Update Oct. 22, 2015: The following study is closed.

Cornell invites cat owners to register their pets in a free hyperthyroidism study at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine as part of a collaborative project that will further the understanding of treatment options for hyperthyroidism in felines.

To preregister or get more information, contact Angela Struble at 607-253-3060 or ams29@cornell.edu. All costs incurred at Cornell will be covered by the study, which is sponsored by Hills.

To participate, the cat must be an indoor-only cat that has increased levels of the thyroid hormone but is otherwise in good health, as confirmed by the cat’s veterinarian. The screening, which is ongoing, will require six visits, two of which will be overnight visits to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. Initial and one-year visits will include cardiology exams (also complimentary) and a scintigraphy test to pinpoint the location and size of the nodules. Accommodations for cats whose owners would find it difficult to travel to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, may be made in partnership with regional veterinarians.

“Currently, there are several treatments for cats with hyperthyroidism, all with various pros and cons,” said Joseph Wakshlag, assistant professor of nutrition at the College of Veterinary Medicine. “This study will help us determine if there is an additional, viable option – using a specially formulated prescription cat food to control thyroid hormone levels – that may make sense for some patients. Early results in some hard-to-control cats are promising and may be an option for some cats that are too old or have indications where radioactive iodine treatment is not an option.”