There are a few different treatments for hyperthyroidism in cats. This condition is the result of overactive thyroid glands. It’s very common and frequently affects older cats between 10 – 13 years of age.
Cats with hyperthyroidism tend to burn energy too fast, which leads to weight loss even though they eat more and have a greater appetite
Depending on the specific circumstances of your pet, your veterinarian will advise you on the best course of action.
4 Treatment Options for Hyperthyroidism in Cats
Treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats could be any of the following:
1. Radioactive Iodine Therapy
This is the safest and most effective treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats. Normal thyroid tissue is spared, and cats don’t need thyroid hormone supplementation. General anesthesia is not required for this therapy, eliminating a major risk factor for older cats.
Although, in some cases, this option can cause hypothyroidism (a disease where the thyroid hormone is too low). This can be mitigated by changing the dose of medication or changing the diet but can’t be reversed once radioiodine therapy has been carried out.
2. Antithyroid Medication
Medical management would seem to be the simplest and cheapest option available, but this usually proves to be untrue since the medication can be expensive, inconvenient or hard to administer, can have side effects, and must be used for your pet’s entire life.
Antithyroid medication can be the best choice in cats with concurrent life-threatening diseases (like cancer, severe renal disease) and short life expectancies.
3. Surgery
A common treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats is surgical removal (thyroidectomy) of the gland’s damaged lobes. Surgery comes with a lot of risks for the patient. First and foremost, a senior cat (who often has impaired kidney function and varying levels of heart disease) must undergo prolonged anesthesia before surgery.
When an urgent resolution of the hyperthyroid condition is necessary, surgery is the best course of therapy for some cats with severe decompensated heart failure.
An immediate thyroidectomy may be prescribed for these cats if their disease is so advanced that it cannot be treated medically.
4. Natural Supplements
Pet owners often consider natural therapy alternatives for feline hyperthyroidism. These are regarded as safe and may be used even if the thyroid levels of the cat are high or normal. When administered properly, you can prevent hyperthyroidism in your pet.
Herbsmith Rx Tang Kuei Harmonize Yin is an excellent example. This herbal supplement helps manage elderly, yin-deficient kitties who have a dry, hacking cough, restlessness at night (the yin period of the day), dementia and senility, and hyperthyroidism.
It comes in powder form and the suggested use for cats is ¼ tsp twice a day, or as recommended by your vet.
You may want to try this natural treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats and see if it is effective.
Herbsmith Rx Tang Kuei Harmonize Yin Herbal Formula for Cats
In veterinary medicine, Herbsmith Rx Tang Kuei Harmonize Yin is made to manage geriatric animal problems such as hyperthyroidism in cats. In addition, the older your pet, the more he is prone to diseases such as coughing, poor kidney and liver performance, dementia, and senility.
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine calls older sickly cats “yin-deficient” patients. This means the body as a whole lacks efficient heat to keep the body moving to its peak. An animal lacks yin when there is a certain dryness, intolerance to heat, and deficiency in its overall temperature.
Herbsmith Rx Tang Kuei Harmonize Yin is a perfect blend of natural ingredients that aid in the management of proper kidney and liver functions as well as in the cleansing and nourishment of the blood. These benefits work to strengthen your cat’s overall health in addition to treating his hyperthyroidism.
For your peace of mind, this supplement that works well in treating hyperthyroidism in cats is made of:
- Cooked Rhemannia Root (shu di huang)
- Angelica Tang Kuei (dang gui tou)
- Dioscorea (shan yao)
- Eucommia Bark (du zhong)
- Achyranthes Root (huai niu xi)
- Honey Coated Licorice Root (gan cao)
- Cornus fruit (shan zhu yu)
Before starting any supplement, a veterinary consultation is required to ensure the safety of your pet.
We Understand…
Hyperthyroidism is difficult for pet parents and their pets alike. It can be fatal when left alone. However, if treated quickly and effectively, cats can make a full recovery.
As you can see, the treatment options for hyperthyroidism in cats each have their own benefits and drawbacks.
If your cat is experiencing symptoms of hyperthyroidism, inform an experienced veterinarian immediately. Inquire about the perfect treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats.