What is undoubtedly valid is the fact that when diagnosed, any disease should be seriously taken into consideration and proceed with adequate treatment. All of us who take care of a pet, know exactly how strong the bond made between us can be.
The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in cats is not at all something to be taken for granted, because if left untreated and without medical management it may compromise the normal function of the heart, kidneys, and other organs.
The alarm alert starts with the diagnosis and that is the point of action and struggle with the disease.
What is Hyperthyroidism in cats?
Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in cats which affects the middle-aged and older animals. It is also known by the name of thyrotoxicosis and happens as a result of increased production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. The thyroid in the cat’s neck becomes bigger which is caused by a non-cancerous tumor known as adenoma. It may sometimes occur due to malignant tumors, but that happens very rarely.
The cause of the cat’s hyperthyroidism is not known, the veterinarians say that the possible contributors include the deficiency or excess of some compounds in the cat’s diet and permanent exposure to chemicals in food and environment.
The hormones of the thyroid later affect almost all of the organ functions in the body of a cat. This condition is the main cause of the secondary problems.
Clinical signs and Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
Cats develop a variety of signs that implicate the hyperthyroidism subtle symptoms which become more severe as the condition worsens. The most common clinical signs are weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst, and urination. The condition of hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes hyperactivity of the cat.Factors whether to treat or not hyperthyroidism in cats
If the veterinarian suspects the cat has a thyroid problem will do a physical examination and palpate the cat’s neck area to check if the thyroid has enlarged. The heart rate and the blood pressure of the cat are very important. The blood checking and the thyroid hormone tests are what come next in the procedure of diagnosis.
In case the levels of the hormone T4 are elevated in their bloodstream then you will be sure that the diagnosis is hypothyroidism, although some of the cats may despite the diagnosis have a T4 hormone within the normal range.
It may also happen that the T4 hormone is in a normal range, but the Vet still suspects the disease and will suggest further analysis.
The disease can predispose a cat to other problematic conditions it is very important to make a general investigation of the health of the cat with a special focus on the heart and the kidneys. In this case, the blood analysis panel and the urinary tests will provide the Vet the overall scan of your cat’s health condition.
By results got from the medical examinations, your veterinarian will ask you to proceed with an adequate treatment to prevent further complications.
Treatment Options
Four treatment options are so far used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats. Medication, Radioactive iodine therapy, surgery, and dietary therapy are steps in treating the disease depending on how bad the situation is. All of these treatments have advantages and disadvantages and the type of the treatment will vary according to what specific circumstances, including the general health condition of the cat are a priority.
The ability of the owner and the willingness to give the cat medicines are crucial. The financial situation is also very important for the treatment.
- Radioactive iodine therapy
When this treatment to cure hyperthyroidism is available it means that the cat will be given the radioactive iodine as an injection which helps it be absorbed in the bloodstream very quickly. The iodine will help the production of T3 and T4 and the emitted radiation will destroy thyroid tissue without any damage to the surrounding tissues.
The cats that are treated with radioactive iodine get normal thyroid hormone levels within 1-2 weeks. This treatment in most cases cures the disease and has no side effects. It also does not require anesthesia. The radioactivity does not carry any risk for the cat, but precautionary measures should be taken for those people who are in contact with the cat.
The cat with this treatment will be in hospital since the levels of radioactivity get back to normal measures. In short, the cat will be in quarantine. This treatment is curative in approximately 95 percent of patients, but in case it shows low efficiency it can be repeated.
Sometimes the cat may show symptoms of hypothyroidism which is the opposite of the disease it has been treated for and show signs of lethargy, obesity, and poor hair coat. These will be settled with medical supplementation.
- Surgical thyroidectomy
This method requires full anesthesia and is also called thyroidectomy. It has a great success rate and provides a long-term or permanent cure for the disease. The problem with this method may be the anesthesia which may bring complications and risks with older cats. Surgical treatment is thus better for younger cats with no compromised health, while the efficiency is the same as with radioactive iodine therapy.
- Dietary Management
According to some studies some hyperthyroid cats can be treated against this disease by limiting the amount of iodine in the diet. This is a great solution for cats with medical conditions that exclude other methods and treatments.
Dietary iodine restriction is a bit controversial among the Vets, because a long-lasting iodine restriction may damage the overall health condition of the cat. Many think that such a diet may even worsen the condition of the cat. Anyhow, your cat’s vet will know the best.
Prognosis
The general prognosis for cats suffering from hyperthyroidism is good if they get appropriate therapy. Some of the cats can have secondary problems involving other organs which may cause the good prognosis to fail.
