|
This is a fairly commonly seen condition in the older
cat. Rarely are dogs affected by this disease.
Usually seen in cats over 10 years of age, the condition
is caused by a growth in one or both of the thyroid
glands located under the neck of the cat.
The growth, or goiter as it is know as, is a
benign tumor, which means it doesn't spread elsewhere,
or grow uncontrollably to immense proportions.
However, the goiter does cause an elevation in the cat's
thyroid hormone level.
Thyroid hormone is responsible for an individual's
metabolism (the break down and processing of nutrients
in the body). When in excess, the patients
metabolic rate speeds up, and weight loss is most commonly
seen, with a normal or greater than normal appetite.
These cats can become over-active and more vocal as
well.
Aside from the weight loss, more importantly is the
affect excess thyroid hormone has on the cat's heart.
Excessive hormone actually causes the cat's heart muscle
to thicken and work harder than that of a normal cat.
This excessive strain on the heart muscle eventually
can cause it to fail, a condition known as Hypertrophic
Cardiomyopathy.
Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is done through
testing the cat's blood for thyroid levels. Excessive
levels of thyroid hormone is diagnostic for the condition.
Treatment of this condition can be quite successful.
Oral medication is the most commonly chosen course of
treatment, but medication must be maintained on a daily
basis, or the levels of thyroid hormone will rise again
if discontinued.
Surgery involves removal of the affected gland(s),
which removes the source of the excessive thyroid hormone
production. Rarely do cats require supplementation
with thyroid hormone after removal of both glands, due
to residual thyroid tissue elsewhere in the body.
This residual tissue begins producing normal levels
of thyroid hormone. thus removing the need to daily
medicate the patient.
Radiation therapy is the third method of treatment.
This method is limited to certain veterinary centers
which have capability to dispose of radioactive waste
material. If referred to a center for this procedure,
the cat must stay on premises for at least one week,
in order to completely eliminate all waste from the
system which may be potentially radioactive.
The treatment itself involves administering a radioactive
compound to the cat intravenously (in the patients vein),
and then monitoring the patient afterwards for one week.
All thyroid tissue is destroyed with this method, yet
rarely is supplementation with thyroid hormone necessary
for more than a few weeks post procedure.
Cost can vary with each procedure. Medication
is the least expensive approach initially, but continual
medication will add up. Surgery and radiation
therapy offer an immediate fix, without long term medication,
yet initial cost for each procedure may be quite high.
Check with your veterinarian for recommendations on
what's best for your cat.
|
