Thyroid hormone regulates the body's metabolic rate and affects all tissues and every system in the cat's body. Weight loss and increased appetite are among the most common clinical signs of this condition. Between 95 and 98% of cats with hyperthyroidism display weight loss, most often due to muscle wasting. Controlling levels of iodine (which the thyroid gland needs to make the hormones) in the body with a special diet can also help to control the disease in some cases but it is essential that the cat eats only that diet and nothing else This can be tricky if your cat goes out. You should discuss the risks in detail with your veterinary surgeon before the procedure. Between 95 and 98% of cats with hyperthyroidism display weight loss, most often due to muscle wasting. My cat is living proof that hyperthyroidism can be successfully treated with a low-iodine diet. It is a delicate balance in cats that have both conditions to balance the thyroid treatment with the kidney disease to minimise the adverse effects of both, and in many cases it may not be worth treating the thyroid disease in this situation. Eventually I found Hill’s prescription low-iodine YD food, and this is mainly what he’s been eating for almost 2 years. When the thyroid glands don’t produce enough hormone it’s known as hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. So I fed him raw poultry and unsalted bone broth. Hyperthyroidism in cats arises from overactivity of the thyroid gland. We're so glad we've been able to help these pets who are unable to help themselves, but there are thousands of sick and lonely pets still in need, so we need to ask for a small favour. The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and produces the thyroid hormones. Thanks for the informative article it has helped me understand his condition a bit better. My 14 year old cat has recently been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and we’ve started medication. Possible hyperthyroidism with possible nonthyroidal disease – The cat has clinical signs of the disease but a normal serum total thyroxine concentration. A common solution for cats suffering with hyperthyroidism is to surgically remove the affected tissues, an operation which is known as a thyroidectomy. The major caveat for treatment is whether or not there is concurrent chronic kidney disease – one of the benefits of hyperthyroidism is that it improves blood circulation through the kidneys which may compensate for diseased kidneys. Urinating in different locations around the house (outside of the litter tray). When a cat suffers from hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland overproduces these hormones, causing their body to use energy too quickly. Like those who eat fish-based food, cats who eat canned food are at an increased risk of developing thyroid conditions including hyperthyroidism. We review the three most common treatment options, medication, surgery and radioactive iodine therapy for cats. We provide free pet advice as every pet deserves to be well looked after. If levels creep up for for a few or 12 or even 24 hours it is not going to cause all the chronic changes we talked about. Blue Cross is a registered charity in England and Wales (224392) and in Scotland (SC040154). Hyperthyroidism symptoms you might spot If you think your cat might have this condition, or you’ve already had a diagnosis from your vet, you might recognise the following symptoms: Losing weight despite (usually) a voracious appetite Overeating – but occasionally a loss of appetite Hyperthyroidism Symptoms Too much thyroid hormone affects your cat's metabolism, essentially resulting in her body burning through fat and calories at warp speed. The prevalence of CKD has been reported to be between 7.7% for cats over 10 years of age and 30% for cats over 15 years of age. Other tests may be taken to look for other diseases which may affect the condition. Hyperthyroidism, also known as "hyperthyroid disease," occurs when the thyroid gland enlarges and starts producing excess amounts of thyroid hormone (thyrotoxicosis). Prognosis for both management and cure of hyperthyroidism in cats is EXCELLENT as long as there is no concurrent kidney disease. In the short term, this causes symptoms such as a voracious appetite, weight loss, and sometimes diarrhea or vomiting. The vet also said his heart rate was dangerously fast, and he was dehydrated despite all the water he drank. The average age at diagnosis is 13 years old, but cases have been reported over a wide age range e.g. Symptoms of Feline Hyperthyroidism. It often provides a long-term or permanent cure in most cats. Updated 12 September 2020 By Dr Robyn Hall 7 Comments. However, hyperthyroidism in cats is linked to the development of other conditions as well, such … But this is only available at some specialist centres and is expensive, and requires your cat to be hospitalised for three to six weeks. Some of the most common and obvious symptoms to watch out for are: Increased appetite, … I read all the cat food labels and at first I could not find ANY cat food that didn’t contain either fish or iodine supplements, or both. If both are removed, either together or in two separate operations, this may carry an increased risk of post-surgical complications. She shares her life with two tabby domestic shorthairs, who she adopted from a vet clinic whilst living in Perth. I had no idea of all the complications hyperthyroidism can cause in a cat’s body. Symptoms of Feline Hyperthyroidism. Hope your kitty is feeling better on his/her medications . Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in Cats As with so many conditions the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are similar to those of other diseases including low thyroxine. Hypothyroidism—reduced levels of thyroid hormone production—can occur in cats, but it is rare. After surgery, regular blood tests may be recommended so that your vet can ensure that the thyroid hormone levels are normal. The most common signs observed in cats with hyperthyroidism include: At this point you may be thinking, “that sounds similar to signs of kidney disease or diabetes” and you would be correct. If everyone who benefits from our articles is able to give a little back, we can reach thousands more pets. Over the past several decades the incidence of hyperthyroidism in felines has been on the rise, though no one is certain why this is the case. In rare cases, the hyperthyroid disease is a secondary disease and may be caused by tumors in the thyroid area. The average age of cats with hyperthyroidism is 13 years of age; only about 5 % of hyperthyroid cats are younger than 10 years of age. Thank you for providing this important information. Hyperthyroid symptoms in cats are usually seen in middle-aged and older cats aged 10 years and over. Vomiting may result from a direct action of thyroid hormones on an area of the brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone. Surgery can cure hyperthyroidism in cats, but is a technically challenging  procedure and you will likely be referred to a specialist surgeon. My cats love “cat concoctions”. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) in cats. Hyperthyroidism can cause cats to display symptoms of diarrhea, increased thirst, increased urination, vomiting, hyperactivity, weight loss, and increased appetite. Gastrointestinal signs including intermittent vomiting or regurgitation are fairly common in cats with hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is common in cats, especially middle-aged and senior cats. Hyperthyroidism occurs most commonly in older cats and is rare in dogs. there may be osteoporosis leading to weak bones. For as little as £1 you can make a difference - do you have one minute? Untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause a serious heart problem called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickened, enlarged heart) that can ultimately be fatal. Hyperthyroidism in cats can cause the heart muscle to become thickened. It can affect cats of any breed. The average age of cats with hyperthyroidism is 13 years of age; only about 5 % of hyperthyroid cats are younger than 10 years of age.

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