Hormones for cats: pros and cons. Hormonal diseases in cats Hormonal imbalance in cats symptoms

Diagnostics

Allergies: atopic dermatitis, flea dermatitis, feeding with allergenic foods.

Skin problems: dermatitis arising from various causes (chemical burns, pyoderma, violation of injection technique), folliculitis, seborrhea (dandruff), disease of the sebaceous glands, erythema due to increased sensitivity to medicinal ointments or care cosmetics, etc. .

Nonspecific factors: chemotherapy, radiation or autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, decreased immunity and general resistance of the body.

Diseases of the digestive system: dysbacteriosis, hepatitis of various etiologies, gastritis.

Hormonal imbalance: disruption of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), increased production of corticosteroids or their excessive intake with medications, long-term use of hormonal pills that reduce sexual activity.

Psychogenic causes: uncontrolled licking of fur as a result of stress, anxiety, boredom, loneliness, etc.

Hair loss can be caused by skin diseases.

With these diseases, symptoms can vary - it all depends on the cause that led to baldness.

In addition to the characteristic feature of the absence of hair in areas of the ears, eyes, mouth, inner thighs, the following is also observed:

• skin redness;
• unbearable itching (especially flea dermatitis);
• in some cases, local body temperature rises;
• Even less common is sclerotization or thickening of the skin, as a result of which it becomes wrinkled, dry, strewn with multiple small whitish scales, reminiscent of dandruff.

An important point in therapy is the detection (identification) of the allergen and the exclusion of the animal’s contact with it. An allergen can be anything: food, cat cosmetics, pollen, dust, etc. The use of corticosteroids, antihistamines and ointments is indicated as a specific treatment.

Skin diseases

It was already mentioned above that a large number of factors contribute to the appearance of dermatitis: mainly damage to the skin as a result of chemical, physical and mechanical influences (trauma, burns, radiation, etc.).

Typical symptoms include:

• hair loss in the affected area;
• the presence of rashes of various types (papules, vesicles, wounds, erosions, crusts, etc.);
• peeling with seborrhea;
• red swollen spots on the skin and increased local temperature;
• sclerotization (thickening) of the skin.

First of all, the cause that caused the dermatitis is found and it is removed. Afterwards, they resort to symptomatic treatment: antibacterial lotions and antibiotic therapy in case of pyoderma (purulent inflammation), special alcohol dressings, novocaine blockade, emollient ointments.

Good results for any type of dermatitis are obtained by applications with Vishnevsky ointment on castor oil or ASD-3.

With trichophytosis, there is no hair on the affected areas, there is a grayish coating, and when microflora enters, purulent inflammation of the sebaceous glands develops. The most typical signs: redness, itching, formation of scales and crusts.

With ringworm, the areas of alopecia are strictly defined; in the atypical form, the cat experiences itching and increased shedding without focal hair loss.

Ringworm is treated with a special vaccine (Vakderm, Microderm, Polivac) and local use of antifungal drugs.

Not all owners know that feeding a cat smoked meats, pickles, and table foods is strictly prohibited. Ignoring this simple rule can lead first to mild indigestion, then to gastritis and finally end in hepatitis and kidney problems. Any of these diseases necessarily weakens the immune system, disrupts metabolism, resulting in increased shedding until areas of baldness appear.

It is quite logical that the treatment consists of:

• in eliminating the very cause of the disease;
• specific therapy for a particular disease;
• strict diet;
• the use of vitamin-mineral complexes;
• and in some cases, immunomodulators aimed at restoring the body’s general resistance.

In addition to the notorious hair loss, the cat will also have additional symptoms:

• thinning of the skin;
• the appearance of hyperpigmentation;
• skin wrinkling, dandruff, acne.

In addition to the characteristic signs on the skin, increased thirst, increased urination and a bloated abdomen are noted. Treatment is prescribed only by a veterinarian based on a comprehensive examination of the animal: urine and blood tests, hormonal studies.

1. Sexual intercourse with castrated males or in the last days of estrus. This occurs due to the release of an egg, but the absence of fertilization during mating.
2. Reproductive dysfunction.
3. Hormonal imbalance is the most common cause, especially in older cats.
4. Thyroid dysfunction, which can lead to increased production of prolactin, the main lactation hormone.
5. Keeping several cats that are in an “interesting” situation. Although this reason is more suitable for dogs, since cats are not pack animals in nature. But domestication and disruption of natural conditions leads to false pregnancy.
6. When taking a smear from the genital tract during estrus, the cat can compare this manipulation with sexual intercourse.
7. A strong stressful state is a kind of protective mechanism with which a cat tries to relieve stress - she tries to compensate for it by bearing offspring.

There is also a pedigree predisposition.

Sphinxes, Orientals and Rexes are most susceptible to the disease.

To differentiate the diagnosis, general blood tests should be taken to detect inflammation. A smear of the discharge is also recommended to rule out genital tract infection.

One of the main diagnostic methods is ultrasound. It directly indicates the presence of a fetus in the uterine cavity, and will also help determine the presence of fluid, changes in the walls and other disorders of the reproductive organs. For the same purposes, the x-ray method can be used.

It is also necessary to take tests for hormones - progesterone and estrogen. If a violation is suspected, the level of thyroid and pituitary hormones is checked.

Hormonal imbalances in most cases are the primary cause of the disease, but may not always lead to inflammation. Additional factors are required. Which trigger infection and, accordingly, inflammation.

Main factors:

• Pyogenic bacteria - Escherichia coli, streptococci and staphylococci, Klebsiella and many others.
• Postpartum complications - this can be infection due to delayed separation of the subtrace, delayed discharge after childbirth, infection of the birth canal and low muscle tone of the uterus.
• Hormonal changes in older cats, especially those with a history of multiple lambings, most often lead to chronic endometritis.
• Frequent use of hormonal drugs that control sexual desire.

It is also possible to develop inflammation of the uterus due to predisposing causes - poor nutrition, decreased immunity and poor quality care for the animal during pregnancy.

Be sure to assess the general condition of the animal. It is required to take a general blood test (diagnosis of inflammation and bleeding), urine (to assess the condition of the kidneys) and biochemistry (for sugar, liver enzymes, etc.)

You should also check your blood for sex hormones.

The doctor establishes a history of pregnancy and childbirth, and also necessarily finds out what hormonal drugs were used.

Exudate from the uterus is collected for bacteriological examination and identification of pathological microflora. It is usually taken from vaginal swabs. You can also test with oxytocin - it reduces swelling, helping the exudate to come out.

X-rays can be of great help in diagnosing endometritis. It shows a darkened and enlarged uterus with a level of dark fluid in it.

An ultrasound examination is required. It will help establish not only the presence of fluid in the cavity, but also changes in the walls.

Inflammation of the uterine mucosa in a cat mainly develops as a result of the pathogenic effects of various microorganisms - staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli, pseudomonas, Proteus, Klebsiel, mycoplasmas (mycoplasmosis in cats), chlamydia (chlamydia in cats) and other microorganisms.

Acute postpartum endometritis in cats occurs as a result of retention of the placenta (retention of the placenta in small domestic animals), difficult childbirth, uterine atony (atony, hypotension and subinvolution of the uterus in small domestic animals), spread of the inflammatory process from the vagina (postpartum vulvitis, vestibulitis and vaginitis in small pets) and the cervix (cervicitis).

Hormonal changes in older cats that have given birth many times cause chronic endometritis.

Inflammation of the uterus can occur as a result of frequent use of hormonal drugs that suppress heat in cats.

Predisposing factors in the occurrence of endometritis in cats include a decrease in the general resistance of the body, unbalanced and inadequate feeding, and lack of exercise during pregnancy.

Pathogenesis. The pathogenesis of endometritis is similar to the pathogenesis of acute postpartum endometritis in small domestic animals.

Signs of endometritis. Acute postpartum endometritis in a cat begins 2-5 days after birth. The cat's body temperature rises by 0.5-1°C, the owners of the animal note a decrease or complete loss of appetite, and milk secretion decreases. A characteristic sign of acute postpartum endometritis is mucous or mucopurulent discharge of inflammatory exudate from the genital fissure.

Pet owners usually notice exudate from the genitals on the floor in the place where the cat was lying. The cat often assumes a posture to urinate, arching its back and moaning. During examination in a veterinary clinic, a veterinary specialist during palpation notes an enlargement of the uterus, the cervix is ​​open, and inflamed exudate is released from it. The uterus is painful on palpation.

The endocrine system is an important part of the cat's body. When it works correctly, the animal adapts to its external environment, it affects the processes of reproduction and the functioning of the body in a certain mode. Hormonal imbalance in cats leads to the development of many diseases.

The endocrine system of cats is complex and consists of the following components::

• pituitary;
• epithelial body;
• thyroid;
• ovaries in females and testes in males;
• adrenal glands;
• pancreas.

A cat, like a person, can have hormonal imbalances; no living creature is protected from this; a number of diseases can result from this. The reasons may be different, sometimes due to improper behavior of the owner. So, overfeeding or food that is not suitable for a cat can cause obesity and diabetes. Taking hormonal drugs is also at risk. Sometimes, against the background of previous diseases, such as mastitis (and it can occur in a cat, as well as in a woman after childbirth), diseases of the nervous system can also affect hormonal disruption of the endocrine system.

Symptoms

It is important to notice in time that something is wrong with your pet and identify the symptoms of hormonal imbalance:

• the cat is constantly thirsty;
• change in body weight, its sharp decrease or increase;
• the cat constantly becomes sleepy, its activity is lost;
• impairment of vision and smell may occur;
• the coat often suffers, it becomes dull and hangs in clumps, and in some places complete baldness can occur;
• the consequence of a hormonal disorder can be the most terrible symptom - the formation of a tumor, both benign and malignant.

Treatment

It is important to diagnose the disease in time, only then can proper treatment be prescribed. Hormonal disorders need to be treated depending on their type and nature. For example, if it is a tumor, the doctor will suggest surgically removing it to save the cat. In some cases, radiotherapy is used, using radioactive iodine.

But most often, cats have to be treated through the use of medications and hormonal drugs, these can be thyroid hormones, steroids, and insulin. Even if the cat does not want to take the medicine, it must be forced to do so. You need to be prepared for the fact that the treatment will be lengthy due to some kind of hormonal imbalance in the body. Some animals need therapy for the rest of their lives. Periodically, the cat will need to be shown to a veterinarian to monitor the situation and adjust the prescription of medications.

Diabetes

Perhaps this disease can be called the most common among endocrine diseases in animals. What causes hormonal imbalance? The cat's body stops producing glucose and continues to exist without it. The consequence is an increase in sugar, which can be diagnosed by passing urine for testing. Pathology occurs in the improper functioning of the pancreas, while the production of the main hormone insulin occurs in insufficient quantities for the normal functioning of the cat’s body.

In severe cases, the production of this hormone completely stops. With a constant feeling of hunger, the cat begins to lose weight. When prescribing treatment, a corrective diet is required. Sugar and bread are excluded, vitamins are prescribed, and the water will need to be alkalized using regular soda. It is better to boil meat and vegetables. Before feeding, the cat is prescribed insulin in certain doses.

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In this article I want to tell you about a special type of aggression. This is a subtype of redirected aggression; it differs from classical aggression in that it provokes hormonal imbalance.
This type of aggression is characteristic of both cats and cats that have not undergone timely castration.

This type of aggression can occur at any age, but personally, in my consultations, I more often encountered the manifestation of this behavior at the age of 2-4 years and much later at 11+ years. I think that this correlation by age is caused by objective reasons. In old age, after 11 years, cats' metabolic processes in the body significantly decrease, including aging affecting the endocrine system. In this regard, the release of hormones begins to differ from what the cat has had all its life, which can provoke various behavioral changes, including causing aggressive behavior.

At the age of 2-4 years, the cat reaches the peak of its development. If before this time the absence of matings, empty heats, the inability to find a sexual partner by the body of a cat can be perceived as a temporary phenomenon (the cat is not mature enough to defend the territory, for example), then in the prime of life, when the body of cats and cats is ready for that In order to produce numerous offspring, the absence of a sexual partner and the possibility of mating is perceived by the body as a “system error.” Then the release of hormones begins to increase sharply to make the cat better seek a partner and leave its mark on history in the form of many kittens. An increase in the level of hubbub provokes not only marks or screams (which may or may not be present, depending on the cat’s temperament), but also affects the nervous system.
The cat becomes more irritable and ceases to control its aggression. In nature, this mechanism would help it become a more ferocious competitor to other individuals in order to win better territory and mating rights. But in an apartment this does not serve a good purpose. After the hormonal level reaches a certain level, both in the case of older animals and in the case of young ones, one can only hope that no one and nothing can give the impetus that will start the vicious circle of aggression. The trigger can be any situation that unbalances the cat (stress from moving, meeting another animal, pain, fear, etc.). And then, if this push has occurred, cat aggression becomes very difficult to defeat.

If a neutered cat that has experienced stress may respond to stress with anxiety, hissing, growling, screaming, even biting or hitting; or, on the contrary, cowardly behavior, sitting under the bed, mistrust, then if a component of hormonal aggression is present, this will always be a brutal attack on the subject of stress or on nearby people and animals. And, what is most unpleasant, if in castrates aggression caused by stress most often goes away, if you remove the irritating factor, then the aggression caused by hormones will not go away even after eliminating all irritating factors. And all because the subject of stress became only an impetus that launched the mechanism of aggression, and the hormonal background further maintains the aggressive state.

Over the past six months, in my practice there have been several cases of such aggression and all of them were almost exactly the same. I had clients with cats and cats, but the behavioral problem began according to one scenario.
A non-sterile animal, which had not previously shown any aggression, was affectionate and calm, at some point experiences severe stress (in most cases it meets a strange cat for the first time in its life). After the meeting or during it, the animal attacks the owner, causing serious injuries, sometimes it attacks another cat and the owner, separating it, is also attacked. It happens that aggression towards the owner is provoked by the smell of a strange animal coming from the stairwell or from outside the window.
Further, attacks begin to recur, despite the fact that the owners isolate the animal as much as possible from external stimuli, other cats, their odors, etc.
These cases seem to be simple and the solution is simple - castration. I thought so until recently too. But practice shows something different.

Of course, I immediately sent the owners to the veterinary clinic so that the cats could be examined, and based on the results of the examination, they would either treat some disease or castrate them. Some owners had already managed to castrate the animal before contacting me, because they realized, in part, their mistake. But in the last four cases of such aggression after sterilization, the behavior of the cats did not change for a long time. Usually, it is believed that the goronal photic image will stabilize within a month or two at most. But in my examples, I had to wait much more than two months for the aggression to subside. Some clients are currently waiting for this. At the same time, keeping a cat in an open space is practically impossible. You need either an aviary, or a cage, or a pet hotel. And you need a lot of work on yourself. Because after five to ten brutal attacks by a pet, she no longer seems so cute and the owners are afraid of her, which can provoke further attacks.

Unfortunately, some owners do not even try to correct the cat’s behavior and, if sterilization does not help in a short time, the animal is euthanized. Such cases are most upsetting, especially since in 90% of cases a cat in another family will not show aggression, since the hormones will go away sooner or later, and the irritating factors that were at the previous place of residence will also no longer bother you.

What to do if you suspect aggression in your cat caused by hormonal imbalance?
1) Make sure your cat is vaccinated against rabies. The words “aggression” and “not vaccinated” do not make veterinarians happy, and you may be refused service at the clinic or have your cat quarantined.

2) Explain to the veterinarian the essence of the problem and ask to check the cat for any abnormalities in health and pain. In cats, first of all, it is necessary to exclude pyometra and uterine cancer. Cats have testicular cancer and genitourinary infections. It is better to exclude diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in both sexes. Tests - general blood test, urine test, detailed biochemistry for 20 or more indicators. Research - ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and heart.

3) If the animal is healthy, castrate it. Cats must have both their uterus and ovaries removed. Cats have both testicles. If the cat is a cryptorchid, then you will have to do additional research to look for testes in the abdominal cavity and more carefully choose a veterinarian who can castrate cryptorchids.

4) Before and after castration, provide the animal with a separate room, complete peace and stability for several months. It is possible to use enclosures and cages if the apartment does not have the ability to isolate the animal in a separate room. Cover the cage halfway with a sheet to provide semi-darkness and the illusion of a “house.”

5) Depending on the psychological state of the cat, if it improves, you can begin to increase interaction with the cat by releasing it into a common area for a couple of hours. Positive emotions during the period of getting rid of hormones are very indicated! If the cat still reacts poorly to people, then you can use interactive battery-powered toys that can be left alone with the cat. Don’t forget to speak kindly to the animal and treat it with tasty treats from your hands (if its condition allows it).

Correcting such aggression can take more than six months. If you are not ready to invest so much effort and money into a cat, then you have two options. One preventive measure is to sterilize the animal before puberty, and then problems caused by hormones can occur in only 0.1% of all cases of aggression. The second - if you have already encountered a problem and are not ready to solve it - give the animal to another family, having first castrated it. According to my observations, in new families, aggression either goes away completely or has residual effects that fade away over time. You should not kill an animal with whom you simply do not agree in character and attitude to life.

If you are ready to save your pet from this difficult situation, but you are not very good at coping with it, contact cat behavior specialists. They will definitely help you in word and deed.

It is known that owners of “yard” cats often resort to sterilization of their pets, since problems often arise with the sale of outbred kittens. It's a different matter when the cat is purebred. Any diseases of the reproductive system in this case are fraught with serious financial losses. Endometriosis in cats is especially dangerous in this regard, in many cases fraught with the complete loss of the animal’s ability to give birth to kittens.

In general, cats do not have such a disease. Paradox? No, there is simply confusion in this case with medical and veterinary terms. In human medicine, “endometriosis” is a severe pathology in which epithelial cells of the uterus “take root” on the walls of the fallopian tubes, in the ureters and bladder, as well as on the surface of the external genitalia. All this leads to severe hormonal imbalances and dramatically increases the likelihood of developing gynecological infections.

It is possible that it was for this reason that feline pyometra suddenly became “endometriosis,” although these pathologies have little in common. The main reason why some veterinarians combine these diseases is a serious hormonal imbalance in the sick animal. Let us repeat once again that cases of “canonical” endometriosis among cats have never been identified to this day, and therefore the use of this term is largely erroneous.

Predisposing factors

So what is it? This is the name for the accumulation of pus and decay products in the uterine cavity. What are the reasons for such an unpleasant pathology? They are quite complex. Under normal conditions, the uterine cavity is absolutely sterile and impermeable even to lymphocytes. When a cat is in heat, the cervix opens slightly, the same thing happens during childbirth, which is logical. But if some kind of “error” has crept into this physiological process (for example, a persistent corpus luteum remains in the ovaries), the cervix remains open, and pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora can enter the organ cavity.

Read also: Mastopathy in cats is a threat to the life of a pet

What makes the situation worse is the fact that, under the influence of hormones, the endothelial lining of the uterus undergoes hyperplasia (that is, grows) and begins to secrete a large volume of liquid secretion, which becomes an ideal environment for the development of bacteria. In addition, the progesterone released during this process blocks the contractility of the muscular lining of the organ, as a result of which the contents accumulated in the uterus cannot be evacuated naturally.

Pyometra can occur in any cat, whose ovaries have not been removed, but the vast majority of cases relate to animals older than five years of age. This pathology is almost guaranteed to develop if, due to some hormonal imbalance, it lasts more than 30-45 days. So if you notice an inappropriately long period of heat in your pet, take her to the vet immediately.

Clinical signs and therapy

Usually, pathology develops quite quickly, but in some cases it may take several weeks or months before the first clinical signs appear. We draw your attention to the fact that even a sick animal can go into heat, and the discharge is not always cloudy.

Endocrine diseases in cats are relatively rare. However, there are several most common ones:

Diabetes

Hyperthyroidism

Obesity

Itsenko-Cushing syndrome

Hypothyroidism

Diabetes

It is characterized by a violation of carbohydrate metabolism caused by insufficient production of the pancreatic hormone - insulin.

Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease in cats. The saddest thing is that by the time obvious symptoms appear, the disease has often progressed, sometimes to such an extent that all insulin reserves in the body have already been depleted.

What happens with diabetes?

The formation of carbohydrates is enhanced, and their absorption by the body's cells is impaired, which leads to an increase in sugar levels in the blood and tissues, and this, in turn, causes the destruction of pancreatic cells and a decrease in insulin production. Thus, a vicious circle is created that aggravates the course of the disease. All these changes lead to increased breakdown of proteins and a decrease in their synthesis. Not only carbohydrate and protein metabolism is gradually disrupted, but also fat, water and mineral metabolism.

The reasons that can give impetus to the development of the disease are the following: metabolic disorders, any infectious processes, trauma to the pancreas or its changes - inflammation, atrophy (reduction in size and dysfunction), sclerosis (replacement of the glandular tissue with connective tissue), hereditary predisposition.

Symptoms. As a rule, the first signs of the disease appear a month and a half before the obvious clinical manifestations of diabetes mellitus - the cat drinks a lot of fluid, urination becomes more frequent, and the amount of daily urine increases. It is characteristic that urine does not have its own specific odor; it becomes lighter in color. As the disease progresses, the animal’s well-being deteriorates sharply: the cat refuses to eat, the general condition is depressed, and asthenia develops. Sometimes vomiting occurs once, but it may become more frequent if you continue to try to feed the animal. At this stage of the disease, the smell of acetone appears from the mouth.

Treatment.

Drugs that lower blood sugar are prescribed:

short-, medium- and long-acting insulin is available;

drugs for oral administration;

The choice of drug, its dosage, method and frequency of administration depends on the general condition of the animal and blood sugar levels.

Hyperthyroidism

Characterized by increased thyroid function. It is the second most common endocrine disease in cats.

Cats of all breeds, both females and males, and at any age can develop hyperthyroidism. However, animals that are on average older than 9-10 years are most susceptible to this disease. It has been observed that Siamese and Himalayan cat breeds are less prone to hyperthyroidism.

What happens with hyperthyroidism?

The main function of thyroid hormones is to regulate metabolism (the speed of cell work) in the body, and their excessive production leads to the fact that all processes in organs and tissues occur faster.

Causes. The most common is adenoma (benign tumor of the thyroid gland). Somewhat less frequently, the cause that triggers the development of hyperthyroidism can be adenocarcinoma (a malignant tumor). An important role in the development of the disease is played by the increased iodine content in feed, a certain habitat, and the harmful effects of insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

Symptoms. The animal loses weight despite eating well. The cat may lose some of its hair, it drinks a lot, and tends to stay in cool places. The animal is overly active, but at the same time gets tired quickly. There is an increase in the amount of daily urine, sometimes diarrhea and/or vomiting appears.

Treatment is carried out in three directions:

surgical removal of the thyroid gland;

prescribing medications that block excess production of thyroxine (thyroid hormone);

treatment with radioactive iodine - a drug is administered that accumulates in the thyroid gland and destroys tissue with increased function;

Obesity

It is quite widespread among cats, affecting about 40% of pets. The disease is characterized by excess fat deposition. Cats of the Persian and British breeds are most prone to obesity.

The causes of obesity are numerous. First of all, they lie in the animal’s poor nutrition, passion for treats and a sedentary lifestyle. In second place are any endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism, changes in hormonal levels after castration or sterilization), chronic diseases (arthritis), and taking certain medications (glucocorticoids). In addition, there are predisposing factors - old age, stressful situations, heredity.

Symptoms generally depend on the degree of obesity. However, most often the disease manifests itself as follows:

the animal’s belly sags, a characteristic “waddle” gait appears, and pronounced fat deposits are visible on the hips;

the cat is apathetic and sleepy, she has difficulty jumping;

Treatment includes eliminating the cause that led to the development of obesity, prescribing a balanced diet (reducing portion size and amount of carbohydrates, eliminating fats) and increasing energy consumption by increasing physical activity.

Itsenko-Cushing syndrome

Characterized by increased function of the adrenal cortex. The prevalence in cats is low.

The disease occurs in the form of two syndromes - primary (the pathological process develops in the adrenal cortex) and secondary (the function of the brain structures that control the functioning of the adrenal cortex is impaired). The last option is the most common.

Causes, according to which Itsenko-Cushing syndrome can develop, are not so numerous; they include damage to the adrenal cortex and the hypothalamic-pituitary system (it controls the production of hormones by the adrenal cortex and is located in the brain). These can be tumors (adenoma), injuries. In addition, the impetus for the development of the disease can be given by taking certain medications, for example, glucocorticoids.

Symptoms. There is a redistribution of fat - excessive deposition of adipose tissue in certain places (abdomen). The skin feels dry to the touch, can be easily injured, and has areas of hyperpigmentation. Muscle tone decreases, hair falls out. The animal has increased thirst and increased urination. The cat has a hard time with physical activity.

Treatment carried out in two directions: 1) surgical removal of the tumor; 2) prescribing medications that suppress excessive adrenal function.

Hypothyroidism

A disease of the thyroid gland, characterized by a decrease in its function. It is extremely rare in cats. With hypothyroidism, all metabolic processes in the body slow down.

Causes. The most common cause is removal of the thyroid gland or radiation therapy for hyperthyroidism. In addition, hypothyroidism can be caused by insufficient iodine intake from food. Sometimes the disease is congenital - there is underdevelopment of the thyroid gland, or congenital insufficient production of thyroxine

Symptoms varied and appear gradually. A sick animal becomes lethargic, drowsy, and quickly gets tired. Due to the fact that metabolic processes are slowed down (heat transfer exceeds heat production), the cat’s body temperature decreases, and it constantly looks for warmer places. As the disease progresses, the animal's fur becomes dull and falls out over almost the entire surface of the skin (total alopecia). The skin becomes cold and firm to the touch, and appears swollen. The animal is gaining weight.

Treatment consists of prescribing medications containing thyroid hormone.