…HYPERTHYROIDISM
As cats age, many of their behaviours and habits change. It’s tricky knowing if these changes are part of your cat’s normal ageing process or due to an underlying health condition. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that could stump you as it causes both physical and behavioural changes, with the initial changes being quite subtle.
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid glands (in the neck, on either side of the windpipe) produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormones.This common condition affects senior cats, usually over seven years of age.
Thyroid hormones control your cat’s metabolism (the rate at which their body uses energy). High levels of thyroid hormones speed up the metabolism and affect pretty much every body system.
Cats with hyperthyroidism lose weight (despite often being ravenous).They appear anxious and unsettled (similar to us if we have too much caffeine!) Often, cats have sickness, diarrhoea, and general weakness. Many cats stop grooming themselves and appear in poor condition with unkempt fur.As the condition progresses, high levels of thyroid hormone affect the heart, cause increased blood pressure, and mask symptoms of other conditions (such as kidney failure).
What causes it?
Most cats develop hyperthyroidism due to thyroid nodular hyperplasia (a benign enlargement of the thyroid glands). Rarely (in 1 — 2 per cent of cases) is thyroid enlargement due to a more malignant tumour (called a thyroid adenocarcinoma).
What treatments are available?
The good news is that hyperthyroidism is treatable and sometimes completely curable. Your vet can discuss in detail the pros and cons of each treatment.
● Medication — daily tablets or liquid medicine control thyroid levels.
● Surgery — removal of one or both thyroid gland(s).
● Radioactive iodine treatment — an injection of radioactive iodine destroys all of the abnormal thyroid tissue.
Many vets regard radioactive iodine treatment as the
‘gold standard’ option for hyperthyroidism (it cures most cats with no need for any further treatment). But labelling any treatment as ‘gold standard’ wrongly implies that other options are a compromise. Some people feel guilty if they don’t choose (or can’t afford) the ‘gold standard’ treatment.With such a range of treatments available, it’s almost certain there’s a highly effective treatment for your cat that suits both your lifestyle and your budget.With careful management, cats can continue to live happily for a good while despite having hyperthyroidism.