Skin And Coat Changes
A thyroid problem will cause the cat to have a dull and coarse coat.The cat may lose significant amounts of hair, but there will be no baldpatches, but the coat will get thinner.
The skin will be dry and flaky if the cat suffers fromhypothyroidism. An excess of thyroid hormones may lead to an oily skinwith acne and common skin infections.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hyperthyroidism In Cats
Typically, the signs of hyperthyroidism develop gradually, over a few months. Often the cat carer notices a number of symptoms developing in their pet.
- Changes in the cats behavior and habits.
- A formerly placid, easy going cat might become more agitated and more irritable.
- The appetite is often affected, with changes in favorite foods, as well as a significantly increased appetite.
- Increased thirst.
- Increased urination, sometimes with accidents in the house.
- Increased vocalization, with cats howling and yowling more than before.
- Intermittent vomiting.
- The most telltale sign is weight loss despite an increased appetite.
If your cat shows a combination of some of the signs listed above, its important to take them to the vet promptly.
Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is impossible without doing a blood test, and the sooner the diagnosis is made, the sooner treatment will be given, and the sooner your pet will be on the road to being fully healthy again. This is not a disease that will go away by itself, nor will it respond to home remedies of any kind.
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.
That said, there are some cases that do not show fit this picture,and there are some cats that show these signs but have a normal thyroid gland. This is why its so important to have your cat checked by your vet if you are worried about their health in any way.
Thyroid Problems In Cats
If hyperthyroidism was first spotted in 1979, does this mean it didnt exist before then?
As it turns out, this seems to be a genuine hike in the numbers of skinny cats who are desperately hungry and vocal about it.
This has the hallmarks of a newly emerged condition. Retrospective analysis of postmortems from cats before the 1980s shows very few cats back then had hyperthyroidism.
So what triggered the rise of hyperthyroidism in cats? What is the cause?
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How Is Hyperthyroidism Treated
Since fewer than 2% of cats with hyperthyroidism have cancerous growths of the thyroid gland, treatment is usually very successful.
Before choosing any form of treatment, several tests are performed which may include additional blood tests, a urinalysis, chest X-rays, an ECG, and blood pressure measurement. These tests are needed to evaluate the overall health of your cat and to predict the likelihood of complications with the chosen treatment protocol.
Ultrasound of the heart may be recommended based on your cat’s condition, especially if there is any concern about cardiomyopathy. Thyroid scintigraphy may also be recommended to confirm a diagnosis and determine the size of the organ prior to surgery or radioactive iodine.
“There are several treatment options your veterinarian will determine the best choice for your cat.”
There are several treatment options and your veterinarian will determine the best choice for your cat. Many factors must be considered when choosing the best therapy for an individual cat. The treatment options for hyperthyroidism are:
“Surgical removal of the affected thyroid gland may be very effective.”
Some hyperthyroid cats have thyroid cells in abnormal locations called ectopic thyroid tissue – and they may remain hyperthyroid after surgery. It is best to perform a nuclear scan before surgery to rule out ectopic thyroid tissue.
For this prescription diet to work, it must be the only food fed, and this means no cheating with treats.
Diagnosing Thyroid Problems In Pets
Diagnosis is based on symptoms. Your vet will conduct a thorough physical examination and review your pets medical history to diagnose hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. If a problem is suspected, the vet will do appropriate diagnostic tests such as a Baseline T4 Test, Baseline T3 Test or TSH Stimulation Test.
Generally, the TSH Stimulation Test will reveal whether your dog has a low T4 or T3 level. If hyperthyroidism is suspected, the diagnosis is based on the symptoms presented, enlarged gland, and high T4 levels.
If symptoms of other diseases are present along with hyperthyroidism, your vet may perform blood tests such as a CBC , serum chemistry and urinalysis. Tests such as the T3 suppression test, free T4 measurement test, and a thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test may be performed to confirm the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.
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Signs Your Cat Has A Thyroid Problem
Thyroid12
As humans, we know of a few common thyroid conditions that can plague us as we age. But did you know that our pets can experience these conditions, too?
The thyroid, a small gland in your cats neck, produces hormones that help regulate things like metabolism, energy and body temperature. When a tumor or other change affects the amount of thyroid hormones produced, this is considered a thyroid disorder.
In cats, hyperthyroidism is the most common thyroid issue. When a cat suffers from hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland overproduces these hormones, causing their body to use energy too quickly. Hypothyroidismreduced levels of thyroid hormone productioncan occur in cats, but it is rare.
Hyperthyroidism is most common in older cats. If it is not addressed, hyperthyroidism could lead to secondary health problems like hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease and blindness. Fortunately, thyroid disorders are pretty easy to spot in cats and are also easy to treat once diagnosed.
These six signs can help clue you in to a potential problem with your cats thyroid.
Hypothyroidism In Cats: Signs And Symptoms
Did you know that cats can suffer from similar thyroid conditions to those that afflict human beings? One glandular thyroid condition that cats can suffer from is called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism in cats is also sometimes referred to as thyroid hormone deficiency. Hypothyroidism is the less commonly understood glandular thyroid disorder, with many more people being familiar with hyperthyroidism. While hyperthyroidism is due to an excess of thyroid hormones that drive various hormonally reliant processes within the body into overdrive, hypothyroidism is the opposite.
Hypothyroidism results from a deficiency of thyroid hormones within the bloodstream. If you are worried your cat may be suffering from hypothyroidism, it is important to visit a licensed veterinarian in order to get a diagnosis and receive recommendations of different treatment options. In order to detect hypothyroidism in your cat early, it is important to understand what hypothyroidism is, the potential causes of hypothyroidism in cats, common symptoms of hypothyroidism, how a veterinarian will diagnose hypothyroidism, and the potential treatment options available.
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Symptoms Of Thyroid Problems
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the excess thyroxin speeds up the metabolism. Hyperthyroidism is signaled by:
- Increase in appetite, while the cat keeps loosing weight
- Vomiting right after meals
- Bald spots can appear in the cat’s fur
- Oily skin and even acne, especially in the chin area
- A foul-smelling liquid stool
- The cat becomes very restless
- Heart problems, due to the increased metabolism, which dictates a faster heart rate
- Accumulation of fluid in the chest and respiratory symptoms
- Kidney malfunction
Often, some symptoms of hyperthyroidism can be mistaken for those of old age, so tests are needed to establish the pets condition.
Hypothyroidisminvolves a slower metabolism and causes:
- A decrease in appetite, while the cat is gaining weight
- The cat is sluggish,
- The cats fur looses shine and becomes harsh just as in the case of hyperthyroidism.
How To Treat Pet Thyroid Problems
Treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats
Your vet may recommend the standard hyperthyroidism treatment:
- Radioactive iodine therapy The top choice in treatment by many vets. Radioactive iodine is injected and absorbed into the bloodstream. The thyroid gland takes up the iodine, which is required to make T3 and T4. The radiation kills the abnormal thyroid tissue but doesnt destroy the surrounding area. Most cats treated with radioactive iodine return to normal hormone levels within 2 weeks of treatment.
- Anti-thyroid medication such as methimazole Medication doesnt cure the disease but does help control it. Dosage is usually twice a day by mouth, for life. The medication is relatively inexpensive. Side effects can include vomiting, fever, lethargy and anemia. Transdermal antithyroid medications are also available. With either form of medication, the cat will need regular blood tests to check for side effects and measure effectiveness.
- Surgical removal Surgical removal has a high success rate. Surgery usually results in a permanent cure.
These treatments have possible adverse side effects, such as liver damage, anemia, hair loss and lethargy. Cats undergoing radioactive iodine therapy should be kept away from pregnant women and children.
Treatment of hyperthyroidism in dogs
Prevention
There are several things you can do to help prevent hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism in pets:
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Spotting Symptoms Can Provide Your Cat Relief
In both cases of thyroid disorders, your cats symptoms are likely to worsen gradually. Their initial signs may be difficult to spot. As the disease progresses, symptoms will become more obvious and detrimental.
In short, its important to remember that regular observance of your cats behavior, appetite and habits can help you notice changes as soon as they appear. The better you know your cat, the faster youll be able to identify symptoms of illness and seek help.
Thyroid Problems In Cats Symptoms And Treatment
Thyroid Problems in Cats: Does your cat only lose weight but eat as usual and you do not understand? This is the clearest sign that you could have hyperthyroidism. This is the most common disease in cats that must be cured in the initial stages itself.
In this article, we explain everything about this thyroid problem in cats more common than you think! We start.
It is likely that some of you or someone you know have thyroid problems. It is quite common in humans today. The fact is that animals also suffer them. Here we will talk about hype and hyperthyroidism in dogs and cats. Its symptoms and implications.
Contents
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Cats Living With Hypothyroidism
As a pet owner, maintaining a treatment plan with an animal that has a chronic condition can be difficult and daunting. If your cat has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism that is not transitory and requires prescribed medication to control, then you will need to make a shift in your life to accommodate their health condition. In many cases, your cat will need to take a dose of medication each day for the rest of his life, will need a regular blood test to check thyroid levels, and may require a diet change to help control symptoms. This can dramatically shift your daily routine and requires a conscientious approach to successfully treat your cat for hypothyroidism long-term.
It is also important to note that you should not introduce new foods or medications to your cat without consulting with your veterinarian first. It can be tempting to try a new herbal remedy or medication that someone you know had success with when treating their cat for hypothyroidism, but it may interact with his current prescription drugs in an adverse way. Switching medications or trying an herbal remedy is only one example of a situation in which you need to consult with your veterinarian, another important facet of your catâs health to consult with your veterinarian about is their diet and any modifications you plan to make.
Diet Control For Hyperthyroidism
Studies have shown that an iodine-restricted diet alone can control thyroid hormone levels, without the need for medication. Without iodine, the thyroid gland cannot make any hormones. Hills Pet Nutrition produces a prescription diet for cats with strictly controlled iodine levels.
However, on this diet, your cat must not consume any other food or liquid apart from water. Obviously, this solution wouldnt be practical for a cat that has access to the outdoors, or a cat that lives with others even the smallest amount of stolen food will allow hormones to be produced. While there have been no reported side effects, its possible that very low iodine diets can affect the immune system, although there is no evidence of this.
The diet is successful in approximately 90% of cases. Usually, if it doesnt work it is because the cat is getting food from elsewhere.
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Hyperthyroidism In Cats: Symptoms And Treatment
Hyperthyroidism in cats is a disease thats usually caused by a benign tumor within the thyroid gland. This tumor causes an overproduction of the thyroid hormone called thyroxine. One of the primary functions of this thyroid hormone is to regulate an animals metabolism.
Cats with too much thyroid hormone have a greatly increased metabolic rate, which leads them to lose weight despite having a ravenous appetite. Other symptoms can include anxiety, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst and urination.
These excessive hormone levels push a cats body into constant overdrive, which frequently leads to high blood pressure and a type of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Heres everything you should know about hyperthyroidism in cats so you can spot the signs and get your cat on a treatment plan as soon as possible.
What Is The Prognosis For Hyperthyroidism
Many owners of cats with hyperthyroidism are hesitant to have radiation therapy or surgery because of their cat’s advanced age. It is important to remember that old age is not a disease.
“The outcomes following most hyperthyroid therapies are usually excellent, and most cats have a very good chance of returning to a normal state of health.”
The outcomes following most hyperthyroid therapies are usually excellent, and most cats have a very good chance of returning to a normal state of health. Cats managed with diet or medication generally do well as long as their feeding is consistent or their medication is administered routinely and follow-up blood and diagnostic tests are performed as scheduled.
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What Are Thyroid Problems In Pets
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in neck, in front of the trachea . This gland, which is part of the endocrine system, produces two hormones: thyroxine and triiodothyronine . These two hormones regulate and maintain your pets metabolism, which affects overall health and well-being.
The production of these hormones is controlled by another hormone called TSH . TSH is produced by the pituitary gland.
If the thyroid gland doesnt function properly, thyroid hormone levels can be too high or too low. These hormones affect nearly every organ in the body. As a result, thyroid disease can cause other related problems. Improper thyroid function can negatively affect your pets body weight, heart rate, skin and coat, digestive system and reproductive health.
Symptoms Of Hypothyroidism In Cats
If your cat has hypothyroidism their metabolism will slow and you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Intolerance to cold temperatures
- Low body temperature
Treatment for Cats with Hypothyroidism
In many cases treatment is not required for cats with hypothyroidism. That said, if your cat’s symptoms are severe your veterinarian may prescribe synthetic hormone supplements, and schedule follow-up examinations including blood tests to monitor your cat’s hormone levels and general health.
Your vet may also recommend feeding your cat a reduced-fat diet while they are recovering from hypothyroidism. Cats typically recover well from hypothyroidism, with a notable improvement in their health seen in just a short amount of time.
Note:The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
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Causes Of Hypothyroidism In Cats
Because of how rarely hypothyroidism occurs in cats, there is no significant understanding as to how and why hypothyroidism develops in some cats. The most common cause of hypothyroidism in cats is as a result of treatment for hyperthyroidism. When a cat is suffering from hyperthyroidism, their thyroid gland overproduces levothyroxine, causing the metabolism to function on overdrive. Hyperthyroidism can cause cats to display symptoms of diarrhea, increased thirst, increased urination, vomiting, hyperactivity, weight loss, and increased appetite. To correct this condition, veterinarians utilize one of three main treatment options: oral medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery.
Hypothyroidism in cats most often occurs after a cat has received surgery or radioactive iodine therapy to treat hyperthyroidism. During the surgery, which is called a bilateral thyroidectomy, the overactive thyroid glands or the thyroid adenoma is removed. During the radioactive iodine therapy, radioactive iodine is injected into the cat and concentrated within the thyroid gland, where it irradiates and destroys the hyperactive tissue. While both of these methods of treatment are useful for curing hyperthyroidism, in some cases cats can develop hypothyroidism as a side effect of the treatment.
Hypothyroidism In Cats Faqs
Is hypothyroidism fatal in cats?
Acquired hypothyroidism, which affects adult cats, is rarely fatal. However, hypothyroidism can lower the kidney glomerular filtration rate, which is a measure of how well your cats kidneys are working to filter waste.
If a cat has chronic renal disease in addition to hypothyroidism, the combined effect of these factors can lead to severe azotemia or renal failure, which is fatal in cats.
Congenital hypothyroidism, which is present at birth, can be fatal in kittens.
How long can cats live with hypothyroidism?
Kittens with congenital hypothyroidism have an unknown prognosis. As this is a rare disease for cats, not much research exists for survival rates. Individual kitten survival depends on the severity of changes in their skeleton and nervous system.
Adult cats with acquired hypothyroidism have a good prognosis with management of their disease and can achieve a nearly normal life expectancy.
Is hypothyroidism in cats painful?
The side effects of untreated hypothyroidism can be painful.
In kittens with congenital hypothyroidism, pain and discomfort can arise from the lameness associated with the illness.
Discomfort for adult cats with untreated acquired hypothyroidism can arise from the following:
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Inflammation from excessive weight gain or abnormal skin barriers
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Dehydration from lowered kidney function or chronic renal disease
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Buildup of toxins in the bloodstream
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Weakness and a general feeling of being unwell
References
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