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Thyroidectomy in Cats
What is Thyroidectomy?
Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure which involves removing one or both thyroid glands. Thyroidectomy is used to treat hyperthyroidism, a common condition in older cats in which the thyroid glands produce extra amounts of thyroid hormones. Thyroidectomy is also used to treat select cases of thyroid cancer. The surgery has a high success rate, although postoperative complications are possible.
Thyroidectomy Procedure in Cats
There are a few different surgical techniques veterinary surgeons can use to remove the thyroid gland(s). The technique used will depend on whether or not both glands need to be removed. The procedure steps for both single (unilateral) thyroid removal and total (bilateral) thyroid removal will be discussed below. These techniques carry the lowest risk of complication and the highest rate of success.
Preoperative Preparations
- For a few weeks prior to surgery, cats will be required to take oral medications to help them gain weight, lower their heart rate, and prepare them for the general anesthetic.
- The surgeon may take blood tests prior to surgery to confirm kidney function.
- The cat will first be anesthetized.
Unilateral Thyroidectomy
- The surgeon will make the initial entry incision and identify the enlarged thyroid or tumor.
- The thyroid capsule is then cut, and the surgeon will take care to avoid damaging the parathyroid gland.
- The external parathyroid gland and surrounding thyroid capsule will then be dissected, or separated, from the tumor.
- The blood supply to the tumor will be cut off using bipolar cautery.
- Once the blood supply has been ligated, the tumor will be removed along with the surrounding thyroid capsule.
- The thyroid capsule surrounding the parathyroid gland will be left in place to ensure proper blood flow and prevent complications from parathyroid damage.
- The surgeon will ensure all diseased portions of the thyroid have been removed before suturing the wound closed with absorbable sutures.
- The initial entry site will then be sutured.
Bilateral Thyroidectomy
- The surgeon will repeat the steps listed above to remove the other thyroid gland.
- Some surgeons may suggest that the removal of the second thyroid gland take place three to four weeks following the removal of the first. However, this is may not be ideal, particularly because the disease is more common in older cats that are susceptible to complications associated with general anesthesia.
Efficacy of Thyroidectomy in Cats
The efficacy of the surgical procedure will depend on the underlying condition. While there are some valid concerns about administering general anesthesia to older cats, the surgery is short and typically cures hyperthyroidism in the majority of cats. For cases of thyroid cancer, the prognosis is usually guarded due to the condition of the heart at the time of surgery.
Thyroidectomy Recovery in Cats
Owners should ensure that cats rest during the recovery period and drink plenty of water. Cats that have undergone thyroidectomy will usually be prescribed anti-inflammatory medications and analgesics for pain management. Cats may be required to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from irritating the surgery site. Owners should check the surgery site daily to ensure no bleeding, pus, or swelling has developed. Follow-up appointments will typically be scheduled for a few days following surgery, and again two to three weeks following surgery to monitor healing and remove sutures.
Cost of Thyroidectomy in Cats
The cost of thyroidectomy will vary based on other costs incurred, such as medications and supportive care. The cost of thyroidectomy on its own can range from $900 to $1,200.
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Cat Thyroidectomy Considerations
Though the surgery is generally curative in most cases, complications after surgery are possible. If one thyroid gland is removed, the other thyroid gland may become diseased over time and will also have to be removed. The condition may recur in the same thyroid gland because a small amount of thyroid capsule tissue is not removed. In some cases, surgery reveals problems with kidney function, which is why surgeons will generally attempt to assess kidney function prior to surgery.
There is also a chance that thyroidectomy will cause damage to the parathyroid gland. This can cause calcium levels to drop, which can lead to serious complications such as tremors and seizures. Damage to the parathyroid gland is generally managed with calcium and vitamin D supplementation, which is usually successful. For cases of thyroid cancer, there is a chance that the condition can recur following surgery.
Thyroidectomy Prevention in Cats
Hyperthyroidism has been linked to pollutants in the environment, such as:
- BPA: A chemical used to make certain plastics
- PBDE: A flame-retardant chemical used in foam and plastics
- Soy isoflavones: A plant derivative often found in commercial cat food
Owners are encouraged not to use plastic food or water bowls as these may contain toxic chemicals known to cause hyperthyroidism. Certain cat litter may also contain harmful chemicals that cause hyperthyroidism. Fish-based commercial diets may also play a role in the development of hyperthyroidism. Diets that are also incredibly low or high in iodine should be avoided.
Thyroidectomy Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Short haired domestic cat
Smokey
16 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
cat is currently 16 years old on one vidalta tablet daily. currently quite thin and very sleepy. appetite very poorhas some wet food and prescribed Royal Canin senior consult stage two high calorie. which he does not want to eat
May 28, 2018
0 Recommendations
You didn’t mention how long Smokey has been on Vidalta (carbimazole) or which size tablet she is taking; a loss of appetite is a common side effect once treatment begins but generally self resolves after a few days. You should return to your Veterinarian for an examination and a discussion about the management options for hyperthyroidism. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.vidalta.co.uk
May 29, 2018
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British Shorthair
Philius
12 Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None Currently Apparently Has Norma
Hello
We are thinking of adopting a rescue cat. He is 12 and has recently had one ( or part of one) thyroid removed. We understand from the rescue centre that he may need his other thyroid removed as time goes on. Because we won’t be able to insure him against this existing problem I’m keen to find out how much it may cost before we commit to taking him on.
April 28, 2018
4 Recommendations
Surgeries like thyroidectomy may cost a few thousand dollars, but this type of surgery is a back end priced surgery meaning that they are not advertised prices so it is difficult to compare between different practices. You should ensure that you are prepared for adopting Philius and you should ensure that you have a third party Veterinarian check him over first and get a local quotation for thyroidectomy. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 29, 2018
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Short hair domestic
Harley and or ori
8 Years
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Newly Diagnosed
I currently have two cats recently diagnosed with hyperthyroid. While I was considering radioactive treatment with the first diagnosed there is no way I can afford two cats for radioactive treatment.. now I'm considering surgery for both..however they are very large cats at the moment.. Will weight play a factor in surgery with complications?? One is 11 yrs old weighing 16 pounds and the other is 8 years old weighing 18 pounds...
April 20, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Being overweight is always a complicating factor for surgery, but not so much so that you should not consider having the surgery if that is what you and your veterinarian have decided is best for both cats. It is unusual for cats affected by thyroid disease to be overweight, however, so it may be a good idea to really confirm that they both have hyperthyroid disease. I hope that everything goes well for them.
April 20, 2018
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Cat
Simone
13 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Weight Loss, Fur Thinning.
Our kitty took Methimazole and it made her liver enzymes elevate. She was also losing patches of hair on her face from rubbing it so hard from itching. She has been off meds for 4 weeks now and eating Y/D. Thyroid is creeping back up. Our vet wants to perform the thyroidectomy as said it is only a 10% chance that her other gland would go HT. I don’t know how he came up with 10%. There is a clinic 3.5 hours from us who does I-131. I don’t know if she is a candidate without taking her there and getting the work up from our vet for them to review.
We have to decide soon since she has no other issues and can have the surgery now.
We only want is best for her. I haven’t asked if a lower dose of medicine is an option but assume not.
dsh
Tigga
12 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Huge Lump In Neck!
Just sharing for others considering a thyroidectomy for their cat. Tigga is/was an otherwise healthy neutered male 12yo ginger ninja. One night I found a huge lump on his neck, the next day the vet confirmed my suspicion of a thyroid tumour and recommended surgical intervention (I’m not sure if iodine therapy would have helped but the cost was prohibitive).
4 days post surgery and Tigga is recovering relatively well. He is struggling a little with solid food but is drinking well and reluctantly accepting Nutri gel a couple of times a day via syringe to supplement the small amounts of food he is consuming. His recovery is taking a bit longer than I expected, it is this aspect I wanted to share. So far as surgery goes, for the vet it may be a walk in the park but it will take quite a bit out of your beloved pet, particularly if he or she is advanced in age.
Cheers!
Brett & Tigga
