Clinical signs of hyperthyroidism

The thyroid hormones, T4 and T3, regulate the body’s rate of metabolism. Cats with hyperthyroidism have an excessive amount of T4 and T3 in the blood. This dramatically increases their metabolic rate and most consistently results in weight loss, despite the cats also having a ravenous appetite.

Other common signs include:

• Increased restlessness and irritability
• Rapid heart rate
• Unkempt coat
• Diarrhoea
• Occasional vomiting
• Increased urination and drinking

Cats with hyperthyroidism can also develop heart problems and high blood pressure.

Although there is no correlation between the two conditions, hyperthyroidism and kidney disease often occur together as they are both very common in older cats.