There are several options for treating hyperthyroidism in cats. Since each treatment has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, it is vital to match the treatment to the individual cat. Please discuss these options with your veterinarian before deciding on a course of therapy. 1) Thyroidectomy: Surgical removal of the diseased tissue was the …
Category Archives: Ask The Vet
Chihuahuas Need Socialization
Yesterday, I met a wonderful Chihuahua named Belle. She is a two pound, kissing machine. The pup wiggles her entire body when she meets a new person and then showers them with affection. I wish all Chihuahuas were as well-behaved as Belle. Unfortunately, this is not the case. I learned that the hard way. Isn’t Belle …
Diagnosis Of Hyperthyroidism In Cats
Diagnosing hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) is much easier than hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone). A blood sample is collected and analyzed for the total amount of T4. In general the normal range of T4 for a cat is 0.5 to 4.7 micrograms/deciliter, although this might vary slightly depending upon the lab. A T4 greater than 4.7 is indicative of hyperthyroidism. Cats …
Clinical Signs of Hyperthyroidism In Cats
Hyperthyroidism or excess thyroid hormone production is a common problem in older cats. For unknown reasons,some cats develop tumors on their thyroid glands as they age. Although the majority of these tumors are considered benign because they do not metastasize, that does not mean that they do not affect the cat. Thyroid ademonas secrete large quantities of thyroid hormone, far more …
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PET Scans And Pet Safety
After a PET scan, most patients are told to avoid contact with babies and anyone up through the age of 18. Patients are also told to keep their distance from pregnant women. This prohibition is generally for 6 hours. Physicians provide this warning because the radioactive material used in the scan, 2-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose (2FDG), may damage growth in immature individuals. Unfortunately …
What Is The Best Diet For A Dog With Cancer?
Unfortunately, there is no one perfect diet for dogs or people with cancer. Each patient needs to have a diet formulated to meet their individual needs based upon the type of cancer, treatment protocol being utilized, body condition (overweight, underweight or healthy weight), other medical conditions, environmental factors and individual preference. In 1930, scientists discovered that cancer cells metabolize large amounts of glucose into …
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How to Keep Dogs Out of the Litter Box
Yesterday, a blog subscriber asked me how to keep her dog out of the cat’s litter box. Since this is such a common problem, I decided to dedicate an entire blog post to preventing coprophagia (eating feces). There are two basic methods for treating this problem: 1) Use a coprophagia deterrent Cat feces contain a lot of …
A Veterinarian’s Opinion On Doggy Doors
With people working long hours away from home, more families are installing doggy doors for their canine companions (and the feline variety for cats). Although doggy doors are convenient, they also have risks. It is important to weigh the risks versus benefits before installing one. Here are common problems associated with doggy doors:1) Allows uncontrolled entry …
Be Careful Wearing Nail Polish Around Tortoises
Tortoises have excellent color vision. In addition to the colors that humans observe, they also see into the ultraviolet spectrum according to Ronald Orenstein, author of Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins: Survivors in Armour. Because of this wonderful gift, people need to be careful when interacting with tortoises. I have heard of tortoises mistaking painted toenails for …
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Color Vision In Dogs
Last weekend, I watched the Western Regional Championships for the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge on TV. I love watching healthy dogs perform and their unabashed joy at flying through the air. During the “Big Air” segment of Dock Diving, the handler tosses a toy into a pool for their dog to retrieve. The dog that …