Hypothyroidism is a shortage of thyroid hormone (T4 and T3). In cats it behaves very differently from dogs: spontaneous disease is rare, and the usual cause is treatment of hyperthyroidism. Its main clinical importance is that it can worsen azotemia in cats that have been treated for hyperthyroidism. For the other side of the coin, see the feline hyperthyroidism guide.
Key facts
Hypothyroidism at a glance- Species and system: cat, endocrine (thyroid).
- Cause: iatrogenic after radioiodine, bilateral thyroidectomy or antithyroid drugs (the most common form); congenital (dyshormonogenesis or dysgenesis); rare spontaneous adult disease.
- Adult signs: often mild or absent; lethargy, dull mentation, seborrhea sicca, hypothermia, reduced appetite.
- Kitten signs: disproportionate dwarfism, severe lethargy, mental dullness, constipation, bradycardia.
- Zoonotic or reportable: no.
What's inside
13 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Hypothyroidism and kidney disease
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prognosis
- Working through a case
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 7 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.