What happens if hyperthyroidism is left untreated in cats?
Feline hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine disorder in older cats, caused by the overproduction of thyroid hormone. Left untreated, hyperthyroidism can result in heart failure and other complications, and can even lead to death.
What does hypothyroidism look like in cats?
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Cats Hair matting. Constipation. Neurological changes. Unkept appearance.
What are symptoms of low thyroid in cats?
Clinical signs of hypothyroidism in cats include:
- Weight gain.
- Unkempt hair coat.
- Flaky hair coat.
- Matting of the fur.
- Hair loss on the ears.
- Lethargy.
- Obesity/weight gain.
What do you feed a cat with thyroid problems?
It is best to feed: Canned or raw diets, that contain little to no fruits, vegetables, or grains. Any canned cat food is better than any dry, which contains too much carbohydrate and plant-based protein.
How long can a cat live with hyperthyroidism untreated?
The median survival times reported are 25 (iodine 131 treatment),1 24 (radioiodine treatment),2 and 48 months (iodine 131 treatment),3 with a more recent paper citing 14 months (carbimazole or methimazole treatment alone or in combination with thyroidectomy).
Are cats with hyperthyroidism in pain?
In addition, hyperthyroidism can cause hypertension or high blood pressure, and result in damage to the eyes, kidneys, and brain. Cats with untreated hyperthyroidism can also endure pain and a lower quality of life due to the symptoms of the disease.
How can I treat my cats hyperthyroidism at home?
Feline hyperthyroidism natural treatment options are often considered by pet owners. Some of these treatments include switching your cat to a raw food diet, giving them special vitamins and supplements, and/or switching to special natural pet foods.
How quickly does thyroid medication work in cats?
In cats, oral methimazole is rapidly absorbed, with: An oral bioavailability of 93% Maximal serum concentrations seen within 1.5 hours. Mean half-life of 3.12 hours and serum concentrations at 24 hours—after a single oral 5-mg dose—of 21.7 ± 28.9 ng/mL.
What medication is used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats?
Only one drug, Felimazole Coated Tablets (methimazole), is FDA-approved to treat hyperthyroidism in cats. Approved by FDA in May 2009, Felimazole contains methimazole as the active ingredient.
How long do cats live on methimazole?
When cats with preexisting renal disease were excluded, median survival time for cats treated with methimazole alone (2.0 years; interquartile range [IQR], 1 to 3.9 years) was significantly shorter than median survival time for cats treated with 131I alone (4.0 years; IQR, 3.0 to 4.8 years) or methimazole followed by …