Signs of hyperthyroidism

Signs of Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a progressive disease with a slow, subtle onset, becoming more obvious with time. Early signs may be hard to recognise because the increased appetite and high levels of activity often seen are not always recognised as abnormal. The gradual deterioration in coat and body condition can also be wrongly attributed to the "normal signs" of aging.

Signs of Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a progressive disease with a slow, subtle onset, becoming more obvious with time. Early signs may be hard to recognise because the increased appetite and high levels of activity often seen are not always recognised as abnormal. The gradual deterioration in coat and body condition can also be wrongly attributed to the "normal signs" of aging.

Common signs include

Thyroid hormones control the speed of your cat's metabolism, but when in excess, can cause a range of signs. The more thyroid hormone produced, the higher the metabolic rate and the more calories your cat burns.

Not all of these signs will occur in every cat with hyperthyroidism.

Poor body condition is
a common sign of
hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroid cats
might be nervous
or aggressive.

An enlarged thyroid
gland is sometimes
visible but more often
can be felt.

* Photographs: Courtesy of Dr Hans Kooistra, Utrecht University

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Signs of Hyperthyroidism

Common signs include

Poor body condition is a common sign of hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroid cats might be nervous or aggressive.

An enlarged thyroid gland is sometimes visible but more often can be felt.

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Poor body condition is
a common sign of
hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroid cats
might be nervous
or aggressive.

An enlarged thyroid
gland is sometimes
visible but more often
can be felt.