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Feline Hyperthyroidism

By: Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM

Any older cat that has been losing weight, while perhaps eating more, should be checked for hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroid disease exists when overproduction of thyroid hormone is made by the thyroid gland. It occurs mostly in older cats, with the average age of about 13. Approximately 5% of hyperthyroid cats are younger than 10.

In hyperthyroid disease, one (or both) of the thyroid glands in the neck enlarge and produce too much thyroid hormone. It's more common for both glands to be actively overproducing thyroid hormone.

Although there are common signs, since the thyroid hormone affects the function of most of the organs in the body, the signs can be quite variable. Some of the common signs include weight loss, increased appetite, elevated heart rate, increased restlessness, and aggressive behavior (overly 'cranky'). Additional signs include increased water consumption, increased urination, occasional vomiting, increased size of stool (or diarrhea), poor hair coat, difficulty breathing, or occasionally weakness and depression.

The first step is correct diagnosis. The first examination will be to palpate the thyroid glands in the neck and see if they are enlarged. Diagnosis of this disease is made when the level of thyroid hormone is found in increased levels in the blood. Most hyperthyroid cats have very high levels of hormone, so it is usually very straightforward. But some cats will have signs of hyperthyroidism with normal or only slightly increased levels of thyroid hormone. And, thyroid hormone levels may vary over time, so it might be necessary to check blood levels several times.

One conventional treatment is with Radioactive Iodine Therapy. This may sound odd, but this is a very effective way to treat hyperthyroidism. It is given by injection and destroys all abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. Treatment requires one or two weeks of hospitalization at a veterinary hospital licensed to administer radiation therapy. This treatment is often limited to veterinary teaching institutions because of governmental regulations regarding radioactive materials. Sometimes, but not always, the expense can be greater than for the other options.

Oral Medication with the drug Methimazole is a second traditional treatment that is available. The drug can control the effects of overactive thyroid glands. There may be side effects to the drug - about 20% of cats treated will be effected. These effects may begin as late as six months after beginning treatment. The side effects can include fever, vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, and anemia. The drug Methimazole works not by destroying any abnormal thyroid tissue, but instead prevents the production of excess thyroid hormone. Because of this, the drug will then have to be given to the cat for the remainder of his life. Also, periodic blood tests will have to done in order to keep the dosage of the drug regulated. This treatment may be appropriate for a cat who is a poor surgical risk because of other health problems, or for one who is extremely old. The drug may also be used for a short period of time to stabilize a cat who is at increased surgical risk because of cardiac complications.

Surgery to remove the abnormal tissue, called thyroidectomy, is another option. With surgery, however, recurrence of the disease is a possibility in some cats (it is uncommon after radioactive iodine therapy). When surgery is done, recurrence is possible if abnormal thyroid cells are left in the cat. The remaining cells will likely grow causing the disease to recur. However, this occurs less than 5% of the time and usually after 2-4 years. Another possibility for disease recurrence is that one lobe of the thyroid gland was normal at the time of surgery so it was not removed. Then, months or years later, it became abnormal.

A non-conventional, herbal treatment would be with Bugleweed (Lycopus Europeus) and Melissa (Melissa Officinalis). These herbs that have been used (in combination) to combat the effects of hyperthyroid disease. In testing with rats, Bugleweed has been shown to decrease thyroid hormone levels 24 hours after administration. A standard dose of Bugleweed and Melissa tinctures is 1 drop per lb of body weight given twice daily.

Another alternative treatment is Carnitine, an amino acid nutritional supplement. Carnitine is an ammonium compound normally synthesized within the body from the amino acids lysine or methionine, primarily in the liver and kidneys. Given as a supplement, this has been found to be effective in reversing the signs of hyperthyroid disease in people. The starting cat dose is 250 mg per day.

Hyperthyroid disease in cats is a very serious disease. It is a very common endocrine disorder. About 2% of all cats greater than the age of 10 will contract hyperthyroidism. However, the disease is relatively easy to diagnose and correctly administered treatment has a quite high success rate. Cats who have been treated for the disease are able to lead healthy, normal lives.

Article Source: http://www.taffs-article-directory.com

Looking for alternative cat health solutions? Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM is a practicing Veterinarian who has a special interest in alternative pet health remedies.

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