About Thyroid Tumors in Cats

Thyroid tumors in cats are being diagnosed more nowadays, and they almost always occur in cats over the age of 10. The most common cause of thyroid tumors in cats is hyperthyroidism, or the overproduction of thyroid hormones, which is said to affect 2 percent of the aging cat population.

Significance

Benign thyroid tumors in cats can cause the thyroid gland to produce too much hormone, which in turn can cause heart failure, liver failure and death.

Identification

A thyroid tumor can go completely unnoticed until the cat starts to show signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, which can include weight loss, increased appetite, increased activity and hair loss.

Types

Thyroid tumors are usually benign in nature, but in rare cases cancerous tumors can metastasize and spread quickly throughout a cat's body.

Diagnosis

Thyroid tumors in cats are diagnosed by confirming the secondary condition of hyperthyroidism with blood tests that measure thyroxine (T4) and other hormone levels. Your veterinarian may also do a thyroid scan.

Treatment

Treatment options include daily anti-thyroid pills to suppress production of excess thyroid hormones, surgery to remove the tumor (or the thyroid gland) or an injection of radioactive iodine to destroy hyperactive tissue.

References

• Thyroid-Info.com
• Veterinary Clinics of North America

Resources

• Feline Hyperthyroidism