Hyperthyroid Disease In Cats

Navigation

You are here: Free Article Directory » Home-and-family » Pets » Hyperthyroid Disease In Cats

by: Dr.AndrewJones,DVM | Total views: 40 | Word Count: 751 | View PDF | Print View
Share This Article

Any older cat that has been losing weight, while perhaps eating more, should be checked for hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroid disease exists when overproduction of thyroid hormone is made by the thyroid gland. It occurs mostly in older cats, with the average age of about 13. Approximately 5% of hyperthyroid cats are younger than 10.

With hyperthyroidism, at least one of the thyroid glands, located in the neck, enlarge and overproduce thyroid hormone. Usually both glands will overproduce the thyroid hormone than just one of the glands.

Because thyroid hormone affects the functioning of all of the organs, the signs for the disease can be quite variable. Some of the most common signs will include increased appetite with weight loss, increased restlessness, aggressive behavior, an elevated heart rate, increased water consumption and increased urination, vomiting, increased stool size, diarrhea, dull haircoat, difficulty breathing, and depression and weakness.

The first step is correct diagnosis. The first examination will be to palpate the thyroid glands in the neck and see if they are enlarged. Diagnosis of this disease is made when the level of thyroid hormone is found in increased levels in the blood. Most hyperthyroid cats have very high levels of hormone, so it is usually very straightforward. But some cats will have signs of hyperthyroidism with normal or only slightly increased levels of thyroid hormone. And, thyroid hormone levels may vary over time, so it might be necessary to check blood levels several times.

One conventional treatment is with Radioactive Iodine Therapy. This may sound odd, but this is a very effective way to treat hyperthyroidism. It is given by injection and destroys all abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. Treatment requires one or two weeks of hospitalization at a veterinary hospital licensed to administer radiation therapy. This treatment is often limited to veterinary teaching institutions because of governmental regulations regarding radioactive materials. Sometimes, but not always, the expense can be greater than for the other options.

A second traditional treatment is with Oral Medication. Administration of an oral drug, methimazole, can control the effects of the overactive thyroid gland. Some cats have reactions to the drug (approximately 20%). However, the side-effects may begin as late as six months after the beginning of treatment and can include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, fever, and anemia. Methimazole does not destroy the abnormal thyroid tissue but rather prevents the production of excess thyroid hormone. Therefore, the drug must be given for the remainder of the cat's life. Periodic blood tests must be done to keep the dosage regulated. This type of treatment is appropriate for the cat who is a poor surgical risk due to other health problems or is exceptionally old. It may also be used for a few weeks to stabilize the cat who is at increased surgical risk because of cardiac complications.

A thyroidectomy, which is surgery to remove the abnormal tissue, is another alternative. But with surgery, recurrence of hyperthyroidism is a possibility with some cats. If surgery is done as a treatment, it is still possible to see recurrence if abnormal thyroid cells remain. Any remaining cells may grow, and this will cause recurrence of the disease. Overall, recurrence is less than 5%, and usually later than 2-4 years after treatment. An additional possibility for recurrence is that at the time of surgery, one lobe of the thyroid gland was normal, so it was not removed. Then years later it became abnormal, and the disease reoccurs.

A non-conventional, herbal treatment would be with Bugleweed (Lycopus Europeus) and Melissa (Melissa Officinalis). These herbs that have been used (in combination) to combat the effects of hyperthyroid disease. In testing with rats, Bugleweed has been shown to decrease thyroid hormone levels 24 hours after administration. A standard dose of Bugleweed and Melissa tinctures is 1 drop per lb of body weight given twice daily.

An additional alternative treatment is with Carnitine, an amino acid health supplement. Carnitine is normally synthesized within the body, primarily in the liver and kidneys, from the amino acids lysine or methionine. When given as a nutritional supplement, Carnitine has been found to be quite effective in reversing signs of hyperthyroidism in people. Starting cat dose of the supplement is 250 mg per day.

Hyperthyroidism is one of the more common endocrine disorders in cats, and is a very serious disease. About 2% of all cats older than 10 years of age will contract hyperthyroid disease. But fortunately hyperthyroidism is relatively easy to diagnose, and treatments have high success rates. Properly treated, cats are able to live normal, healthy lives.
Share This Article