Most hyperthyroid cats respond fully to a single injection with radio-iodine. Their hyperthyroidism won’t come back, and they don’t need ongoing medication. Most cats respond to treatment within weeks, although some take up to 6 months to gain the full benefit.
What happens if hyperthyroidism is not treated in cats?
If hyperthyroidism is not treated, the signs of illness will get more and more severe, with affected cats eventually becoming emaciated and weakened. There is no need for this to happen: treatment is very effective. There is no point in trying to help a cat with hyperthyroidism by feeding them more, even if they seem continually hungry.
Can radioiodine cause diarrhea in cats with hyperthyroidism?
Cats may also continue to show signs of hyperthyroidism, including vomiting and diarrhea, for 3-4 weeks after the radioiodine therapy as the disease continues to resolve. The risk to these cats is the simple fact that many cats in the age range when cats develop hyperthyroidism (8+ years) also develop other diseases.
How long does it take for hyperthyroidism to heal in cats?
Their hyperthyroidism won’t come back, and they don’t need ongoing medication. Most cats respond to treatment within weeks, although some take up to 6 months to gain the full benefit. However, that may not be the case in a very small number of cats.
Can thyroid still function after radioactive iodine treatment?
Some patients will still require treatment with antithyroid medication for some weeks or months until the radioactive iodine has been effective and the overactivity has settled. Over two-thirds of those who have radioactive iodine treatment will develop hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).
Does radioactive iodine therapy cure hyperthyroidism in cats?
We have treated cats with radioiodine at Cornell for more than 25 years. Radioiodine is safe and effective with cure rates approximately 95 - 98% with one treatment. Cats can receive a second treatment, if necessary.
Can cats get hyperthyroidism twice?
Cats that have had surgery may have a recurrence of hyperthyroidism. Blood thyroid hormone levels should be measured once or twice a year. Radioactive iodine is given intravenously and will accumulate in the abnormal thyroid tissue, killing the abnormal thyroid cells but sparing the normal thyroid cells.
Can your thyroid come back after radiation?
Most people do very well after treatment, but follow-up care is very important since most thyroid cancers grow slowly and can recur even 10 to 20 years after initial treatment.
Can feline hyperthyroidism return after radioactive iodine?
Most hyperthyroid cats respond fully to a single injection with radio-iodine. Their hyperthyroidism won't come back, and they don't need ongoing medication. Most cats respond to treatment within weeks, although some take up to 6 months to gain the full benefit.
What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine for cats?
Cats may also continue to show signs of hyperthyroidism, including vomiting and diarrhea, for 3-4 weeks after the radioiodine therapy as the disease continues to resolve. The risk to these cats is the simple fact that many cats in the age range when cats develop hyperthyroidism (8+ years) also develop other diseases.
How long can a cat live after radioactive iodine treatment?
“Studies have shown that cats treated with I-131 live longer than those treated with pills,” added Mosenco, citing a study where I-131-treated cats lived an average of four to five years following treatment, versus an average of only two years for cats on medication.
What are the final stages of hyperthyroidism in cats?
Over time, this progresses to increased blood pressure, severe weight loss, heart disease, blindness, and kidney damage. The slow onset of signs means that cat owners will often miss these changes until the late stages of disease.
What is the life expectancy of a cat with hyperthyroidism?
The median survival times reported are 25 (iodine 131 treatment),1 24 (radioiodine treatment),2 and 48 months (iodine 131 treatment),3 with a more recent paper citing 14 months (carbimazole or methimazole treatment alone or in combination with thyroidectomy).
Can hyperthyroidism come back?
Even if the disease goes into remission after anti-thyroid treatment, it can come back. Follow-up appointments to check thyroid activity usually are scheduled once every six months for the first two years after the disease goes into remission.
Can radiation cause hyperthyroid?
High-dose irradiation has been reported to induce a variety of thyroid diseases, including thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) and thyroid neoplasia. It is easy to understand that high-dose irradiation (either internal or external) destroys the thyroid gland, leading to destructive hypothyroidism.
What does radiation do to thyroid?
The RAI collects mainly in thyroid cells, where the radiation can destroy the thyroid gland and any other thyroid cells (including cancer cells) that take up iodine, with little effect on the rest of your body.
How to treat thyroid in cats?
Treatment options include: Medication. Anti-thyroid drugs can help reduce the production of thyroid hormones in cats. The drug most commonly is provided as a twice-daily medication that must be given for the remainder of the cat's life. Anti-thyroid drugs may also come in the form of a gel, which can be applied to the skin.
What are the complications of hyperthyroidism in cats?
For instance, two complications of hyperthyroidism in cats are high blood pressure and heart disease. Your veterinarian will check for these conditions and evaluate your cat’s overall health. Continued.
Why do cats have thyroid glands?
Cats have two thyroid glands in their neck that help regulate metabolism. Sometimes these glands can expand and overproduce thyroid hormone. This can be problematic because thyroid hormone affects other organs in the cat’s body, most significantly the heart. Most of the time, an enlarged thyroid gland is caused by a noncancerous tumor, ...
What age does hyperthyroidism occur in cats?
Hyperthyroidism most commonly occurs in cats around the age of 13. Cats have two thyroid glands in their neck that help regulate metabolism. Sometimes these glands can expand and overproduce thyroid hormone.
What is the treatment for a cat's thyroid?
Radioactive iodine therapy. This treatment involves injecting your cat with iodine directly into their bloodstream. The cat’s thyroid absorbs the iodine and the radiation destroys any abnormal thyroid tissue, without damaging other tissues in the cat’s body.
Can cats have thyroid issues?
A blood chemistry panel that measures thyroid hormone levels (most cats will have an elevated amount of thyroid hormone in their bloodstream) Hyperthyroidism can sometimes predispose a cat to develop other medical conditions.
Which breed of cat has the highest risk of hyperthyroidism?
No specific breed is known to have a greater risk of hyperthyroidism, though some breeds such as Siamese, Persian, and Himalayan cats appear to experience the disease less compared with others.
How long does it take for a cat to recover from thyroid surgery?
While most cats return to normal levels of thyroid hormone production within 2-3 months, a small number can take up to six months or more to return to normal function. By law, the treated cats must be held in hospital for at least 3 days after treatment.
What is the safest treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats?
I-131 Radiotherapy is the Safest and Most Effective Treatment Option. Radiotherapy is the safest and most effective method of treatment for feline hyperthyroidism. In this non-invasive treatment, a small amount of radioactive iodine (I-131) is injected under the cat’s skin and is taken up by thyroid tissue without endangering other organs.
What is the cause of cat hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is the result of the thyroid gland overproducing thyroxine (T4). The excessive T4 causes the metabolic rate to increase. The thyroid gland may become enlarged. Cats that have hyperthyroidism typically show symptoms of increased appetite while losing weight, excessive thirst and urination, and sometimes hair loss.
How long does it take for a cat to feel better after a thyroid treatment?
The effect of radiation on the thyroid is not immediate. Your cat should start feeling better after treatment but it may take 3-6 months for full effect and for the T4 to return to normal.
What lab work is needed for a cat to be treated for radiation?
Treatment Requirements. After Treatment Requirements. Cats should have complete lab work including CBC, blood chemistry panel with T4, and urinalysis obtained by their primary care veterinarian prior to referral for treatment.
How long should I wait to give my cat anti-thyroid medication?
Additionally, no anti-thyroid medications should be given for 7 - 10 days before treatment because these medications can affect treatment with radioiodine. The cat should be in a non-compromised condition and deemed treatable by the referring veterinarian.
What is the thyroid gland responsible for?
The thyroid gland produces a hormone called thyroxine (T4) and is responsible for maintaining the body's normal metabolic rate , which affects the function of many body organs. Feline hyperthyroidism is a disease that commonly occurs in middle aged to geriatric cats.
How to treat hyperthyroidism in cats?
Many factors must be considered when choosing the best therapy for an individual cat. The treatment options for hyperthyroidism are: Surgery. Surgical removal of the affected thyroid gland (s) may be very effective.
How do you know if your cat has hyperthyroidism?
The most common clinical sign of hyperthyroidism is weight loss due to the increased rate of metabolism despite an increased appetite. Affected cats are often restless, and may become cranky or aggressive. They may have increased water consumption and urination.
How often should I monitor thyroid levels?
The required dose of methimazole can change over time so monitoring thyroid levels in treated animals is recommended every 3-6 months once their condition is stable. Radioactive iodine. A very effective way to treat hyperthyroidism is with radioactive iodine therapy (I-131).
What is the TT4 level in cats?
The first step is to determine the blood level of one of the thyroid hormones, called total thyroxine (TT4). Usually, the TT4 level is so high that there is no question as to the diagnosis. Occasionally, a cat that is suspected of having hyperthyroidism has a TT4 level within the upper range of normal.
Why does my cat get hyperthyroid?
Hypertension develops due to the increased pumping pressure and elevated heart rate that occurs with thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy. About 25% of cats with hyperthyroidism become hypertensive. In some cats, blood pressure can become so high that retinal bleeding or retinal detachment will occur, resulting in sudden blindness.
Why does my cat have a heart murmur?
Thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy may develop because the heart enlarges and thickens to meet the increased metabolic demands. In some cases, the cat will develop a heart murmur associated with the cardiomyopathy. Both cardiomyopathy and hypertension are potentially reversible with appropriate treatment of the disease.
Where is the thyroid in cats?
Some hyperthyroid cats have thyroid cells in abnormal locations called ectopic thyroid tissue (thyroid tissue located under the tongue, further down the neck, or all the way to the base of the heart) - and they may remain hyperthyroid after surgery.
What is the best treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats?
Radioactive Iodine Therapy . When available, radioactive iodine therapy is the treatment of choice for cats with hyperthyroidism. During treatment, radioactive iodine is administered as an injection and is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
How do you know if your cat has hyperthyroidism?
The most common clinical signs of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, increased appetite, and increased thirst and urination. Hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity.
What causes a cat to vomit?
Vomiting. Diarrhea. Anorexia. Anesthesia. Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in cats, and mostly afflicts cats middle-aged and older. Also called thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormones (known as T3 and T4) from an enlarged thyroid gland in a cat’s neck. In most cases, enlargement of thyroid ...
How long does radioactive iodine therapy last?
Radioactive iodine therapy is curative within three months of therapy in approximately 95 percent of all hyperthyroid cases. In cases where radioactive iodine therapy is not successful, the treatment can be repeated.
How long does it take for a cat to get iodine?
The majority of cats treated with radioactive iodine have normal hormone levels within one to two weeks of treatment. The advantages of radioactive iodine therapy are that the procedure most often cures hyperthyroidism, has no serious side effects, and does not require anesthesia.
What causes a thyroid gland to enlarge?
In most cases, enlargement of thyroid glands is caused by a non-cancerous tumor called an adenoma. Some rare cases of hyperthyroid disease are caused by malignant tumors known as thyroid adenocarcinomas.
How do anti-thyroid drugs work?
Medication. Anti-thyroid drugs act by reducing the production and release of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. These medications do not provide a cure for the disease, but they do allow either short-term or long-term control of hyperthyroidism.
How effective is radioiodine for cats?
We have treated cats with radioiodine at Cornell for more than 25 years. Radioiodine is safe and effective with cure rates approximately 95 - 98% with one treatment. Cats can receive a second treatment, if necessary. Radioiodine treatment avoids surgery , anesthesia, and anti-thyroid drugs.
What is the procedure to remove the thyroid gland in cats?
Surgical Treatment: Removal of the thyroid gland is a surgical procedure with a good success rate. General anesthesia is used with attendant risk and older cats may have heart, kidney or other problems that cause complications. Loss of the parathyroid gland can cause problems with calcium metabolism.
How to clean a cat that throws a hair ball?
---If your cat vomits a hair ball, put on disposable plastic gloves and dispose of the material with the waste litter or flush down the toilet. Next, clean the area with soap and water or spray cleaners.
How to keep cat from getting contaminated?
Use disposable plastic gloves and litter box liners to help prevent contamination. Wash with soap and water after cleaning the litter box. All used disposable gloves should be stored with the waste—treat them as if they are contaminated. ---Please keep your cat indoors if the cat uses garden areas as a litter box.
How long after a cat is discharged from the hospital can you isolate them?
Cats treated with radioiodine (I-131) have a low level of radioactivity following discharge from the hospital. This level is sufficiently low that complete isolation of the cat from people is not required. Follow these guidelines for 3 weeks after your cat comes home to eliminate or further reduce human exposure to radiation that is emitted by the cat and by radioiodine that is excreted by the cat in urine and saliva.
How do anti-thyroid drugs work?
Anti-thyroid drugs inhibit the production of thyroxine by blocking reactions that produce the hormone. These drugs are usually effective but may be needed lifelong. As with any drug, there can be adverse reactions. These include loss of appetite, vomiting, depression, bleeding, liver problems, facial swelling and itching. Pills are given two times a day. Periodic exams are needed to check hormone levels and adjust the dosage. Long term therapy (years) is discouraged because the thyroid tumor continues to grow and eventually drugs may not work.
How long after a cat comes home can you let it sleep?
Follow these guidelines for 3 weeks after your cat comes home to eliminate or further reduce human exposure to radiation that is emitted by the cat and by radioiodine that is excreted by the cat in urine and saliva. ---Do not allow your cat to sit on or sleep with anyone after coming home.
How to treat hyperthyroidism in cats?
Medication is the cheapest and most readily available treatment for hyperthyroidism. Thyroid medication works by reducing the amount of hormones the thyroid produces. It typically involves having to give your kitty a pill twice a day. While affordable, this treatment option does not cure the disease, it only treats the symptoms. Medication is a good option for short-term management, but not long-term. Long-term treatment could involve giving Kitty pills every day for the rest of his life. Such medicine sometimes causes side effects such as vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, anemia and lethargy.
How to remove a cat's thyroid?
Your vet may recommend a thyroidectomy, a surgery to remove the affected part of kitty's thyroid. The main advantage of surgery is it provides a cure that usually eliminates the need for him to be on medicine for the rest of his life. It is a pretty straightforward surgery whose success rate is high. If both lobes of kitty's thyroid are affected, his vet may want to do two surgeries, removing part of the thyroid each time. There is slight risk with anesthesia, especially in an older kitty who has heart, kidney or other health issues. The greater risk is accidental damage being done to the parathyroid glands, which sit in close proximity to the thyroid and maintain blood-calcium levels. After surgery, Kitty will probably need to spend the night at the vet and be home the next day.
How to tell if a cat has hyperthyroidism?
What Are The Symptoms (Signs) Of Hyperthyroidism In Cats? 1 Changes in the cat’s behavior and habits. 2 A formerly placid, easy going cat might become more agitated and more irritable. 3 The appetite is often affected, with changes in favorite foods, as well as a significantly increased appetite. 4 Increased thirst. 5 Increased urination, sometimes with accidents in the house. 6 Increased vocalization, with cats howling and yowling more than before. 7 Intermittent vomiting. 8 The most telltale sign is weight loss despite an increased appetite.
What is hyperthyroidism in cats?
Hyperthyroidism occurs when there is an elevated level of thyroid hormone produced by one or both of the thyroid glands in a cat. It is an astonishingly common problem in cats: it’s seen more than any other cat hormone problem, and in one recent study of cats over the age of ten being blood sampled, 21% had elevated thyroid hormones.
What can go wrong with thyroid glands?
What Can Go Wrong With The Thyroid Glands? Too much thyroid hormone causes an animal to behave as if their accelerator pedal is permanently pushed down to the floor, while if there isn’t enough thyroid hormone, the animal becomes sleepy, lacking energy and becoming slow and lethargic.
How old is too old to have hyperthyroidism in cats?
Hyperthyroidism is a very common condition in cats, especially over the age of ten years old .
How do you know if your cat is irritable?
Often the cat carer notices a number of symptoms developing in their pet. Changes in the cat’s behavior and habits. A formerly placid, easy going cat might become more agitated and more irritable. The appetite is often affected, with changes in favorite foods, as well as a significantly increased appetite. Increased thirst.
Why do cats die from hyperthyroidism?
The ultimate cause of death is not usually associated with hyperthyroidism: cancers and kidney disease are the most common reasons, and these are common in all elderly cats.
What is a blood sample for hyperthyroidism?
A blood sample is a key part of confirming the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Vets often start by carrying out a so-called “minimum database”, which means hematology (checking the red and white blood cells) and a biochemistry panel (measuring a range of enzymes and chemicals in the blood stream),
What is the best treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats?
The Only Effective Treatment for Feline Hyperthyroidism. If your cat tests positive, your veterinarian may recommend Radioactive Iodine Therapy for your cat's hyperthyroidism. This therapy is the most effective treatment option for treating feline hyperthyroidism. In this treatment, a radioactive iodine is injected.
How long does a cat have to be monitored after a radiation injection?
After the injection, your cat will be monitored for a few days until his or her radiation levels are at an acceptable level. This type of treatment is considered the most desirable because of its low risk of side effects and the fact that, in many cases, only a single treatment is needed.
Why does my cat have blood in his stools?
Feline hyperthyroidism, untreated, can cause serious heart problems. This is because the cat’s heart must work harder to match the state of its overactive metabolism.
Causes
Pathophysiology
Symptoms
- Weight loss and increased appetite are among the most common clinical signs of this condition. Weight loss is seen in 95 to 98 percent of hyperthyroid cats, and a hearty appetite in 67 to 81 percent. Excessive thirst, increased urination, hyperactivity, unkempt appearance, panting, diarrhea and increased shedding have also been reported. Vomiting i...
Diagnosis
Treatment
Results
- Thyroid hormones affect nearly all of the organs in the body; therefore, thyroid disease often causes secondary problems.
Benefits
- Clinical Signs Cats afflicted with hyperthyroidism usually develop a variety of signs that may be subtle at first but that become more severe as the disease progresses. The most common clinical signs of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, increased appetite, and increased thirst and urination. Hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity. The coat of affected cats …
Clinical significance
- Diagnosis A veterinarian who suspects a cat has a thyroid problem will conduct a physical examination and palpate the cats neck area to check for an enlarged thyroid gland (see Figure 2). The cats heart rate and blood pressure may also be checked. If thyroid disease is a possibility, your veterinarian will likely order a blood chemistry panel and an analysis of thyroid hormone lev…
Prognosis
- Treatment There are four treatment options for feline hyperthyroidism: medication, radioactive iodine therapy, surgery, and dietary therapy. Each treatment option has its advantages and disadvantages. The treatment a cat receives for hyperthyroidism will depend on specific circumstances, including the patients overall health status, the owners abi...