Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Hundreds of years ago cats crossed the ocean to North America with the Europeans. Since then they have become a popular pet and companion. In the wild a cat will usually live between 2-5 years. Domestic cats live much longer, sometimes up to 17 years. During old age many cats will face health problems. If your elderly cat is having balance problems you need to see a veterinarian to get an accurate diagnoses. Some conditions causing the imbalance may be treatable, but unfortunately others are not.
Thyroid imbalance in dogs is caused by either an underproduction or an overproduction of hormones. Hypothyroidism, a condition in which insufficient amounts of hormones are produced, is more common. Hyperthyroidism usually occurs in conjunction with cancer and produces the opposite effect.
In cats, the thyroid gland is commonly described as a butterfly-shaped gland located in the cat's neck. For the majority of cats, surgical removal of the thyroid gland is a permanent treatment option. Owners with cats who require thyroid surgery should look into all aspects of the surgery to decide if it the best option for their cat.
It's important to keep medications and chemicals away from your pets. If they somehow ingest toxic substances, they can become very ill or even die, just like humans. Particularly harmful for cats is the thyroid medication Armour Thyroid. If your cat may have ingested some of this substance, watch the animal for signs of distress and contact your veterinarian.
Cats are prone to dysfunction of the thyroid glands, just as humans are. The thyroid glands are located in the cat's neck. Their job is to regulate the body's metabolism. Hyperthyroidism---an overproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid glands---is the more common condition that affects cats, although some cats do develop hypothyroidism, which is the underproduction of the thyroid hormone. Thyroid problems can put you cat's life in danger if not addressed. Fortunately, dysfunction of the thyroid glands is fairly easy to treat in most cases.
The thyroid is a small gland located in the neck of the cat. It has two lobes which are on either side of the windpipe. The thyroid gland produces hormones which control the cat's metabolism and affect all the systems in the cat's body. Identifying issues with the thyroid glad is important in helping your cat lead a normal, healthy life.
The two primary thyroid problems in cats are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. In hyperthyroidism, a cat's body produces too much of the thyroid hormone; in hypothyroidism, it produces too little. Of the two, hyperthyroidism is more common, but hypothyroidism can become an issue for cats after they have been treated for hyperthyroidism. For this reason, it's crucial for pet owners to closely monitor their cats after hyperthyroidism treatment.
Thyroid problems in middle-aged cats are on the rise. Even so, they are not common enough for all veterinarians to routinely screen for them. Because symptoms often go unnoticed, or are easily attributable to aging, thyroid problems in cats can be silent killers. That is why it is especially important to be aware of the early warning signs.
Feline hypothyroidism is a rare endocrine gland condition in which the thyroid gland, two butterfly-shaped lobes located near the windpipe in the cat's neck, becomes underactive and stops creating enough thyroid hormone. The secreted substance helps to regulate the cat's metabolism, and deficiencies lead to various symptoms that can become severe if left untreated.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid increases in size, usually due to the growth of a benign tumor. This size increase results in the presence of higher T4 thyroid hormone levels in the body. The most common endocrine disorder in cats, hyperthyroidism is a serious condition and can be fatal if left untreated. Fortunately, the problem is treatable with either surgery or medication and can usually be diagnosed with a simple blood test.
Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are conditions that affect cats with thyroid disease. These conditions have classic signs that owners, especially of older cats, should be aware of. These symptoms could also indicate problems unrelated to the thyroid, so any change in a cat's behavior should be reported to a vet. While hypothyroidism isn't considered life threatening, according to the Cornell Feline Heath Center, untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to heart failure (see Resources).
Cat thyroid problems are extremely common in older felines. There are specific symptoms that can indicate a thyroid problem. Fortunately, this condition is highly treatable, so owners of older cats can increase the length and quality of their affected pets' lives as long as they receive prompt treatment.
The thyroid gland puts out a hormone called thyroxin, which helps the cat's body digest food and burn through the energy that food produces. When the thyroid doesn't put out enough thyroxin, this is called hypothyroidism. This is rare in cats. But hyperthyroidism--where the thyroid puts out too much thyroxin--is far more common, especially in older cats.
