If you have an older cat with increased appetite, but also weight loss, it is likely that she has hyperthyroidism. This is a very common feline disease, primarily affecting middle-aged to older cats. In this article I will explain what hyperthyroidism is, going over the most common signs and causes. I will then cover your treatment options, including the most effective natural solutions.
This is a disease that occurs only in cats. Usually your cat will be over 10 years old. He will have more appetite, but will lose weight. Your coat will be scanty. You may be urinating more often. She will have evidence of muscle loss. She may be able to feel an enlarged thyroid gland next to her Adam’s apple. Her heart rate will be elevated (over 200 beats per minute).
In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland becomes enlarged and produces too much thyroid hormone. This revs up your cat’s entire metabolism, producing signs of weight loss, increased appetite, elevated heart rate, and often high blood pressure.
The disease is diagnosed based on a veterinary exam, and in many cases, enlarged thyroid glands can be felt on either side of your cat’s windpipe. High heart rate and high blood pressure point towards hyperthyroid disease. A chemistry panel that measures thyroid hormone (T4) can confirm the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.
One of the safest and most effective ways to treat your hyperthyroid cat is with radioactive iodine. Your cat will receive a dose of radioactive iodine that selectively targets abnormal thyroid cells. It requires a specialized authorized center and can only be performed by a few reference professionals.
Surgery is a potential option, but based on the risks of hypocalcaemia and anesthetic concerns in older cats, it is rarely performed.
Most cats are treated with a conventional drug called methimazole, but the drug has drawbacks. The first medication needs to be given at least once a day, usually twice a day, and this can be challenging. 15% of cats have some type of side effect, typically GI (vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite). Some may have allergic-type reactions (ie facial scratching). A small percentage will have severe liver disease, and some may have bone marrow damage (this happens in 2-4% of cats taking medication).
Carnitine is a supplement that has been shown to be effective in reversing the signs of hyperthyroid disease in people. The starting dose for cats is 250 mg daily.
Bugleweed Lycopus europeus) and Melissa (Melissa officinalis). These are two herbs that have been used in combination to combat the effects of hyperthyroid disease. Wolfweed has been shown to decrease thyroid hormone levels in rats 24 hours after administration. The standard dosage is 1 drop per pound of body weight for the tinctures administered twice daily.
Nat Mur is a homeopathic used for the reduction of thyroid hormone. Alternative practitioners favor Nat Mur 30C as the remedy of choice. In fact, a clinical trial with this homeopathic medicine gave impressive results, treating hyperthyroidism in many of the cats. Give 1 tablet every 12 hours and evaluate the response after 30 days.
This very common disease of cats, hyperthyroidism, has some fairly classic signs of increased appetite accompanied by weight loss that all cat owners should be aware of. The cause is due to the overproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland, and the diagnosis is quite simple with a blood test that measures T4. There are 3 primary conventional treatments, but the most common (a drug called methimazole), produces side effects in 15% of cats, some very serious. Fortunately, there are some specific holistic options you can consider that have helped many cats with hyperthyroidism.