There are changes in the health needs of older cats, and some diseases occur far more often than before. The most commonly observed disease of older cats is hyperthyroidism, which is a hormonal disorder, which has an effect on many organs and lowers a cat's quality of life. At mybestie.gr, we are sure that knowing the signs of common diseases in cats will be helpful in the treatment process and will increase the longevity of your pet. Hyperthyroidism happens due to the overproduction of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck. As these hormones control the metabolic rate, the whole body of a cat works excessively because of them. This disease is diagnosed mostly in cats over 10 years old and is considered one of the most common endocrine disorders in older cats.

Causes of hyperthyroidism in cats

In the majority of cases, hyperthyroidism is caused by benign growth of one or both thyroid glands. In rare instances, it might be related to thyroid cancer. However, the causes of hyperthyroidism in cats are not fully understood yet, although scientists think that genetics, environment, and exposure to particular chemicals may play a role in developing this disease.

Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed in any cat, but this disease is mostly age-related and requires careful veterinary monitoring when your pet reaches advanced age.

Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism

There are several reasons why hyperthyroidism may go unnoticed since some of the symptoms may be interpreted as positive. Owners often observe that their elderly cat is still active, enthusiastic, and very hungry. Nevertheless, these features may point to some medical conditions.

Typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Weight loss while having a good appetite
• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Overactivity or nervousness
• Constant vocalization
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Poor coat condition
• Increased heart rate

Your cat keeps eating the same amount of food as before or even eats more food, but she loses weight. It is the most typical symptom of this disease.

Why is hyperthyroidism dangerous?

Without the proper therapy, this disorder may cause various problems in several organs in the body. The heart, for instance, is one of the organs that suffers from this disorder since the excessive production of thyroid hormones makes the heart work even harder, thus, causing hypertension and heart disease. It may also have a negative impact on kidneys' functioning. The thing is that hyperthyroidism in cats may conceal kidney disorders; however, these problems will reveal themselves when starting the therapy.

That is why veterinarians usually conduct some general blood tests to diagnose this disorder.

How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?

The diagnosis of this disorder is not difficult at all. A veterinarian will conduct a physical examination, and he/she may find out the enlargement of the thyroid gland after palpating the cat's neck. Furthermore, blood tests are conducted to determine the levels of thyroid hormones (in particular, T4), which are increased in almost all cases.

Options for treatment

Fortunately, hyperthyroidism is one of the very treatable disorders. Several treatment options include:

• Taking medications which will help control the production of the hormones produced by the thyroid gland
• Veterinary special diets aimed at reducing iodine intake
• Thyroid gland surgery
• Radioactive iodine treatment, which is considered to be the best treatment in many cases

It is worth noting that what will be the best for each particular cat is determined by such factors as age, general health condition, lifestyle of the pet and owner's choice. A lot of cats tolerate treatment really well and go on living comfortably and happily for years after that.

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common diseases among older cats, but its symptoms are commonly misinterpreted or ignored because they are perceived as signs of regular aging or even good things. Increased appetite, increased activity, meowing, and weight loss, despite proper nutrition are the signals which should alert cat owners.

Early identification of hyperthyroidism is the key factor which makes the treatment more effective and helps to avoid possible complications. Routine examinations and blood tests are some of the most valuable preventive tools.