Prescription nutrition. Nearly all cats will be cured by a second treatment. Cats also sweat through their paws and the sweat will have trace amounts of radioactive iodine. The dose of radiation used during radioactive iodine treatment is very low, but there are some precautions you'll need to take after treatment: avoid prolonged close contact with children and pregnant women for a few days or weeks women should avoid getting pregnant for at least 6 months men should not father a child for at least 4 months There are virtually no side effects, and there is no pain associated with 131I treatment. What are other nutritional concerns for my hyperthyroid cat? The average age of cats with hyperthyroidism is approximately 12 years and about 5% of hyperthyroid cats are younger than 10 years of age. All bodily fluids in the cat will have trace amounts of radioactive material within them, but it will be most prevalent within the urine. Risks unrelated to radioiodine therapy: Cats treated with radioactive iodine for their hyperthyroidism have several risks unrelated to the radioiodine therapy itself. Supporting Cat Health with Information and Health Studies. While the concept of radiation hormesiswould suggest a potential benefit from exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation by stimulating the immune system's ability to repair DNA, any potential benefit is poorly defined and hence the current recommendations surrounding radiation exposure follow the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) concept. Unfortunately, 131I has a rather high-energy gamma emission that is difficult to shield. . The risks associated with low level ingestion of radioactive iodine relate to an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. At 1 and 3 months after the treatment, a blood test for thyroid and kidney function should be done by your veterinarian. These include surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) or treatment with radioactive iodine. He also can't sleep with you during that time, and the facility will inform you about special arrangements you'll have to make for disposing of his litter. Elevated thyroid hormones stimulate an increased heart rate and a stronger contraction of the heart muscle, and can cause thickening of the left ventricle of the heart over time. Some places realize that the stress of being away from home for so long is not good for older cats. hypothyroidism was only treated if it was associated with clinical signs like excessive weight gain, lethargy, and skin problems. Currently, there's only one FDA approved medication to treat feline hyperthyroidism called methimazole. The brand name of methimazole is called Felimazole. The dosage may vary but typically a cat is given this oral medication twice a day, every 12 hours. . An anti-thyroid medication, like methimazole. GFR results are used to determine the functional status of the kidneys, and identify cats with subclinical renal disease. Surgical removal of the affected thyroid gland(s) may be very effective. Cats afflicted with hyperthyroidism usually develop a variety of signs that may be subtle at first but that become more severe as the disease progresses. After initial stabilisation with oral medications, a number of curative treatments are also available. Surgical patients may become hyperthyroid again if abnormal cells are missed during surgery or if new abnormal cells develop. Within one year after discontinuation of MMI, hyperthyroidism recurred in 104 patients. Many doctors recommend that women avoid becoming pregnant for 6 months to a year after treatment. Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of continuous methimazole (MMI) therapy. Does radioactive iodine treatment cause weight gain? In almost all cases, your thyroid hormone levels will return to normal or below normal after radioactive iodine treatment. If your cat does not have elevated T4 levels but your veterinarian still suspects your cat has hyperthyroidism, additional tests may be recommended. Radioactive iodine (RAI) is a treatment method for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. That was part of the problem we had before treatment. In some cases, complications involving other organs may worsen this prognosis. and Turrel J.M., A Multicompartmental Model for Iodide, Thyroxine, and Triiodothyronine Metabolism in Normal and Spontaneously Hyperthyroid Cats. This is why one of the first signs of thyroid disease may be a change in weight weight gain if the thyroid is underactive and weight loss if the thyroid is overactive. Prognosis There are two types of radiation exposure that your vet is trying to minimizeexternal exposure from the radioactive material within the cat's body, and the radioactive materials in the cat's urine and other bodily fluids released by the cat that you may come into contact with and may end up being ingested or absorbed by you accidentally. Feeding Hyperthyroid Cats Iodine restriction may help; weight loss is a . Nera just had her 3 month checkup and her T4 level is down to 2.3! The overwhelming majority of cats (>95%) are cured by a single therapy with only a small percentage of cats requiring additional radioiodine therapy (4%) or becoming persistently hypothyroid (1%). . When clicking a link here and buying, we may be able to make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. The American Thyroid Association notes that weight gain develops over a long time and may have many causes other than the underactive thyroid. One study looked at patients with Graves' disease who were treated with RAI over five years. For some cats, a veterinary therapeutic diet low in iodine may be all thats required to control symptoms. I-131 is normally a health concern after the . 6. You can't visit Fluffy during his stay at the veterinary facility. 20.1301 Dose limits for individual members of the public. It has to do with how important your thyroid is in regulating your metabolism and your weight. One major risk associated with surgical thyroidectomy is inadvertent damage to the parathyroid glands, which lie close to or within the thyroid gland and are crucial in maintaining stable blood calcium levels. Dietary restriction of iodine is, however, somewhat controversial because of concerns about the effects of long-term iodine restriction on overall health and the possibility that such a diet may actually backfire and worsen hyperthyroidism. However, it may not be the best treatment for your particular cat. Site Help | When an injection of radioactive iodine is given, it destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. In some of these cats, blood pressure can become so high that retinal bleeding or retinal detachment will occur, resulting in sudden blindness. There are fundamental differences between a continuous dose over a year (background radiation) and a dose that occurs over a few seconds like in CT, but these are helpful comparisons. What this means is that occasionally we invest clients economic and perhaps more importantly, emotional resources in treating and resolving hyperthyroidism is cats with other, currently unknown diseases. Also called thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormones (known as T3 and T4) from an enlarged thyroid gland in a cats neck. It is important to drink fluids after your treatment and for the next 2 days. 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. Only the bare necessitiesfood and water and quick litter cleanupsare provided by veterinary technicians during your cat's hospital stay. Aim: Analysis and follow up of body weight after radioiodine therapy (RITh) of hyperthyroidism, since excessive weight gain is a common complaint among these patients. This surgery requires general anesthesia, however, and there might be added risks if older cats have heart, kidney, or other problems that could cause complications. A blood chemistry panel and urinalysis will provide information about other organs and provide your veterinarian with an overall picture of your cats health. Cats havetwo thyroid glands in the neck that are vital in regulating the body's metabolic rate. So, we must use distance and reduction of time near the source when dealing with patients and pets treated with 131I. Radioactive Iodine Therapy The radioactivity carries no significant risk for the cat, but precautionary protective measures are required for people who come into close contact with the cat. People may take RAI . The radioiodine is eliminated in urine and feces. Other therapeutic monitoring. Treatment for Hypothyroidism in Cats. They may develop periodic vomiting or diarrhea, and fur may appear unkempt. If you know that your cat has hyperthyroidism, you probably have already seen your vet in order to have this disease properly treated. Unfortunately these cats may continue to deteriorate and may even die from their other non-thyroid diseases. The advantages of medication are that the drugs are readily available and relatively inexpensive. TheCatSite.com is a community of cat lovers dedicated to quality cat care and cat welfare. under the skin, like a vaccine) and the radioactive iodine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. But those instruments are quite expensive and are not readily available in stores. Let's tackle the external exposure first as it is the simplest concept. If we restrict iodine, production of thyroxine decreases. Clients owning hyperthyroid cats undergoing radioiodine therapy are always considered members of the general public. Want to read more information on feeding your pet? If this is accompanied by clinical signs such as lethargy, obesity, and poor hair coat, then thyroid hormone supplementation may be required. Committee on Environmental Health. If we use the linear no-threshold model we could estimate that the exposure to 1 mSv would therefore have a risk of less than 0.01% (or 1/100th of 1 %) of causing cancer over the remaining life of an adult. You must log in or register to reply here. But there are clear reasons for the precautions that the veterinarian has given you and I also recommend that you follow them. Excessive weight gain. Scaly skin. Of course some cats treated with radioiodine for their hyperthyroidism will go on to get cancer, but in the same proportion as hyperthyroid cats treated with methimazole or surgery. It is actually the best approach to take to minimize exposures to you and your family while allowing the cat to have post-treatment recovery time at home and not in a veterinary hospital. Determination of Release Criteria for I-131 Therapy Cats in Conference Proceedings American College of Veterinary Radiology. Annual blood and urine tests are important in all cats seven years and older to detect hyperthyroidism before potentially irreversible damage occurs. If these tests are not diagnostic, athyroid scan (thyroid scintigraphy)can be performed at a veterinary referral center, or the TT4 can be measured again in a few weeks. The majority of cats treated with radioactive iodine have normal hormone levels within one to two weeks of treatment. Hence additional separation between the patient and children are unnecessary. Weigh the pros and cons of various treatments and discuss options with your vet. Cats also sweat through their paws and the sweat will have trace amounts of radioactive iodine. More specific information on what to expect when your cat is treated with radioactive-iodine therapy at Cornell can be found here. A veterinarian who suspects a cat has a thyroid problem will conduct a physical examination and palpate the cats neck area to check for an enlarged thyroid gland (see Figure 2). Survival Times for Cats with Hyperthyroidism Treated with Iodine 131, Methimazole, or Both, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part020/, Determination of Release Criteria for I-131 Therapy Cats, Risk of Ionizing Radiation Exposure to Children: A Subject Review, Hormesis: From Marginalization to Mainstream: A Case for Hormesis as the Default Dose-Response Model in Risk Assessment. Studies show that weight gain is inevitable after radioiodine-induced hypothyroidism. Radioactive iodine therapy is a very effective way to treat hyperthyroidism (I-131). It might not be an option for a frail cat who shouldn't undergo anesthesia. Should we just cut him off "cold turkey" (pun intended) and hope he finds fulfillment and eventual weight gain with his old diet of dry food? Radioactive iodine may also affect a woman's ovaries, and some women may have irregular periods for up to a year after treatment. The prognosis for cats with hyperthyroidism is generally good with appropriate therapy. If you can't bear to be away from him, or if he becomes very stressed or frightened when you're not around, that isolation could be difficult. Many times the only symptoms these other conditions cause are weight loss. Cats receive a single dose of radioactive iodine by either subcutaneous injection or by a capsule given by mouth. However, your cat will still have a low amount of radiation in his or her body. To help your cat gain weight, you need to increase the protein and . The treatment options for hyperthyroidism are: Oral medication. Cats may also continue to show signs of hyperthyroidism, including vomiting and diarrhea, for 3-4 weeks after the radioiodine therapy as the disease continues to resolve. And, if you destroy your thyroid gland, it turns out that that may have consequences on your metabolism. Finally, thyroid hormone has a role in kidney function and blood flow that may result in either directly damaging the kidney or obscuring underlying kidney disease that your cat may already have. . Despite the extensive blood and urine tests, chest x-rays and physical exams that we require before . Ten patients (6.4%) had DS (Down Syndrome) and 33 (21.0%) had received ATDs before RAI ablation. Special attention should be given to the thyroid glands to look for evidence of enlargement and the clinical signs of hyperthyroidism. (a) Each licensee shall conduct operations so that -. Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; Krista Williams, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM; Ernest Ward, DVM. This means that our radioactive materials license requires our practice ensure that our clients receive less than 1 mSv of radiation exposure as the result of our treatment of their hyperthyroid cat with radioiodine. Once his radiation levels come down and you can bring him home, you still have to keep him away from young children and pregnant women, as he'll pass small amounts of radioactive iodine through his urine for approximately two weeks. Try mixing baby food chicken or turkey in with some Fancy Feast. While my facility does not treat cats with radioactive 131I, I have consulted with a veterinary medicine program at a nearby university that does perform these types of procedures to get myself in the "cat-patient" mode of thought. Get exceptional Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Feline Hyperthyroidism services from highly experienced & loving pet care professionals in Downers Grove, IL. Depending on the dose of radioactive iodine chosen, and the disease under treatment (Grave's vs toxic goitre, vs hot nodule etc), success rate in achieving definitive resolution of the hyperthyroidism . Your cat may be hospitalized for one to two nights following surgery and should begin to eat and behave normally after returning home. Wet food is much better for him anyhow, so this is a good time to get him settled on it. At the time of discharge, exposure levels measured at 6 feet from the patient are virtually indistinguishable from background levels. Radioactive iodine therapy offers a cure through a simple injection that returns thyroid function to normal levels. Clinical signs include lethargy, dullness, obesity, oily skin, and matted fur. Standards for Protection against Radiation. There are currently no known preventive measures for hyperthyroidism, but early diagnosis decreases the secondary problems and improves the prognosis. Additionally, diet may play a significant role in managing the disease, whether as a sole treatment or as an adjunct tool to address changes in your cats body related to hyperthyroidism. You may gain weight after you undergo radioactive iodine treatment. Exposure to high levels of dietary iodine may cause susceptible cats to develop hyperthyroidism. The three ways that we control exposures to external sources of radiation are time, distance, and shielding. What may work for one cat may not work for another. Thank you! Thus, pate is a better choice for your cat than gravy food due to the latter's higher . And I'm so glad she did, since her kidney disease (that unmasked after methimazole treatment) went from Stage 1 chronic to Stage 4 acute on chronic last weekend. However, since wild-caught flaked Alaskan salmon is the first ingredient, it provides a lot of moisture. Diagnosis Purraise. 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. These include an iodine-restricted diet, medications, and radioactive iodine therapy. How long can a cat live after radioactive iodine treatment? 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. Hyperthyroidism is too much thyroid hormone that causes weight loss so kitty should gain some weight back to a normal amount after treatment. Cats are homed in our spacious, purpose-built radioactive iodine unit and cared for by our dedicated team of radioiodine nurses. In some cases, a decrease in blood platelets (thrombocytopenia) may also occur. If your cat is showing signs of illness or depression, please contact PVESC. During treatment, radioactive iodine is administered as an injection and is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. For the same reasons as surgical treatment, your cat will likely be started on methimazole for about a month before radioactive iodine therapy. Treatment for hypothyroidism in cats is . It is acceptable to feed your feline products containing at least 30% protein and less than 15% carbohydrates. Why? Recurrence of the disease is a possibility in some cats. Risks from other illness. Hypocalcemia can be life-threatening and may require either short-term or long-term medication postoperatively should it occur. Several complications of hyperthyroidism can be significant, includinghypertension(high blood pressure) and a heart disease called thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy.
Because of these rare but serious side effect risks, your cat will need to be closely monitored by having simple blood tests performed every three to six months when using this medication. 4. In an effort to put some weight back on him we are still feeding him turkey and gravy baby food in the morning to supplement the dry food. The advantages of radioactive iodine therapy are that the procedure most often cures hyperthyroidism, has no serious side effects, and does not require anesthesia. You should use the following methods for disposing of your cat's waste that may contain trace amounts of radiation.