The thyroid glands overproduce thyroid hormones, which causes hyperthyroidism. It is the most prevalent hormonal disorder in cats. Even though it is curable, it may make your cat unpleasant. Weight loss, increased thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, hyperactivity, irritability, and aggressiveness are all symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
The diagnosis is derived from the simultaneous discoveries of suitable clinical symptoms, the potential existence of a palpable thyroid nodule, and the results of blood tests for thyroid function. The treatment options for hyperthyroidism in cats are extensive. Choice of treatment depends on the veterinarian’s expertise, the severity of the animal’s clinical condition, the expenses, and the availability of radioiodine treatment.
Managing Cat Hyperthyroidism
For cat owners, discovering that their pet has hyperthyroidism may be pretty upsetting. One of the first things people do is research the various therapy options for their pet’s illness. This article will give a discussion of the many conventional and innovative therapy approaches that are now available for cat hyperthyroidism.
1. Surgery
Treatment for hyperthyroidism sometimes involves surgical excision of enlarged, independently functioning thyroid glands, particularly when cat owners fear the adverse effects of long-term oral therapy. Before undergoing surgery, cats will be thoroughly screened for preexisting problems, such as renal or cardiac disorders.
Removal of both thyroid glands is frequently required in cats with hyperthyroidism. This is because both glands are afflicted in over 80% of cases. Many thyroidectomy procedures have been devised to reduce the risk of postoperative problems such as calcium depletion or the return of hyperthyroidism.
Before surgery, a pet diagnostic imaging is required to make sure that your pet will undergo the proper procedure to correct the problem.
2. Medical Therapy
Methimazole, carbimazole, and iodine-containing medications are common treatments for hyperthyroidism. Beta-blockers like propranolol hydrochloride and similar medications may be used with these medical treatments. Methimazole is now the most widely used medication for treating hyperthyroidism.
In addition to being beneficial when taken orally, this medication may also be used topically. Vomiting, anorexia, liver disease, and hematological abnormalities are possible adverse effects of this medicine.
After therapy, you can subject your pet for dog and cat x rays in Bonita Springs. A reputable veterinary radiologist can assess whether there is an improvement in your pet’s condition.
3. Radioiodine Therapy
The safest and most successful treatment for hyperthyroidism seems to be radioactive iodine therapy. Intravenous, subcutaneous, or oral administration of radioiodine are all options. Even while oral delivery appears to be successful, the dangers of exposure to those providing the drug and environmental pollution make it a poor choice.
The opportunity to avail of radioiodine therapy has grown significantly over the past years. As a pet owner, you may first find the expense of radioiodine therapy excessive; nevertheless, long-term medical care or surgery will incur the same expenditures. You can click here to learn more about radioiodine therapy for your pets.
4. Ethanol Ablation
A new, non-medical way to treat cat hyperthyroidism was to burn off thyroid nodules with ethanol. The surgery is carried out with the animal fully sedated under ultrasound guidance. The thyroid mass is injected with ethanol, and the levels of thyroid hormones are monitored.
The owners said that their cats’ hyperthyroidism symptoms went away after one week of treatment. Hypothyroidism was not a problem in these cats, and they did not need thyroid medication.
5. Heat Ablation
For cats with hyperthyroidism, a novel therapy has been devised. In recent research, ultrasound-guided heat ablation of hyperthyroidism was tested in nine cats. Even though the treatment effectively reduced the amounts of thyroid hormone in every cat, the beneficial effects lasted for an average of just four months, and hyperthyroidism returned in every cat within 18 months after finishing treatment.
