Since hyperthyroidism can predispose a cat to other conditions, it is important to evaluate general health, with particular focus on the heart and kidneys. If your cat does not have elevated T4 levels but your veterinarian still suspects your cat has hyperthyroidism, additional tests may be recommended. Most cats with hyperthyroidism have elevated levels of the thyroid hormone T4 in their bloodstream, but a small percentage of cats with hyperthyroidism have T4 levels within the normal range. If thyroid disease is a possibility, your veterinarian will likely order a blood chemistry panel and an analysis of thyroid hormone levels. The cat’s heart rate and blood pressure may also be checked. The coat of affected cats may appear unkempt, matted, or greasy (see Figure 1).Ī veterinarian who suspects a cat has a thyroid problem will conduct a physical examination and palpate the cat’s neck area to check for an enlarged thyroid gland (see Figure 2). Hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity. The most common clinical signs of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, increased appetite, and increased thirst and urination. Thyroid hormones affect nearly all of the organs in the body therefore, thyroid disease often causes secondary problems.Ĭats afflicted with hyperthyroidism usually develop a variety of signs that may be subtle at first but that become more severe as the disease progresses. Although the cause of feline hyperthyroidism is not known, possible contributing factors include deficiencies or excesses of certain compounds in the diet and chronic exposure to thyroid-disrupting chemicals in food or the environment. Some rare cases of hyperthyroid disease are caused by malignant tumors known as thyroid adenocarcinomas. In most cases, enlargement of thyroid glands is caused by a non-cancerous tumor called an adenoma. Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in cats, and mostly afflicts cats middle-aged and older.Īlso called thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormones (known as T3 and T4) from an enlarged thyroid gland in a cat’s neck.
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