Cats have adapted to hide their pain or injuries. Learn to spot signs of cat pain, when to consult a veterinarian, and what you can give your cat to help relieve pain.
Hyperthyroidism in Cats
My cat is losing weight even though she eats well. What could be the problem?
Is your older cat high-strung? Does she lose weight but eat a lot? She may have an overactive thyroid. Older cats sometimes begin producing too much thyroid hormone. It’s a condition called feline hyperthyroidism. Veterinarians don’t know what causes it, but it speeds up the cat’s metabolism, causing a gradual weight loss and hyperactivity. In fact, hyperthyroid kitties are sometimes so high-strung, it can seem as if they’ve had a few too many cups of coffee! They will also drink and urinate a lot, and may lose hair, vomit or have a goiter or thyroid nodule.
If your cat displays any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian. A blood test can detect the disease, and with appropriate treatment, a cat with hyperthyroidism can live a normal life.
By Dr. Andrea Looney, DVM
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