NAVLE Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep Guide

The primary treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats is medication to reduce thyroid hormone levels. This condition is typically caused by an overproduction of thyroid hormones from an enlarged thyroid gland, often due to a benign adenoma. The most commonly used medications for this purpose are methimazole or carbimazole, which inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones, allowing the cat's hormone levels to return to a normal range.

While there are other treatment options available, such as surgery to remove the overactive thyroid tissue or radioactive iodine therapy that destroys the hyperplastic thyroid cells, they are typically considered secondary to medical management, especially in cases where the cat is stable and not exhibiting severe clinical signs. Diet management is also an option, particularly with iodine-restricted diets designed for hyperthyroid cats, but it is often used in conjunction with other treatments rather than as a standalone primary therapy.

Thus, medication to reduce thyroid hormones is preferred as an initial and primary approach, allowing for control of the condition with fewer immediate risks compared to surgical or radiation options.