If your cat has lost serious weight recently or is showing abnormal appetite, these may be symptomatic of a much greater problem.

Thousands of cats have been diagnosed nationwide with a disease called hyperthyroidism. Though the illness isn’t new, its prevalence in felines has grown exponentially in recent years and may very well stem from some household items.

Dr. Kelly Byam, veterinarian at the Abel Pet Clinic in Elk Grove and pet expert Gina Spadafori have the latest on this disease in this week’s Pet Tales.