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-   -   Thyroid issues in cats? (http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=82569)

Winston October 24th, 2012 12:00 PM

Thyroid issues in cats?
 
Hey All

Tabitha went to the vet on Monday just for general check up.

She is 17 yrs old now and starting to show some signs of age affecting her. I noticed that she has had a little bit of difficulty when she tries to jump up onto the couch or to a higher location...Sometimes she falls or doesnt quite make it. She has never hurt herself but it has me worried sometimes.

The vet checked her over and her heart seems fine and her blood pressure. Her coat looks great and her teeth (she still has all of them) were pretty good just a little bit of plaque near the back.

The bad thing is she has lost 1/2 pound. The vet thinks maybe her thyroid is acting up or she is having some renal issues again.

She now weighs 5 1/2 pounds :(

Since she had blood work done a few months ago and nothing stood out to indicate problems we are going to wait for 2 months and bring her back in for a weight check and determine what needs to happen at that time.

The vet gave her a B12 shot again which seemed to help her last year as far as her energy level.

Does anyone else have a kitty with a thyroid issues? I am assuming that this is a natural part of the aging process ??

Any info would be appreciated!

Cindy

sugarcatmom October 24th, 2012 01:44 PM

[QUOTE=Winston;1048204]
Does anyone else have a kitty with a thyroid issues? I am assuming that this is a natural part of the aging process ??
[/QUOTE]

Not necessarily. Hyperthyroidism is due to a non-malignant (usually) tumor on the thyroid gland, which churns out an increased amount of thyroxine hormone. Did the vet check Tabitha's T4 levels on her last blood test? Sometimes the result can appear to be within normal ranges but if it's increasing as she ages instead of decreasing like it should, she may still have hyperthyroidism. In that case, it might be a good idea to also get a FreeT4 test done at the same time as the regular T4, especially if she's exhibiting symptoms. Does she drink much water? How is her appetite?

[url]http://animalendocrine.blogspot.ca/2010/06/do-all-hyperthyroid-cats-have-thyroid_26.html[/url]

Winston October 25th, 2012 09:21 AM

SCM I am not sure if that was checked? Is that generally shown on the bloodwork? or do they have to do something special? I will pull the test and see. I will advise that vet when we go back about the T4 test.

Thank you for your reply! I appreciate your advise always! :thumbs up

sugarcatmom October 25th, 2012 11:55 AM

[QUOTE=Winston;1048246]SCM I am not sure if that was checked? Is that generally shown on the bloodwork? or do they have to do something special? [/QUOTE]

It's a special test, but usually included in a senior blood panel because hyperT is relatively common in older cats.

patchdog December 20th, 2012 03:43 PM

My cat had thyroid issues. He was placed on medicine. One pill once a day. It did help him for a while.


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