What is Feline Hyperthyroidism? Feline hyperthyroidism is a
systemic disorder caused by excessive thyroid hormone. Thyroid
hormone regulates metabolism, and therefore, affects almost
every system in the body. Hyperthyroidism is the most common
endocrine disorder diagnosed in cats over 8 years of age. The
average age of onset is 12 to 13 years. What are the signs of
Feline Hyperthyroidism? The signs of hyperthyroidism include
weight loss, hyperactivity, increased appetite, increased thirst
and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, heat intolerance, poor hair
coat, increased heart rate, abnormal heart beat and/or heart
murmur. Advanced cases may show signs such as anorexia,
depression and weakness. These are general signs and only raise
the suspicion of a thyroid disorder. What causes Feline
Hyperthyroidism? Increased production of thyroid hormone results
from an enlarged thyroid gland. In most cases the enlargement is
due to a non-cancerous overgrowth (hyperplasia) of the thyroid
gland. Many times your veterinarian m