Cat hyperthyroidism is a clinical syndrome, a hormonal imbalance related to an overproduction of thyroid hormones.  

It is common in older dogs than the young ones, according to FarmPally.  

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats  

• Your cat begins to lose weight despite having a good appetite.  
• The coat becomes dull, dry, and he has flaky skin 
• Digestive problems such as diarrhoea or vomiting are also common 
• Passing large amounts of faeces 
• Changes in behaviour such as increased activity and joy, but also restlessness and aggression are possible Frequent meowing 
• Enlarged thyroid  

If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your furry friend, a check-up visit to your veterinarian is needed, Chaktty advised cat parents.  

Your veterinarian would take a close look at your house cat, discuss symptoms and other necessary steps to take.  

Cats with hyperthyroidism often have a thickened thyroid. This is not easily recognisable for some cat owners. 

During a veterinary examination, blood is taken and the concentration of thyroid hormones is determined.  

Thyroid hormones regulate, among other things, heart activity. If thyroid hormones are overproduced, cats' hearts often beat irregularly.  

Your vet will examine your cat to see if there is any cardiac arrhythmia.  If the thyroid is overactive, there is a risk that organ damage will develop over the course of the disease.  

The kidneys are particularly frequently affected. If left untreated, high blood pressure or the formation of blood clots in the main artery (aorta) are possible.  An underactive thyroid is very rare in cats. 

A cat with an underactive thyroid often does not eat the usual amount of food and has a dull coat and dry skin. 

In domestic cats, an underactive thyroid can only be diagnosed by a veterinarian through a blood test.  If the hypothyroidism is congenital, the kittens show delayed growth.  

How can thyroid diseases be treated in cats?

When you take your cat to the vet, it is helpful to explain to the vet what changes you have noticed in your pet.  The vet will first examine the thyroid gland externally for any abnormalities.  

To diagnose a thyroid disorder, the vet will check your cat's blood for altered levels of thyroid hormones.  If your cat has an overactive thyroid, an increased amount of thyroxine (T4) will be measured in his blood.  

If there is a suspicion, the vet will also measure other thyroid parameters such as TSH or fT4.  If the overactive thyroid is in a very early stage, the values ​​are often still within the normal range.  

Your vet will repeat the blood test after a while if the symptoms of an overactive thyroid persist.  To rule out any accompanying diseases, your vet will examine your cat's heart and kidneys. 

If your cat has an underactive thyroid, the blood levels of thyroid hormones are below the normal range.