Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid glands produce an excess of a hormone that controls an animal's metabolic rate, accelerating wear and tear on his or her internal organs. This is a common disease of cats.
There are several treatment option to stop this excess hormone production. There is a prescription diet that can be fed to your cat, a medication that can be given to your cat, or radioactive iodine therapy. With radioactive iodine therapy (I-131), you pet will receive an injection of Iodine 131. The cat will need to be hospitalized for a few days while their bodies excrete the iodine. Over 90% of patients only need one treatment. If your cat has hyperthyroidism, schedule a consult with your veterinarian to discuss the best treatment option for your pet.