PDF FAQs: Feline Hyperthyroidism and Radioiodine Treatment - UW Veterinary Care Despite the extensive blood and urine tests, chest x-rays and physical exams that we require before radioiodine therapy, some of these conditions remain undiagnosed at the time of radioiodine therapy. Radioactive iodine for cats - is it worth it? - Vet Help Direct Hyperthyroidism | International Cat Care Radioiodine Outpatient Information - The Cat Clinic The most common clinical sign of hyperthyroidism is weight loss due to the increased rate of metabolism despite an increased appetite. The remainder is gone in about the next two months or so. Radioactive iodine (RAI) is a treatment method for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. You should talk with your veterinarian about what diets may be best for him in this case. Subpart D-Radiation Dose Limits for Individual Members of the Public The treatment a cat receives for hyperthyroidism will depend on specific circumstances, including the patients overall health status, the owners ability and willingness to medicate the cat regularly, and financial considerations. What are the risks of my cat becoming hypothyroid? Jeff Brunette, CHP, Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. However, because your cat will be radioactive for several days after receiving the shot, precautions must be taken during and after the treatment. Miles K.G., Simpson S.A., Zimmerman R.B., et al. However, these options tend to be expensive and not possible for all pet owners. 197(2): p. 125-136. However, unless the retinal detachment is treated immediately, permanent blindness can occur. The radioactive iodine is administered as a single injection . However, because your cat will be radioactive for several days after receiving the shot, precautions must be taken during and after the treatment. This can best be done by monitoring your cats body condition, muscle condition, and weight. How long can a cat live after radioactive iodine treatment? This treatment involves administering an injection of iodine with a radioactive substance attached. Methimazole blocks excess thyroid hormone production rather than destroying the abnormal thyroid tissue, so the medication must be given for the rest of the cat's life. What Treats Can I Give my Dog with CalciumOxalateStones? The thyroid cells are damaged or destroyed, but that's the whole idea other cells are left untouched. Because of strict treatment guidelines, most facilities will not allow visitors during this quarantine period. 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 Get exceptional Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Feline Hyperthyroidism services from highly experienced & loving pet care professionals in Downers Grove, IL. If you suspect your cat might be experiencing some of these symptoms, the next step is visiting your veterinarian for a blood test to check your cats thyroid hormone levels. 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. Ideally, the total GFR should be above 2.25 mL/min/kg. If this is accompanied by clinical signs such as lethargy, obesity, and poor hair coat, then thyroid hormone supplementation may be required. 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. Part 20, Standards for protection against radiation You may also be advised to suck on sour candy after treatment to help the radioactive iodine come out in your saliva. The thyroid takes up the radioactive iodine, which destroys cells in the thyroid. Before treatment he was ravenous and losing weight -- typical of cats with that disorder I'm told. Subscribe to always know when we add new material! Companion Animal Hospital in Ithaca, NY for cats, dogs, exotics, and wildlife, Equine and Nemo Farm Animal Hospitals in Ithaca, NY for horses and farm animals, Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists, on Long Island for every horse, Ambulatory and Production Medicine for service on farms within 30 miles of Ithaca, NY, Animal Health Diagnostic Center New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Ithaca, New York 14853-6401. In cats, an underactive thyroid is extremely rare. As with surgery, you may need to take thyroid hormone . All bodily fluids in the cat will have trace amounts of radioactive material within them, but it will be most prevalent within the urine. Over time, this progresses to increased blood pressure, severe weight loss, heart disease, blindness, and kidney damage. The average US total radiation exposure (all sources) is 6.2 mSv/yr which is an increase from 20 years ago (3.6 mSv/year) when CT scans were much less common. Although the thyroid gland enlarges in hyperthyroidism, it is usually a benign or non-malignant change. Calabrese E.J., Hormesis: From Marginalization to Mainstream: A Case for Hormesis as the Default Dose-Response Model in Risk Assessment. Risks related to radioiodine: For comparison, the dose for a standard Chest CT is 7 mSv. Because the risk from exposure to radiation in children is generally considered greater than the risk from the same exposure in adults[7], radiation precautions for children and pregnant women are more restrictive than for adults.The release instructions advising clients of hyperthyroid cats being discharged following radioiodine therapy at AVMI advise that pregnant women and children (defined as individuals less than 18 years of age) avoid contact (defined as a proximity of less than 6 feet) with the patient for a period of 12 days following discharge. Hyperthyroidism in Cats | VCA Animal Hospital To convert these to traditional units we have prepared a. Slater M.R., Komkov A., Robinson L.E., et al., Long-Term Follow-up of Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine-131. Other than unexplained weight loss, your cat may also become more restless, hyperactive, vocal, and extremely hungry! Rarely, a permanent reduction in thyroid-hormone levels called hypothyroidism occurs after radioactive iodine treatment. Is There a Special Diet for Hyperthyroidism in Cats? | PetMD Change in BMI after radioactive iodine ablation for graves disease Hyperthyroidism in cats is a commonly diagnosed endocrinopathy with an overall prevalence of 2.4% in England which increases to 8.7% in cats aged 10 years or older. Despite the extensive blood and urine tests, chest x-rays and physical exams that we require before . The "radiation badge" worn by x-ray techs for example is good for measuring external exposure to radiation but does nothing to measure intakes of radioactive materials which is the primary concern in the case of a cat treated with radioactive 131I. (At my facility we treat people but many of the concepts are the same, it is just that patient compliance is easier to obtain with people.) Most cats with uncomplicated hyperthyroidism will live several years following treatment of hyperthyroidism, unless they develop another disease. Reduce the time near a source, increase the distance from the source, or use some sort of radiation absorbing shielding between you and the source of radiation and you will reduce your radiation dose. Your cat will not experience nausea, hair loss, lethargy, or decreased appetite as a result of the procedure. Weight seemed to stabilize in the long-term setting, with minimal increases between 8 and 12 months and at 24 months after radioactive iodine treatment. This is due to increased stimulation in the nervous system which is a common occurrence in cats with feline hyperthyroidism. 2. 2000-2023 TheCatSite.com. What are other nutritional concerns for my hyperthyroid cat? It might not be an option for a frail cat who shouldn't undergo anesthesia. Will he come around at some point or have we created a monster who will run off to the food dish every time we get up from the chair. This treatment is appropriate for cats with more surgical risk due to other health problems or who are exceptionally old. Protecting myself after my cat's radioiodine treatment Thyroid scintigraphy may also be recommended to confirm a diagnosis and determine the size of the organ before surgery or radioactive iodine. Due to the damaging effects of hyperthyroid-induced hypertension on your cats kidneys, blood kidney values must be reassessed once the thyroxine level has normalized, even if they were normal on initial blood tests. She's lost a pound in less than two weeks, so yeah, I'm glad I let her eat as much as she wanted. Now that he's back home, he still exhibits the behavior of wanting food all the time but I wonder if it's a habit he picked up before treatment or perhaps the symptoms won't completely gone away until the treatment has time to take hold. We fed him some Fancy Feast again last night and he ate it all without vomiting. Now that I know my cat has hyperthyroidism, what do I do? How to choose the right food for your cat. Lack of appetite. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2004. When x-rays, or any ionizing radiation, pass through the body they cause electrons to be ejected from atoms, leaving behind positive ions. Also, you might get some good ideas about what to feed him on Dr. Lisa Pierson's web site. Radioactive iodine is a treatment for an overactive thyroid gland. For this reason, some cats with hyperthyroidism may require additional treatment to control secondary heart disease. Several complications of hyperthyroidism can be significant, includinghypertension(high blood pressure) and a heart disease called thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy. Some people also feel flushed. Vet Rad & Ultrasound, 1994. It does, however, involve the handling and injection of a radioactive substance that is only permitted at facilities specially licensed to use radioisotopes. The treatment lowers or eliminates hormone production and may decrease the size of the goiter. Ultimately of course, these conditions can be diagnosed. Radioactive Iodine Experience and Quarantine Times | Cat Forum They were randomized into 2 groups for continuous antithyroid and radioiodine treatment. We love them, too! Home & Forums | 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. Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pets diet, medication, or physical activity routines. What they are trying to prevent is the intake (ingestion, etc.) This I131 injection accumulates in the abnormal thyroid tissue, and the radioactivity kills the abnormal tissue without harming other vital structures nearby. Radioactive iodine is an effective and safe treatment option for children and teenagers with an overactive thyroid gland, but will usually be given as a second-line treatment after a reasonably long course of antithyroid medication. Chance of significant, unhealthy weight gain is increased. When an injection of radioactive iodine is given, it destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. TheCatSite.com participates in select affiliate advertising programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. The veterinarian's recommendations are to isolate my cat for at least two weeks. Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations Why? 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. Since platelets are essential for blood clotting, thrombocytopenia may lead to problems with excessive bleeding. Many owners of cats with hyperthyroidism are hesitant to have radiation therapy or surgery because of their cat's advanced age. Clinical Signs The outcomes following most hyperthyroid therapies are usually excellent, and most cats have a very good chance of returning to a normal state of health. The inaccurate repair of DNA is rare, but can cause a cell to act wildly or grow into a cancer. For the first two weeks after I-131: Keep your cat indoors or supervised when outside to prevent contact with other people. As to your question about "home-testing equipment" and "something else to monitor and determine (your) exposure," there really are no good options for that. Laura Porter / Verywell The treatment options for hyperthyroidism are: Oral medication. 4. Thyroidectomy (largely replaced by radioactive iodine . Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Effect of long-term continuous methimazole treatment of - PubMed This means that in order for this diet to work, your cat must eat the therapeutic diet exclusively and cannot eat any treats or supplements that might contain iodine and allow the thyroid gland to continue to make thyroxine. What is happening in this procedure is that a portion of the radioactive iodine is being taken up by the cat's thyroid to treat its condition (hyperthyroidism, I assume?). A radioactive cure for ailing older cats | Penn Today Prior to the onset of symptoms he was eating a high quality dry cat food but when he started losing weight and begging for food we were told we could give him some baby food and wet cat food. Gradual weight gain and return to healthy body condition are expected. In some cases, the cat will develop a heart murmur associated with cardiomyopathy. The injection has no direct side effects. Hyperthyroidism in Cats | MetLife Pet Insurance If hypertension is diagnosed along with hyperthyroidism, drugs may be needed to control the blood pressure and reduce the risk of damaging other organs. Of 135 patients with documented pubertal status . Montreal. Hair loss. 1. Special attention should be given to the thyroid glands to look for evidence of enlargement and the clinical signs of hyperthyroidism. The goal of hyperthyroidism treatment is to lower the levels of thyroid hormones in the body. Methimazole for Cats & Vomiting | Pets - The Nest But there are clear reasons for the precautions that the veterinarian has given you and I also recommend that you follow them. Mean baseline age was 12.7 3.0 years and mean baseline BMI SDS was 0.003 1.18 kg/m 2. A prescription diet is available that lowers thyroid hormone, but for it to work your cat can't ever eat any other food. Rarely, people can feel pain in their neck. This cat is showing weight loss and poor coat - typical signs of hyperthyroidism. Endocrinology, 1988. Most of the extra radioactive iodine is eliminated in your urine. Set up your myVCA account today. Dry, dull coat. Risk of Ionizing Radiation Exposure to Children: A Subject Review. In almost all cases, your thyroid hormone levels will return to normal or below normal after radioactive iodine treatment. Fluffy might be a candidate for a thyroidectomy, surgery to remove the thyroid glands, which usually results in a cure. This is very important meaning that cats rarely develop an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) after radioiodine therapy. However, since wild-caught flaked Alaskan salmon is the first ingredient, it provides a lot of moisture. 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. J Vet Intern Med, 2001. Radioactive iodine therapy. If your cat is showing signs of illness or depression, please contact PVESC. These include an iodine-restricted diet, medications, and radioactive iodine therapy. Hopefully this answers your questions and good luck with your cat. Your doctor will order a test called a radioactive iodine uptake and scan to determine the dose you will need. Anti-thyroid drugs act by reducing the production and release of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. For radioactive iodine treatment? - egszz.churchrez.org Site Help | Actually it is quite safe, because the radioactive iodine is absorbed only by thyroid cells; no other cells in the body are exposed to the radiation. Risks from hyperthyroidism. Once the correct dose of radioiodine has been determined and administered, most of the time the tumors responsible for causing the elevated thyroid levels resolve and the cats are cured. Want to read more information on feeding your pet? The American Thyroid Association notes that weight gain develops over a long time and may have many causes other than the underactive thyroid. American Academy of Pediatrics. Slater M.R., Geller S. and Rogers K., Long-Term Health and Predictors of Survival for Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine 131. Long-Term Follow-up of Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine-131. As the thyroid levels return to normal, some cats may be able to adjust to their new diets quickly after treatment. Prior to the onset of symptoms he was eating a high quality dry cat food but when he started losing weight and begging for food we were told we could . Hence for a transient period following radioiodine therapy, the patient's urine contains excreted radioiodine which will emit beta particles as it continues to decay. The radioiodine is eliminated in urine and feces. Radioiodine treatment avoids surgery, anesthesia, and anti-thyroid drugs. Clients frequently have the following 2 questions when considering radioiodine therapy for their cat's hyperthyroidism. People may take RAI . You must log in or register to reply here. Exposure to high levels of dietary iodine may cause susceptible cats to develop hyperthyroidism. Goiter - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic 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. However, it may not be appropriate for all cats (depending on other medical conditions) so important to work with your veterinarian and decide if using this therapeutic diet is the best way to manage your cats condition. Oftentimes it takes decades for cancer to be detected following radiation exposure. 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. Usually this means that the cat will need to be hospitalized for between three and five days after treatment. The cell repairs itself perfectly (most common result). Surgical removal of the gland under general anesthetic was another option. Purraise. Cats exclusively fed the prescription diet will remain normal, but if the diet is discontinued, they will once again become hyperthyroid. Graves' Disease: Life After Radioactive Iodine Treatment - HealthMatch Treatment usually includes an adjustment to your cat's diet, medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery. Upon discharge from PVESC (after an average of 4 to 7 days after treatment), treated cats will still be excreting radioiodine in their urine, saliva, and feces. This isnotan iodine-free diet but a diet with a controlled iodine content of 0.2ppma minimal amount. It has the advantage of being curative in most cases with no ongoing treatment. 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. Will my cat gain weight after radioactive iodine treatment? The first step is determining the blood level of one of the thyroid hormones calledtotal thyroxine (TT4). One study looked at patients with Graves' disease who were treated with RAI over five years. In cases where radioactive iodine therapy is not successful, the treatment can be repeated. 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.