Thyroid Surgery for Cats

Causes

• There are several reasons for a cat to require surgical removal of the thyroid. For some cats, it is the best treatment for hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excessive levels of thyroid hormones, resulting in such health issues as high blood pressure, excessive weight loss and heart disease. However, cats may also require thyroid surgery because of cancer that may be affecting the thyroid gland, as well as congenital defects or damage to the thyroid gland.

Cost of Surgery or Medication

• In the beginning, many people opt for the cost of daily medication over the cost of surgery for their cat. However, surgery―though more expensive at first―may be the least expensive option in comparison to daily medication for the rest of the cat's life. According to information provided by the Cat Thyroid Center, the cost of surgery ranges between $400 and $1,200, depending on the cat's individual health, medications and treatments involved in the process as well as the region in which the cat resides.

  The cost of daily medication, on the other hand, can range from $400 to $600 per year, depending on brand and supplier of the medication. In less than three years the owner will spend more on medication treatment than he would spend on thyroid surgery. Furthermore, if the cat is 10 years old and lives for another eight years, the owner will spend a minimum of $3,200 on daily medication.

Feline Thyroid Surgery Preparation

• The majority of cats who develop hyperthyroidism and need thyroid surgery are above the age of 10. These cats will require special considerations prior to surgery to ensure a complication-free surgery. According to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, older felines will require up to a month of preparation prior to surgery in which the excess thyroid levels are brought down to a stable range. Medication for any heart disease that might have occurred and treatment for renal disease may also be necessary prior to surgery.

Surgical Removal Candidates

• Surgical removal of the feline thyroid gland is termed a "thyroidectomy." It requires the use of anesthesia; therefore, cats who cannot tolerate anesthesia are not good candidates for this surgery. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, may be unusually large in some cats and extend into the chest. In these cats, surgical removal is generally not an option. After the surgery, the cat will need to be hospitalized for up to a week or more to be watched for potential complications.

Potential Complications

• As with any surgery, complications can can arise. Should any of the thyroid tissue get left behind, it is possible for hyperthyroidism to reoccur anywhere from six months to 24 months after surgery. Due to the location of the thyroid gland in the throat, a miscalculation can result in damage to the laryngeal nerve, resulting in a change in the cat's voice. Hypothyroidism is another potential problem. The Veterinary and Aquatic Services Department of PetEducation.com reports that another possible complication is Horner's syndrome, in which the eye on one side may have a constricted pupil and prominent third eyelid, which may be permanent.