Hyperthyroidism in cats

Hyperthyroidism in cats Hyperthyroidism disease is a tumor, usually benign, thyroid hidden that excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. This has many effects on the body since the thyroid controls many basic functions such as heart rate and contraction, the appetite, weight control, tolerance of heat, water - consumption, just to name a few . If a cat has hyperthyroidism, these functions too. Clinical signs in most cases, they eat, with a good appetite, but unusually lose weight. They drink and urinate more. Vomiting frequent (several times a month) and / or diarrhea, often occur. Your heart beats faster, and the heart muscle may be thickened (hypertrophic), a situation that can lead to heart failure. High blood pressure can occur with high blood pressure and can cause additional tension on the heart and eye problems (such as detached retina). Behavioral changes such as nervousness, agitation or aggression may lead. If untreated, this condition will lead to a progressive loss of weight and over-stressed bodies. Cats with these diagnostic characters are suspected of hyperthyroidism, and sometimes an enlarged thyroid gland may be felt along the bottom of the neck to the trachea. However, diagnosis is based on a blood test. A complete panel and urinalysis are useful for co-existing illnesses, and is in particular a T4 or sometimes, a free T4 (by a different laboratory technique) that affect the diagnosis. Evaluation of cat blood pressure is recommended, since hypertension is a common complication of hyperthyroidism. Sometimes it resolves with treatment of hyperthyroidism state. But sometimes, that requires special expertise for the control of medicines. As with people, high blood pressure has more adverse side effects including additional tension on the heart and the kidneys and the risk of sudden blindness from retinal detachment. Once your cat has been diagnosed with the condition, your veterinarian will be treatment options. There are 3 treatments, each with advantages and disadvantages. The drugs most commonly used drugs is Methimazole (Tapazole). This can be done by a human being as a tablet or veterinary pharmacy compounding pharmacy as a tablet chewable or liquid-based loans, as oral or transdermal (one added to the current inner ear). Depending on the cat from T4 and the cat's response to drugs, it will be 1-2 times a day. Reactions to negative side effects of the drug may occasionally occur: decreased appetite (some leveling of the one ravenous appetite is normal, after the start of treatment), vomiting, diarrhea and itching of the head and neck. The side effects when they occur, usually during the first 3 months of treatment. After starting the monitoring of drugs, at least one blood test for T4 levels need to be back every 3-4 weeks until control is achieved. This is not the time tested and may at any time, in relation to the time when the drug was administered. E 'ideal for a complete blood panel with a level of T4, because they can be used for the evaluation of the cat with the other institutions. Liver enzymes are often elevated with hyperthyroidism, it should be back in normal range, with the treatment of hyperthyroidism. When they increased or go, there is concomitant liver disease. The kidney values are also some cats, even mild renal insufficiency, the "masked" by hyperthyroid state. In these cases, the cats are just "see" their problems, if the kidney is treated hyperthyroidism. Measures of platelets and red blood cell counts, which are sometimes reduced in number by the drug. Monitoring control of hyperthyroidism is achieved if the cat is fine - no more vomiting or diarrhea, it is no longer lose weight and shows no adverse effects of drugs and if the laboratory values are normal. For most cats, which can blood tests every 3-4 weeks until the right dose is reached. Long-term maintenance for the long-term maintenance, a complete physical examination, complete blood panel and urinalysis with T4 and blood pressure measurements are used for every 6-12 months. Pro drug is relatively inexpensive. Depending on the formulation, as is often the drug and the pharmacy is used, costs can range from $ 35 - $ 60/month. The disadvantages of the costs of drugs for the drug will accumulate over the lifetime cat, because it is a long-term treatment. A cat will not be "unhyperthyroid" and so is the responsibility of Tapazole to overly active thyroid. If the drug is stopped, the cat has hyperthyroidism again, and the disease continues. Blood tests should be at regular intervals to ensure continued control of hyperthyroidism and laboratory costs can be (depending on which laboratory tests are performed, the cost can vary from $ 50 - $ 100 each time) . The frequency of analysis depends on how the cat reacts to the drug and the presence of concomitant diseases. Treatment with radioactive 131 I. This treatment permanently treated in the cat of the condition by eliminating the hyperactive thyroid tissue. These radioisotopes specifically the thyroid works and has no effect on other organs. This treatment may at any time during a hyperthyroid cat's life, even after initiation of treatment with tapazole. Current blood and urine is needed before a recommendation for such treatment. If a patient has been the tapazole for more than 90 days, discontinue therapy 7 days before I131 treatment is required. Long-term maintenance for the long-term maintenance, treated cats is recommended that their levels of T4 monitored the first and third month after treatment. A complete physical examination with a complete panel, including blood and urine tests T4 and measuring blood pressure for all 6-12 months. Before the I131 This is a permanent treatment, and it avoids the need for daily medication with Tapazole and eliminates the need for frequent laboratory tests. E 'therapy of choice for cats, with negative effects on Tapazole. I131 The disadvantages of the treatment is only a few institutions with the equipment (a transfer may be used for hospitals in the area, this service). It can be expensive. Total cost of treatment are usually around $ 850-1000. It also includes a scan with technetium (not all plants), injection I131, general health, and radiation monitoring and stay in hospital. After treatment, since the cat and the cat waste (urine and faeces) are radioactive, must be hospitalized for a period of time until the levels drop to an acceptable level. The hospital stay is usually 4-10 days, in which the cat can not be visited. Even after the dismissal, for a period of time is usually 2 weeks, there are some precautions should be followed, as the limit close contact with great care and disposal of urine and faecal matter from the waste. While typically only one treatment with I-131 is necessary, from time to time, a second treatment is required. This is necessary in less than 2% of cats. Almost all cats are cured after a second treatment. Although most cats, I have 131 normal thyroid function after treatment, there are some cats, even low levels of thyroid (hypothyroid) after treatment. This can occur in less than 5% of cats. If these signs of cats with a low consumption of energy and scales with dull coats, these dogs need thyroid supplementation. This medication, thyroxine (Soloxine) is a long-term treatment. However, it is less expensive Tapazole, and fewer health problems arise from hypothyroidism to hyperthyroidism. Surgery Surgery can be done for hyperthyroidism gland (thyroidectomy). This approach is usually recommended when the thyroid tumor is malignant. Long-term maintenance for the long-term maintenance treatment is recommended for cats have monitored the levels of calcium a day the first 5-7 days after surgery. A complete physical examination with a complete blood panel, including T4 and urine tests and blood pressure measurements are recommended every 6-12 months. Pro for surgery is usually a permanent treatment. Disadvantages of Surgery Cats are often a risk with anesthesia. Occasionally, the tissue hyperthyroidism may still grow for a recurrence of hyperthyroidism, months or years after successful thyroidectomy. Occasionally, hypothyroidism may result after surgical removal, which will require thyroid supplements. Sometimes, inadvertently, the parathyroid glands that control the levels of calcium and phosphorus of the body can be removed during the operation at a low level of calcium in the blood, a life-threatening problem that can cause convulsions and muscle - spasms. This condition is usually temporary, and calcium - the supplement can treat, but the levels of calcium must be closely monitored post-operatively. Ablation This technology is relatively new to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, in which ultrasound-guided ablation of tissue is hyperthyroidism with injection of ethanol. The technique is relatively safe with few side effects. Forecast Like most other diseases, hyperthyroidism is best diagnosed and treated at an early stage. The prognosis depends on the cat state at the time of diagnosis, treatment response, together with the presence of diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, liver disorders and cancer. Whatever the type of treatment is to treat your cat hyperthyroidism, it is important that you always use the drug, follow-up for tests to check your cat and notice changes in your cat general appearance, energy levels, appetite, and water diuresis. It 'important that you work closely with your veterinarian for follow-up testing and counseling to ensure control of the disease your cat. Together we can create a good quality of life for your cat. If you have questions about this disease or its treatment, please contact your veterinarian. The above information veterinarian. Do not start a course of treatment without consulting your veterinarian. All animals should be at least once every 12 months.