Can a young cat have thyroid problems?
While dogs and cats can be diagnosed with hyperthyroidism at any age, cats generally don’t show signs of hyperthyroidism until they are at least 7 years old. While either disease can occur in both species, it is rare.
What is the most common thyroid disorder in cats?
Feline hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder in middle-aged and older cats. It occurs in about 10 percent of feline patients over 10 years of age. Hyperthyroidism is a disease caused by an overactive thyroid gland that secretes excess thyroid hormone.
Can young cats get hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism occurs most commonly in older cats and is rare in dogs. The average age of cats with hyperthyroidism is 13 years of age; only about 5 % of hyperthyroid cats are younger than 10 years of age. There are 2 thyroid glands located in the neck.
At what age do cats get thyroid problems?
Hyperthyroidism most commonly occurs in cats around the age of 13.
What are signs of thyroid problems 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 thyroid problems in cats?
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.
What are the signs of hyperthyroidism in cats?
How Long Can cats live with thyroid problems?
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 does it mean when a cat has hyperthyroidism?
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.
What causes overproduction of thyroid hormone in cats?
Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in cats caused by the overproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid glands. 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.
Are there any medications for cats with hyperthyroidism?
One way to treat a cat with hyperthyroidism is with an oral medication that contains methimazole. The medication can be given life-long or to stabilize the cat before other treatment options, such as radioactive iodine therapy or surgery. For years, there was no methimazole product approved to treat hyperthyroidism in cats in the United States.
What causes anesthesia and hyperthyroidism in cats?
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.