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Hyperthyroidism in cats occurs when one of the thyroid glands become overactive. Middle-aged to older cats are commonly affected by this endocrine disease. This condition can lead to heart failure and death if left untreated. Here is everything you need to know regarding feline hyperthyroidism.

Causes

Cats usually develop hyperthyroidism due to adenomas in the thyroid gland. Adenomas are groups of benign, or non-cancerous cells. This condition can also be caused by cancerous cells growing in the thyroid gland. However, it’s pretty rare for cancer cells to affect this gland. You may be wondering about the signs produced by this disease.

Signs

The thyroid gland is responsible for controlling the rate of metabolism. Your cat will drink and eat more than normal if the gland is malfunctioning. Even with the increased consumption, he will begin to lose weight rapidly. Your cat may also become more active than usual.

Hyperthyroidism in cats can also affect the gastrointestinal system. It’s common for cats to experience vomiting and diarrhea if it is affected. This disease can also cause problems with the heart. This may lead to congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or an increased heart rate.

Diagnosis

This condition can only be diagnosed accurately using a blood sample. The level of thyroid hormone in the blood will be measured. The vet may have a hard time diagnosing this disease since the level of thyroid hormone can vary over time. The vet may also palpate the thyroid gland to see if its enlarged.

Treatment

There are three treatment options for hyperthyroidism. These methods of treatment include radioactive iodine, surgery, and drugs. If your cat is given radioactive iodine, it will destroy all thyroid tissue in his body. Radioactive iodine is the most effective treatment method, although it’s the most costly.

During surgery, one or both thyroid glands will be removed. However, surgery is less effective since thyroid tissue can be left in other areas of the body. Antithyroid drugs are effective and are taken orally once or twice each day for life. The symptoms will quickly reappear is the medication is ever discontinued.

All owners should know a little something about feline diseases. You can read up on many different potential health problems at cat-illnesses.com. So, stop by today to learn about a wide range of these conditions.

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