Feline thyroid storm: rapid recognition to improve patient survival.

In human medicine, thyroid storm is a well-recognized condition of acute thyrotoxicosis in which the patient's metabolic, thermoregulatory, and cardiovascular mechanisms are overwhelmed by excessive circulating levels of thyroid hormone. The etiology is unknown, but multiple precipitating factors have been proposed. Hyperthyroid cats presenting in thyrotoxic crisis have clinical signs similar to those of human thyroid storm patients; however, thyroid storm has not yet been fully characterized in veterinary medicine. Early recognition and prompt, appropriate treatment of this life-threatening condition are essential to obtaining a favorable outcome.