Hyperactive Senior Cats

You might be thinking that your senior citizen cat has started hitting the cat nip a few too many times recently. Your once couch potato cat is running around the house like a kitten and slimming down despite a healthy appetite, It is less likely that your cat has discovered the fountain of youth but rather is experiencing the most common endocrine disorder in cats...hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid gland.

The thyroid is a small gland located in our necks and that of our cats. It is responsible for general metabolism as well as the maintenance of a good skin and coat.

There has been an increase in the number of cases of this feline disease but the severity of the cases has diminished. This is probably because of a proactive practice of veterinarians to routinely perform early blood panels on apparently healthy senior pets.

Clinical signs of a hyperthyroid cat can be hyperactivity, hypertension, increased thirst, weight loss, heart changes and neurological disorders.

What causes the gland to over secrete the hormone thyroxin? Some recent studies have found interesting links to feeding commercially prepared canned cat food, especially fish and the liver and giblet flavors. Uses of external parasite products also seem to increase the risk. The exact cause is still under investigation with environmental and genetic influences coming under scrutiny.

Signs of a hyperthyroid cat can be hyperactivity, hypertension, increased thirst, weight loss, heart changes and neurological disorders.

What can you do to prevent this disease? Probably very little. You can minimize the often devastating side effects by having your senior cat see your veterinarian for at least a once yearly examination plus have baseline blood work performed. Why? Because it is "Your Pet...Health Matters.”