Ipertiroidismo felino: Aspetti clinici e diagnostici

Feline hyperthyroidism (FHT) is the most common endocrine disorder of this specie and has a multifactorial origin. In most cases FHT is due to adenomatous hyperplasia of one or both thyroid lobes, less frequently it may be the consequence of a thyroid carcinomas or due to the presence of ectopic thyroid tissue. FHT is a chronically progressive and insidious disease, and the clinical signs can vary from mild to severe. The majority of the cats with hyperthyroidism shows clinically poor body conditions and more than 90% has a palpable goiter. A complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry, and urinalysis are useful in supporting the diagnosis or excluding other diseases; a definitive diagnosis requires demonstration of persistently elevated thyroid hormone concentrations or increased radioisotope uptake after thyroid scintigraphy.