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Does Your Pet Have A Cat Thyroid Problem?
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 symptomsThe symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:
It is mainly only seen in cats over the age of 12. The symptoms of Hypothyroidism are:
There may be other symptoms and a cat may not show all of the above symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment of cat thyroid problemsThe 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.
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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