Hyperthyroidism Thyroid Cancer In Cats

In most cases enlargement of thyroid glands is caused by a non cancerous.

Hyperthyroidism thyroid cancer in cats.

Also called thyrotoxicosis hyperthyroidism is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormones known as t3 and t4 from an enlarged thyroid gland in a cat s neck. Hyperthyroidism also known as hyperthyroid disease occurs when the thyroid gland enlarges and starts producing excess amounts of thyroid hormone thyrotoxicosis. Although thyroid tumors can be cancerous the chances are less than 5 percent in cats. It is rare for a tumor to affect the hormonal function of the thyroid.

However it can happen and in those cases you will see additional symptoms. Adenocarcinoma of the thyroid is more commonly seen in older cats but young cats may also suffer from this neoplasm. Katie the cat pictured here was one of the estimated 1 in 10 cats aged 10 years or older who are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. The exact cause is not fully understood however it is believed that a series of events and circumstances lead to cancer.

With hypothyroidism your cat could be lethargic have some hair loss and suffer from exercise intolerance. The exact cause is not fully understood however it is believed that a series of events and circumstances lead to cancer. Because iodine is essential for the thyroid to work properly cats living in iodine deficient areas may be at higher risk of developing these neoplasms. Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in cats and mostly afflicts cats middle aged and older.

Also referred to as hyperthyroidism in cats the two cancers associated with thyroid cancer are benign adenoma or malignant adenocarcinoma. The element iodine is also suspected of playing a role in the dysfunction of the thyoid gland. If your cat has one of their thyroid glands removed the other gland may develop the same problem further down the line. It s very rare 1 3 of cases but if your cat is unlucky enough to have one of these rare thyroid cancers their condition may not improve.

Causes of thyroid cancer in cats when the thyroid begins to secrete excessive amounts of thyroid hormones hyperthyroidism and in turn thyroid cancer develops. In cats thyrotoxicosis is usually caused by a benign tumor on one or both thyroid glands. Hyperthyroidism is the most common thyroid problem in cats. Feline thyroid cancer symptoms generally appear in older cats.

Learn about the signs and symptoms of cancer in pets.