Hormone replacement therapy for cats is the act of replenishing the body’s hormone levels with artificial, synthetic replicas of one or more hormones. Hormone levels often deplete over time, become absent due to surgery or illness, and can be non-existent due to a genetic predisposition. Hormones are produced by the endocrine glands working as special, chemical messengers that aid in the communication between the cells, tissues and organs of the feline. Hormones are stored in various organs of the body, released through glands where they are released into the bloodstream, circulating in the blood until they make contact with their targeted area. A few common locations of hormone storage include the ovaries, testes, thyroid, liver, adrenal glands and pituitary glands.
Hormones are extremely powerful chemicals that make major changes to the feline’s body. When a hormone comes into contact with a cell, a series of important reactions take place within that specific tissue. Your cat’s hormones regulate cognitive function, mood, thirst, body temperature, sexual development, metabolism, as well as, cell growth and development. An absence of one or more endocrine hormones will affect how your cat metabolizes, grows, reproduces and even the ability to control voluntary muscle contraction.
Prior to starting any hormone replacement treatment plan, your cat will have a hormone evaluation exam, requiring a simple blood sample for laboratory analysis. A hormone test will tell the veterinarian which hormone needs to be replenished and the amount the feline will need to conduct daily bodily functions. Hormone replacement therapy for cats is generally a procedure that is performed by the cat owner, as a readily fresh supply of hormones must be administered daily. Most hormones replacements are administered as an injectable, which is the procedure described below.
Preparing the Dose:
Injecting the Cat:
Top
Hormone replacement therapy for cats is a highly effective treatment method for a number of hormone-related diseases, deficiencies and secondary effects from surgery. Once the missing hormones have been replenished, the feline will regain the ability to conduct bodily function.
Top
Hormone replacement therapy for cats generally begins to take effect immediately, but it can take up to a week for improvements to be noted.
Top
The cost of hormone replacement therapy for cats really depends on the type of hormone that is being replaced, as some hormones cost more to replicate. Some artificial hormones cost as low as $15 per bottle, whereas other can cost a pet owner over $100 per container.
Top
Hormone replacement therapy for cats is a daily, lifelong commitment and may not fit every cat owner’s life style. Many hormone replacement drugs also require the pet owner to inject or administer a pill to the feline every day, which may also cause concern for some pet owners.
Top
Hormone replacement therapy for cats can be prevented in some cases. Choosing not to remove your felines reproductive organs can prevent the need for hormone therapy and prevent urinary incontinence. A proper diet and preventing obesity often prevents diabetes, but is not always the case for feline born with this insulin deficiency.
Top
Norwegian forest cat
Seventeen Years
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My female cat recently received anabolic steroid injection. After 1 week she is constantly howling and has started spraying (urinating) everywhere indoors. Can this be reversed with estrogen therapy? We cant go on with her in this state as she seems very distressed and has started shaking.
Sept. 28, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Those are not common side effects from a steroid injection, and I would be more concerned about other disease, given her age. Without being able to see or examine her, or know more about her history, it is difficult for me to say what might help, but it seems that something needs to be done, I agree. It would be a good idea to call your veterinarian, let them know what is happening, and see if they have any thoughts, since they saw her recently. I hope that all goes well for her!
Oct. 5, 2020
Was this experience helpful?
Scooter
tabby
16 Years
Critical severity
0 found helpful
Critical severity
Has Symptoms
My cat Scooter is 16 years old. He started losing his fur about a month ago and is nearly bald. He acts disoriented and loses his stability sometimes when standing still. His vet palpated his thyroid and adrenal glands. He has been tested for Cushings, as his vet thought he had all the symptoms. Nothing has shown up. He eats, drinks, pees, and poops fine, although outside of litter box. Nothing is in his urine, he does not have parasites or allergies. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Aug. 7, 2018
Scooter's Owner
0 Recommendations
Alopecia (among other symptoms) may be suggestive of a hormonal condition like Cushing’s, hypothyroidism etc… the disorientation may or may not be related; without examining Scooter I cannot say what the specific cause is and further testing may be required to narrow in on an underlying cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 8, 2018
Was this experience helpful?
Learn more in the Wag! app
43k+ reviews
Install
About Wag!
© 2022 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
About Wag!
© 2022 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
Security