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Hyperthyroidism is a disease of older cats, caused by excessive production of thyroid hormones. The usual cause for increased hormone production is a tumor of the thyroid gland. These tumors may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The reason these glands develop tumors is not known.
Signs of excessive hormone production include weight loss despite a ravenous appetite, frequent bowel movements, increased thirst and urination, restlessness, frequent crying or vocalizing, neglect of normal grooming, and rapid heartbeat. The effects on the heart may be severe and result in congestive heart failure and death.
Treatment with radioactive iodine is an excellent form of therapy.
When serious heart disease has already occurred, treatment with anti-thyroid druds is used until the cat is healthy enough for therapy. However, long term medical treatment with these drugs is not recommended because the tumor may me malignant and sread to other areas during treatment and because these drugs can have serious side effects with long term use.
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