Feline Hyperthyroidism: What You Need to Know. Feline Hyperthyroidism: What You Need to Know. Last Updated on Saturday, January 2. PM. Published on Saturday, May 2. AM. Written by Guillermo D. When an animal or a person has hyperthyroidism it means that there is a high concentration of thyroid hormones in the blood. The opposite, low thyroid hormone levels, is called hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism occurs mostly in older cats, generally around 1. In humans, it is connected by a narrow band of tissue called the isthmus. In cats, the isthmus is vestigial, resulting in two separate lobes. The thyroid glands regulate the speed at which your cat's metabolism works through the production of thyroid hormones, much like the accelerator regulates the speed of your car. It regulates the speed of all body processes: kidney and liver function, brain, digestive system, skin, etc. When too much of the hormone is produced, the cat has become hyperthyroid. There are two basic causes for the over- production of thyroid hormone. The first and most frequent, accounting for around 9. An adenoma is a benign tumor of glandular origin. It may result in the gross enlargement of an organ. This is the enlargement of the functional normal tissue, and is Symmetry between two sides of an organism. The second cause of high levels of thyroid hormone is thyroid carcinoma or cancer. Tiger Nutrition Guide. Cats are obligate carnivores. They derive most of their energy requirements from protein. The natural diet of cats is rich in proteins and. Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disease in cats. It means that there is a high concentration of thyroid hormones in the blood. Research on different tropical reptiles, their behavior and conservation by Dr. Jesus Rivas. EVO® dog foods are designed to closely resemble the ancestral diet of wolves, which was primarily meat. While modern dogs have evolved from their canine ancestors. There is a connection between what cats are fed and disease. Diet plays a role in disease syndromes such as kidney disease and urinary problems. This type of presentation is rare, accounting for no more than 2% of cases.? For decades, doctors and scientists have tried to answer this question. New technology may be providing an answer. Eicosapentaenoic acid is an omega- 3, polyunsaturated, fatty acid found in fish oils. Organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardants. Like other brominated flame retardants, PBDEs have been used in a wide array of products, including building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, airplanes, plastics, polyurethane foams, and textiles. They comprise the principal constituents of the protoplasm of all cells. All proteins have a common property; their structure includes simple units, amino acids. One of the hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Along with triiodothyronine, or T3, T4 is primarily responsible for the regulation of metabolism. Chronic exposure may lead to thyroid hyperplasia. Cats can ingest PBDEs in certain foods or by licking PBDEs- laden house dust from their fur. Fish- flavored brands of canned cat food can contain high levels of PBDEs. Raw pet food is good, but you should make sure that the organic pet food or homemade pet food you choose has the right nutritional balance. Overview of Exotic Cat Nutrition. Cats are obligate carnivores. They derive most of their energy requirements from protein. The natural diet of cats is rich in. Also, PBDEs are commonly used as flame- retardants in fabrics and other household items. This is generally the first and most common symptom an owner would see. Due to the effect of the hormone in the brain, cats affected usually become more energetic and Marked by abnormally increased muscular activity especially when of organic origin. In some cases, nervousness and even aggression towards owners may be present. Some cats show muscle weakness, diarrhea and increased volume of feces due to the increased food intake. There might be other symptoms, such as poor coat condition, increased heart rate, increased urination, heart murmurs, vomiting, lethargy, increased respiratory rate or tremors. There can be more than one symptom in a cat, and the intensity may vary amongst individuals. Testing for Hyperthyroidism. The veterinarian will test a cat's blood as part of the process to rule out or confirm the disease. There are several indicators which may suggest hyperthyroidism, but measuring the level of the thyroid hormone is the best test. The tests commonly used are the measurement of thyroxine, which is often abbreviated as The thyroid gland produces thyroxine, also known as T4, a hormone involved in regulating the body's metabolic rate. Normal T4 ranges in cats vary from 1. Nanomoles (nmol) per liter (L). The moose (North America) or elk (Eurasia), Alces alces, is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the broad, flat (or palmate. A mole is an amount of a substance that contains a large number, 6 followed by 2. A nanomole is one- billionth of a mole. Radioactive iodine is given to the cat in very small doses. The compound is then transported by the blood to the thyroid glands. Hyperfunctional thyroid glands accumulate more of the compound than normal glands, which can be easily scanned and measured. A type of nuclear imaging. In nuclear medicine imaging, radiopharmaceuticals are taken internally, for example intravenously or orally. External detectors (gamma cameras) capture and form images from the radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceuticals. The prognosis for cats affected is very good as long as the owner complies with periodic checkups. The most commonly used drugs are An antithyroid drug also known by the brand names Tapazole or Thiamazole. The first is most commonly used in the United States, and is very effective in controlling the disease by blocking the synthesis of thyroid hormone. This means that methimazole does not destroy abnormal adenomatous thyroid tissue. This treats but doesn't actually cure the illness. The most common transient side effects are vomiting, A lack or loss of appetite for food. Cats under drug treatment must have their blood checked for T4 levels and other values such as liver, kidney and Complete Blood Count. It is a panel of tests that examines different parts of the blood. This must be done every two to three weeks at the beginning of treatment in order to adjust dosage until the patient reaches an acceptable T4 value of 1. L. There are procedures that do cure hyperthyroidism: surgery and radiation treatment. The candidates for these procedures must meet certain criteria. They must be younger or middle age patients with mild hyperthyroidism. This means that they have not developed complications related to chronic hyperthyroidism. Also, they must not suffer from non- thyroid related diseases, such as Reduced kidney function. This term is usually used in cases of chronic renal insufficiency, when the kidneys are affected by a long- term condition, as opposed to acute kidney failure, where the kidneys suddenly fail because of an infection, reaction to a drug or an injury. With chronic renal insufficiency, the kidneys slowly fail over time and continue to worsen even with outside treatment. When cats remain hyperthyroid after surgery, they probably have thyroid tissue in abnormal locations, such as inside the thorax, where removal is difficult. These cats have what is called an ectopic thyroid. Radiation treatment is the administration of a radioactive compound, iodine 1. Within or by means of a vein. The thyroid gland naturally takes up iodine, thus the radiation is concentrated there and causes the thyroid to stop working. This is a relatively simple procedure and in most cases does not require the use of anesthesia. The downside of this is that the kitty must remain in the hospital for several days until the radiation has been cleared. This procedure is not offered everywhere because of its cost, the special equipment required and the special training needed. Hyperthyroidism and Renal Disease. One of the most common complications in cats suffering hyperthyroidism is renal disease. Studies have shown that the prevalence of concurrent hyperthyroidism and renal disease is estimated to be approximately 3. Blood tests can show normal kidney values despite mild to moderate renal disease. When a cat in this stage begins treatment for hyperthyroidism, the blood flow through the kidneys goes back to normal and results in the apparent worsening of the serum kidney function tests. Owners must remember that the treatment of hyperthyroidism itself does not cause kidney disease. The renal problem was already present before treatment, but was masked by the hyperthyroidism. Some doctors want to keep the cat . Cats have strict requirements for energy from protein and animal fat. If your cat lived in the wild, he would probably chase and eat small animals such as birds and rodents. The content of this prey can be broken down approximately as follows: protein 6. An organic substance composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; mainly from plant origin. The most important carbohydrates are starches, sugars, celluloses and gums. This means that cats have very low requirements for carbohydrates. In other words, they don't need them to survive. The most noticeable symptom of a hyperthyroid cat is weight loss despite an increased appetite. The excess of thyroid hormone has The metabolic breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, often resulting in a release of energy. This means that a cat's system . As cats age, they absorb and metabolize protein less efficiently. It's extremely important to feed high- quality protein, i. They are even more harmful when given to hyperthyroid cats. Recently, a new prescription commercial diet for treating feline hyperthyroidism has been introduced to the market. Manufacturers state that it contains low iodine levels, which theoretically would benefit the thyroid gland by restricting the iodine the thyroid needs to produce its hormones. Guillermo D. He currently practices in Lima and also provides veterinary services to a large number of local rescue organizations. Kathleen Salisbury, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS, . North American Edition, Sept 1. Salisbury, . AL Riis, JO J. June 2. 00. 5, E1. Feeding for Urinary and Kidney Health. Feeding for Urinary and Kidney Health. Last Updated on Sunday, January 2. PM. Published on Friday, May 2. PM. Written by Elisa Katz, DVM There is a connection between what cats are fed and what diseases they might get. This is an idea that is becoming much more widely accepted. Diet plays a role in disease syndromes such as kidney disease, urinary problems such as stones and crystals, Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and gastrointestinal problems such as Inflammatory bowel disease is an often chronic condition characterized by inflammation and obstruction of portions of the gastrointestinal tract. It is usually accompanied by painful cramping and persistent diarrhea. As Any of a group of complex organic compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sometimes sulphur, the characteristic element being nitrogen. They comprise the principal constituents of the protoplasm of all cells. All proteins have a common property; their structure includes simple units, amino acids. It's the kidney's job to remove these toxic substances. Waste products such as urea nitrogen, A waste chemical molecule that is generated from muscle metabolism. The kidneys filter creatinine from the blood, so rising levels of this molecule indicate impaired kidney function. You may be familiar with the names of these by- products of protein breakdown if your cat has had blood work done. These are what are measured in the blood to detect declining kidney function – high levels mean that the kidneys aren't working normally. A complication is that the kidneys possess an amazing capacity for compensation. As much as 7. 5% of kidney function must be lost before we can detect abnormally high blood values for these substances. Sometimes we see increased thirst and urination before the blood values rise above normal, as the kidneys become less able to conserve water, but not always. Since so much kidney function is lost by the time disease is usually detected, we need to do everything we can to help our cats maintain good kidney health in the first place. There are only a few definitively known causes for kidney disease. Genetic conditions such as polycystic kidney disease in Persian breeds, toxins such as anti- freeze and lilies, infections and cancer are all known to cause kidney disease. Much of the time, the exact cause is unknown, and a number of things may be contributing to impaired kidney function, including diet. Low- grade persistent bacterial infection in the bloodstream, such as that which occurs with advanced dental disease, may injure the kidneys over time. Preventing dental disease can be an important factor in the long- term health of your cat's kidneys. Other conditions that can cause harm to the kidneys include High blood pressure, usually a danger to health. The condition is often referred to as an overactive thyroid. Dehydration in cats causes the kidneys to concentrate urine to try to maintain the body's water balance. Concentrating urine predisposes a cat to renal injury. Also, the low magnesium content in diets designed to decrease urinary stone and crystal formation may adversely affect the kidneys over time. Should you do it? Recent research demonstrates that diets high in protein have no detrimental effect on the kidneys, and animals with mildly decreased kidney function do not benefit from reduced protein diets. This means that the protein source should be from actual meat and not a meat meal. The rendered product from mammal tissues, exclusive of any added blood, hair, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents. Usable muscle meat is removed before rendering, and so meat meals may contain high levels of calcium and phosphorous, which can harm the kidneys. Phosphorous restriction is important in order to prevent the development of renal secondary Abnormally increased activity of the parathyroid gland with excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone, which may be primary or secondary. Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism is usually due to inadequate calcium intake. The end result of this imbalance causes calcium to be drawn from the cat's bones and deposited into the tissues and organs, including the kidneys, further impairing their function. Cooked egg whites are high in protein and very low in phosphorus. The phosphorous content of 1. A metric unit of mass or weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram. For comparison, 1. A metric unit of mass or weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram. Binders are added to the food to prevent phosphorus from being absorbed into the body and bloodstream. It is best to try to keep the phosphorous level in the blood to within the normal range or only slightly above. Limiting protein is still sometimes used in cats with advanced kidney failure, but it has been my professional experience that The increased formation of urine by the kidneys. Diuresis can be accomplished either at home with Delivery of a substance (usually medication) via injection, just beneath the skin. Good hydration is a key element in helping cats with kidney disease. You can tell a human with kidney disease to be sure to drink plenty of extra water, but unfortunately you can't do that with your cat. We have to resort to other ways to accomplish extra fluid intake. Increasing water intake through food or, if necessary, through fluids given under the skin, can go a long way towards decreasing the stress on the kidneys and slow the progression of the disease. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease/Feline lower urinary tract disease is a broad term that is used to cover a number of conditions associated with hte feline lower urinary tract. It may present as any of a variety of problems such as, inflammation of the bladder or urethra, formation of urinary crystals/stones in the bladder, and partial or total obstruction of the urethra. The normal instinctual diet of the feline consists of prey animals that are high in protein, have moderate amounts of fat, and little if any An organic substance composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; mainly from plant origin. The most important carbohydrates are starches, sugars, celluloses and gums. The typical prey animal for a housecat, usually a rat or mouse, consists of approximately 5. This indicates that 7. Cats fed a dry diet exclusively are at a significant water deficit compared to cats eating a natural diet. They are only consuming about 1. You may think that the cat can make it up by drinking more water, but cats innately have a low thirst drive, as they evolved to eat prey consisting of so much moisture. This is one reason that the urine of intact male cats has such a strong odor. Basic chemistry tells us that the more concentrated a solution is, and in this case the solution is urine, the more likely any Chemicals that are dissolved in a liquid. Solutes found in urine may be classified as ions or organic molecules. For example, sodium and potassium are ions and urea and creatinine are organic molecules. The more concentrated the urine is, the more likely it is that it may irritate the delicate lining of the urinary bladder. An important component of the recommended treatment of FLUTD cats is the feeding of canned food or raw foods exclusively, which are about 7. This increases the cat's water intake, dilutes the urine and decreases the probability of crystals. A study of the urine of 1. Struvite precipitates in alkaline urine, forming stones. With increased protein, less magnesium is excreted in the urine, and the increased protein causes an osmotic diureses. Water is drawn into the kidneys and makes the cat urinate more. Treating urinary problems in this way may contribute to kidney disease, as recent evidence has suggested that the low magnesium content of these diets may have a detrimental effect on the kidneys over time. During that time period, allergies, urinary problems, digestive problems and kidney disease in cats have all increased. This is in part due to better diagnostics and cats living longer, but it is my professional opinion that the widespread feeding of dry kibble diets plays a significant role. Dr. Elisa Katz, DVM, is a graduate of Ohio State University and is the owner of Natural Pet Animal Hospital in Bourbonnais, Illinois. She practices holistic and integrative medicine focusing on proper diet and nutrition. Katz shares her home with four kitties and one dog. Allen, David J. Polzin and Larry G. Walsworth Publishing Company, 2. Sunvold and T. L. May 1. 99. 8, 5. 75- 8. The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for developing and executing US Federal government policy on farming, agriculture and food. Fox, Elizabeth Hodgkins and Marion E. Smart, Not Fit For a Dog: The Truth About Manufactured Dog and Cat Food, 2. Quill Driver Books, 1. Fox, Elizabeth Hodgkins and Marion E. Smart, Not Fit For a Dog: The Truth About Manufactured Dog and Cat Food, 2. Quill Driver Books, 1. Hughes, M. R. Geller, W. J. Burkholder and C. Fitzgerald, . 1, September 1.
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