Hyperthyroidism In Cats Medication

Radioactive iodine administered once by injection.

Hyperthyroidism in cats medication. 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. Medication radioactive iodine therapy and surgery. Felimazole methimazole is the only drug approved to treat the disease in cats. Treatment of hyperthyroidism.

The treatment you and your vet choose depends on several factors including how severe the disease is your cat s health and what works best for your family. Heart disease vomiting diarrhea anorexia anesthesia hyperthyroidism is a common disease in cats and mostly afflicts cats middle aged and older. Medical therapy surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. Each offer a strong possibility of returning thyroid hormone levels to normal values and the prognosis for cats with uncomplicated hyperthyroidism is good.

Hyperthyroid cats may have normal findings on the cbc and urinalysis but the chemistry panel often shows elevation of several liver enzymes. There are three main treatment options for hyperthyroid cats. Some cats with kidney disease will show a worsening of kidney function after treatment for hyperthyroidism. All three have risks and benefits.

Surgery is also costly. In the vast majority of cases a definitive diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is based on a simple blood test that shows elevated t 4 levels in the bloodstream. No healthy surrounding tissue is destroyed and no organs are damaged. Hyperthyroidism can actually improve kidney function by increasing blood flow to the kidneys.

Treatment for hyperthyroid cats. These include an iodine restricted diet medications and radioactive iodine therapy. Treatment of these cats is a delicate balancing act. This medication irradiates the hyperactive tissue.

The anesthesia administered during surgery can be challenging for older cats however as the hyperthyroidism may have affected their hearts and other organs. Talk to your veterinarian about monitoring kidney function in hyperthyroid cats. Daily medication methimazole or feeding a low iodine diet are good options when radioiodine therapy is not an option due to financial considerations or the cat s overall health. Radioiodine treatment is the most effective treatment available for hyperthyroidism in cats making the favorable outcome one of the pros of this option.

Hyperthyroidism results when the thyroid gland over produces thyroid hormones. The treatment involves a single injection of radioactive iodine 131. There are three common forms of treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats. Suggested articles hypertension chronic kidney disease diagnosis.