Right Under Their Nose So you notice your cat eating like there is no tomorrow but despite the gluttony they continue to lose weight. A miracle diet perhaps? No, not even in your wildest dream. In fact, the chances are pretty good this type of behavior is signaling a medical problem of some sort and according to veterinarian Michelle Dehaven, in middle aged to older cats, an overactive thyroid is always at the top of the diagnostic ladder. She goes on to say that “Thyroid glands produce hormones that regulate metabolism. But when they are enlarged and produce too much thyroid hormone, they rapidly increase a cat’s metabolic rate. This causes, among other things, a dramatic increase in heart rate and blood pressure, and an increase demand for nutrients.” Cats with this disorder literally cannot munch through enough calories to meet their bodies increasing demand! If pet parent parents and/or their pet doctors fail to recognize and treat hyperthyroidism the end result can be heart or organ failure. That said, the most likely outcome is a gradual wasting away. Dr. Dehaven tells us she has seen cats weighing less than 4 pounds, caused by uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. Most pet parents mistakenly assume that as long as their cat has a healthy appetite nothing all that serious could be wrong but this mindset can be fatal for their feline companion when it comes to hypothyroidism. The sad part about this whole scenario is hyperthyroidism can easily be diagnosed by your veterinarian through simple blood tests. With an exam and additional blood work, your vet can also tell what organs may be affected and what treatment option would be best for your cat. The treatment options for cat hypothyroidism include medication, a surgical procedure to remove the enlarged gland, radioactive iodine treatment to destroy the abnormal tissue, or perhaps a herbal or homeopathic supplement specially formulated to support thyroid health. Each treatment has its advantages, and yes it’s disadvantages, so it boils down to making an informed decision as to what option will produce the best results without jeopardizing overall health. What causes hyperthyroidism? Would you believe that in 1980 hyperthyroidism was unknown in cats? Today it is the most commonly diagnosed hormone irregularity. This brings us to our next quest. What has changed? This is a question that has left veterinarians scratching their heads for years but perhaps a study by from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) may shed some light on this decades old quandary. The EPA analyzed normal and hyperthyroid cats. The hyperthyroid cats has blood levels of a chemical called PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) three times higher than normal cats – and 20 to 100 times higher than the average person. According to the EPA, PBDE has been proven to disrupt the endocrine system, which releases hormones. Looking back, PBDE was first introduced in the 1970’s, and the first feline hyperthyroidism cases began to show up roughly 10 years later; it generally takes cats eight years or more to show signs/symptoms of the disease. PBDE is used in flame retardants found in fabric, furniture, electronic equipment, carpet, mattresses, television sets, and cell phones. According environmental chemist Heather Stapleton from Duke University PBDE leaks out on these products in the form of dust; it doesn’t break down very easily, and accumulates in the body’s tissue when ingested. Cats may ingest higher levels of these compounds because they are lower to the ground, in constant contact with these chemicals. Ironically, it is their natural grooming instincts that puts them at increased risk of hyperthyroidism caused by PBDE. Higher levels of PBDE also have been identified in canned cat food, specifically, salmon, whitefish, and chicken liver. This may be because PBDE leaks into the food chain, and larger fish such as salmon are higher on the food chain, therefore accumulating more PBDE. Note: EPA researchers fear that their findings in cats may indicate that this problem also exists in humans. PBDE has been found in human breast milk, and researchers are concerned about small children, who like cats, are close to the ground and put everything in their mouths. In conclusion, currently there is little you can do other than limiting the use of canned food with salmon, whitefish, or chicken liver in conjunction with awareness and annual veterinary exams. Just remember, increased appetite and weight loss are never the norm in any pet, of any age. Natural Remedies for Hyperthyroidism in Pets Thyroid Soothe - Homeopathic remedy that works naturally to soothe the thyroid, heart and endocrine systems - Continue |
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