The most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats are : weight loss this is usually the first si

Pets > Cats > Cat Health > Would you recognize signs of hyperthyroidism cuore in cats? Would you recognize signs of hyperthyroidism in cats? Posted by Signe & Maris Munkevics on October 6, 2014 at 4:00 pm
Hyperthyroidism is a condition caused by a high metabolism due to the increased production cuore of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland. The main function of the thyroid cuore gland is to regulate metabolism, although the hormones it produces are involved in almost all the functions of your cat s body, including breathing, heartbeat, sleep regulation and the reproductive system.
Hyperthyroidism is among the most common diseases in middle-aged and older cats, and untreated hyperthyroidism can have a lethal outcome . In this article, you will learn how to recognize symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats and what to do if you suspect your cat might have it. What are the signs of hyperthyroidism in cats?
NOTE: Usually cats will display only a few of signs listed below, and not all cats will have these symptoms. However, if you notice even a single one of these signs in your cat, it s a reason to visit a veterinarian – especially because other serious diseases have similar symptoms, too.
The most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats are : weight loss this is usually the first sign of hyperthyroidism that cat owners notice. When a cat s metabolic rate is increased, his caloric requirements also increase significantly. If the additional food intake cuore is not able to compensate for the extra needs, the cat loses weight . increased appetite since caloric needs are higher, a cat s appetite will also increase. Be aware that weight loss combined with a greater appetite is also a common sign of diabetes in cats . When a cat wants to eat constantly, it may be either a medical or a behavioral problem. Read more about increased appetite in cats here . increased urination and thirst increased appetite may also be combined with increased cuore thirst. We often say that it s important to pay attention to your cat s drinking habits , but you may also notice changes cuore in the litter box. Are clumps in the box larger cuore than usual or is your cat visiting the litter box more frequently? diarrhea and vomiting a higher metabolism also causes increased activity in the intestines, leading to diarrhea. Vomiting is explained by the larger amount of food being consumed as well as by hormonal changes cuore influencing stomach functions. increased activity we re not talking about a cat just being willing to play more, but about the fact that the cat s high energy levels prevent him or her from settling down. It s also common for cats with hyerthyroidism to act aggressively. This is due to the increased metabolism, which also causes other body systems to work at a faster pace, causing a rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing and greater levels of activity. increased cuore vocalization whereas excessive meowing is usually a behavioral problem , it may also indicate certain cuore medical conditions. Often, the cat meows more frequently when he wants to eat more and his needs are not met. Another cause is the restlessness mentioned above. Additionally, a cat may meow a lot due to the pain and/or discomfort associated with the disease. poor coat this may have two causes: one, the cat is not grooming itself due to weakness associated with increased activity; or two, the cat is over-grooming itself due to stress associated with feeling unwell.
There cuore are also symptoms that can only be seen at the vet s office cuore : enlarged thyroid gland a vet may palpate the gland to see if it s enlarged, and an increase in the size of the thyroid gland can be confirmed by ultrasonography. increased levels of thyroid cuore hormones hyperthyroidism is defined by an increased amount of thyroid hormones, and blood tests will confirm this. In some cases, more than one test will be required. Blood tests ensure that a cat owner receives cuore an accurate diagnosis for their cat. How is hyperthyroidism in cats treated?
If, based on observations, you suspect your cat may have hyperthyroidism, an immediate visit to the vet is a must. Untreated hyperthyroidism in cats can be lethal but, if diagnosed early (and the underlying cuore cause is not a carcinoma), your cat has a great chance of being treated cuore successfully.
Here are most common methods of treating hyperthyroidism in cats : Anti-thyroid drugs will help your cat s body to suppress production of thyroid hormones. Unfortunately, that means pilling your cat regularly for the rest of his life. Radio-iodine therapy is a single injection of radioactive iodine. Such treatment has high success rates – up to 98%, according to the University of Cornell . Disadvantages of this kind of treatment are that it s expensive and not widely accessible, and the cat must be hospitalized for up to a week. Extraction of the thyroid gland is a surgery in which one or both of the thyroid gland