How long does a cat live with hyperthyroidism?

How long does a cat live with hyperthyroidism?

Most cats that are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and are treated only with medical management will live an average of 3-5 years before dying of either heart failure or kidney failure. But, those 3-5 years can be good quality years.

What are symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats?

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 may appear unkempt, matted, or greasy (see Figure 1).

What are the signs of hyperthyroidism in cats?

My 3 o’clock appointment was with a new patient who had the classic signs of hyperthyroidism in cats: severe weight loss, diarrhea, increased thirst, increased urination, and an increased appetite. Hobbs, an adorable orange cat, had been to the emergency room 2 weeks earlier and indeed had been diagnosed with cat thyroid disease.

Is it common for cats to have thyroid disease?

Hobbs, an adorable orange cat, had been to the emergency room 2 weeks earlier and indeed had been diagnosed with cat thyroid disease. My technician informed me that Hobbs was in to see me because his owner was out of Tapazole, the most common medication a feline hyperthyroid patient is prescribed.

How is radioactive iodine used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats?

Medication and radioactive iodine therapy are just as effective at treating hyperthyroidism in cats as surgery and are less invasive, so surgical treatment is rarely chosen for treating this condition. Certain studies suggest that in some hyperthyroid cats, limiting the amount of iodine in the diet may be a viable option for treating this disease.

Is it possible to reverse hyperthyroidism in cats?

Fortunately, the outcome of this case may still be a happy one. Hobbs began medication again, he started eating, and any cat heart disease he has may still be reversed. This isn’t often the case with hyperthyroidism in cats after TWO years without treatment.

Why do so many cats develop hyperthyroidism?

Environmental risk factors have been investigated and may predispose some cats to hyperthyroidism, although the specific mechanisms are not known. Exposure to high levels of dietary iodine may cause susceptible cats to develop hyperthyroidism.

Why did my cat develop hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism in cats is a disease that’s usually caused by a benign tumor within the thyroid gland. This tumor causes an overproduction of the thyroid hormone called thyroxine.

Do hyperthyroid cats always need a thyroid scan?

Thyroid scintigraphy should always be done in hyperthyroid cats when a thyroid tumor is not palpable, especially in cats with severe or long-standing hyperthyroidism. In many of these cats the thyroid tumor has fallen into the chest.

What are the signs of thyroid problems in cats?

The most common thyroid problem in cats is hyperthyroidism and involves the overproduction or over-release of the thyroid hormone T-4 in the bloodstream. Signs are weight loss and increased appetite.