The thyroid gland, located in your cat’s neck, uses dietary iodine to make thyroid hormones that help regulate important body functions including your cat’s:
Hyperthyroidism is a common feline endocrine disorder, most often diagnosed in older cats over age 10. Left untreated, hyperthyroidism can have serious, sometimes fatal, consequences on vital organs like the heart and kidneys. The good news is, this disease is highly manageable and can be controlled with proper veterinary care.
If your cat has hyperthyroidism, her thyroid gland will be enlarged and produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. Left untreated, hyperthyroidism can have serious, sometimes fatal, consequences on vital organs like the heart and kidneys. The good news is, this disease i,s highly manageable and can be controlled with proper veterinary care.
Signs of hyperthyroidism can vary in severity depending on how long a cat has been ill. If your cat exhibits any of the following signs, contact your veterinarian immediately:
Cats with chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus exhibit some signs similar to hyperthyroidism. Your veterinarian may also need to perform tests for these diseases to ensure an accurate diagnosis. If your cat has hyperthyroidism, her thyroid gland will be enlarged and produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.
Four potential options for managing cats with hyperthyroidism are:
The food your cat eats plays an important role in her overall health and well-being. Balanced nutrition is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle. For accurate diagnosis and treatment options, always consult your veterinarian and ask them to recommend the best food for your cat’s thyroid health.
Check out this video about how Prescription Diet cat food can help.
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Unsure which ingredients are important to your cat's diet? Learn which types of cat food ingredients are necessary and how they benefit your cat's health.
Learn from a Veterinarian: Discover how your cat's metabolism can affect her health, including weight fluctuations, and how metabolic cat food can help.
Learn about when the best time to spay or neuter your cat is, and the health benefits that accompany the surgery.
Learn why your kitty gets cat zoomies, random bouts of energy that cause them to race through the house, and when zoomies could indicate a health issue.
Learn the visual signs that your cat is healthy including what to look for in her skin, ears, and eyes, as well as as signs you should call your vet about.
Learn why your cat is drinking less water than she used to, how much she should be drinking, and how to recognize and prevent her from getting dehydrated.
Learn to decipher your cat's numerous non-verbal language queues, including the meanings behind expressions through her eyes, ears, tail and stance.
Learn the different causes of cat vomiting, from throwing up common hairballs to more serious health concerns, and how grooming & food can help prevent it.
Recognize the importance of proper dental hygiene in your cat's overall health. Learn about causes of dental disease, and questions you should ask your vet.
Learn how to make your own DIY cat stain remover, as well as how to remove cat odors from your home.
Feline obesity puts cats at higher risk of several health concerns. Here's how to tell if you have an overweight cat so you can intervene early.
Learn how your cat communicates with you as well as other cats in the house, and what their cat language might be telling you about them.
To provide the best care for your cat, it is important to know as much about them as possible. Read about a cat's specialized anatomy to learn more.
Learn helpful care tips for your kitten in their first four months, including essential topics like bedding, food, using the litter box, grooming & more.
Discover the common reasons why cats don't tend to like water or getting wet, and better learn about their curious fascination with running water.
Learn how to create four different DIY cat beds that will provide your furry friend with a cozy space of her own & won't break your bank!
Learn tips for talking & communicating with your cat, including suggested gestures like blinking, as well as how to tell if they are actually listening.
Use these 4 steps on how to properly brush and provide the right dental care for your cat's teeth.
While it may not be common, cats to indeed pass gas. Learn how your cat's food impacts their gassiness and whether you need to be concerned.
When a cat wants attention, she'll pull out all the stops until she grabs your interest, such as these seven classic behaviors guaranteed to distract you.
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