You've undoubtedly heard of feline hyperthyroidism if you have a cat. If your feline friend is a senior, its chances for this particular disease are much greater. This is due to feline hyperthyroidism being the most common endocrine disease in aged cats.

Hyperthyroidism is characterised by excessive thyroid hormone production and an increase in metabolic rate. This condition is frequent in elderly cats. Although the thyroid gland enlarges with hyperthyroidism, the enlargement is typically benign or non-malignant. Malignant thyroid gland tumours account for less than 2% of hyperthyroid cases in cats.

Older cats are more likely to acquire hyperthyroidism. Environmental risk factors have been studied and have been shown to predispose some cats to hyperthyroidism, however, the precise processes are unknown. Exposure to excessive quantities of dietary iodine may cause hyperthyroidism in sensitive cats. There is no documented breed with a higher risk, however Siamese, Burmese, Persian, Abyssinian, and Himalayan breeds tend to have a somewhat lower prevalence of hyperthyroidism when compared to other breeds.

Thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy can occur when the heart enlarges and thickens in response to increased metabolic demands. The cat may acquire a heart murmur as a result of the cardiomyopathy in some circumstances. Cardiomyopathy and hypertension are both possibly reversible if the illness is treated properly. Permanent blindness might ensue if the retinal detachment is not treated quickly.

Hyperthyroidism is caused in nearly 99 per cent of instances by a benign thyroid tumour. The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland, with one lobe on each side, is situated in the neck. It is crucial in controlling the body's "engine," or metabolic rate. When the thyroid gland generates an excessively large amount of thyroid hormones, the cat's "engine" runs at an abnormally fast speed.

Hyperthyroidism is frequently associated with high blood pressure and cardiac disease. High blood pressure is caused by the heart's increased pumping pressure. In certain cases, blood pressure rises to the point that the retina detaches from the rear wall of the eye, resulting in blindness. Heart disease develops as a result of the heart has to pump faster and more forcefully to satisfy the body's higher metabolic needs. In order to compensate for the increased strain, the heart muscles thicken, causing the heart to expand and finally fail. Untreated hyperthyroidism is nearly always deadly.

Weight loss despite an increased appetite is the most prevalent symptom of hyperthyroidism in cats. Other frequent symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperactivity, excessive drinking and urination, and an untidy hair coat. Because the disease progresses gradually, early warning signals are sometimes overlooked.

Based on the symptoms you mention and the enlarged thyroid gland in your cat's neck, your veterinarian may suspect hyperthyroidism. Your veterinarian will most likely confirm the diagnosis by doing blood tests to determine the amount of thyroid hormones in your cat.

Treatments for feline hyperthyroidism have great results. Even if your cat is older, hyperthyroidism may be treated and he or she can have a healthy life. Cats treated with radioactive iodine therapy, for example, generally revert to normal within a few weeks, and cats treated with medicine or placed on a specific diet do well as long as the drug or food is provided regularly. There are several treatment options available for cats with hyperthyroidism. Your veterinarian can advise you on the best therapy for you and your cat.

Anti-thyroid medications can aid in the reduction of thyroid hormone production in cats. The medicine is often prescribed as a twice-daily medication that must be administered for the rest of the cat's life. Anti-thyroid medications may also be available as a gel that may be applied to the skin. However, even if it's proven to be effective, your cat may have adverse effects such as vomiting, fever, fatigue, weight loss, and face itching, which indicates the cat cannot tolerate the medication.

Felimazole inhibits a portion of the route involved in the production of thyroid hormone, reducing the quantity of thyroid hormone circulating in the body. Thyroid hormone, commonly known as thyroxine, increases metabolism, resulting in a quicker heart rate, increased hunger, and weight loss, among other symptoms. Felimazole at a dose that inhibits the hormone will alleviate these symptoms. Therapy is relatively inexpensive, and prescription felimazole for cats may be found in almost every pet chemist store.

If the thyroxine levels remain above normal, the dose of Felimazole will be raised. If, on the other hand, they have gone below the usual range, the amount of Felimazole will be reduced. Typically, the dosage is increased in 2.5mg increments. Ideally, the entire daily dose of Felimazole is divided in half and administered in the morning and evening. In cats who are more difficult to tablet, you can administer the entire dose at once, but it is unlikely to work as effectively as twice-daily dosing.

One of three treatment options for hyperthyroidism is medical control with Felimazole. It is possible to irradiate the thyroid gland with radioactive iodine, however, this is a specialised surgery that is generally performed at a referral hospital, and cats are usually hospitalised for up to a month. The thyroid gland can also be physically removed, however, felimazole for cats is also used in this treatment plan since it is suggested to stabilise these surgical candidates for three weeks ahead of surgery to normalise thyroid hormone levels, making them safer anaesthesia candidates.

This therapy includes injecting iodine directly into your cat's circulation. The iodine is absorbed by the cat's thyroid, and the radiation kills any aberrant thyroid tissue without harming other tissues in the cat's body. The majority of cats' hormone levels return to normal within a few weeks after getting the therapy. This treatment is only available at specialised radiation centres. Cats are kept in the hospital for a short time after the treatment is delivered. Due to the radioactive nature of the therapy, your cat must rest in a different room.

To assist treat and prevent hyperthyroidism, several medical studies advocate limiting the quantity of iodine in your cat's diet. This therapy approach is still being researched, and it is not a sure answer. Before reducing iodine in your cat's food, consult with your veterinarian.

If surgery is chosen as a therapeutic option, felimazole may be administered for many weeks before the procedure. During that time, your cat's voracious appetite should lessen, she should gain weight, and her blood pressure and heart rate should return to normal. It's also administered before surgery to see whether the cat has a secondary medical issue, such as kidney or liver illness. The procedure has a high success rate and has the potential to eliminate the requirement for long-term medication. It does, however, necessitate anaesthesia for your cat, which may represent a higher risk for older cats.