Treatment Options – Surgical thyroidectomy

Medical treatment for 2-4 weeks or more prior to surgery is often required to improve the cat’s condition and minimize potential anesthetic complications, due to cardiac irregularities, and to check for masked chronic kidney disease (CKD).

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Possible complications include:

  • Lack of response due to the presence of ectopic thyroid tissue and/or bilateral disease
  • Recurrence of hyperthyroidism
  • Hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcaemia if the parathyroid glands are damaged
  • Horner’s syndrome and voice loss associated with damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, this may resolve with time.

The surgical technique used and the skill of the surgeon play a major role in reducing the risk of the above complications.