Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hypothyroidism in adult cats - signs and treatment
By Peterson, Mark E et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2018·Animal Endocrine Clinic, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Spontaneous primary hypothyroidism in 7 adult cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of seven adult cats, aged between 3.5 and 11 years, were brought in for symptoms of hypothyroidism, which included changes in their fur, lethargy, and obesity. After testing, all cats were found to have low thyroid hormone levels and high thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, indicating hypothyroidism. They were treated with levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone replacement, which successfully improved their hormone levels and resolved their symptoms. In particular, the cats that had kidney issues saw their kidney function return to normal after treatment, and follow-up imaging showed a reduction in thyroid enlargement.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Naturally occurring hypothyroidism in adult cats is rare, with only 4 cases reported. OBJECTIVES: To describe the historical, clinical, laboratory, and scintigraphic features of adult cats with spontaneous hypothyroidism. ANIMALS: Seven adult cats referred for suspected hypothyroidism. METHODS: Prospective case series. We collected data on cats' signalment, clinical signs, results of physical examination, routine laboratory and thyroid hormone testing, and thyroid imaging (thyroid scintigraphy or ultrasound). We subsequently treated cats with levothyroxine and evaluated their response to treatment. RESULTS: Cats ranged from 3.5 to 11 years, with no apparent breed predilection; 6/7 cats were male. Only 2/7 cats were initially tested because of signs of hypothyroidism (hair-coat changes, lethargy, obesity); others were tested for routine thyroid monitoring or palpable thyroid nodules. Four were azotemic (serum creatinine, 2.2-3.4 mg/dL). Six of the cats had low serum thyroxine (T) and free T(fT) concentrations, whereas all 7 cats had high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations. In 6/7 cats, thyroid scintigraphy revealed bilateral goiter with intense radionuclide uptake; imaging showed no visible thyroid tissue in the other. After levothyroxine treatment, serum concentrations of Tand fTincreased and TSH fell; high serum creatinine normalized in azotemic cats; and repeat imaging showed reduction in goiter size. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Primary hypothyroidism develops in adult cats, with a higher prevalence than previously thought. Most cats appear to develop a goitrous form of hypothyroidism associated with thyroid hyperplasia, whereas thyroid atrophy appears to be less common. With levothyroxine replacement, clinical and laboratory abnormalities improve or resolve.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30294940/