Aggression caused by hormonal imbalance. Endometriosis in cats: features of the disease, signs and treatment Hormonal changes in cats

Here is a new term for your “Dictionary of your beloved cat’s health” that may be useful. And this may very well be the case if the pet is over 8 years old. What does it mean?

Hyper – exceeding the norm, thyroid – from lat. (glandula) thyreoidea - thyroid gland. So, hyperthyroidism is an increase in function thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland consists of two lobes lying on either side of the cat's trachea, which produce the hormones T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). And then they suddenly increase in size (and in 70% of cases this happens to both lobes at the same time) and begin to produce much more hormones than usual. Well, not quite suddenly...

Where?

In 98% of cases, the enlargement of the lobe is benign (adenoma), in 2% it is a cancerous tumor (adenocarcinoma) of the thyroid gland.

The reasons that cause changes in the thyroid gland are not precisely understood. Influencing factors:

• increased iodine content in feed
• aging
• habitat

Since iodine is required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, its deficiency or excess in food can significantly affect the function of the thyroid gland (for example, high content iodine in canned foods).

Hyperthyroidism is observed in cats older than 6 years, the average age of patients is 12-13 years. Animals of both sexes are susceptible to the disease, although it is more common in cats.

Why is hyperthyroidism dangerous?

Thyroid hormones T4 and T3 have a great influence on the proper growth and development of body cells, regulate the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as heat exchange and oxygen consumption, that is, they are involved in a wide range of metabolic processes.

Excess of these hormones significantly increases the metabolic rate. Because of this, all systems function at an accelerated pace, and the body is not always able to support this. As a result, problems may arise with blood pressure, heart, kidneys, liver, musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal tract. One of the serious consequences of hyperthyroidism is the development cardiovascular diseases.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Since metabolism speeds up and the body requires more energy to function normally, a cat with hyperthyroidism will therefore begin to eat a lot. But as the disease progresses, she can no longer eat enough food and begins to lose weight.

A clear sign of hyperthyroidism is weight loss with increased appetite.

Other symptoms: vomiting, increased thirst, excessive urination, rapid heartbeat, deterioration in coat quality (even hair loss), diarrhea (diarrhea), changes in behavior - constant restlessness, agitation, aggression, hyperactivity.

But in 10% of sick cats, the opposite atypical signs may be observed, such as decreased appetite, anorexia, lethargy and weakness.

Sufficiently enlarged lobes of the thyroid gland can be palpated.

Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism

In parallel with hyperthyroidism, a cat may develop kidney disease and diabetes mellitus, since these diseases are typical for older cats and can be triggered by cardiac disorders.

At an appointment with a cat with suspected hyperthyroidism, the doctor may detect exhaustion, poor coat quality, rapid heartbeat, heart murmurs, and an enlarged thyroid gland.

Characteristic changes in general analysis There is no blood in hyperthyroidism.

IN biochemical analysis Liver enzymes, urea, creatinine (azotemia), and phosphates (phosphatemia) may be elevated.

X-rays may reveal an enlarged heart and, in rare cases, heart failure and pleural effusion.

But most importantly diagnostic indicator disease is increased level in the blood of thyroxine T4, which accounts for 90% of all thyroid hormones (10% is T3 hormone). The serum concentration of the T4 hormone is determined by special tests.

In cats with early stage hyperthyroidism, initially the thyroxine level may be within the normal range, so it is important to repeat the measurement after two weeks.

To treat or not to treat?

After all, the pet is already old anyway, maybe let it be as it is?

If hyperthyroidism is not treated, it can lead to congestive heart failure, chronic diarrhea, eye damage (for example, retinal detachment due to high pressure), development of kidney disease, extreme weight loss, and ultimately death.

Decide for yourself.

Treatment of hyperthyroidism

The goal of treatment is to reduce the level of thyroid hormones circulating in the blood. There are three treatment options:

1. medications on an ongoing basis
2. surgical removal thyroid gland (thyroidectomy)
3. destruction of pathological gland tissue by radioactive iodine

If radioiodine therapy or surgery can permanently rid an animal of the disease, then medications can only keep it under control.

Before subjecting a cat to a more aggressive type of treatment, medications are first used to reduce the concentration of thyroid hormones to normal.

Radioactive iodine (I-131) administered by injection. Radiation from iodine isotopes destroys thyroid tumors without affecting “inactive” healthy tissue. The method is successful, it has practically no side effects. But! Special equipment and strict adherence to radiation safety rules are required. Not applicable in Russia.

Surgical method possible if there are no contraindications. The tumor is removed surgically, and after 10-14 days the sutures are removed. Very effective, usually cures hyperthyroidism once and for all. But! Entirely depends on the experience of the surgeon, since damage to the adjacent parathyroid glands or recurrent laryngeal nerve is possible, resulting in hypocalcemia (calcium imbalance) or laryngeal paralysis.

Therefore, the most common method of treating hyperthyroidism is conservative and long-term drug therapy . Thiourea-based drugs inhibit the production of thyroid hormones. Additionally, medications may be prescribed to prevent heart disorders, protect the kidneys, etc. But! Taking medications does not cure the disease. Constantly correcting hyperthyroidism worsens kidney health.

Forecast

The prognosis for uncomplicated hyperthyroidism is favorable.

In advanced cases, in bad physical condition cats or the presence of another disease, the prognosis is worse and will depend on the response to treatment.

If hyperthyroidism is caused malignant tumor, thyroidectomy may improve the situation for a while, but it will not cure the disease.

Prevention of hyperthyroidism

Veterinary diet Hills Prescription Diet Feline Y/D Thyroid Health (Hills Prescription Diet Feline Why/D Thyroid Health) is a diet with limited iodine content. Thanks to a special composition, it restores the functioning of the thyroid gland, supports kidney function, bladder, hearts, improves wool quality.

Unfortunately, just like people, cats have problems with the endocrine system. They need to be identified, diagnosed and prescribed in a timely manner. correct treatment, otherwise the animal’s quality of life deteriorates significantly. By what signs can you determine that your pet has a hormonal imbalance?

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance in a cat

There are a number of signs that should make a cat owner suspect that his pet has a hormonal imbalance. First of all, this is a sharp increase in the amount of water you drink, and, accordingly, increased urination. The most alarming symptoms that may indicate certain endocrine disorders in the animal’s body are obesity or, conversely, sudden weight loss. Often, a cat’s hair begins to fall out, even to the point of complete baldness in some areas of the body – so-called alopecia areata. The most severe consequences of hormonal imbalance in a cat are tumors, both benign and malignant.

Causes of endocrine abnormalities in cats

Reason diabetes mellitus Long-term overfeeding of the animal may result. Problem No. 1, which leads to deviations in work endocrine system the animal's body, there were and remain hormonal drugs that many owners give to their cats during the period of their sexual heat. Such drugs cause great harm to the animal and can even lead to cancer. If you do not plan to breed cats, and your pet is not a purebred breeding animal, it is much more humane to sterilize it rather than stuff it with pills and drops.

How to treat hormonal imbalance in a cat

If the veterinarian has concluded that the cat lacks some natural hormone - a diagnosis of hypothyroidism has been made - then competent replacement therapy will guarantee a long life for your pet. Most often, the cat is prescribed lifelong treatment hormonal drugs, on which her well-being depends. Otherwise the animal can be called almost completely healthy.

If a cat has insulin-dependent diabetes, then she is prescribed daily insulin injections in a dosage selected by the veterinarian.
In the event that the disease has progressed far and the cat has developed tumors - most often they occur on the mammary glands and ovaries - it is indicated surgical treatment. Simultaneously with the operation to remove tumors, the animal is sterilized. In most cases, relapse of the endocrinological disease does not occur.

If an animal with some pathology in the endocrine system receives the correct doses of the necessary drugs in a timely manner and is under the supervision of a competent specialist, then it is highly likely to live a long and happy life.

Based on materials from www.merckmanuals.com

Hormones are chemical messengers that perform many different functions. The activity of hormones causes many different effects in the body of cats. Well-known hormones include, for example, insulin, which plays an important role in the development of diabetes, or estrogen and progesterone, which are involved in the female reproductive cycle.

Endocrine system of the cat consists of a group of organs that supply circulatory system hormones, which are then carried to various parts of the body. Most organs are glands(such as the thyroid gland), which secretes hormones directly into small blood vessels and surrounding tissues. Some important hormones are not produced by glands, but by organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver. Some hormones affect only a specific organ, while others affect almost every cell in the body. Hormones are present in the blood in very small quantities, so laboratory tests devices that measure hormone levels must be very sensitive.

Development of diseases of the endocrine system in cats.

The cat's body monitors and regulates hormone levels using a feedback system specific to each hormone. Hormones' functions include, for example, maintaining parameters such as temperature and blood sugar (glucose) levels within certain ranges. Sometimes, to maintain the balance of body functions, hormones that perform opposite tasks work in pairs.

Endocrine system diseases can develop if the body produces too much or not enough hormones, or if the normal way hormones are used or removed is disrupted. Symptoms occur due to problems in the organs that produce hormones or problems in other parts of the body that affect the secretion or action of a particular hormone.

Tumors or other abnormalities in the endocrine glands often lead to increased production of the corresponding hormones. The names of diseases caused by excessive hormone production often begin with the prefix hyper. For example, hyperthyroidism is a disease in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. When the endocrine glands are damaged, hormone production becomes insufficient. Diseases caused by the absence or deficiency of hormones often have names starting with the prefix hypo. For example, hypothyroidism, in which the cat’s thyroid gland produces an insufficient amount of thyroid hormones.

In many cases, disorders in the glands do not actually lead to overproduction of hormones, but interfere with the normal response of the glands to the body's response signals. This can cause hormones to be released in situations that would normally require their production to be reduced. Sometimes overproduction is caused by stimulation of glands from other parts of the cat's body. In some cases, tumors in organs outside the endocrine system can produce substances similar to hormones, causing the body to react in a similar way to the hormone.

Diseases that lead to insufficient secretion of hormones can also occur for a variety of reasons. The organs of a cat's endocrine system can be damaged by autoimmune processes when the body incorrectly identifies certain tissues own body, as foreign and begins to destroy their cells. In the early stages, the body compensates for cell loss by producing additional hormones from the remaining cells. In such cases, signs of the disease may not be observed until the organ is largely destroyed.

Disorders that may result in signs of decreased endocrine activity may also develop because the disorder affects tissues distant from the source of the hormones. This can occur when the functions of one hormone stimulate the production of a second hormone. For example, the pituitary gland secretes a hormone that stimulates the secretion of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. If the thyroid-stimulating hormone levels of the pituitary gland are insufficient, thyroid hormone levels will also be low, even if the thyroid gland is healthy. Another potential cause of decreased endocrine function may be tissue loss caused by tumors that do not produce hormones themselves but compress or destroy nearby endocrine glands.

Endocrine diseases and related disorders can also develop as a result of changes that occur in response to hormones. A striking example is type 2 diabetes, in which the body produces insulin, but the cells do not respond to it. This disease is often accompanied by obesity.

Treatment of endocrine system diseases in cats.

Hormonal diseases caused by overproduction of hormones can be treated surgical methods(for example, removal of tumors), radiotherapy(for example, using radioactive iodine to destroy an overactive thyroid gland) and medicines . Hormone deficiency syndromes can often be cured by replacing the lack of hormones (for example, with insulin injections for diabetes). Medications containing steroid and thyroid hormones can be given orally to the cat.

Cats undergoing hormonal replacement treatment should be closely monitored for side effects and periodically reviewed to assess treatment results and adjust drug dosage. In some cases, such as surgical removal of endocrine tumors, glandular dysfunction stops and hormonal therapy becomes unnecessary. However, in most cases, the cat requires lifelong treatment.

Hormonal imbalance in cats is observed quite often. Problems occur due to disruption of the endocrine system. In this case, there is a deterioration in the condition of the coat and changes in the behavior of the animal. Veterinarians remind that hormonal imbalances can provoke a number of serious illnesses, so it is important to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

Causes of the problem and accompanying symptoms

Obesity and hormonal imbalance

Excessive body weight is observed due to improper diet when owners feed the animal excessively fatty foods or products that contain too many carbohydrates. Pets that lead a sedentary lifestyle are more susceptible to obesity. Hormonal imbalance can also occur due to thyroid deficiency. The following signs are identified:

• the presence of folds on the skin;
• change in behavior, lethargy;
• heavy breathing even with minimal physical activity;
• diarrhea.

Diabetes mellitus

It is an endocrine disease characterized by impaired glucose absorption. The main cause of this disease is a disruption of the pancreas. The following symptoms of pathology are distinguished:

With this disease, the animal tends to eat a lot.

• increased appetite;
• thirst;
• frequent bowel movements;
• light yellow shade of urine;
• weight loss;
• dyspnea;
• catarrhal pneumonia;
• diarrhea followed by constipation.

Diabetes insipidus

Despite the similar name of the pathology, the disease is not associated with the absorption of glucose. The disease is characterized by a malfunction in the water-salt balance. The exact reasons that provoke the development of the disease have not been established. However, most veterinarians agree that diabetes insipidus can be caused by injuries to the skull, as well as diseases of the central nervous system. Characteristic symptoms:

• constant thirst;
• frequent urge to urinate;
• decreased appetite;
• lack of salt and sugar in the urine;
• reducing the weight of the animal;
• sedentary lifestyle.

Hypoadrenocorticism

Insufficiency of the adrenal cortex contributes to severe weight loss in the animal.

It is an insufficiency of the adrenal cortex, resulting in a lack of aldosterone and insufficient sodium retention. The following signs are inherent in pathology:

• complete loss of appetite;
• apathy;
• dehydration of the body;
• severe weight loss;
• attacks of nausea;
• diarrhea;

Itsenko-Cushing's disease

Characterized by increased production of adrenal hormones. As this disease progresses, the pet's skin becomes more sensitive, and bruises occur from any blows. The coat becomes disheveled and may fall out. One of the main symptoms that is characteristic of this disease is dystrophy muscle tissue. As a result, the animal becomes lethargic. If you take a blood test, the results show a noticeable increase in cholesterol and sugar levels. The animal is worried about severe thirst and constant desire have a bowel movement.

Acromegaly

With this pathology, the animal's limbs become enlarged.

It is a dysfunction of the anterior pituitary gland. Mostly pathology occurs due to the development of neoplasms. The disease is often diagnosed in older cats. This disease causes

One of the important internal secretion organs in domestic animals is the thyroid gland. The thyroid hormones it produces (triiodothyronine and thyroxine) are involved in almost all metabolic processes. A decrease in hormonal production by the gland leads to hypothyroidism, which is a rare disease among representatives of the cat family.

Pathology leads to systemic disorders due to a slowdown in metabolic processes in the body. The disease is characterized by a blurred clinical picture, difficulty in diagnosis, and treatment is based on replacement therapy.

Read in this article

Causes of hypothyroidism and risk factors

In veterinary medicine, the causes of insufficient production of thyroid hormones in domestic cats have not been well studied. Factors believed to contribute to the disease include:

There is information about the negative effect of a drug such as Phenobarbital on the production of thyroid hormones. Derivatives of barbituric acid are widely used as antiepileptic drugs in domestic animals.

• Radiotherapy using iodine isotopes. Treatment of cancer often results in radioactive iodine inhibiting the hormonal function of the thyroid gland.
• Surgical removal of an organ for various indications. Thyroidectomy is most often performed in cats due to hyperthyroidism present in the organ.
• Often the cause of the disease is a lack of iodine in the diet. Microelement deficiency leads to disruption of the biosynthesis of triiodothyronine and thyroxine by the gland.
• The provoking factor for the disease is inflammatory processes, developing in the thyroid gland.
• Oncological hormone-dependent tumors often lead to the development of thyroid deficiency in domestic cats.

Insufficient knowledge of the causes of endocrine diseases in animals makes it difficult not only to develop preventive measures, but also the diagnosis of pathology.

Symptoms in cats

The lack of thyroid hormones adversely affects all organs and systems of the body. The immune, digestive and nervous system. The disease affects the skin.

The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism in domestic cats are:

If the disease is congenital or developed in young animals, the owner may notice symptoms such as stunting, dwarfism, and mental retardation.

Primary and secondary hypothyroidism

In veterinary practice, it is customary to distinguish between the primary and secondary forms of the disease associated with a lack of thyroid hormones. Approximately 90 - 95% of cases of hormonal problems in domestic cats are associated with the primary form.

The disease develops against the background of such phenomena as hypoplasia of the thyroid gland in fetal development, degenerative processes in the organ, thyroidectomy, long-term treatment with radioisotopes of iodine, and the use of antithyroid drugs.

Secondary hypothyroidism in domestic cats accounts for no more than 5%. The disease is associated with a violation of the secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone by the pituitary gland. This pathology develops, as a rule, as a result of diseases or injuries of the pituitary gland of the brain.

Methods for diagnosing the condition

Palpation of the thyroid gland in a cat

Clinical symptoms endocrine disorders in pets are often disguised as symptoms of many diseases. If you suspect an illness, in addition to detailed clinical examination V veterinary clinic will conduct a number of diagnostic techniques and laboratory tests.

First of all, the animal is prescribed a heart test. On the electrocardiogram with hypothyroidism, pronounced bradycardia, splitting of heart sounds, prolongation of the PQ interval and T wave are observed.

A clinical blood test is characterized by oligochromemia, hypochromia, neutropenia and lymphocytosis. Often the animal experiences non-regenerative anemia. The most informative diagnostic method for endocrine disease is a blood test for the concentration of thyroid hormones.

In the case of hypothyroid insufficiency, a decrease in the level of the hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine and an increase in the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone are observed. In some cases, they resort to analyzing feed for iodine content.

Treatment of cats

Therapy of endocrine pathology in veterinary practice is, as a rule, of a replacement nature. For this purpose, synthetic thyroid hormones are used, for example, Levothyroxine, L-thyroxine, Bagotirox.

The human drug Levothyroxine, widely used in veterinary endocrinology, is prescribed in a dose of 10 - 15 mcg/kg of animal weight. Due to the fact that the half-life of the hormone is approximately 10 - 15 hours, the hormonal drug is used twice a day. It is double use that allows normalizing the concentration of thyroxine in the blood serum of a sick animal.

Hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism

The difficulty of using replacement therapy for endocrine diseases in animals lies in the need to control the therapeutic dose of synthetic hormones. Approximately 3-4 weeks after the start of the treatment course with a hormonal drug, the concentration of thyroxine in the animal’s plasma is determined. Based on the hormone concentration, the dosage of the synthetic hormone is adjusted.

The correct diagnosis is of paramount importance when prescribing replacement therapy. Prescribing Levothyroxine to healthy animals can lead to a decrease in the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone by the pituitary gland and the development of hyperthyroidism. In this regard, many veterinary specialists recommend starting treatment of the animal with the use of herbal and homeopathic medicines.

Only a highly qualified, experienced doctor can prescribe a competent therapeutic course based on laboratory diagnostics. The owner should be aware that replacement therapy is lifelong.

Prognosis for the animal

The chronic course of the disease, the difficulty in diagnosing and prescribing hormonal drugs leads to the fact that veterinary specialists give a cautious prognosis. With a properly selected dose of synthetic hormone, the animal begins to improve general condition However, there is no complete recovery.

Hypothyroidism is one of the most challenging endocrine diseases in pets. Erasure clinical signs, the similarity of symptoms with other pathologies makes it difficult to identify the disease. Diagnostics requires high professionalism and experience from a veterinarian. Treatment is replacement in nature and is prescribed to the animal for life.

Useful video

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