Veterinary surgeon Alan Leyland, of Wallasey, who is currently the President of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons, writes for the Wirral Globe. Readers with queries about their pets can write to him via the Globe at Catherine Street, Birkenhead, L41 6HW.

MODERN technology has caused quite a revolution in the way disease is diagnosed. Biochemistry equipment in the surgery can produce accurate blood sample results in minutes, leading to diagnosis of such diseases as kidney failure, still the most common cause of illness in older cats. Furthermore, an accurate assessment of the severity of the condition can be made.

The most common endocrinological disease of middle-aged to older cats is hyperthyroid disease. In the old days this condition was diagnosed on the symptoms, which included weight loss in spite of a ravenous appetite. Treatment is surgical removal of the thyroid.

The success rate for these cases has been dramatically improved as we now first confirm the levels of the thyroid hormone in the blood.

Once confirmed, treatment is given with an antithyroid drug for two weeks during which many of the effects of the overactive thyroid, in particular damage to the heart, are reversed, putting the patient in a much healthier state to withstand surgery.

When the owner is unwilling to have surgery, the cat may stay on the drug but after some time the drug may prove toxic.

The age at which owners are prepared to let us operate has gradually increased. Although there can be complications with calcium metabolism immediately post operatively, many of these cats return to normal for years.

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