Pets and Vets – Man-made feline diseases

Man-made Feline Disease

“He’s losing weight because he’s getting old” is a common statement we often get from owners and it is true that older cats tend to have less muscle mass compared to young, healthy ones. It’s the same in humans, as we tend to exercise less as we get older, but age is not the only reason for weight loss in cats.

A very common reason, especially if your cat is still eating well and active, is hyperthyroidism, the most common hormonal problem in the older cat. The thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, and as this is responsible for the metabolism of the body (how quickly we burn up our energy) then these cats are burning off more weight than they can replace. They start demanding lots of food and can become more demanding in general. The heart speeds up and they can become quite grumpy.

The disease first appeared in the 1980s and ’90s and quickly spread around the globe. Because of its recent appearance, it is assumed that hyperthyroidism must be man-made, either due to diet or environment but, as yet, no definitive cause has been established.

There are four methods of treating the disease, each with a variable success rate.

As the thyroid relies on iodine to function, eliminating iodine from the diet can help. There are prescription diets that do this, but are only successful in single cat households, where your pet does not go outside. In areas close to the sea, there is too much natural iodine around for this method to work.

Daily medication with drugs to reduce the thyroid gland output is the most common treatment used. Tablets or liquids are given once or twice a day and are effective, but regular blood tests are required to monitor the treatment and ensure other diseases are not present. Surgery to remove the overactive gland is highly effective but does carry risks especially of damaging the tiny parathyroid glands next to it.

Wise Words By Deirdre Wilson

The most recent development in treatment therapy is radioactive iodine. This has shown to be highly effective, safe, and only one dose is needed to permanently treat the disease. The radioactive iodine targets and kills the abnormal cells. However, it is expensive and needs hospitalisation for several days. As more specialist referral services offer this procedure, the costs have reduced, and a one-off treatment is comparable in price to lifelong daily medication.

Future research may reveal the cause of this disease, but in the meantime there are effective treatments available so if your cat is losing weight, please get it checked.

BOURNE

SPALDING t. 01778 422863 e. info@alder-vets.co.uk 15 Exeter Street, Bourne PE10 9NW

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