How do you prevent hypothyroidism in cats?

What are the treatments for hypothyroidism in cats?

Often no treatment is necessary for cat’s with hypothyroidism. However, if your kitty’s symptoms are severe your vet may prescribe synthetic hormone supplements, and schedule followup examinations (including blood tests) to monitor your cat’s overall health and hormone levels.

How do you test for hypothyroidism in cats?

Diagnosis of hypothyroidism in cats requires blood samples to be drawn and put through a specific test called a thyroid panel. A feline thyroid panel consists of multiple measurements. In a cat with hypothyroidism, their total T4 measurement is usually low.

What causes hypothyroidism in cats?

Although sometimes caused by cancer, iodine deficiency or congenital disease (thyroid gland abnormalities), hypothyroidism is a rare condition most often seen in cats who have undergone surgery or iodine therapy as treatment for hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) .

What happens if a cat has a lack of thyroid?

The thyroid hormone is important for the development of the nervous and skeletal systems. Kittens that lack this hormone will have related symptoms, such as mental dullness and smaller than normal proportions. Acquired hypothyroidism in cats is a lack of thyroid hormone in adult cats, which is also very rare.

How to get rid of hyperthyroidism in cats?

Hyperthyroidism in cats treatment Medication. There are several licensed medications available in the UK for hyperthyroidism in cats. If your pet is not… Surgery. Surgery is the second most common treatment for feline hyperthyroidism and involves removing the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine

How often should a cat be tested for hyperthyroidism?

Usually, we would begin testing at three, six, 10 and 20 weeks and then every three months following. With hyperthyroidism in cats, medication will have to be given for the rest of the cat’s life, although it is not unusual for the dose to change over time.

Can cats have hypothyroidism after thyroid surgery?

Hypothyroidism in Cats. This condition is usually seen in cats after thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine therapy has been given. In most cats this condition is transitory and does not require intensive therapy.

What causes hyperthyroidism in older cats?

Hyperthyroidism in Cats. Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in cats, and mostly afflicts cats middle-aged and older. Also called thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormones (known as T3 and T4) from an enlarged thyroid gland in a cat’s neck.

What to do if your cat has thyroid problems?

The Free T4 Test. The vet will advise carrying out both the total T4 and the free T4 tests together with the TSH test. These tests, in addition to a physical exam, help to determine the reasons and the type of thyroid disorder in the cat. Thyroid tests are usually advised in cases of goiter, infertility, in older cats that lose weight,…

Is there a free T4 test for cats with hyperthyroidism?

The Free T4 Test. Cats suffering from intestinal problems also exhibit weight loss as well as elevated amounts of thyroxine in their bloodstream. Several cats might be misdiagnosed as a result. Thus, cats shouldn’t be diagnosed with hyperthyroidism based on only the free T4 test.

Can a cat with hyperthyroidism have normal thyroid levels?

Most cats with hyperthyroidism have elevated levels of the thyroid hormone T4 in their bloodstream, but a small percentage of cats with hyperthyroidism have T4 levels within the normal range. If your cat does not have elevated T4 levels but your veterinarian still suspects your cat has hyperthyroidism, additional tests may be recommended.

How do you test for hyperthyroidism in cats?

The majority of cases of hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed with a single blood test that measures the total thyroxine (T4) concentration. Because hyperthyroidism in cats is due to the excess production of thyroid hormones (primarily T4), the blood T4 concentration is usually markedly elevated in cats with the disease.

Can head trauma cause hypothyroidism in cats?

Secondary hypothyroidism has only been reported in one cat that suffered head trauma, which caused a decrease in the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) by the pituitary gland. Iatrogenic hypothyroidism can often occur in cats that are being treated for hyperthyroidism, which is the overproduction of thyroid hormone.

What happens if a Cat produces too much thyroid hormone?

If your cat produces too much thyroid hormone, then your feline friend is suffering from hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is rare in cats, typically only occurring in cats who have undergone surgery or iodine therapy as treatment for hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

Can a cat be born with hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism in cats is rare and can be divided into two categories: congenital (present at birth) and acquired. The most common scenario is when a cat that has hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) has treatment that overcorrects and then causes them to have (acquired) hypothyroidism.

What causes hyperthyroidism in cats?

Some rare cases of hyperthyroid disease are caused by malignant tumors known as thyroid adenocarcinomas. Although the cause of feline hyperthyroidism is not known, possible contributing factors include deficiencies or excesses of certain compounds in the diet and chronic exposure to thyroid-disrupting chemicals in food or the environment.

What are the treatments for hyperthyroidism in cats?

Radioiodine Therapy, also referred to as Radioactive Iodine Treatment, is another method used for treating hyperthyroidism in cats. PetMD.com shares that most cats which undergo the I-131 treatment are cured of the disease with a single treatment.

Is it safe to remove thyroid gland in cats?

Removal of the thyroid glands, called surgical thyroidectomy, is a relatively straightforward surgical procedure that has a good success rate. The advantage of surgery is that it is likely to produce a long-term or permanent cure in most cats, and therefore eliminates the need for long-term medication.

How long can a cat live with hyperthyroidism?

When hyperthyroidism is treated, cats can live on for many years (depending on how sick they were when first diagnosed). Indeed, the good survival time after diagnosis makes it worthwhile considering what appears to be, at first sight, expensive treatment options such as radioactive iodine or surgery.

What is the best thyroid test for cats?

Thyroid levels are also affected by nutrition, disease states (particularly liver and kidney disease), medications, etc. The most comprehensive panel offered by the laboratory is the Feline Thyroid Panel, which includes T4, T3, free T4 by equilibrium dialysis and TSH. This would be the most useful in assessing a cat with many health problems.

How long do you have to quarantine a cat with hyperthyroidism?

Usually this means that the cat will need to be hospitalized for between three and five days after treatment. Because of strict treatment guidelines, most facilities will not allow visitors during this quarantine period. Radioactive iodine therapy is curative within three months of therapy in approximately 95 percent of all hyperthyroid cases.

What do I do if my cat has hyperthyroidism?

Now that I know my cat has hyperthyroidism, what do I do? The good news is that there are many treatment options available to our hyperthyroid cats. These include an iodine-restricted diet, medications, and radioactive iodine therapy.