Hyperthyroidism in cats - Symptoms and treatments

Feline hyperthyroidism is one of those diseases that , in most cases, manages to go unnoticed, manifesting only when the cat's health is severely compromised.

This is a very common pathology, especially in cats that have exceeded 7 years of age In itself it is not fatal, but it involves complications that put the life of the cat at risk, by attacking several of its vital organs.That is why Animals and Pets Online presents this article on feline hyperthyroidism, symptoms and treatment .Keep reading!

What is feline hyperthyroidism?

It is a disease that has documentation only since 1970.It is common in elderly cats , especially in those over 10 years, being more frequent in the Siamese race.

It consists of an alteration of the organism due to the overproduction of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4).Detected in time, there are high probabilities of control and improvement, but otherwise, the complications that accompany this excessive secretion of the hormone are deadly for the cat.

Causes of feline hyperthyroidism

The main cause of hyperthyroidism is the increase in thyroid hormone production , both T3 and T4.This increase is due, in most cases, to a disorder caused by a disease related to the thyroid lobes .

The cause is because, as the size of the lobes grows, as a result of the disease, the hormone begins to secrete larger amounts , affecting the balance of the whole organism.

Approximately 10% of the felines affected the disease is caused by the presence of a carcinoma (carcinogenic mass), in which case the prognosis for improvement is reduced.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats

One of the problems of hyperthyroidism is that, in most cases, there are no clear signs of disease , these begin to occur when the pathology has already advanced.that it is necessary to remain attentive to any abnormality in the behavior and the habits of your feline, to detect this or any other ailment in time.

Usually , the cat's owner realizes that something is wrong when he notices that his partner eats the same or greater amounts of food, but shows an obvious weight loss .

This It is accompanied by other alarming signs , such as:

Chronic diarrhea
Depression
Hyperactivity
Nervous or arch behavior
Frequent vomiting
Inability to jump
Loss of strength
Neglected and knotted mantle
Arrhythmia
Dyspnea
Disorientation
A gresividad
Unusual nocturnal vocalizations

These symptoms do not appear suddenly or appear all together, rather they are shown in a progressive way, so if it is neglected, they may be overlooked.

By increasing the secretion of the thyroid, renal function is directly affected, so a renal failure is the greatest danger, putting the cat's life at risk.

How is the diagnosis made?

In principle, the size transformation suffered by thyroid lobes is usually noticeable with just palpating the cat's neck .This, of course, will not be enough to give a definitive diagnosis.of hyperthyroidism, nor the absence of this sign will mean that the feline does not suffer from the disease.

To be sure, various medical tests are necessary.The most important of all is a full blood test , in which you can appreciate not only the condition of the white blood cells and the health of the feline in general, but also the levels of liver enzymes (essential for detecting a kidney problem).

In addition to this, a electrocardiogram is recommended to assess the possibility of a heart problem, such as arrhythmia and tachycardia.

Treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats

When the results of the studies show a positive for feline hyperthyroidism, there are 3 types of treatments recommended.The choice of each depends not only on your country of residence, as one of them is not available worldwide, but also of the age, weight and health status of the cat, as well as the possibility of hepatic or cardiac complications:

The first option is administer antiroid drugs , a treatment that should be applied for life.The option is not curative, since it does not eliminate the origin of the problem, but it keeps the levels of thyroid hormone stable.It is possible that there are side effects, so They recommend veterinary check-ups every 3 months to review the dose and adjust it if necessary.The second option is a thyroidectomy , which is nothing more than the removal of the thyroid.This measure usually eradicates a large part of the problem, although you exist The risk of mortality is quite high.A therapy with active ingredients is usually applied and then surgery is used, because that way the lethality of the treatment is reduced.This solution should not be chosen if the cat suffers from liver disease or diabetes.The last possibility is the application of a treatment using radioactive iodine , which is considered the best option.However, it is not available in all countries, as there are no nuclear medicine centers to pets.

Radioactive iodine removes abnormally grown tissue, leaving the thyroid gland intact, and reducing hormone secretion levels.Treatment is given subcutaneously and does not represent any risk ; In addition, less than 10% of patients require a second dose, so it is highly effective.

There are pros and cons of applying each of these treatments, consulting with your veterinarian can find the most suitable option for the cat.

This article is purely informative, at ExpertAnimal.com we do not have the power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that he presents any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Hyperthyroidism in cats-Symptoms and treatments , we recommend that you enter our section on Other health problems.

Comments

Should parrots' wings be cut?

Having parrots at home is very common.They are small pets , colorful and very funny to see in their day to day.However, with the popularity they gain as companions of human homes, the number of people who choose to cut their wings to prevent them from escaping also increases. This practice that may seem common, has its detractors when it comes to thinking about the most beneficial for the bird.Do you want to know if the wings of the parrots should be cut ? Keep reading This article from Animal Expert! How are parrot wings cut? Before telling you whether or not it is advisable to cut the wings of your parrot, it is necessary to explain a little about how the process is carried out and the modifications that it implies in these limbs of the birds. When we talk about cutting the wings, there are two main procedures and some levels in each.The first of these processes is the alectomy , which consists in removing the distal phalanges of the wing and removing the primary feathers ,...

Similarities between humans and chimpanzees

Humans are an animal species that is part of the order primates , like our closest relatives, the apes.For this reason it is not surprising that we have many things in common with these animals, but more specifically with chimpanzees, who are commonly considered as "cousins" of man. If you want to know what we have in common with primates and chimpanzees...Don't miss out on this Animals and Pets Online article! You will be amazed at all the similarities between humans and chimpanzees that exist, from the way of walking and thinking to the games we share.We are like two drops of water! Similarities between humans and chimpanzees Within the family of mammals we can find primates, a large group that includes about 445 living species, including humans and chimpanzees.Numerous studies state that these species evolved from a common ancestor, the Plesiadapis , a primate who lived on Earth approximately 65 million years ago. Brain of the apes Despite what it may ...

Common diseases of mandarin diamond

If you are thinking of hosting a Mandarin diamond or you already have one, in addition to its Basic care you should also know some of the most common conditions that this exotic bird can suffer.The Taeniopygia guttata is a very small bird and very appreciated for its appearance and its simple care but, to give it the best quality of life in our home, we must recognize some symptoms and health problems that will indicate when you should go to the veterinarian. Therefore, in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain the most common diseases of Mandarin diamond or Timor's zebra diamond, so that you can detect when it is possible that your little pet is having a problem. Constipation One of the most common health problems in these small birds is constipation .Among the signs that will alert us that our partner is suffering from this disorder we will see the following: Difficulty to evacuate Irritated sewer Swollen belly Wrapping Repetitive gestures down ...

10 exotic birds of Chile

Chile is a country in South America that has an impressive geographical variety, due to the which can be found in mountainous areas, volcanic islands and even a polar strip.This multiplicity of climates and zones brings with it a great diversity of species in both flora and fauna. The exotic birds of Chile do not fall behind in terms of this diversity, thanks to which it is possible to find from small birds of warm climates, to penguins.Read reading this article of Animals and Pets Online so that you find out what are the most characteristic species of this country. 1 Andean Condor The Vultur gryphus , also called condor de los Andes, is considered the national bird of Chile , so it appears on the national shield.it's easy: its plumage is almost all black, with white wings and red head .It lives in rocky areas and feeds on carrona.Its appearance is imposing and intimidating. 2.Chilean Flamenco There are six species of flamingos around the world, and three of them ar...

ALL ABOUT THE FEVER IN DOGS

The fever in dogs or fever Canine is an increase in body temperature above normal values, which are between 38 and 39ºC , due, for example, to an infection or inflammation.There are different causes that cause the fever and we can easily measure it with the use of a digital thermometer. Next, in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain everything you need to know about fever in dogs, causes, symptoms and treatment to be applied to lower it.That is, if you suspect that your dog may suffer from fever, we recommend you go to your trusted veterinarian to discover the cause that is causing it and the treatment indicated according to your specific case. What temperature is considered fever in dogs? Fever is an excellent defense mechanism of the body .By increasing body temperature, the immune system seeks to destroy the pathogen.Therefore, it is a immune system reaction very beneficial for the dog in the face of an illness. The normal temperature of a dog Th...

Milbemax in dogs - USES and DOSE

Milbemax in dogs is a antiparasitic widely used by its wide spectrum of action and its effectiveness, in addition to its ease of use when sold as a chewable tablet with chicken flavor, which facilitates the dog to ingest it voluntarily.In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will talk about the action of milbemax in all types of dogs , its dosage, its possible side effects and, also, the precautions that we must take into account.Of course, we must always administer it according to veterinary prescription . What is milbemax for dogs? As we have said, milbemax is a active antiparasitic product against intestinal parasites such as cestodes, also known as flat worms, or nematodes or roundworms.against other non-intestinal nematodes, such as the Angiostrongylus vasorum , whose adult forms are located in the pulmonary arteries and the heart, or the Thelazia callipaeda , which parasites the eyes.be used in the prevention of another nematode, the Dirofilaria immitis or he...

Can I bathe my dog if I just wormed him?

When is it a first time in adopting a dog, it is normal that many doubts arise about what is best for them and when it is advisable to do everything, so Animals and Pets Online solves all the questions that arise. Deworming your dog periodically is necessary to preserve their health and avoid possible diseases from the action of microorganisms, external and internal parasites, among others.If you do not know when you should bathe your dog after a deworming , keep reading this article. Why deworm the dog? You may think that deworming is not necessary, but the truth is that thanks to it you avoid your dog much discomfort, in addition to prevent diseases transmitted by parasites . Among the main parasites, both external and internal, are ticks, fleas, lice, losacaros and intestinal worms, among many others.Pruritus, hair loss, diarrhea, tick disease, and even death in the most serious cases, they are part of the consequences that cause these beings to stay in the body of your furr...

How often should I change my cat's sand?

The sandbox is a tool essential for the daily hygiene of our felines.We must ensure that the cleaning we do is adequate, with the aim of preventing health problems and even behavioral problems that are related to the lack of cleaning.This very important aspect is common that doubts arise from the caretakers when choosing the sand, the sandbox itself, which is the best place to install it or how and how often to clean it. Maybe you wonder how often change the silica sand or binder, the recommended amount of sand or the frequency of complete sand change, for this reason, in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will focus on explaining how much we should change the sand of our cat .We will see the importance of maintaining the hygiene of a reindeer and how to preserve it in the best conditions. The importance of the sandbox for cats From a very young age, kittens learn to use the sandbox and, except for behavioral disorders or specific diseases, they will continue to use ...

Pododermatitis in Dogs - Symptoms and Treatment (WITH PHOTOS)

What is pododermatitis in dogs? Pododermatitis is the inflammation of the interdigital spaces of the feet and hands of dogs and other animals as a result of various causes.Often, the trigger is a hit in the area or the action of a foreign body that has caused an injury.Therefore, it will be more frequent in animals that transit through forested areas or perform hunting activities, races or jumps that can damage their feet or hands.By foreign body we understand any object capable of causing injuries such as crystals, spines or stones. Causes of pododermatitis in dogs Despite the above, pododermatitis has many other causes such as the action of irritating substances responsible for contact dermatitis, the allergies , the presence of parasites , such as scabies or flea mites, or the development of fungi.Also, endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism, autoimnune or interdigital cysts are also among the list of causes of Pododermatitis in dogs.In addition, psychological problem...

Urea high in dogs - Symptoms and treatment

Sometimes, we need to perform a blood test to our dog.It may be because he is ill and we try to reach a diagnosis or as part of a complete review, which is recommended in dogs older than seven years.Within the parameters that are analyzed in a blood test is urea. In this article by ExpertAnimal we will explain what high urea means in dogs , since it is usually the most frequent alteration of this parameter, although it may also appear low, as we will see. Urea The urea is a component of urine and is the residue generated by the metabolism of proteins that takes place in the human body, mainly in the liver .Yes, the urea present in the urine is the result of this metabolism and, also, of the breakdown of body cells. The liver is passed to the kidneys and from these the elimination takes place in the form of urine.If there is any problem in these organs it will result in alterations in the urea level.In a diet with an excess of proteins we could also find the urea eleva...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog