This past spring, Boo, a gentle, black 18 year old cat visited Centrepointe Animal Hospital after his owners noticed some health changes. Over the past few months Boo had significantly increased his drinking and urinating and had started to lose weight.
During Boo’s physical exam, Dr. Theoret assessed his eyes, ears, nose, mouth and throat; all were normal for his age with only some moderate tartar build up on his teeth. His heart and lungs were clear and his lymph nodes were normal. Dr. Theoret performed a thorough abdominal palpation and discovered that his kidneys were smaller than average. He was on the thin side with generalized muscle mass loss, arthritis, and dry skin – all typical for a cat of that age.
Dr. Theoret recommended some tests to have a better internal look at what might be causing the weight loss along with the increased drinking and urination. Some of the most common health issues seen in senior cats are diabetes, hyperthyroidism, kidney failure and cancer. The sooner these diseases are identified and treated, the better the chances of survival. A full blood work panel was performed along with a urinalysis and an additional urine protein/creatinine test to better assess kidney function. Boo was started on an omega supplementation to help with overall brain, heart and kidney function as well as to improve his dry skin. Boo’s owners were also informed to continue giving him glucosamine for cats since all cats over the age of 15 have arthritis.
Boo’s urinalysis indicated no signs of bladder or kidney infection. Kidney failure, urinary crystals and diabetes were also ruled out. His bloodwork assessed several factors such as kidney, liver, pancreas, heart and endocrine function as well as red and white blood cell levels. There were no signs of diabetes or anemia, no signs of dehydration and his electrolyte levels were normal. Kidney, liver and blood cell values were normal. However, his thyroid gland value was elevated indicating a condition called hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is the most common hormone disorder in cats where the thyroid gland overproduces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating the body’s metabolism and play a role in each of the body’s systems. The most common signs of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, an increase in appetite, drinking and urination and, in some cases, vomiting. Hyperthyroidism stresses the heart which, when left untreated, can cause heart murmurs, high blood pressure, thickening of the heart and potential heart failure and death. Recommended treatments are: oral medication, surgery or irradiation of the thyroid glands.
Boo was prescribed an oral anti-thyroid medication that decreases the production of the thyroid hormone, thereby reversing the symptoms. He was also started on a vitamin B supplement as hyperthyroid cats become deficient in vitamin B. However, hyperthyroidism can mask kidney disease along with other age related diseases. Boo’s blood values had to be revaluated after starting treatment to ensure that he was receiving the correct amount of medication to stabilize the thyroid levels as well as to ensure that there were no side effects from the medication.
After a recheck five weeks after starting the medication, Boo had improved significantly. He was maintaining his weight and his owners noticed that his drinking amount and urine output were back to normal. Blood work was performed which revealed no other issues such as kidney or liver disease, anemia, or low white blood cell count. His thyroid level was low normal and his medication was adjusted accordingly.
With the help of his loving owners, Boo will continue to make a full recovery. He will require medication for the rest of his life as well as routine blood work to monitor his levels; however, he will continue to lead a normal, happy, and healthy life.