Diabetes and Hyperthryoidism

My 10 year old cat, Socks, has recently
developed a greater appetite than normal.
Despite his increased food intake, he does
not seem to be gaining weight. If anything,
it seems like his ribs are easier to feel. He
seems to be a happy cat other than an
occasional episode of vomiting which I
attribute to hairballs. Are there any medical
conditions which cause weight loss in spite
of increased appetite?

Weight loss in the older cat may be caused by
serious conditions affecting the heart, kidneys
or intestinal tract. Pets with cancer often
cannot maintain their weight. These problems,
however, are usually associated with a normal
or decreased appetite.

Diabetes and hyperthyroidism are two common
conditions causing increased appetite and
weight loss. Both of these conditions may be
diagnosed by routine blood and urine tests.
Properly treated, pets with either condition may
have a long and happy life.

Diabetes is caused by decreased insulin
production, with a resulting increase in blood
sugar levels. It is usually associated with
increased water intake and urine output.
Treatment usually consists of once or twice
daily insulin injections. Occasionally, a diabetic
cat may be controlled with oral medication.

Hyperthyroidism is caused by increased
production of thyroid hormone, resulting in an
increased metabolic rate. Elevated thyroid
levels can cause serious damage to the heart
and liver. Conventional treatment options
include medical and surgical therapy. A recent
advance in treatment involves use of
radioactive iodine to cause decreased
production of thyroid hormone.

Since diabetes and hyperthyroidism are so
common in older cats, routine bloodwork to
screen for these diseases is a good idea. Since
hyperthyroidism increases anesthetic risk, we
routinely run thyroid levels on older cats
undergoing anesthesia. If you have any
questions regarding these diseases, ask your
veterinarian.