![]() ![]() However, it may not be appropriate for all cats (depending on other medical conditions) so important to work with your veterinarian and decide if using this therapeutic diet is the best way to manage your cat’s condition. Conveniently, the main use of iodine in the body is the production of thyroid hormone, so a deficient diet shouldn’t cause any other health issues in a hyperthyroid cat. This means that in order for this diet to work, your cat must eat the therapeutic diet exclusively and cannot eat any treats or supplements that might contain iodine and allow the thyroid gland to continue to make thyroxine. Therefore, by using the veterinary therapeutic diet that is currently available and restricted in iodine (the only source the body has of iodine) this will prevent the thyroid from making thyroid hormone. If we restrict iodine, production of thyroxine decreases. In order to produce thyroid hormone (thyroxine), the body needs a supply of iodine. For some cats, a veterinary therapeutic diet low in iodine may be all that’s required to control symptoms. A medication called methimazole, which interferes with thyroid hormone production, is less expensive but requires daily administration. However, these options tend to be expensive and not possible for all pet owners. For example, some families can’t medicate cats every day, so a more permanent solution such as radioactive iodine treatment or surgery may be best. The treatment you and your vet choose depends on several factors including how severe the disease is, your cat’s health, and what works best for your family. These include an iodine-restricted diet, medications, and radioactive iodine therapy. The good news is that there are many treatment options available to our hyperthyroid cats. ![]() Now that I know my cat has hyperthyroidism, what do I do? Other than unexplained weight loss, your cat may also become more restless, hyperactive, vocal, and extremely hungry! If you suspect your cat might be experiencing some of these symptoms, the next step is visiting your veterinarian for a blood test to check your cat’s thyroid hormone levels. Many older cats with overactive thyroids have actual enlargement of the gland which can be felt in the neck by your veterinarian. However, an overactive thyroid is quite common. In cats, an underactive thyroid is extremely rare. This is why one of the first signs of thyroid disease may be a change in weight – weight gain if the thyroid is underactive and weight loss if the thyroid is overactive. ![]() Hyperthyroidism is a common condition in older cats because of an excess of circulating thyroid hormone, called “thyroxine.” The thyroid gland, located in the neck, is responsible for the body’s metabolism. ![]()
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