Feline Hyperthyroidism Quiz
How much do you know about this common endocrine disease?
By
Kristin Grant |
Posted: August 6, 2008
 |
| Hyperthyroidism is common in cats and is treatable with veterinary care. |
Just how much do you know about hyperthyroidism in cats? Take the quiz below to find out!
1. Hyperthyroidism occurs mostly in:
a. Male cats
b. Middle-aged to senior cats
c. Purebred cats
d. Overweight cats
2. A cat with hyperthyroidism might exhibit which of the following traits?
a. Aggressiveness
b. Nervousness
c. Irritability
d. All of the above
3. Hyperthyroidism basically can be described as:
a. An under-active thyroid
b. A non-functioning thyroid
c. A withered thyroid
d. An elevated level of thyroid hormones
4. The most common “first sign” of hyperthyroidism in cats is:
a. Unexplained weight loss
b. Extreme lethargy
c. Increased vocalization
d. Constricted pupils
5. All of the following could develop with hyperthyroidism except:
a. Problems with blood pressure
b. Problems with the nervous system
c. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract
d. Problems with the skin
6. All of the following are potential treatments for hyperthyroidism except:
a. Physical therapy
b. Medication
c. Surgery
d. Radioactive iodine
7. Cats prescribed medication for hyperthyroidism usually can stop taking the drug after what amount of time?
a. Three months
b. One year
c. Five years
d. Never, it’s taken for life.
8. All of the following are possible signs of hyperthyroidism except:
a. Vomiting
b. Diarrhea
c. Increased heart rate
d. Decreased urination
9. How many thyroid glands does a cat have?
a. One
b. Two
c. Three
d. Four
10. What is the primary function of the thyroid gland?
a. Control the metabolic rate
b. Activate the nervous system
c. Control involuntary body functions
d. Control the digestive process
11. Research shows that up to what percentage of cats likely has hyperthyroidism at an advanced age?
a. 11%
b. 31%
c. 55%
d. 83%
12. Once hyperthyroidism is eliminated due to surgery or iodine treatments, the chances of recurrence are:
a. Nonexistent
b. Very low
c. 50-50
d. Very high
13. What percentage of cats with hyperthyroidism have a malignant tumor on the thyroid causing the condition?
a. Less than 2%
b. Approximately 10%
c. Approximately 55%
d. More than 80%
14. What effect will hyperthyroidism likely have on a cat’s coat?
a. It has increased luster.
b. It becomes patchy.
c. Fur will grow in slightly longer.
d. There is no effect on the coat.
15. The main cause of hyperthyroidism is:
a. Lack of exercise
b. A diet lacking nutrition
c. A bacterial infection
d. Still unknown
16. In which of the following ways might a veterinarian check for hyperthyroidism?
a. Check for a decreased heart rate.
b. Feel the neck area for enlarged glands.
c. Take a urine sample.
d. All of the above
17. Thyroid hormone levels within a cat’s body:
a. Remain constant throughout the day
b. Can fluctuate up to 24% in a single day
c. Decrease with activity
d. Can double in a single day
18. All of the following are signs a cat may have hyperthyroidism, except:
a. Weight gain
b. Hyperactivity
c. Increased water consumption
d. Increased appetite
19. A single dose of radioactive iodine cures hyperthyroidism in what percentage of cats with the disease?
a. 10%
b. 30%
c. 75%
d. 95%
20. Which of the following is an advantage of an iodine treatment?
a. Inexpensive
b. Outpatient treatment
c. No serious side effect
d. Available to cats in poor health with other diseases
Scoring
Score one point for each correct answer using the answer key below.
Answer Key
1. B
2. D
3. D
4. A
5. B
6. A
7. D
8. D
9. B
10. A
11. B
12. B
13. A
14. B
15. D
16. B
17. B
18. A
19. D
20. C
If you scored:
1-5 points — Time to do some research on feline hyperthyroidism! Read "Beat Hyperthyroidism" in the October 2008 issue of CAT FANCY to learn more about the condition. It’s very common, but treatable!
5-10 points — Not bad, but it couldn’t hurt to brush up on feline hyperthyroidism. Remember, it’s the most common feline endocrine disease.
11-15 points — Well done! You are on the right track to understanding this common feline disease.
16-20 points — Congratulations! Your cat is in good hands since you readily can spot the signs of hyperthyroidism.
Note: If you think you’ve noticed signs of hyperthyroidism in your cat based on the answers to this quiz, please tell your veterinarian right away.
Kristin Grant is a freelance writer based in Baton Rouge, La., where she happily caters to the whims of her three cats, Max, Jasmine, and Daphne.
Acknowledgement: Special thanks to Dr. Robert W. Nelson, Department Chair of the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology and Associate Director for the Small Animal Clinic of the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis.
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Feline Hyperthyroidism Quiz