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Hyperthyroidism in Cat

Let Me Introduce You To Sammy

Sammy is a 12 year old cat that is the picture of good health. He eats well, has a nice coat, is affectionate and even goes for walks with his mom and big sister Bella. He LOVES his life!

This was not always the case for Sammy however. Last year Sammy came in for his annual health exam and his mom mentioned Sammy was eating and drinking a little bit more and seemed a little thinner. He didn’t want to walk as much and seemed to be a little cranky and irritable sometimes. Poor Sammy.

When he was examined, he did weigh less than he used to and what he should weigh despite eating more than usual. His coat was not as smooth and soft as it once was and his heart was beating faster than it should have been.

So we decided to run a blood profile on Sammy. We painlessly took a small amount of blood from a vein in his back leg and twenty minutes later we had a diagnosis! Sammy had hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine (hormone) disease in cats. Hyperthyroid cats produce too much thyroid hormone most often due to a benign thyroid adenoma (tumor) or too much thyroid tissue. Too much thyroid hormone increases metabolism resulting in weight loss (often despite eating more), hyperactivity, heart problems, high blood pressure and sometimes increased thirst.

Now that Sammy is on medication daily he is back to his old self. He, as well as his mom and Bella, are very happy that he is feeling so much better!

In summary, Sammy has a disease that was undetected until he came into the hospital for an examination and bloodwork. Once a diagnosis was made, a treatment plan was made and implemented. Now Sammy enjoys a higher quality of life!

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