Symptoms of hyperthyroid cats: a retrospective study

Kraft, W.; Deinert, M.; Büchler, F. and Reese, Sven (1999): Symptoms of hyperthyroid cats: a retrospective study. In: Kleintierpraxis, Vol. 44, No. 10: pp. 719-720

Abstract

The clinical signs, ECG and sonographic findings were investigated in aretrospective study with altogether 98 hyperthyroid cats of the years of1974-1998. The findings were only used as statistical data when clearlymentioned in the case records. The following signs were mentioned mostfrequently in the history: polyphagia (72%), weight loss (71%),polydipsia (55%), vomiting (53%), diarrhea (50%), dull haircoat andexcitement teach (45%), dyspnea (40%), polyuria (37%), hyperactivityas well as general weakness teach (34%). The clinical examinationrevealed sonographically enlarged thyroid glands in 100% of the 21examined cases, followed by palpably enlarged thyroid lobes on one orboth sides (84%), tachycardia > 200/min (78%), and hypertrophiccardiomyopathy (50%), investigated by echocardiography. In 26 cats anECG examination was performed. A hyper-voltage of the R-wave wasobserved in 38%, an increased P-wave or a ST-segment elevation in 19%of the cases. In two cases pathologic arrhythmias could be diagnosed asAV-block II and ill, respectively. A hypertrophic cardiomyopathy wasfound in one half of the cases, but just one case developed a congestiveheart failure. 53% had a systolic heart murmur or a gallop rhythm. Thevolumes of the thyroid lobes were sonographicaliy calculated by theformula pi/6 x length x width x height. The enlarged thyroid lobes wereegg shaped differing distinctly from the spindle-like shape of thehealthy organ. Of the laboratory results, serum alkaline phosphatase was- after serum-thyroxine - most frequently increased followed by ALT,total leukocyte number, and urea, A simultaneous increase of serumcreatinine was seen just in 4 of 84 examined cats (5 %) which had akidney insufficiency besides the hyperthyroidism.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Veterinary Medicine > Department of Veterinary Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Anatomie, Histologie und Embryologie
• Subjects: 500 Science > 590 Animals (zoology)
• ISSN: 0023-2076
• Language: English