Diagnosis is made by a simple routine blood test.
The risk of developing hyperthyroidism increases
with age and is therefore common in older cats,
with both males and females affected.
As the overactive thyroid gland increases the
demand for energy, the cat becomes ravenous for
food even though they lose weight. Other side
effects occur too as shown below. If your cat is
showing any of these signs, we suggest that you
visit your vet.
Possible clinical signs of hyperthyroidism:
l
Weight loss despite increased eating
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More vocal, irritable or hyperactive
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Increased drinking and urinating
l
Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
l
Increased heart rate
l
Unkempt coat
Treatment
Each cat is managed on an individual case by
case basis, taking into account their symptoms
and the presence of other concurrent illnesses
such as kidney or heart disease. Treating with
long-term medication reduces the productivity
of the thyroid to a more manageable state. The
first line of treatment is usually tablets which are
easy to implement. Other alternatives include
gels smeared on the ear, or a specialised diet
For treatment to work, medication
should be given every day as
prescribed, because a lapse can
result in the return of the disorder in
just 2 days.
As each cat responds differently, repeat bloods
are required to make sure they are receiving the
correct medication dosage. Hyperthyroid cats are
prone to urinary tract infections so urine checks
may be needed.
Surgical removal of an affected thyroid gland can be
performed to try and cure the disorder but the cat
needs to be clinically stable before the procedure.
Radiotherapy at selected centres (e.g. Bishopton
and The Pride Veterinary Centre) is successful in
curing hyperthyroid patients in up to 95% of cases.
Treating concurrent disorders
Kidney disease may be masked by hyperthyroidism
and only become apparent once the thyroid is
controlled. Also, heart disease can occur as
increased metabolism puts pressure on the heart
to beat faster. Both conditions need to be balanced
with the thyroid treatment to get a better outcome.
Love your cat
Making sure you take time to stroke and play with
your cat before and after medicating will prevent
the cat from resisting the attention. This stops the
animal from associating the negative effects of
holding them to medicate. Routine positive
reinforcement also improves the cat/human bond
and reduces the possibility of stress-induced
disorders in cats in the long term.
Elliott Payne, Bsc(Hons)VetMed.MRCVS
Larkmead Veterinary Group
Hyperthyroidism
is the over activity of
the thyroid gland, which speeds up the
metabolism of the animal.