Does Your Pet Have A Cat Thyroid Problem?

Cat thyroid problems was something that I had never heard of a few years ago, then all of a sudden nearly every cat I knew had some form of thyroid problem. Luckily in every case the condition was either treated with either medication or with a small operation and in all the cases the cats recovered.

Then just recently I noticed that I was being asked a lot of questions with very similar sounding symptoms like "my cat is losing weight but still eating normally" or "my cat seems very nervous and agitated and is losing weight". Both of these are classic symptoms of a cat thyroid problem and so I decided to include a page here on the site about the condition and what the treatments are.

What is a cat thyroid problem?

The thyroid is a small gland in the neck, its job is to regulate the body's metabolism i.e. how the body uses and manages its energy.

There are two different thyroid conditions that can affect both humans and cats alike, they are:

Hyperthyroidism - This is when the thyroid gland becomes overactive and produces too much of the hormone that regulates the body. When this happens the body's metabolism speeds up and works too fast causing other organs in the body to over work too which can also lead to other conditions arising. One of these is a condition known as thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy that is caused by the heart rate beating faster and the lining of the heart having to become thicker to cope with the increased blood pressure.

Hypothyroidism - This is when the thyroid gland under performs and the body's metabolism slows. It is less common in cats than the previous condition and is usually only seen in cats that are being treated for hyperthyroidism and the medication works too well.

The symptoms

The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

• Weight loss - this can be quite dramatic if not treated quickly.
• Increase in appetite - your cat will cry for food all the time and never seem satisfied.
• Vomiting and diarrhoea - these may be spasmodic and may not occur in all cats.

It is mainly only seen in cats over the age of 12.

The symptoms of Hypothyroidism are:

• Lethargy and a reduced desire to play
• Weight gain even though they are eating normally
• Hair loss
• Constipation
• The coat and skin become dull and flaky
• Behaviour changes such as aggressive behaviour or over grooming
• Frequent urination
• Weakness
• Vomiting

There may be other symptoms and a cat may not show all of the above symptoms.

Diagnosis and treatment of cat thyroid problems

The only way to make an accurate diagnosis is to take the cat to the vets. There the vet will carry out a blood test to be sent away for analysis; they will also try to feel for the thyroid gland in the neck to see if it has become enlarged.

In both conditions the treatment is similar and based on the individual cats blood test results. Usually initially the vet will prescribe medication that has to be given to the cat every day. This medication cannot cure the condition but it does help to return the normal levels of the thyroid hormone in your cat's body. Depending on the cats personal condition the vet may recommend that the cat remains on the medication for good or that after a few weeks when the levels of the hormone are back to normal that a operation is carried out to remove the affected thyroid glad (there are two).

If it is not known for sure what causes cat thyroid problems but the condition has been linked with a lack of iodine in the diet. A vet may recommend a special cat food diet rich in iodine but low in soy, another product under investigation for causing thyroid problems.

Little Mo has recently had an operation to remove one of her thyroid glands. She is now putting weight back on and is slowly returning to her old self, she is far less jumpy and much happier in herself. If you suspect your cat may have a cat thyroid problem it is best to take them to the vets as soon as possible as the loss of weight can sometimes be so severe and rapid that they can actually lose muscle as well.

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