Can a 2 year old cat have hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism occurs most commonly in older cats and is rare in dogs. The average age of cats with hyperthyroidism is 13 years of age; only about 5 % of hyperthyroid cats are younger than 10 years of age. There are 2 thyroid glands located in the neck.
Can you give a cat a thyroid tablet?
Giving a cat a tablet can be tricky, some cats tolerate it well and others find it stressful. Thyroid glands can be removed, which means your cat won’t need to be given medication anymore.
Is there a cure for hyperthyroidism in cats?
The vast majority of hyperthyroid cats can be treated successfully. However, it’s important to remember: Hyperthyroidism is sometimes caused by thyroid cancer. It’s very rare (1-3% of cases) but if your cat is unlucky enough to have one of these rare thyroid cancers their condition may not improve.
What can cause a cat to have hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is sometimes caused by thyroid cancer. It’s very rare (1-3% of cases) but if your cat is unlucky enough to have one of these rare thyroid cancers their condition may not improve. If your cat has one of their thyroid glands removed, the other gland may develop the same problem further down the line.
What happens if you remove one thyroid gland in a cat?
If your cat has one of their thyroid glands removed, the other gland may develop the same problem further down the line. If this happens, symptoms will return. Removing both thyroid glands puts your cat at risk of developing low calcium. Treatment for a cat with hyperthyroidism can become expensive.
What kind of medication can I give my Cat for thyroid?
Medication — typically methimazole (Tapazole) here in the United States — decreases the level of thyroid hormone in your cat’s blood. It is available as a pill or in the form of a gel, which is applied to your cat’s skin. Most cats tolerate methimazole pretty well.
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats?
97-99% of cases are due to benign swellings in the thyroid; 1-3% are due to cancerous growths. Hyperthyroidism causes weight loss, increased appetite, restlessness and many other symptoms.
How old is a 16 year old cat?
By age 16 your cat’s physical and mental development is very much like that of an 80-year-old person. She has definitely slowed down physically (relative to her prime adult years)and may have developed a number of health problems.
Can a cat have his thyroid gland removed?
Surgery to remove the thyroid gland is an option, but it may not solve the problem. There may be tumor cells in other parts of your cat’s body that continue to overproduce thyroid hormone, or removal of the gland could mean he’ll no longer produce enough thyroid hormone and will have to be on medicine for the rest of his life.