Hyperthyroidism in cats may be more frequently met in felines that are older, but there are also reported cases of cats younger than eight years of age that are affected by this condition. The condition will cause weight loss, as the excessive production of thyroid hormones will speed up the cat's metabolism. The condition can be treated or kept under control, but it needs to be diagnosed first. The prognosis can depend on the type of treatment administered.
Hyperthyroidism Prognosis
Hyperthyroidism in cats is a condition that is described as the increased production of thyroid hormones. The thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid glands, which will regulate the metabolism of the cat. The cat will lose weight and display an increased thirst and more frequent urination, which are typical signs of an increased production of thyroid hormones. The condition can be fully treated or may be manageable.
The prognosis of cats with hyperthyroidism may depend on several factors such as:
- The severity of the condition; some cats may have slightly elevated levels of thyroid hormones
- The type of treatment administered
- The way the cat reacts to the treatment
- The underlying condition causing elevated levels of thyroid hormone
Treatment and Prognosis
The type of treatment used on the cat will play an important role in establishing the cat's prognosis. The available treatment options include:
- Medication with tapazole
- Surgery, removal of the thyroid glands
- Radioactive iodine therapy
- Treatment for the underlying condition
If one or both thyroid glands are removed, the cat can be completely healed, but he may need a supplementation of thyroid hormones, to avoid the occurrence of hypothyroidism, which is a deficient production of thyroid hormones. However, in many cases, when only one thyroid gland is removed, the cat may lead a normal life and have a normal level of thyroid hormones. Periodic tests will be indicated, to prevent the recurrence of the condition. If both thyroid glands are removed, hormonal supplementation will be needed for life.
If medication is administered, this may have to be a long term treatment. In some cases, the cat will have to get the treatment for life. When the medication treatment is started, the dose will be high, so that the level of hormones will be stabilized. Once the hormones are at a normal level, the vet may decrease the dose. In some cases, the treatment may be discontinued.
Radioactive iodine therapy will typically give good results and will normalize the production of thyroid hormones. The treatment is applied once and should be enough to heal the cat. However, tests will be needed to monitor the activity of the thyroid glands in the future.
If hyperthyroidism in cats is caused by an underlying condition, the prognosis may vary. For instance, if the cat has a tumor and this is removed, he may lead a normal life. However, if the tumor is malignant, is spreading and cannot be operated on, it may lead to metastasis and in most cases, death.