Veterinary Q&A: Hyperthyroidism in cats
24.08.11
Suspicion on a under discussion: My 15-year-old male cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I have been up on of the three choices available to me. I am leaning toward the radioactive iodine treatment, because it is essentially a drug. But what are the risks and drawbacks associated with this procedure? I want to draw his life, but I want it to be a good quality of life.
Rebuttal: Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common diseases seen in geriatric cats.
Distant from some of the other geriatric diseaseseen in cats, hyperthyroidism is a curable murrain. I always tell my clients that if I had to pick a disease for my cat, it would be hyperthyroidism. In reality, two of my own cats have been treated successfully with radioactive iodine.
Captivating a step back, let's look at what causes hyperthyroidism and what its symptoms are.
Hyperthyroidism is caused by a favourable tumor of the thyroid gland called an adenoma. The tumor cells give off excessive thyroid hormone, causing an increase in your cat's metabolism. This could exceed to an increased appetite and increased water intake, bulk loss despite a ravenous appetite, behavior changes, vomiting, diarrhea and an increased magnanimity rate.
Source: The Seattle Times