Hyperthyroidism in Cats
This is Nutmeg. Nutmeg came to the practice for her annual vaccinations, however, it was noted by her lovely owner and vet Molly that she had lost weight compared to last year, despite eating well. Following her vaccinations, her owners tried for several weeks to feed her up but she gained no weight. At this point, we decided to do some blood testing on Nutmeg and discovered that she has a condition called hyperthyroidism. Nutmeg is now on medication to control her thyroid and doing much better!
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is a common condition in older cats where the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, causing the body to run at an over‑active “high speed”.
Common clinical signs include:
- Weight loss despite a good or increased appetite
- Increased thirst and urination
- Restlessness or irritability
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- A poor or unkempt coat.
Treatment options:
There are several effective treatment options available, and the best choice depends on your cat’s health, lifestyle, and your preferences. Nutmeg here has started on a daily medication called Thyronorm and is doing brilliantly!
If you’re worried about your senior cat losing weight or showing any of these signs, please get in touch with the practice today to book a veterinary check‑up.
