FAQs
What does the treatment involve?
• Physical examination prior to treatment
• Evaluation of all diagnostic tests provided by your primary care veterinarian.
• Administration of I-131 - by injection similar to a routine vaccination!
• Daily care and monitoring of radiation levels.
• Follow up telephone consultation with your primary care veterinarian as needed to evaluate post treatment status.
Will my cat experience any side effects?
• No direct side effects from administration are expected. As the radioactivity destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue, there may be mild changes in individual patient behaviors but your cat should not experience any significant undesirable changes.
When can my cat come home?
• Length of hospitalization is typically 5 days (Sun.-Fri.). Patients are admitted on Sunday afternoon or early evening, treated on Monday morning and discharged on Friday afternoon. We will monitor your cat's radiation levels during his/her stay with us. Release is determined by compliance with federal and state regulations which define the "safe" level of residual radioactivity at which a patient can be discharged. As required by these regulations, please remember to bring your cat in a carrier for drop-off and pick-up.
What is the quality of care my cat will receive during his/her stay?
• Experienced licensed veterinary technicians lovingly care for our I-131 patients. Your cat will be in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere away from noise and dogs. We obtain specific information from the owners regarding favorite foods (including special treats), sleeping habits, and personal behaviors.
Can I visit my cat during his/her stay?
• Unfortunately state and federal regulations currently limit access to the areas where patients recently treated with radioactive iodine are maintained to trained hospital personnel. Our technicians are thoroughly trained in working with radiation and must work under strict guidelines for their own protection.
How will I find out how my cat is doing?
• You can call any time to receive an update from a technician or referral coordinator; as well as a referral coordinator will send a picture and email of your cat during his/her stay with us. Referral Coordinator does this Mon - Wed.
Will there be any follow up visits with I-131?
• There are no follow up visits required at the VEC. Follow up visits to your primary care veterinarian are recommended one, three, six, and twelve months after treatment to monitor both the thyroid hormone levels and your cat's general health. The results of these tests are forwarded to the VEC for evaluation and consultation as needed.
How does Radioiodine (I-131) Therapy work?
• Feline hyperthyroidism is caused by spontaneously occurring thyroid masses. Approximately 98% of these nodules are benign (called adenoma) and the condition frequently (70%) involves both lobes of the thyroid gland. Fortunately, the incidence of thyroid malignancy (carcinoma) is rare (1-2%). Both thyroid conditions are treatable with radioactive iodine (I-131); however the dose administered and the desired results of therapy are different. The goal in treating benign disease is to selectively destroy the abnormally functioning cells and spare the rest of the thyroid gland. Ideally this should result in normal thyroid hormone levels and correction of weight loss and the other clinical signs. Usually, there is no need for daily thyroid medication after I131 treatment. The goal in treating the much rarer, thyroid adenocarcinoma is to destroy all the thyroid tissue. After treatment, these patients will need daily thyroid supplementation for life.
* I-131 is a radioactive form of iodine. Iodine is needed by thyroid cells to produce thyroid hormone. In a normal animal, thyroid hormone levels are controlled by a system similar to our household thermostat. When enough thyroid hormone is present (similar to enough heat being in your house), the system automatically shuts off. In hyperthyroid cats, the system fails to shut off and too much thyroid hormone is produced. When radioactive iodine is given to these individuals, the cells that fail to shut off are killed by the radioactivity while the normal cells (which are shut off) are protected.
What is the success rate?
• The success rate of I-131 is approximately 85-95%. A few patients may require an additional treatment with I-131 if they do not return to normal thyroid function within 3-6 months. For unknown reasons a small percentage of cats will become hypothyroid (do not produce enough thyroid hormone) after treatment. If this occurs it may be a temporary problem and require no medical intervention, or in rare cases of permanent hypothyroidism, cats may require a daily supplement to maintain normal thyroid hormone levels.
Please call us with any questions
Ask to speak with a Referral Coordinator
804-353-9000
Where to Find Us:
VESC Carytown
3312 West Cary Street,
Richmond, VA 23221
(p) 804.353.9000 (f) 804.353.9271
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VESC Midlothian
2460 Colony Crossing Place
Midlothian, VA 23112
(p) 804-744-9800
(f) 804-744-4842
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