Thyroid Tumors In Cats

The thyroid consists of two lobes of endocrine glands in the upper neck.

Thyroid tumors in cats.

Hyperthyroidism is usually caused by a benign tumor called a thyroid adenoma that involves one or more often both thyroid glands. A swelling in the neck may be the only sign in a dog however a change in bark coughing difficulty swallowing facial swelling rapid breathing breathlessness weight loss and a loss of appetite are possible. Thyroid tumors in cats. Also called thyrotoxicosis hyperthyroidism is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormones known as t3 and t4 from an enlarged thyroid gland in a cat s neck.

Adenocarcinoma of the thyroid is more commonly seen in older. It grows rapidly and can metastasize to other parts of body. In most cases enlargement of thyroid glands is caused by a non cancerous tumor called an adenoma. Also known as hyperthyroidism it s a fairly common condition in older cats.

Although thyroid tumors can be cancerous the chances are less than 5 percent in cats. Hyperthyroidism in cats is a disease that s usually caused by a benign tumor within the thyroid gland. Fortunately most hyperthyroid cats have benign well encapsulated tumors that are easily removed. Fortunately prompt treatment and recognition of a thyroid tumor will mean that you re able to eliminate it from.

The importance of the thyroid gland is many fold. It can take months or years to manifest. It is responsible for a variety of bodily functions most notably the coordination of hormones and normal metabolism adenocarcinoma of the thyroid gland is like other adenocarcinomas. It is responsible for the production and secretion of the hormones thyroxine t4 and triiodothyronine.

In cats thyrotoxicosis is usually caused by a benign tumor on one or both thyroid glands. In dogs they are usually malignant and nonfunctional whereas in cats they are usually benign and functional. Cats with too much thyroid hormone have a greatly increased metabolic. Thyroid tumors can be benign or malignant and functional or nonfunctional.

One of the primary functions of this thyroid hormone is to regulate an animal s metabolism. Feline thyroid cancer is a gradually developing cancer that is sometimes seen in older cats usually above the age of twelve. Thyroid gland adenocarcinoma in cats. Surgical removal of the thyroid gland.

The majority of cats diagnosed with hyperthyroidism are 10 years of age or older. Surgical removal of thyroid tumors has the best outcome if the mass is freely movable less than 4cm in size has not spread and can therefore be completely removed. These tumors can cause a variety of different problems for your pet and may ultimately prove to be fatal if left untreated. In fact the vast majority of affected cats are older than 10 years of age most of the time the reason is either a benign tumor or benign enlargement of the thyroid gland s.

Did you know that cats can have a hyperactive thyroid gland. Although thyroid tumors in cats are relatively rare it s nonetheless important that you look out for them particularly as your pet begins to grow older. Aj debiasse a technician in stroudsburg pa contributed to this article.