A medical case study: featuring “Pumpkin”
Many of you will remember Pumpkin – that orange and white fluffball who used to roam the clinic looking regal and important. You may then also recall that he had a fiery streak in him – he was best not disturbed when resting and the occasional paw swipe occurred for those who approached too quickly, or just if he was having a bad day.
Pumpkin retired from clinic life two years ago. At the respectable age of 16 he is now living a life of leisure in Shady Creek. He has a chance to go outside under supervision and spends his nights sitting on laps in front of the TV with warmth from the wood heater.
About two months ago, it was noticed that he was becoming more aggressive. If his captive human dared move him so they could reposition themselves, he would come back and attack with a menacing bite. At first this was put down to just ‘Pumpkin being Pumpkin’, even though for the most part he has been well-behaved in his new home.
He came in for a health check at the clinic, and he had lost 600g in weight since last year. His previous blood test results were reviewed. For a number of years he has had a very slight increase in one of his kidney enzymes but on his blood test result from last year this had normalised for the first time. His thyroid hormone had not been checked since he changed homes two years ago. A repeat blood test was run and Pumpkin has now been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.
This disease occurs when the thyroid gland develops growths which secrete too much thyroid hormone. In people, the opposite is much more common (hypOthyroidism) where there is not enough thyroid hormone. Excessive thyroid hormone causes an over-active metabolism, and symptoms can include weight loss despite a normal or ravenous appetite, altered behaviour such as roaming and crying through the night, aggression, poor coat health, vomiting and muscle weakness.
On a more medical level, it can also cause high blood pressure which can lead to damage to organs such as kidneys and the eyes, sometimes leading to permanent blindness. The changed kidney value last year was a small clue towards Pumpkin’s possible diagnosis, because increased blood pressure from hyperthyroidism sometimes artificially lowers the kidney markers on a blood test.
The good news to report – three weeks after starting treatment, Pumpkin’s aggression at night has completely resolved, his thyroid hormone levels have returned to normal, he has gained back 180g and thankfully there has been no deterioration in his kidney markers. The most common treatment for hyperthyroidism is daily medication, in either oral tablets or liquid, or a cream which can be rubbed onto the ears. This is an ongoing treatment for life.
There is also the option of a permanent cure. We can refer cats to a clinic where they are given radioactive iodine. This destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue and is successful at permanently curing the condition in over 95% of cases from a single treatment.
Having results from a blood test performed when a pet is healthy, gives us a baseline value specific to that patient, which can be compared to if they are unwell in future. Consider a blood test as part of your cat’s health care plan, especially for those over seven years of age.
