Hyperthyroidism Cat

When a cat has a big appetite most pet owners take it as a good sign that the cat is healthy and strong but it could be a hyperthyroidism cat or the cat could be suffering from another illness. Sometimes things are not as they always appear. Other things to consider are is the cat constantly thirsty and losing weight?

Some illnesses have similar symptoms that make misdiagnosis very easy. Due to such high chances of misdiagnosis, it is best if a pet owner does not do the diagnosing him or herself. It is always best to consult a certified veterinarian. Examples of conditions that are high in chances of misdiagnosis and have the above symptoms are hyperthyroidism, diabetes, certain forms of bowel disease and cancer.

A hyperthyroidism cat or any cat with the above conditions is not beyond saving. There are many different treatments

Hyperthyroidism Cat

for these conditions such as those discussed below.

 “Hyperthyroidism usually happens in older cats, but can occur in younger ones. If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can affect the heart and cause extreme weight loss.

The treatment for hyperthyroidism is either a one-time radioactive iodine treatment of the thyroid tumor, daily oral medication to reduce production of the hormone, or a special iodine-free diet. Regular monitoring of the thyroid level is needed to be sure she is well-controlled.

Another possibility is diabetes. In this condition, the pancreas is not secreting enough insulin to help a cat absorb the glucose from her food. Instead, it passes into her urine, and she will be very hungry and thirsty.

Diabetes usually occurs in overweight cats, but can also happen in normal weight cats. If left untreated, diabetes can proceed to ketoacidosis, which is a serious complication that can require hospitalization. Untreated diabetes can also affect a cat’s ability to walk.

The treatment for diabetes is regular insulin injections and a change to a higher protein/lower carbohydrate diet. Interestingly, cats can stop being diabetic, so it is important to regularly monitor them.

Lastly, some forms of inflammatory bowel disease or cancer can cause a cat to be excessively hungry and still lose weight because they are not able to digest their food appropriately.”

A hyperthyroidism cat or any cat with an illness has a chance at healing if properly treated. This can all depend on the pet owner because that is where much of the responsibility lies. So if a pet owner has a hyperthyroidism cat or a cat with other conditions take the time and do what is needed to ensure the cat’s health.