The thyroid gland is vital to the regulation of hormones responsible for the function of the internal organs. Conditions like hyperthyroidism can impact this function. Here, our veterinarians in Janesville share the signs, prognosis and treatment options for hyperthyroidism in cats.
Life for Cats With Hyperthyroidism
Unfortunately, hyperthyroidism in cats can be fatal if left untreated. This happens because the thyroid affects the function of nearly every organ in the body.
With early diagnosis and treatment, you can expect your cat to recover and live a long and healthy life. The treatment will depend on your cat's specific situation. We will discuss these in more detail later in this post.
Is hyperthyroidism painful for cats?
Pain itself is not typically a symptom of hyperthyroidism. Even so, cats affected by hyperthyroidism usually develop uncomfortable symptoms that worsen as the condition advances.
If your cat is suffering from hyperthyroidism you may notice weight loss, increased appetite, and increased thirst and urination. Hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity and their coat may appear unkempt, matted, or greasy.
What happens if hyperthyroidism is left untreated?
Because the thyroid glands produce hormones that help regulate the function of the vital organs, cats with untreated hyperthyroidism may develop secondary problems, including heart disease and high blood pressure.
When the level of thyroid hormones increases, your cat may experience heart issues such as an increased heart rate, stronger contraction of the heart and thickening of the left ventricle of the heart. If continued to be left untreated, this can end with eventual heart failure.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, may also be a result of unmanaged hyperthyroidism, potentially causing damage to several vital organs, including the eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain.
Treating Hyperthyroidism in Cats
If your cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism then you may wonder if there's something you can give them to make everything better. While there are some things you can do at home including dietary changes and administering medications, certain cases will require veterinary treatments and care.
When it comes to hyperthyroidism in cats, the four main treatment options are:
Medication
Your vet may recommend medication for treating hyperthyroidism in cats. These are known as anti-thyroid medications.
These are used to help reduce the production and release of the thyroid hormone. Unfortunately, this cannot be used to cure cats with this condition, but it can help manage it allowing them to live life more comfortably.
While this medication is considered inexpensive, it may cause several side effects like vomiting, fever, anemia and lethargy. You will also need to administer this medication twice daily which may be a difficult schedule to keep up with.
Your cat will require regular veterinary exams to track treatment as well as diagnostics to monitor kidney function.
Radioactive Iodine Therapy
Radioactive iodine therapy is the most common type of treatment for cats experiencing hyperthyroidism.
To perform this treatment, your vet will inject radioactive iodine into your cat, which will be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. This iodine makes its way to the thyroid gland where the radiation will destroy any abnormal thyroid tissue without damaging the surrounding tissues. After about two weeks your cat's hormone levels should be close to normal again and your cat may be cured after about three months.
The main benefit of this treatment is that it allows for your cat to be fully cured of hyperthyroidism. However, it may not be available at all veterinary clinics as it requires the handling and injection of a radioactive substance and the clinic would need to be specially licensed to use radioisotopes.
The resulting radioactivity will have no negative effect on your cat, but there will need to be measures to protect those who may come into contact with them. This means that your cat will need to stay in quarantine at the clinic for about three to five days after treatment.
Surgical Treatment
In some cases, the vet may recommend the removal of the thyroid glands. This is called a surgical thyroidectomy. Some of the advantages of this surgical procedure are that it has a high success rate and is considered likely to cure hyperthyroidism in cats.
The surgery itself will require anesthesia which can be dangerous for senior cats, young cats, or those with medical issues. There is also a risk of unintentional damage to the parathyroid glands, which are located near the thyroid gland and are crucial in maintaining stable blood calcium levels.
Because of these risks, radioactive iodine therapy is considered more often than surgery.
Dietary Therapy
Certain studies show that there may be some success with treating cats using a diet that is low in iodine. This may be considered if your cat has a medical condition that prevents the use of other treatments.
Even so, reducing iodine may have other negative implications that cause serious harm and this option should always be discussed in full with your vet before beginning.
Veterinary Internal Medicine in Janesville
Veterinary internal medicine is the diagnosis and treatment of internal conditions like hyperthyroidism in cats.
At Badger Veterinary Hospital, we have a variety of diagnostic tools and treatment methods at our disposal.
We can manage patients with multiple diseases or disorders, and provide effective treatment alternatives for those who do not respond well to standard procedures.
If your pet is exhibiting symptoms of an internal condition, our internal medicine veterinarians in Janesville will perform a thorough physical exam to diagnose the problem and develop a detailed treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.