Signs that your cat is hyperthyroidism and treatment options

His older cat has always had a good appetite, but is now in constant voracious. Although he is keeping food as if there were no tomorrow, you’re getting thin.

Although your veterinarian must make the actual diagnosis, these symptoms point to hyperthyroidism, which means that your cat is producing too much thyroid hormone. It is a common condition in aging cats. Most cats that are diagnosed are older than 12 years. Fortunately, several treatment options available.

Glands thyroid

Like his two tiny your cat’s thyroid glands are on each side of the trachea. These glands produce thyroxine or T4, the hormone that helps regulate the body’s metabolism. Hyperthyroidism results from either tumor development in one or both of the glands, or an enlarged glands, a condition known as hyperplasia. In any case, this causes produce excess hormone. Excess thyroxine throws the body out of control, and systems of your cat goes into overdrive.

The good news is that these are usually benign thyroid tumors. Only a very small percentage of cats with hyperthyroidism have diagnosed malignancies.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Because thyroid glands control both body metabolism, cats suffering from hyperthyroidism may have symptoms that affect various parts of this system. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism operating range, but some are more common than others. These include:

• weight loss
• excessive thirst and subsequent increased urination
• vomiting and diarrhea
• caterwauling (constant meow)
• increase appetite
• tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
• wheezy
• poor coat quality, especially oiliness
• as widely
• hyperactivity
• irritability, aggression and other changes personality

too much thyroid hormone can affect your cat blood pressure, heart and vision, and can result in sudden death. Some signs of hyperthyroidism are similar to those of diabetes – a fatal disease if untreated – as well as renal failure. If your old friend shows any of these symptoms, go to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.

The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism

The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is quite simple. Based on the age of your cat and clinical signs, your veterinarian is likely to hyperthyroidism is suspected from the outset. The veterinarian palpate the thyroid gland in the neck of your cat to check the expansion and confirm the diagnosis with blood tests that measure thyroid levels your pet. High levels of thyroxine indicate hyperthyroidism. Your veterinarian will perform other tests, including X-rays and urine tests to determine the condition of the heart and kidneys of your cat.

Treatment of hyperthyroidism

There are four options basic treatment for feline hyperthyroidism, and the one that is right for your cat depends on its overall health, temperament and your budget.

Management of the diet may work for some cats, but it is not as easy as it sounds. Your cat should eat a food that does not contain prescription iodine . That’s all you can eat – treats or table scraps are absolutely out. Iodine, found in a wide variety of foods, is required for the thyroid to produce thyroxine. By eliminating dietary iodine, the thyroid gland can not produce an excess of the hormone. The downside is that many cats do not eat this food, and if you have several cats, they all have to eat. It is too risky to allow your cat hyperthyroidism consume even small bites of “normal” cat food.

The next option is methimazole, marketed under the brand Tapazole. This drug blocks the production of thyroid hormone. It is administered once or twice daily, in tablet either liquid or transdermally to the rest of the animal’s life. For most cats, methimazole works well, but some experience serious side effects of the drug, including:

• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• jaundice – yellowing of the skin, gums and whites of the eyes
• constant, repetitive body scratching

the methimazole can also cause suppression of the bone marrow in some cats, so your vet should examine your cat and carry blood and other tests on a regular basis.

If your cat is healthy enough, your vet may suggest a third option, surgical removal of the thyroid gland. However, if both glands are affected and removed, no longer glands to produce thyroxine. This means that your cat will require a daily pill thyroxine for the rest of his life.

The last option, treatment with radioactive-131 iodine, is probably the most effective way to treat hyperthyroidism form, but expensive and only done in certain veterinary hospitals. It is a simple injection of radioactive iodine, which is directed to the thyroid and removes abnormal thyroid cells. However, your cat is radioactive for about a week and will have to remain in the treatment plant. You can not be visited during that time period.

Once you are back home, you must follow a specific protocol to provide its berth for the next two weeks or more. pregnant women and children should not handle the cat at all during this period of time, and others should severely limit the amount of time spent handling the cat. Anyone who touches the cat should wash their hands thoroughly after right. Needless to say, the cat should stay inside. Once this test is over, your cat should be fine.

With many treatment options available, there is no reason that your cat can not enjoy a long and happy life, even with a thyroid condition. As with any unusual or uncharacteristic behavior, take your pet to the veterinarian for a thorough checkup.

Jane Meggitt

Jane Meggitt graduated from New York University and worked as an editor of a major newspaper chain New Jersey. His work on pets, equine and health have appeared in dozens of publications, including The Daily Puppy, Pets nest, News horse, horse hitch Beats and magazines.

This article was originally published on thealternativedaily, Read the original article here

Posted in: cat, feline, Health and Wellness, radioactive iodine, Thyroid, thyroxine