What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism, commonly known as hyperthyroidism, refers to a multi-system disease caused by excessive hormones produced and secreted by the thyroid gland, which has become the most common endocrine disease in domestic cats. Hyperthyroidism in cats is generally divided into unilateral onset and bilateral onset, of which bilateral onset accounts for the majority. Excessive secretion of thyroxine will make cats produce toxic reactions, leading to thyroid crisis, thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy and systemic hypertension.
The onset age of hyperthyroidism ranged from 4 to 20 years old, with an average of 13 years old. 95% of cats with hyperthyroidism are over 10, and there is no gender bias.
0 1 hyperthyroidism symptoms
Manifestations: weight loss, loss of appetite, overeating and tremor. Common symptoms: rough fur, patchy depilation, weakness, polydipsia, polyuria, dyspnea, asthma, vomiting and anorexia. Decreased activity, drowsiness, increased activity, diarrhea and increased defecation. Occasional symptoms: dyspnea caused by congestive heart failure and slow neck movement caused by hypokalemia.
Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism
The clinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism are not specific, and hyperthyroidism itself is accompanied by many other diseases, such as chronic renal failure. Related examinations may include: routine blood examination, routine urine examination, serum biochemical examination and thyroid function evaluation. Clinical evaluation items of thyroid function mainly include B-ultrasound, X-ray, electrocardiogram, scintigraphy and detection of serum cobalamin levels of T3, FT4 and TT4 hormones.
Treatment of hyperthyroidism
Drug treatment, surgery needs lifelong medication 1-2 days to recover, with side effects, and the risk of surgical anesthesia is irreversible. Drinking iodine and radioactive iodine treatment can only eat low-iodine food and water.
Prevention of hyperthyroidism
Daily diet In the cat's diet, excessive or small iodine intake and soybean isoflavones in food may induce hyperthyroidism in cats. Parents should pay attention to the food composition table when choosing cat food.
05 regular physical examination
Regular physical examination shows that hyperthyroidism is one of the common diseases in elderly cats. Regular physical examination can find and control the disease in time. If the cat itself suffers from heart disease (especially hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), it needs regular physical examination to prevent hyperthyroidism from bringing huge burden to the heart. Control the intake of iodine and keep the hygiene of drinking utensils.