C2018-39
Dear Christopher Cat: My friend’s cat and I were diagnosed with hyperthyroidism the same week, so I can’t help wanting to understand the disease we share. What causes hyperthyroidism in cats? How is it treated?
Christopher Responds: Mom recognized the disorder in one of our feline family members who developed the typical clinical signs: weight loss, a racing heart, vomiting and diarrhea.
The cause is uncertain, but several factors may play a role:
- Advanced age. The average age at diagnosis is 13.
- High iodine intake. Iodine levels in cat foods vary widely, with some foods containing up to 10 times the recommended amount of iodine.
- Canned cat food. Risk increases with canned food that contains fish and with pop-top cans and cans lined with bisphenol-A-diglyciddyl ether.
- Flame retardants, including polybromated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which are chemically similar to thyroid hormone. PBDEs are used in furniture and carpeting, where we cats spend a lot of time. We don’t metabolize PBDEs as efficiently as you humans, so they reach high levels in our bodies.
- Genetic predisposition. Siamese and Himalayan cats are at decreased risk.
Fortunately, feline hyperthyroidism is easily treated. Options include:
- Methimazole, a medication that suppresses thyroid function, may be given orally or rubbed on the inner ear flaps.
- Hill’s y/d, a prescription food containing limited iodine, is an alternative to medication. It is available in dry and canned forms, and recipes are available to make treats.
- Radioactive iodine therapy destroys the thyroid tissue responsible for excessive hormone production.
- Surgery removes the affected thyroid gland(s).