In 2011, an innovative new therapeutic pet food became available that
is clinically proven to restore thyroid health, eliminating the need for other
therapies. By carefully limiting the level of iodine your cat consumes, this
new product results in your cat’s thyroid gland producing normal levels of
thyroid hormone when fed as the sole source of nutrition. This new product
is a great example of how important nutrition is for managing the overall
health of your pet.
The thyroid gland, located in your cat’s neck, uses dietary iodine to make
thyroid hormones that help regulate important body functions including your
cat’s metabolism, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and gastrointestinal
(bowel) function. A relatively common disorder in older cats called hyperthyroidism
occurs when this thyroid gland enlarges and produces excessive amounts of
thyroid hormone. Left untreated, hyperthyroidism can have serious, sometimes fatal,
consequences on vital organs like the heart and kidneys. The good news is, this
disease is highly manageable and can be controlled with proper veterinary care.
“Hyperthyroidism in cats is common; about 10 percent of cats over 10 years of age,
and about 3 percent of all cats, develop it,” says Dr. Lynda Melendez, medical
director of clinical research at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Signs of hyperthyroidism can vary in severity depending on how long a cat has been
ill. If your cat exhibits weight loss, increased appetite or thirst, diarrhea and/or vomiting,
poor skin and coat condition or out of the ordinary hyperactivity, contact your veterinarian
immediately. In addition, cats with chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus may
sometimes exhibit some signs similar to hyperthyroidism. Your veterinarian may also
need to perform tests for these diseases to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
and about 3 percent of all cats, develop it,” says Dr. Lynda Melendez, medical
director of clinical research at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Signs of hyperthyroidism can vary in severity depending on how long a cat has been
ill. If your cat exhibits weight loss, increased appetite or thirst, diarrhea and/or vomiting,
poor skin and coat condition or out of the ordinary hyperactivity, contact your veterinarian
immediately. In addition, cats with chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus may
sometimes exhibit some signs similar to hyperthyroidism. Your veterinarian may also
need to perform tests for these diseases to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
When it comes to managing a cat with hyperthyroidism, there have been three options:
daily medication to inhibit the production of thyroid hormones, radioactive iodine
therapy in which a trained veterinarian will use radiation to treat abnormal thyroid tissue,
or surgery to remove thediseased thyroid tissue.
therapy in which a trained veterinarian will use radiation to treat abnormal thyroid tissue,
or surgery to remove thediseased thyroid tissue.
“If we can control and manage this disease with nutrition, the overall
medical costs are reduced,” says Dr. David Bruyette, a boarded veterinaryinternal medicine specialist focusing on endocrinology. “You’re buying
food anyway. So even though this is a lifetime management, and the cat
will have to eat this food for the rest of his or her life, it can be a more
affordable option.”
If your cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, contact your
veterinary healthcare team to fi nd out if this innovative nutritionaltherapy is an appropriate management option for your cat.
