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DVA 326 Bridge Street * Dedham, MA 02026 * 781.326.2800
Feline Hyperthyroidism
An over-active thyroid gland can result in abnormally high metabolic rate and toxic effects on the heart and liver.
What is Hyperthyroidism? Hyperthyroidism is the term for the disease caused by an overactive thyroid gland. The disease is usually caused by a benign tumor of the thyroid gland which produces too much thyroid hormone. Since thyroid hormone controls metabolic rate, cats with this disease have a very fast metabolism which causes many problems. Hyperthyroidism can especially damage the heart and the liver of your cat if he or she has this disease. This disease usually strikes older cats but can affect young adults, too.
What are the effects of an over-active thyroid on the cat’s body? Hyperthyroidism causes problems for almost every organ and system. Initially you may notice just weight loss, increased appetite, increased water intake, vomiting and diarrhea. Some cat owners have reported a change in the meow as well as increased meowing as the first signs of the disease. Some owners do not report any changes in their cat, but a heart murmur and fast heart rate is detected on their cat’s annual examination.
As the disease progresses, there can be serious effects on the heart and cardiovascular system. Heart murmurs and high blood pressure problems are not uncommon; in fact, untreated hyperthyroidism will usually result in heart failure. Very high levels of thyroid hormone are toxic to the liver. If the disease goes untreated for a long period of time, the patient will waste away to emaciation and eventually die, usually of cardiac failure.
How is Hyperthyroidism diagnosed? Most cats with hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed based on clinical signs, physical examination and a simple blood test to measure thyroid hormone levels. Rarely other types testing may be needed. In some cases a trial of medication followed by repeat blood tests may be done. We recommend having all cats over seven years of age screened for hyperthyroidism, as it is the second most common glandular disease in the cat. Our feline senior blood work does include a two part blood test for thyroid disease.
How is Hyperthyroidism treated? Three treatment options exist: Oral medication, surgery and radioactive iodine.
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