An overactive thyroid in cats
Written by Mara |
Lots of older cats have an overactive thyroid. This condition is called hyperthyroidism, which means that your cat’s thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. In this article, the thyroid as an organ is explained as well as the consequences of an overactive thyroid for your cat. It’ll also go into treatment options.
Your cat’s thyroid
The thyroid is an organ with two glands, one on either side of your cat’s trachea. Located near the thyroid glands are the parathyroid glands. The thyroid regulates your cat’s metabolism.
What is an overactive thyroid?
As the word implies, the thyroid of a cat with hyperthyroidism is too active. It makes too much thyroid hormone, which causes an elevated heartrate, a blood pressure that is too high, a metabolism that is too fast (often paired with diarrhoea) or behavioural changes. Hyperthyroidism is often caused by a benign tumour in the thyroid.
Symptoms in cats
The following ae possible symptoms of hyperthyroidism:
- Losing weight despite a good appetite.
- Drinking and urinating more.
- Straggly coat.
- Behavioural changes. Many cats become more restless and active than usual. They also often find cooler places to lie down and start panting.
- Sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.
- The thyroid becomes enlarged and can be felt in the neck. This is impossible with a healthy thyroid.
Because an overactive thyroid often causes a higher blood pressure in cats other symptoms my become apparent, such as a reduced heart function, reduced kidney function and even blindness.
How does the veterinarian diagnose hyperthyroidism in my cat?
The symptoms the cat displays often already indicate what is happening. When you can feel the thyroid in your cat’s neck, the diagnosis becomes even more probably. The diagnosis can be confirmed through a blood test. This tests several bodily functions, such as the liver function and the kidney function, as well as the thyroid panel.
Sometimes a cat already displays symptoms of an overactive thyroid, even though the blood test shows normal levels of the thyroid hormone. In this case, a repeat blood test after six weeks is advisable. Many veterinarians can do this test in their own surgery.
Aside from a blood test, measuring the blood pressure is also important. As mentioned before, this is often too high which can have great consequences for your cat’s physique. A too high blood pressure also needs to be treated to cure or prevent other ailments.
