Already have a myVCA account? Radioactive iodine (I-131) is a very safe and effective treatment for hyperthyroidism. 8. Gained over three pounds! Jeff Brunette, CHP, Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. A small number of cats will remain hyperthyroid after treatment, if this is the case your cat will need . Also, you might get some good ideas about what to feed him on Dr. Lisa Pierson's web site. Of 135 patients with documented pubertal status . Also, I wonder if there is home-testing equipment to track the household dispersal of the radioactive contaminants that he emits after his treatment and something else to monitor and determine my exposure to the 131I remnants. To scientifically prove a connection would require nearly one million patients followed closely over decades to detect the small increased risk with any confidence. In cases where radioactive iodine therapy is not successful, the treatment can be repeated. Thyroid hormones affect nearly all of the organs in the body; therefore, thyroid disease often causes secondary problems. However, it may not be the best treatment for your particular cat. Hair loss. Only about 5% of hyperthyroid cats are younger than 10. In the US, the average person is exposed to an additional 3.0 mSv/yr from medical sources (predominantly CT scans). When choosing the best therapy for an individual cat, many factors must be considered. 101(4 Pt 1): p. 717-9. hypothyroidism was only treated if it was associated with clinical signs like excessive weight gain, lethargy, and skin problems. Radioactive iodine (RAI) is a treatment method for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. Certain studies suggest that in some hyperthyroid cats, limiting the amount of iodine in the diet may be a viable option for treating this disease. To help your cat gain weight, you need to increase the protein and . radioactive iodine All three treatments will reduce thyroid hormone levels and the signs of hyperthyroidism. Radioactive-iodine therapy is becoming increasingly popular when dealing with hyperthyroidism in cats. Montreal. What are other nutritional concerns for my hyperthyroid cat? However, these options tend to be expensive and not possible for all pet owners. The risks associated with low level ingestion of radioactive iodine relate to an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. During treatment, radioactive iodine is administered as an injection and is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Hyperthyroidism is a common condition in older cats because of an excess of circulating thyroid hormone, called thyroxine. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, is responsible for the bodys metabolism. Affected cats produce too much thyroid hormone. (For example, for human patients we provide instructions such as "sleep in separate beds" and "stay at least 1 meter away from others as much as possible.") So, we must use distance and reduction of time near the source when dealing with patients and pets treated with 131I. Medications for hyperthyroidism in cats are prescribed on a case by case basis. Each treatment option has its advantages and disadvantages. It is best to perform a nuclear scan before surgery to rule out ectopic thyroid tissue. Treatment usually requires one or two weeks of hospitalization at a veterinary hospital licensed to administer radiation therapy. Def scared about this possibility with Fluff, Our cat was treated for hyperthyroidism and has been back home for about two weeks. Although the thyroid gland enlarges in hyperthyroidism, it is usually a benign or non-malignant change. of the radioactive iodine into your body because, just like the cat, any 131I intake you have will result in an uptake by your thyroid and in larger quantities could result in significant thyroid dose. Signs of anxiety in a cat including pacing, yowling for no apparent reason, and restlessness are a common symptom of feline hyperthyroidism. Only certain facilities perform this procedure, which consists of giving your cat a shot of radioactive iodine, which gets rid of abnormal thyroid cells without harming normal ones. In some cats, anorexia develops as the disease progresses. What is taken up by the thyroid will be released slowly over the next days/weeks to the other bodily fluids which is why they have the precautions that you describe. It has the advantage of being curative in most cases with no ongoing treatment. Treatment usually includes an adjustment to your cat's diet, medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery. Oftentimes it takes decades for cancer to be detected following radiation exposure. For the same reasons as surgical treatment, your cat will likely be started on methimazole for about a month before radioactive iodine therapy. Nuclear Medicine Patient Issues Questions Concerning Domestic Animals. As with surgery, you may need to take thyroid hormone . Ultrasound of the heart (called echocardiography) may be recommended based on your cat's condition, especially if there is any concern about cardiomyopathy. As for equipment for tracking radioactive contamination, there really is no readily available "home-testing" equipment. With this therapy, you take radioactive iodine (radioiodine) by mouth. Although this procedure is usually very effective, it is more expensive and requires the cat being . If this is the case with your cat, paying special attention to specific nutrients such as dietary phosphorus (a key player in chronic kidney disease) may be required. That was part of the problem we had before treatment. The risks of ingesting radioactive iodine and the risks of being around a patient that has been treated with radioactive iodine are very different. I have a cat also and I know when she is happy and purring while sitting on my lap getting strokes, she drools. In some cases, a decrease in blood platelets (thrombocytopenia) may also occur. The study followed people for 26 years after two or more treatments. Regardless of the medication, blood tests should be conducted periodically during treatment to evaluate whether the therapy is effective and to monitor kidney function and for potential side effects. This I131 injection accumulates in the abnormal thyroid tissue, and the radioactivity kills the abnormal tissue without harming other vital structures nearby. The majority of cats treated with radioactive iodine have normal hormone levels within one to two weeks of treatment. 5. Generally, about 5 to 10 pounds of excess weight can likely be attributed to the lack of thyroid hormones that occurs in people diagnosed with hypothyroidism. This may be particularly useful in cats with medical conditions that make other treatment options impossible. The ALARA recommendation follows the classic "less is more" argument and hence adherence to this philosophy suggests that exposures to ionizing radiation should be minimized whenever possible. Giving him medication once or twice a day isn't an option, although if it's a medication that can be mixed in with his food, it's something you could discuss with the veterinary staff at the facility. Despite the extensive blood and urine tests, chest x-rays and physical exams that we require before . Prominent in the regulations established by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for radioactive materials users are guidelines that limit exposure to radiation workers, and members of the general public. The most common clinical signs of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, increased appetite, and increased thirst and urination. . You'll have to give him this drug twice daily for the rest of his life, which treats but doesn't cure the condition. Thyroidectomy (largely replaced by radioactive iodine . Weight gain after RAI is typical. A single injection is given subcutaneously (i.e. Since hyperthyroidism can predispose a cat to other conditions, it is important to evaluate general health, with particular focus on the heart and kidneys. In most cases, enlargement of thyroid glands is caused by a non-cancerous tumor called an adenoma. The advantages of medication are that the drugs are readily available and relatively inexpensive. She has spoken at national and international conferences and a Capitol Hillbriefing, and is an expert in pet obesity, nutrition communication, and in the human-animal bond. A special diet for cats with hyperthyroidism. At 1 and 3 months after the treatment, a blood test for thyroid and kidney function should be done by your veterinarian. Get exceptional Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Feline Hyperthyroidism services from highly experienced & loving pet care professionals in Downers Grove, IL. One study looked at patients with Graves' disease who were treated with RAI over five years. What may work for one cat may not work for another. Side effects may include fluid retention, weight gain, elevated . These tests are needed to evaluate your cats overall health and predict the likelihood of complications with the chosen treatment protocol. They may develop periodic vomiting or diarrhea, and fur may appear unkempt. When an injection of radioactive iodine is given, it destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. Amazingly despite over 35 years of veterinary experience treating hyperthyroid cats with radioiodine there are virtually no reported side effects. You may also be advised to suck on sour candy after treatment to help the radioactive iodine come out in your saliva. I might even suggest using disposable gloves when handling the litter box duties and when caring for the cat during the isolation time. A standard Chest x-ray is 0.1 mSv. While I do not know the amount of radioactive 131I that was administered to your cat, the recommendations that your veterinarian has given you are very standard for the industry. Before treatment he was ravenous and losing weight -- typical of cats with that disorder I'm told. Dietary Therapy Excessive weight gain. The most common clinical sign of hyperthyroidism is weight loss due to the increased rate of metabolism despite an increased appetite. It has to do with how important your thyroid is in regulating your metabolism and your weight. In most cases, only enough radioiodine is given to destroy that part of the gland that is functioning . All three have risks and benefits. What about radioactive iodine treatment for children and teenagers? Feeding an iodine-limited diet (Hills Prescription Diet y/d) can resolve clinical signs and lower thyroid hormone concentration. When the dose of radiation to the thyroid is very low, like might occur by accidental ingestion of litter box contents, then mutations leading to cancer can ensue. A large study found an increase in some cancer types in people who had radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism compared with the general population. As for your dose, my primary concernespecially if you were allowing the cat to have direct, prolonged contact within the first week of releasewould be the potentially contaminated materials that could result in your intake of radioactive 131I. Limit close contact (closer than 1 foot) to one hour per day. Most cats with uncomplicated hyperthyroidism will live several years following treatment of hyperthyroidism, unless they develop another disease. If thyroid disease is a possibility, your veterinarian will likely order a blood chemistry panel and an analysis of thyroid hormone levels.
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