Feline Hypothyroid

Feline hypothyroidism occurs when a gland in a cat's body called the thyroid fails to produce enough thyroxine, a thyroid hormone. Thyroxine is necessary for regulating the metabolic rate of many tissues in the body. Hypothyroidism occurs rarely in cats.

  1. Causes

    • In some cases, feline hypothyroidism occurs due to the treatment for the excessive production of thyroid hormones; in such cases, medications used to reduce thyroid hormone production suppress the gland too much. Other possible causes include thyroid tumors and dietary iodine deficiency.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of feline hypothyroid condition include lethargy, decreased interest in play, excessive sleeping, weight gain, seeking out warm places to sleep, constipation, loss of appetite, dry skin, a thinning coat or hair loss, reports PetPlace.com.

    Diagnosis

    • Veterinarians typically discover feline hypothyroidism through blood work. To determine the cause of the condition, abdominal X rays or urinalysis tests may also be ordered.

    Treatment

    • If a medication for excessive thyroid hormone production is the cause of feline hypothyroidism, veterinarians will typically decrease the dosage of the medication to treat the condition. When the condition is caused by something else, veterinarians may prescribe a synthetic thyroid hormone supplement like levothyroxine.

    Prevention

    • To prevent feline hypothyroidism, cats being treated for excessive thyroid hormone production should receive blood work periodically to monitor thyroid functioning. Pet owners should be sure to keep all scheduled veterinary appointments for blood work.