Hypothyroidism in Cats
Written by Small Door's medical experts
Hypothyroidism in cats occurs when a cat’s body is either unable to effectively synthesize thyroid hormones at all, or produces thyroid hormones in such a small quantity that they are unable to do their job.
In This Article
The thyroid is a pair of glands located in your cat’s neck that produce hormones. These hormones are important because they regulate your cat’s growth and metabolism. Hypothyroidism is a condition that means your cat has an underactive thyroid, which isn’t producing enough hormones for their body to function properly. Feline hypothyroidism is a rare condition and is easily treatable.
Hypothyroidism versus hyperthyroidism in cats
There are two types of thyroid problems in cats: hyperthyroidism (thyroid is overproducing hormones) and hypothyroidism (thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones). Hyperthyroidism is much more common than hypothyroidism in cats.
Understanding hormone production in cats
Thyroid glands produce two iodine-containing hormones: T3 and T4. These hormones affect many of the processes in your cat’s body and regulate metabolic rate. When a cat has hyperthyroidism, the body produces too much of the thyroid hormones, and bodily processes speed up. With hypothyroidism, which occurs when there is too little thyroid hormone, bodily processes slow down. While hypothyroidism is markedly less common than hyperthyroidism in cats, it can occur, especially as a secondary result of treatment for hyperthyroidism.
Understanding the symptoms and potential causes of low thyroid production in cats can help you better monitor your cat’s thyroid function. This is especially important for owners of cats who have previously been treated for hyperthyroidism.
Signs of hypothyroidism in cats may vary depending on the severity of the disease: cats with mild cases may show only mild symptoms, or none at all. Some of the symptoms will depend upon the cause of the hypothyroidism itself.
Here are some common signs of hypothyroidism in cats:
Lethargy/Inactivity
Mental slowness
Dullness
Hair loss
Matted hair
Decreased appetite
Low body temperature/Cold intolerance
Decreased heart rate
Unexplained weight gain
Dwarfing
Constipation
If your cat exhibits any of the symptoms above, it’s a good idea to take them to the veterinarian for an exam, as any one of them could be indicative of a serious health issue.
Because thyroid hormones affect how all the organ systems in your cat’s body function, a decrease in these hormones typically slows systems down. Slower metabolism can lead to lethargy, mental dullness, hair loss, decreased appetite, lower-than-normal body temperature, and sometimes even a decreased heart rate. Because the cat’s metabolism is slowed down, obesity is a common side effect of hypothyroidism.
Cats born with hypothyroidism, or who develop it when they are very young, may exhibit signs of hypothyroidism like dwarfing, constipation, lethargy, mental dullness, and a decreased heart rate.
Ironically, most cats develop hypothyroidism as a result of treatment for hyperthyroidism. However, some cats can be born with the disease or can develop it at a young age. Hypothyroidism is classified as either congenital (had since birth) or acquired (developed after being born).
Most common causes of hypothyroidism in cats:
Treatment for hyperthyroidism
Congenital abnormalities
Hyperthyroidism, which is much more common in cats than hypothyroidism, occurs when the cat’s thyroid glands secrete an excess amount of thyroid hormones. Effective treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats often involves the removal or destruction of one or both of the thyroid glands. If both glands are removed, synthetic thyroid hormone supplements must be administered. However, this treatment can inadvertently lead to hypothyroidism.
While rare, some cats are born with congenital abnormalities that cause hypothyroidism, or develop juvenile-onset hypothyroidism. These conditions can be caused by defects in how the thyroid hormones are synthesized by the body, an inability of the gland to respond to thyroid stimulating hormones, or abnormal organ development.
Veterinarians diagnose hypothyroidism in cats through a combination of symptoms and diagnostic testing. If your cat’s symptoms suggest possible thyroid gland involvement, your veterinarian will most likely recommend laboratory tests that measure blood concentrations of thyroid hormones in conjunction with high levels of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).
Depending on your cat’s symptoms, the veterinarian may also suggest additional diagnostic testing to rule out other potential causes.
Luckily, there is a treatment for hypothyroidism in cats. For severe cases of hypothyroidism, synthetic thyroid hormone replacement drugs like levothyroxine can provide regulation and are usually effective at alleviating or resolving symptoms. Additional veterinary treatments may be recommended so the vet can check your cat’s hormone levels and perform blood tests to check on their progress. Most cats respond quickly to hyperthyroid treatment.
Is there a cure for hypothyroidism in cats?
No, there is no cure for hypothyroidism in cats, but it can be treated. In most cases, synthetic hormone replacement drugs improve or resolve symptoms. However, these drugs will be necessary for the remainder of your cat’s life.
Is hypothyroidism contagious for humans and other pets?
No, hypothyroidism is not contagious.
What is the cost of treating hypothyroidism?
The cost for treating hypothyroidism will depend on the individual cost of your veterinary visits; how many tests are required for diagnosis; and how long it takes to determine the appropriate dosage of synthetic hormone replacement/medication. The cost of the medication itself may also vary depending on where you get the prescription filled, but it generally ranges around $25 to $40 per month.
Bear in mind that treating hypothyroidism is a life-long commitment, and your cat will require medications and monitoring for the rest of her life. All of this adds up to more than it would cost to maintain a typical cat’s health.
Most cats recover from hypothyroidism with treatment from synthetic thyroid hormones like levothyroxine, although the extent and duration of recovery may vary. Veterinarians measure the success of treatment by how much a cat’s symptoms improve.
Finding the appropriate dosage of synthetic thyroid hormone can take some adjustment. During this time, cats will require more frequent monitoring. Once a dosage is shown to be effective, monitoring and laboratory work can be decreased to once or twice a year for the rest of your cat’s life.
If left untreated, hypothyroidism can significantly reduce a cat’s lifespan. However, if well managed, hypothyroidism should not normally impact your cat’s life expectancy.
Hypothyroidism cannot always be prevented. However, cats who undergo treatment for hyperthyroidism should have their thyroid levels monitored to ensure hypothyroidism does not develop, and to correct dosages of synthetic thyroid hormones if it does.
Is there a vaccine for hypothyroidism in cats?
No, there is no vaccine for hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism in cats is a disorder where the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone, often resulting in decreased appetite and unexplained weight gain. While there’s no cure, it’s easily treatable with medication.
