Anaesthetic management of feline patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism

Abstract

Cats with hyperthyroidism may need sedation or general anaesthesia for a variety of reasons, including elective procedures such as blood sampling, dental procedures and radiographs, as well as for surgical excision of all or part of the thyroid. The clinical implications of hyperthyroidism make sedation and general anaesthesia of these patients challenging. When formulating an appropriate anaesthetic plan, an understanding of thyroid physiology and pathophysiology is essential. An appreciation of how comorbidities associated with hyperthyroidism, such as senior or geriatric status, chronic kidney disease and thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy, affects anaesthesia is important. This article discusses these topics, as well as drug choices, analgesia, monitoring and fluid therapy.