This reduces the size of the gland and its ability to produce thyroid hormone. Each dose ordered is ordered specifically for an individual patient. It is the same treatment that is often used for people suffering from hyperthyroidism. Are there any side effects from radioactive iodine ablation? The treatment entails a one-time injection of radiation-emitting iodine, which is taken up preferentially by the thyroid … Hyperthyroidism is caused by a tumor of the thyroid gland. Even the 2% of cats that are not completely cured after one treatment do show some lowering in their circulating thyroid hormone concentrations and improve significantly clinically. The isolation room needs to be a room in the house that is separate from living quarters. What side effects may I see? This is the result of the mildly inflammatory reaction in the thyroid while the body … Can hyperthyroidism reoccur after being treated with radio iodine? Owners are asked to spend minimal time in the isolation room, as patients are still emitting a low level of radiation. Compare the costs and continued costs of medically treated hyperthyroidism, thyroid surgery, twice daily insulin treatments for diabetes, fractured limb repairs, treating congestive heart failure, treating chronic liver and kidney disease and then compare the curing of hyperthyroidism. Occasionally, high dose cats may exhibit signs of a sore throat or a hoarse meow for a few days following treatment. Human patients receive 50 to 100 times the dose and they work beside you or sit on the bus or plane beside you, the very next day! In these extreme cases, the medication must be discontinued immediately. If your cat has stayed in a treatment facility for the typical 4 day period, your cat will be discharged into your care and will need to be in isolation at home for 1-2 weeks. Some people may have one or more of the following short term side effects: Inflammation of the salivary glands . Please bring your cat in a carrier to the treatment center at the scheduled time of your appointment. If your veterinarian is suspicious of this diagnosis, they can consult with a radio iodine trained veterinarian for further guidance. We do not spend extra time with the patients because it is important to limit staff exposure. If your veterinarian has referred to us before, he or she is already very familiar with these requirements. Radioactive iodine treatment. I-131 doses are ordered to the specific needs of individual patients. If your veterinarian does not have digital x-ray and has not already emailed our treatment facility chest radiographs, you will have to hand carry the film copies of the x-rays to your appointment. Also the litter box should have a liner inside. It severely damages the heart, kidneys and liver by making these organs work harder and work overtime. Radioactive iodine treatment is also known as radioiodine treatment. Administration of radio iodine dose by veterinary professionals. The level in which your cat is discharged is much lower that the levels at which human patients are discharged from the hospital. Before pursuing radio iodine treatment, your veterinarian will perform a full physical examination and run blood work. This includes food and litter. If hyperthyroidism persists for longer than three to six months after treatment, re-treatment with radio iodine is generally recommended to cure the disorder. A current blood chemistry profile, blood pressure, and a urinalysis with specific gravity by refractometer are needed. Of all cats treated, 94% require only one injection and less than 3% need follow-up treatment. You may feed your cat the day of treatment, but we do ask no food 1 hour prior to transporting as some feline patients experience nausea in the car (especially longer car rides). This means snuggling and sleeping together and the cat cannot sleep in your bedroom. After the consultation, the treating veterinarian will perform a physical examination and your cat will then be given their radio iodine dose and admitted to the hospital for monitoring for four days. I am certain that your veterinarian probably told you to take care when handling the litter … Removing hyperthyroidism will make treating other diseases easier. What happens if hyperthyroidism goes untreated? I-131 therapy, in contrast, has almost no side effects and has a cure rate around 95 percent. Methimazole was developed for human use in hyperthyroid patients who were diagnosed during pregnancy, on a short waiting list for radioactive iodine treatment, or terminally ill. Background: Treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) often involves administration of radioactive iodine (I-131) for remnant ablation or adjuvant therapy. What you are referring to is the State of Colorado mandate that your cat must stay with us in our nuclear medicine ward for a few days until levels of radioiodine in their bodies fall below State guidelines. Some people experience side effects from treatment, but these problems usually only last a short time. Treatment options for hyperthyroidism include surgery (if one lobe is involved), diet to reduce iodine exposure (using a prescription diet), medical treatment with methimazole (Tapazole®), or I-131 radioactive therapy. Feline Hyperthyroidism may be treated with medicine, surgery, or radioactive iodine: Medical therapy for feline hyperthyroidism (methimazole - Tapazole®) is required daily, is a life-long treatment, and does not cure the cat's hyperthyroid condition. The medication is safe and effective for most cats. These instructions may vary slightly by treatment center. Full physical exam by the treating veterinarian. If your cat will not use flushable litter, then we will teach you how to use non-flushable litter and store the waste until it is safe to discard. Most practices will run the urinalysis in house. If other underlying diseases are present, then their treatment will be needed. Your cat will be fed after they receive their radio iodine treatment. If your cat eats a particular kind of food, we suggest that you bring portions of that so as not to interrupt your cat’s normal eating habits. When taken into the body, a large percentage of radio iodine accumulates in the thyroid gland. Loss of taste or taste change. Just go ahead and treat the cat, and then let us board him or her for the two week restrictive period following release. Radioactive Iodine I-131 (also called Radioiodine I-131) therapy is a treatment for an overactive thyroid, a condition called hyperthyroidism. It is not injected into the thyroid gland. This might sound a bit scary but it is the current treatment of choice for most hyperthyroid cats as it is a safe and effective cure. Please note, because each radio iodine dose is specific to individual patients, a cancellation fee of $250.00 will be charged for appointments canceled less than 48 hours before the appointment time. Cats can typically tolerate low thyroid levels without supplementation in many cases. Cats also sweat through their paws and the sweat will have trace amounts of radioactive iodine. In addition, such reoccurrences usually develop three years or longer after the hyperthyroidism was first treated. While there are no direct side effects, we sometimes see the cat become quiet, almost lethargic and eat less during a transient period before the atrophied normal tissue begins to make hormone. Wash hands like normal after removing latex gloves. Compared to people cats receive quite a low dose of radioactive iodine-131 for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. It is uncommon in hyperthyroid patients to have primary liver disease. Treat early for a cure! Giving the treatment (day 1): Your cat will be assessed to determine if it is a suitable candidate for radioiodine treatment and the radioactive iodine dose will be determined. I-131 is administered to hyperthyroid cats by a subcutaneous injection. As DTC has favorable outcome and the incidence is increasing, concerns have been raised about the possible adverse effects of I-131 therapy. This What are the risks to my family when my cat comes home? Treating veterinarians will decide the dose based on diagnostics performed by your veterinarian. This is because they are much smaller than people and have smaller thyroid glands. Inspired by the VIN community, part of the VIN family, Consult with your veterinarian before stopping medication or prescription diet. Its effect is partial at best. It is also required that your cat has a urinalysis performed as well as two radiograph views of the chest. Your cat will then need to be isolated in a room in your home for a period of 1-2 weeks. And if your veterinarian is the one referring your cat, it is 99% likely that these tests have already been completed. In its radioactive state, it undergoes a natural process (decay) in which it gives off radiation. The end result can be total heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure, and the collapse of all systems. If your cat is either being managed with Methimazole/Tapazole/Felimazole or prescription diet and you have decided to pursue the radio iodine treatment the following needs to be done: Our studies have shown that a single dose of radio iodine is effective in curing hyperthyroidism in over 98% of cats that are treated. There are additional restrictions about handling your cat if you are pregnant, but the restrictions can be easily managed. The beta particles travel a maximum of 2-5 mm in tissue; therefore, beta-particles are locally destructive but spare adjacent hypo plastic thyroid tissue, parathyroid glands and other cervical structures. On Mondays, so that all our patients can go home the same week. Wearing latex gloves, scoop the litter box as needed making sure to flush all urine and feces. The blood chemistry must include a T4 or T4 and Free T4 (for borderline cases) which is run at a reference (outside) lab. Urine and feces cannot be placed in the trash while in the isolation period. Radioactive Iodine Treatment (I-131) is the only non-surgical definitive treatment for hyperthyroidism. When was the last time you heard the word “cure” used with any major, chronic medical condition? Numerous reports in the veterinary literature advocate the use of radioiodine treatment for cats with thyroid adenoma and carcinoma. Please call us for the details if that need exists. If a cat develops hypothyroidism as a result of treatment, medication can easily correct the thyroid level. It is well recognised as the best way to treat this disease and is used by veterinarians world-wide. Most elevated liver enzymes are associated with the rise in thyroid hormones, and go back to normal after radio-iodine treatment. 1 hour appointment with the treating veterinarian to describe in detail the treatment and after care. Cats appear to be very resistant to the effects of radiation compared to humans (5 to 10 times). Systemic 131 Iodine therapy is a widely accepted treatment modality for cats with hyperthyroidism. A phone consultation is done with one of our treatment centers to ensure your cat is a candidate for treatment. After your cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism by your veterinarian, you will be given options to either medically manage the disease, or treat the hyperthyroidism with radio iodine therapy. Radio-iodine at therapeutic doses has no known side-effects because the radio-iodine concentrates only in the thyroid tissue. The radiation destroys the thyroid tumor cells and thus treats the hyperthyroid condition. It was never intended for long term use, not even in humans. The cost to value ratio is amazing. Studies have shown that radio-iodine patients live 2-3 times longer than methimazole treated patients, while the overall costs are 2-4 times higher for methimazole treated patients. Always see … Radio-iodine specifically concentrates only in thyroid tissue and targets the active tumor cells. Cats treated … Additionally, 20% of patients who have received methimazole become sick and have rising liver enzymes. Occasionally, a cat will develop hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid gland) after treatment with radio iodine. Most patients do not have side effects from radioactive iodine ablation. Monday – Friday: 7:00am – 6:00pm Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm Sunday: Closed, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). While most cats tolerate the medication, the long term costs and delivery problems make it a second-line choice in most patients. When attending to your cat in its isolation room, wear latex gloves. The radio iodine is given as a single dose on the day your cat is admitted to our treatment facilities for care. Due to the nature of the treatment, visitation is not permitted. The current fee for Radioactive Iodine varies based on the dose . The beta particles are particularly lethal to the thyroid tumor cells. Temporary side effects of RAI may include: Neck tenderness and swelling. Isolation periods after treatment are a requirement by the NRC because your cat is still emitting low levels of radiation at discharge. We rarely see a cat develop a "sore throat" 3-7 days after the therapy. This result typically takes about two days. Unfortunately, no. These treatment … I-131 Appointments We also recommend bringing food your cat is accustomed too, as well as any medications your cat may be on. With other medical management (such as administration of methimazole or use of the prescription diet) frequent veterinary follow up exams as well as the monitoring of blood values is required. This allows our treating veterinarians to get an idea of the hyperthyroid state without the medication in the system. The litter needs to be flushable. Over 20% of patients cannot tolerate this medication. Just that quickly, your routine returns to normal. Primary and age related diseases will need to be treated as separate medical conditions (heart, liver, kidneys). Most of the radioactive iodine has been eliminated from your cat’s system when he or she goes home. … Occasionally, a cat will develop hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid gland) after treatment with radio iodine. Radio-iodine in human and in veterinary medicine is the gold standard of care, and all other therapies are much less effective and/or dangerous. What is my cat’s stay at Cat Specialist like? At discharge, your cat will be examined again and another consultation will occur, making sure there are no questions regarding the at-home isolation period. The iodine is then taken up by the thyroid glands and its radioactivity destroys the overactive thyroid cells. For those households with children and/or pregnant women- the isolation period is 2 weeks. Although most cats have a benign (non-cancerous) tumor, if there are masses present in the lung a malignant tumor of the thyroid gland may be present. As the tumor grows and the level of thyroid hormones rises, progressive damage to all organs of the body dramatically increases. Also medical management must be done for the life of the cat and will never CURE the hyperthyroidism but only manage it. Flushable brands of litter can be found a pet stores. This can cause symptoms such as … Radio-iodine is the radioactive isotope Iodine-131. Personal items (such as beds, towels or toys) cannot be placed in your cat’s cage due to the risk of contamination. Radiotherapy treatments are usually performed on a machine (called a linear accelerator) that delivers a Treatment with radioactive iodine is a very safe procedure for your cat, is not at all painful and has no serious side effects. Due to the half-life of the radio iodine, your cat will be at its highest radioactive level while in our treatment facilities. There are many It destroys thyroid tumours, thereby curing hyperthyroidism. One form of iodine, I-131, is radioactive. Hyperthyroidism as it progresses causes the liver to be overworked and become damaged. Even though your cat … We are allowed to administer any medications your cat needs. Chest x-rays or radiographs will screen for any masses in the lungs. Vaccinations are for the protection of our staff (rabies) and for all our feline patients. Treats are allowed and will be given freely to your cat. Whoever will be caring your cat while in the isolation period should attend the consultation appointment. Our nuclear medicine ward was designed for extended stay, featuring a private ward with oversized cages complete with second story balconies and soft kitty beds. Some cats seem to experience mild discomfort of the thyroid region at the beginning of therapy, but this resolves itself spontaneously and does not cause a problem. The treatment itself takes about a minute. Overall, side effects of radioactive iodine treatment are extremely rare. Cats need to be hospitalized for 24-hours following this scan to prevent owner exposure to radiation. Virtually all cats that remain hyperthyroid after the first treatment are cured after the second treatment. *Tuesday appointments available 9am-12pm, pet drop-off and pick-up from 8am - 6pm. These are very high risk patients with questionable outcomes. Your cat has received an extremely small dose of radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine therapy is generally very effective and has few side effects. My cat is indoor only and has not been vaccinated in many years. Our staff takes special precaution to be safe and are well trained to provide safety tips to owners for at-home care. You may, however, call as often as needed to check on the status of your cat. This treatment is frequently necessary for overcoming thyroid diseases, including hyperthyroid. This is a lifelong treatment that is safe, reliable and inexpensive. We aim to give the safest, lowest, effective dose to each cat. It must be increased or in some cases decreased or stopped as the disease continues to advance until many cats cannot be controlled with medication. Remember, our nurses all love cats! Most cats go home on the third day; higher dose cats will stay longer. This is because your unborn baby is more susceptible to the effects of radiation than you are. It is a common misconception that methimazole will stop this. Iodine is an element required for normal health. But we serve 2 (3 if indicated) meals each day, clean litterboxes, and we are allowed to play with the cats while we are doing our chores. The treatment is a capsule that is given orally, typically on Tuesday or Wednesday. So, if your cat is ill (excluding mild lethargy and a mild decrease in appetite) after returning home, do not consider this normal. Cure the one early that has the potential to kill your cat: hyperthyroidism. Cats appear to be very resistant to the effects of radiation compared to humans (5 to 10 times). Are there side effects or risks of therapy? It is suitable for those of you who want to avoid surgery, anesthesia, and antithyroid medicines for your cat. Side effects such as poor appetite, vomiting, lethargy, skin irritations and blood count changes can however occur in some cats. Short-term side effects of RAI treatment may include: Neck tenderness and swelling; Nausea and vomiting; Swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands; Dry mouth; Taste changes If a primary liver problem remains, it should be worked up as a separate, underlying disease. Such relapses may indicate the development of a new thyroid tumor causing the recurring hyperthyroidism, rather than a relapse from the first tumor that was treated with radio iodine. After 1-2 weeks of isolation, your cat is then able to return to all areas of your home. Most cats settle in very quickly and seem to really enjoy our scheduled visits. Dry mouth/insufficient salivary production. My vet says we should give her methimazole. Why will hyperthyroidism ultimately kill my cat? No. Advantages of systemic iodine therapy over medical or surgical treatment for cats with hyperthyroidism are that this procedure is … Other cats experience liver toxicity, immune-mediated disease, and facial excoriation as the result of itchy skin. On the day of your appointment, you will have a 1 hour consultation with the treating veterinarian. The decreased appetite and lethargy is due to accumulation of toxins that were previously being excreted by the kidneys. Hyperthyroidism is a major endocrine disease that can be cured. We can do the treatment on a different day, at your request, but we do charge an extra fee for that because our nuclear pharmacy must make a special delivery to us. Blood work enables veterinarians to screen for other disease processes to ensure your cat is otherwise healthy. Radioactive iodine therapy is a safe, effective and permanent treatment for cats with over active thyroid glands. The only major concern is the development of feline hypothyroidism following treatment. If this goes on longer, please inform the nursing staff, as an anti- Occasionally, high dose cats may exhibit signs of a sore throat or a hoarse meow for a few days following treatment. Tests required prior to treatment (blood work, urinalysis and chest radiographs) are not included in this price. Radioactive iodine or I131 therapy is the treatment of choice for cats with hyperthyroidism. Cats are monitored two to three times daily by licensed veterinary technicians and the treating veterinarian. Dosage of methimazole needs to be continually monitored. A few need a second dose to treat the uncommon cancer form of the disease. Dry eyes. When a cat (or a person) is hyperthyroid, the normal thyroid tissue has “gone to sleep.” The normal tissue has responded to feedback signals from the body that tell it to stop making the hormone. Some cats seem to experience mild discomfort of the thyroid region (thyroiditis) at the beginning of therapy, … Results: After radioiodine treatment, 76.8% of the patients reported intermediate (from discharge up to 3 mo) or long-term (more than 3 mo after treatment) complaints, and 61.1% reported long-term side effects. Other Saturdays for Boarding drop-off and pick-up ONLY. The treatment involves a single injection of radioactive iodine, given under the skin at the back of the neck which is performed with the cat under light sedation. Radio iodine is a form of iodine that has been made radioactive. Maybe. Owner Consultation and safety training by nuclear trained veterinary staff members. It destroys thyroid tumours, thereby curing hyperthyroidism. Hospitalisation (day 2): Cats are closely monitored in our cat … Please view our locations sections for specifics of payment options. As such, the normal tissue is not taking up iodine (radioactive or … Our highly trained veterinary staff will then care for and monitor your cat until the time of discharge. If you have neck tenderness, over-the-counter pain relievers usually help. Your cat should be brought in a carrier- this will be necessary for transport back to your home after discharge. In some cases, one year of medical management will cost almost the same as a single treatment of radio iodine. A spare bedroom or second bathroom are typically the most popular isolation rooms. Two weeks after discharge from one of our treatment facilities, your cat should return to your veterinarian for a full physical examination and to have blood work done to verify the success of treatment. There is no need to let your cat suffer from hyperthyroidism. Payment is due in full the day of treatment to the treating facility and methods of payment may vary based on location. In hospital care in our treatment facilities. If this is done, both the owner and treating facility will be fined by the government. In fact, your cat will be measured and only discharged if radioactive levels are at a safe level for at home isolation. Important information regarding safety and care will be discussed during this consultation. What should I know? When my cat is cured of hyperthyroidism, will all his/her other medical problems be cured? Methimazole does not stop the growth of the thyroid tumor, has a short drug half-life of effectiveness, and has an extremely high rate of drug reactions. 96% of radio-iodine treated cats cured with one dose. However, the general effectiveness, ease of application and low pain levels associated with the radioactive iodine therapy as a method of dealing your pet's …
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