Having lost my 18-year-old feline member of the family a few years ago, I completely understand the attachment and your desire to not stress the cat. As stated above, it may also be used for a few weeks to stabilize a cat at increased surgical risk because of cardiac complications. Category: Nuclear Medicine Patient Issues Questions Concerning Domestic Animals. The coat of affected cats may appear unkempt, matted, or greasy (see Figure 1). During treatment, radioactive iodine is administered as an injection and is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Despite the extensive blood and urine tests, chest x-rays and physical exams that we require before . 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. Some hyperthyroid cats have thyroid cells in abnormal locations calledectopicthyroid tissue (thyroid tissue under the tongue, further down the neck, or all the way to the base of the heart), and they may remain hyperthyroid after surgery. This helps us offset the costs of running this site, so thank you for your support! Because the radioactive iodine used (known as iodine 131) may expose those around you to the effects of radiation (and theoretically negatively affect their thyroid glands), you will be given guidelines on how to prevent such exposure. About TheCatSite.com. It is also common for hyperthyroid cats to exhibit increased vocalizing, particularly at night. One study looked at patients with Graves' disease who were treated with RAI over five years. My pet has kidney disease what kind of diet should I feed. Lifelong administration of methimazole can control the effects of an overactive thyroid gland. . Long-Term Follow-up of Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine-131. Cats are homed in our spacious, purpose-built radioactive iodine unit and cared for by our dedicated team of radioiodine nurses. Slater M.R., Geller S. and Rogers K., Long-Term Health and Predictors of Survival for Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine 131. The cats heart rate and blood pressure may also be checked. Before treatment he was ravenous and losing weight -- typical of cats with that disorder I'm told. 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. In many cats, only one thyroid lobe is abnormal, so only one surgery is needed. Gained over three pounds! [Body weight gain after radioiodine therapy in hyperthyroidism] Facilities that use radioactive materials like I-131 must have radioactive materials licenses. Cats havetwo thyroid glands in the neck that are vital in regulating the body's metabolic rate. Note that the reference above excluding licensee's from considering "exposure to individuals administered radioactive material" in their compliance with the NRC regulartions does not apply to animals. (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.) However, caution should be taken in disposal of products that may contain trace amounts of this radioactive substance. If the total GFR is below this number, medical therapy for hyperthyroidism may be recommended, although I-131 treatment may still be an option in specific patients. A blood chemistry panel and urinalysis will provide information about other organs and provide your veterinarian with an overall picture of your cats health. 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. Your cat will not experience nausea, hair loss, lethargy, or decreased appetite as a result of the procedure. Of 247 patients receiving RAI for GD, 157 (79.6% female) had complete data and were included in the analysis. Risks Associated with Radioiodine Therapy for Feline Hyperthyroidism - AVMI 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. Lack of appetite. Secondary Problems Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, materials, and information described herein. Because metabolism is altered in hyperthyroidism, its important to monitor your cats weight and muscle mass. The iodine, which is required for the production of both T3 and T4, is taken up by the thyroid gland and the emitted radiation destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without damaging the surrounding tissues or the parathyroid glands. Be advised that over time, requirements could change, new data could be made available, and Internet links could change, affecting the correctness of the answers. Radioactive iodine therapy. 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. Thus, pate is a better choice for your cat than gravy food due to the latter's higher . The more common symptoms are an increase in thirst, urination, and appetite, as well as weight loss. Radioactive iodine therapy. Hypocalcemia can be life-threatening and may require either short-term or long-term medication postoperatively should it occur. This treatment is appropriate for cats with more surgical risk due to other health problems or who are exceptionally old. Some cats develop side effects from methimazole, such as vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, fever, liver damage, anemia, and a decrease in white blood cells. He's radioactive, so it's not safe even for humans wearing protective clothing to spend too much time around him. Hyperthyroid cats are also at risk for complications related to the hypertension that frequently accompanies hyperthyroidism. As for equipment for tracking radioactive contamination, there really is no readily available "home-testing" equipment. Hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity. At the time of discharge, exposure levels measured at 6 feet from the patient are virtually indistinguishable from background levels. Treatment of an overactive or enlarged thyroid gland with radioactive . Most of the extra radioactive iodine is eliminated in your urine. So, we must use distance and reduction of time near the source when dealing with patients and pets treated with 131I. If thyroid disease is a possibility, your veterinarian will likely order a blood chemistry panel and an analysis of thyroid hormone levels. The other conditions that cats can develop at this age are numerous and varied. It requires two round-trips for you. What happens after my cat is released from the hospital? In the US, the average person is exposed to an additional 3.0 mSv/yr from medical sources (predominantly CT scans). Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society. Rarely, people can feel pain in their neck. AAFCO Doesnt Approve Pet Foods, A broken heart: Risk of heart disease in boutique or grain-free diets and exotic ingredients, Its Not Just Grain-Free: An Update on Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy. While in radiology we use radiation shielding garments (lead aprons) to reduce gamma and x-ray exposure, the energy of the 131I gamma is four to five times higher and those garments are ineffective as a shield. Learn more about radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism, Learn about radioiodine therapy for thyroid carcinoma, Learn more aboutSamariumtherapy for primary or metastatic bone tumors. This isnotan iodine-free diet but a diet with a controlled iodine content of 0.2ppma minimal amount. For this long-term treatment, the cat is injected with the radioactive iodine, which destroys the tissue of the overactive thyroid gland. Cats can receive a second treatment, if necessary. It will take about a month for thyroid levels to return to normal in most cats. Treatment failure in hyperthyroid cats after radioiodine (I131 Chance of significant, unhealthy weight gain is increased. 3. In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in "Horse News," "Suburban Classic," "Hoof Beats," "Equine Journal" and other publications. The remainder is gone in about the next two months or so. Radioactive-iodine therapy is becoming increasingly popular when dealing with hyperthyroidism in cats. A standard Chest x-ray is 0.1 mSv. It takes several weeks for methimazole to restore thyroid hormone levels to normal. This is due to increased stimulation in the nervous system which is a common occurrence in cats with feline hyperthyroidism. Radioactive iodine therapy is a very effective way to treat hyperthyroidism (I-131). Consider Hyperthyroid Treatment . Prescription nutrition. 101(4 Pt 1): p. 717-9. Number of cases per 100,000 persons exposed to a single dose of 0.1 Gy. In some cases, a decrease in blood platelets (thrombocytopenia) may also occur. Limit close contact (closer than 1 foot) to one hour per day. But there are clear reasons for the precautions that the veterinarian has given you and I also recommend that you follow them. Will my cat gain weight after radioactive iodine treatment? Treatment for hypothyroidism in cats is . These include weight loss, increased activity, and kitten like behaviour. How long can a cat live after radioactive iodine treatment? This can best be done by monitoring your cat's body condition, muscle condition, and weight. 4. Radioactive Iodine Therapy - Advanced Techniques - Specialist Referrals Until then, the radiation safety guidelines of Michigan and the NCR are followed. Of 135 patients with documented pubertal status . It does, however, involve the handling and injection of a radioactive substance that is only permitted at facilities specially licensed to use radioisotopes. Radioiodine Treatment For Hyperthyroid Cats | Cats Exclusive One of the reasons the cat was held for four days was to allow for much of the radioactive 131I to be excreted in urine so that the amount of external radiation exposure is significantly reduced. 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. In order to produce thyroid hormone (thyroxine), the body needs a supply of iodine. Did she have stage 1 prior to treatment for hyperthyroidism or did the stage 1 unmask after treatment started and then jump to stage 4? The risks of ingesting radioactive iodine and the risks of being around a patient that has been treated with radioactive iodine are very different.