The radioiodine is eliminated in urine and feces. You may feel a lump on your cat's throat under his jaw. Milner R.J., Channell C.D., Levy J.K., et al., Survival Times for Cats with Hyperthyroidism Treated with Iodine 131, Methimazole, or Both: 167 Cases (1996-2003). Cats can receive a second treatment, if necessary. There are four treatment options for feline hyperthyroidism: medication, radioactive iodine therapy, surgery, and dietary therapy. She's lost a pound in less than two weeks, so yeah, I'm glad I let her eat as much as she wanted. If left untreated and unmanaged, these changes may eventually compromise the normal function of the heart and can even lead to heart failure. The delivery of iodine is targeted to the overactive thyroid gland(s), the cat does not experience any radiation side effects at the normal therapy doses used to treat hyperthyroidism. The AVMI radioactive materials license utilizes release criteria and precautionary instructions specifically based on the evaluation of the relative exposure levels to clients following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroid cats treated with I-131. There are several hypothesized causes of hyperthyroidism. Medication and radioactive iodine therapy are just as effective at treating hyperthyroidism in cats as surgery and are less invasive, so surgical treatment is rarely chosen for treating this condition. In more serious cases, surgical removal of the thyroid glands may be required. There are virtually no side effects, and there is no pain associated with 131I treatment. Surgery Treatment Although it has a slightly higher iodine content than the previous option, Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau Wild Salmon is the best value for money. Weight change was analyzed in only 228 patients and 84% gained weight by 1 year after radioactive iodine therapy. The word "individuals" in this context means "people". Since hyperthyroidism can predispose a cat to other conditions, it is important to evaluate general health, with particular focus on the heart and kidneys. Since hyperthyroid cats are usually over eight years of age, there is a degree of risk involved. Purraise. Log in 24/7 to access your pets health care information. In some of these cats, blood pressure can become so high that retinal bleeding or retinal detachment will occur, resulting in sudden blindness. Usually this means that the cat will need to be hospitalized for between three and five days 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 . When an injection of radioactive iodine is given, it destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. Part 20, Standards for protection against radiation 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. For this long-term treatment, the cat is injected with the radioactive iodine, which destroys the tissue of the overactive thyroid gland. Of 135 patients with documented pubertal status . Also, you might get some good ideas about what to feed him on Dr. Lisa Pierson's web site. 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 > 95% of the radioiodine is excreted in the urine. 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. She gained and ate a lot and we were more than happy. . In the hospital (or veterinary hospitals) we would use a Geiger counter with a thin-window probe to find the radioactive contamination. What are the risks of my cat becoming hypothyroid? Usually, the TT4 level is so high that there is no question about the diagnosis (see the handout "Thyroid Hormone Testing in Cats"). The treatment options for hyperthyroidism are: Oral medication. Feeding Hyperthyroid Cats Iodine restriction may help; weight loss is a . The advantages of radioactive iodine therapy are that the procedure most often cures hyperthyroidism, has no serious side effects, and does not require anesthesia. For some cats, a veterinary therapeutic diet low in iodine may be all thats required to control symptoms. The only method to estimate that dose is to measure the radioiodine within your own thyroid and the types of equipment to measure that uptake are very expensive and difficult to interpret. It takes several weeks for methimazole to restore thyroid hormone levels to normal. (a) Each licensee shall conduct operations so that -. While the treatment is fairly expensive, over the long term it could be cheaper than medication and is on a par with surgical treatment. 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. Only the bare necessitiesfood and water and quick litter cleanupsare provided by veterinary technicians during your cat's hospital stay. 1. Surgery. This usually leads to permanent destruction of the thyroid, which will cure hyperthyroidism. 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. NRC Regulations 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. The radioiodine (I-131) used to treat thyroid disease in people and animals emits both gamma rays and beta particles. Diagnosis 20.1301 Dose limits for individual members of the public. In cases where radioactive iodine therapy is not successful, the treatment can be repeated. They will then need to take a thyroid supplement. The goal of hyperthyroidism treatment is to lower the levels of thyroid hormones in the body. Surgical removal of the gland under general anesthetic was another option. However, caution should be taken in disposal of products that may contain trace amounts of this radioactive substance. The typical cat with hyperthyroidism is middle-aged or older; the average age of affected cats is approximately 12 years. Hyperthyroid cats are also at risk for complications related to the hypertension that frequently accompanies hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in cats, and mostly afflicts cats middle-aged and older. Before deciding the form of treatment, several tests are performed, including additional blood tests, a urinalysis, chest radiographs (X-rays), an ECG, and blood pressure measurements. Cats also sweat through their paws and the sweat will have trace amounts of radioactive iodine. Cats managed with diet or medication generally do well as long as their feeding is consistent, their medication is administered routinely, and follow-up blood and diagnostic tests are performed as scheduled. Committee on Environmental Health. However, your cat will still have a low amount of radiation in his or her body. Many doctors recommend that women avoid becoming pregnant for 6 months to a year after treatment. In a cat treated with radioactive iodine, the drool will contain radioactive materials. Jeff Brunette, CHP, Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. These statistics are averages and do not predict what is going to happen to you. 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. RAI is a form of radioactive nuclear medication that permanently destroys thyroid tissue. Your doctor will order a test called a radioactive iodine uptake and scan to determine the dose you will need. What Treats Can I Give my Dog with CalciumOxalateStones? Because each cat is different, your veterinarian will advise you on the best treatment for your cat. The information posted on this web page is intended as general reference information only. 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. But there are clear reasons for the precautions that the veterinarian has given you and I also recommend that you follow them. The total effective dose equivalent to individual members of the public from the licensed operation does not exceed 1 mSv in a year, exclusive of the dose contributions from background radiation, from any administration the individual has received, from exposure to individuals administered radioactive material. Radioactive iodine therapy offers a cure through a simple injection that returns thyroid function to normal levels. Radioactive iodine treatment is a therapy that your veterinary surgeon may recommend if your cat is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Wet food is much better for him anyhow, so this is a good time to get him settled on it. This problem resolved rapidly after treatment. Radioactive iodine therapy is a very effective way to treat hyperthyroidism (I-131). Dr. Deborah Linder, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, is the head of the Tufts Obesity Clinic for Animals and has had articles appear in Eating Well, the Boston Globe, AARP, SHAPE, and XM Sirius Radio Doctor Channel. They may develop periodic vomiting or diarrhea, and fur may appear unkempt. If possible, I would like to wear protective clothing so we can return to our familiar habit of living/sleeping in 24-hour close physical contact to minimize his stress and promote his recovery. Prescription nutrition. . They may have increased water consumption and urination. You would actually have to ingest the cats waste for it to be harmful to you. All middle-aged and senior cats should receive a complete physical examination by a veterinarian every six months. Hypocalcemia can be life-threatening and may require either short-term or long-term medication postoperatively should it occur. Most cats with uncomplicated hyperthyroidism will live several years following treatment of hyperthyroidism, unless they develop another disease. . 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. The treatment of choice for hyperthyroid cats is radioactive iodine therapy, which is a cure. 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. Recurrence of the disease is a possibility in some cats. This single treatment will cure 95-98% of cats. More specific information on what to expect when your cat is treated with radioactive-iodine therapy at Cornell can be found here. 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. He rejected the Fancy Feast stuff and gobbled the baby food along with eating a little variety of the many dry foods we tried in an effort to find one that he really liked. Hyperthyroidism is too much thyroid hormone that causes weight loss so kitty should gain some weight back to a normal amount after treatment. Another significant risk for hyperthyroid cats is not actually related to their thyroid disease. Now that I know my cat has hyperthyroidism, what do I do? It will take about a month for thyroid levels to return to normal in most cats. ), family history (genetics) or radiation exposure. Radioactive iodine (I-131) is a very safe and effective treatment for hyperthyroidism. The clinical significance of weight gain from the time of diagnosis of hyperthyroidism to 2 years after radioactive iodine therapy is unclear. Researchers estimated a 12% increased risk for death from breast cancer and a 5% increased risk for death from . Treatment usually includes an adjustment to your cat's diet, medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery. 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. When x-rays, or any ionizing radiation, pass through the body they cause electrons to be ejected from atoms, leaving behind positive ions. Several complications of hyperthyroidism can be significant, includinghypertension(high blood pressure) and a heart disease called thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy. Cats also sweat through their paws and the sweat will have trace amounts of radioactive iodine. Hypertension develops due to the increased pumping pressure and elevated heart rate that occurs with hyperthyroidism. Treating Hyperthyroidism in Cats. Not all veterinary facilities perform the procedure. If the nearest facility is far away, there's the stress or travel for both you and Fluffy, as well as possible hotel and other travel expenses. The School of Veterinary Medicine's Ryan Hospital, however, is one of the few veterinary centers in the region to offer a treatment that can cure the disease: a single shot of radioactive iodine, I-131. Some cats may experience side effects from medication, however, including vomiting, anorexia, fever, anemia, and lethargy. The medication can be given life-long or to stabilize the cat before other treatment. Dr. Heinze is an employee of Mark Morris Institute and has provided professional serviceshas done consulting for Lafeber and WellPet, given sponsored talks for Nestl Purina PetCare and the Pet Food Institute, and provided professional services to Balance IT.com and Mark Morris Institute. Unfortunately these cats may continue to deteriorate and may even die from their other non-thyroid diseases. (8,9) Replacement hormone products currently on the market, both synthetic and glandular, are not comparable to our own hormone, and in some people, never feel "right". Luckily these risks will diminish in time following successful radioiodine therapy and a return to a persistently normal thyroid level. DNA can also be damaged directly by radiation. My pet has kidney disease what kind of diet should I feed. Long-Term Health and Predictors of Survival for Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine 131. A single injection is given subcutaneously (i.e. Gradual weight gain and return to healthy body condition are expected. Treatment for Hypothyroidism in Cats. Both cardiomyopathy and hypertension are potentially reversible with appropriate treatment of the disease. Clients owning hyperthyroid cats undergoing radioiodine therapy are always considered members of the general public. This lowers the amount of radiation exposure to your bladder. The good news is that there are many treatment options available to our hyperthyroid cats. First we need to put this exposure level into some context: How do x-rays increase your risk for cancer? (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.") Surgical patients may become hyperthyroid again if abnormal cells are missed during surgery or if new abnormal cells develop. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. There are three common forms of treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats: medication, radioactive iodine therapy and surgery. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists, on Long Island, Cornell Veterinary Experts Address Feline Nutrition. 3. In a cat treated with radioactive iodine, the drool will contain radioactive materials. The radioactive isotope, Iodine-131 ( 131 I), is administered as a one-off injection. Affected cats are often restless and may become cranky or aggressive. Radioactive iodine therapy offers a cure through a simple injection that returns thyroid function to normal levels. Looking for a convenient way to access your pets health records, refill prescriptions, view upcoming appointments and more? Ten patients (6.4%) had DS (Down Syndrome) and 33 (21.0%) had received ATDs before RAI ablation. Long-Term Follow-up of Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine-131. This I131 injection accumulates in the abnormal thyroid tissue, and the radioactivity kills the abnormal tissue without harming other vital structures nearby. Special attention should be given to the thyroid glands to look for evidence of enlargement and the clinical signs of hyperthyroidism. What may work for one cat may not work for another. Environmental risk factors have been investigated and may predispose some cats to hyperthyroidism, although the specific mechanisms are unknown. Thyroid hormones affect nearly all of the organs in the body; therefore, thyroid disease often causes secondary problems. A swollen or tender neck and feeling flushed. Clinical Signs 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. Surgery or radioactive iodine therapy to regulate overactive hormone production can sometimes leave cats with the opposite problem: their levels of thyroid hormone are now too low. Radioactive iodine therapy. Iodine is an element normally taken up in large amounts by the thyroid gland, even more so in cats that are hyperthyroid. 8. Risks from other illness. 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. . Removal of the thyroid glands, called surgical thyroidectomy, is a relatively straightforward surgical procedure that has a good success rate. The iodine is taken into the thyroid gland and incorporated into thyroxine. . The other conditions that cats can develop at this age are numerous and varied. The majority of cats treated with radioactive iodine have normal hormone levels within one to two weeks of treatment. In some cases, complications involving other organs may worsen this prognosis. Anti-thyroid drugs act by reducing the production and release of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. 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. Recurrence of hyperthyroidism is rare after I-131 therapy. 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. In some cases, a decrease in blood platelets (thrombocytopenia) may also occur. Now the question is what risk does one obtain from receiving an exposure of 1 mSv? The routine stay in our radioactive iodine unit is currently 12 days. If we restrict iodine, production of thyroxine decreases. A large study found an increase in some cancer types in people who had radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism compared with the general population. 15(1): p. 47-51. These licenses establish the basis for the facilities compliance with federal regulations established by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Medication typically. 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. To the best of our knowledge, answers are correct at the time they are posted. These include an iodine-restricted diet, medications, and radioactive iodine therapy. The cell repairs itself perfectly (most common result). 2004. 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. Some places realize that the stress of being away from home for so long is not good for older cats. Thyroidectomy (largely replaced by radioactive iodine . 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. At 1 and 3 months after the treatment, a blood test for thyroid and kidney function should be done by your veterinarian. This is due to increased stimulation in the nervous system which is a common occurrence in cats with feline hyperthyroidism. Limit close contact (closer than 1 foot) to one hour per day. The chronic elevation of circulating thyroid hormone levels in cats with hyperthyroidism leads to changes in their heart muscle that predispose them to developing heart failure. Although this procedure is usually very effective, it is more expensive and requires the cat being . That was part of the problem we had before treatment. The required dose of methimazole can change over time, so monitoring thyroid levels in treated animals is recommended every 3-6 months once their condition is stable. Cats havetwo thyroid glands in the neck that are vital in regulating the body's metabolic rate. The food isnotmedicated. During treatment, radioactive iodine is administered as an injection and is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. The most common clinical sign of hyperthyroidism is weight loss due to the increased rate of metabolism despite an increased appetite. But this generally resolves without intervention. The estimates of risk currently used are extrapolated from patients that have received much higher doses (e.g., atomic bomb survivors) using the linear, no-threshold model of radiation exposure risk. 1 INTRODUCTION. For this prescription diet to work, it must be the only food fed, which means no cheating with treats. Cats with hyperthyroidism exhibit symptoms that are similar to those of humans with the disease: weight loss, increased appetite, excessive . 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. Radioactive Iodine Therapy 1. We fed him some Fancy Feast again last night and he ate it all without vomiting. I-131 therapy does not require anesthesia and eliminates the need for daily medication. 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. What they are trying to prevent is the intake (ingestion, etc.) The prognosis for cats with hyperthyroidism is generally good with appropriate therapy. About 25% of cats with hyperthyroidism become hypertensive. What happens after my cat is released from the hospital? They were randomized into 2 groups for continuous antithyroid and radioiodine treatment. Studies have shown that cats treated with I-131 live longer than those treated with pills, added Mosenco, citing a study where I-131-treated cats lived an average of four to five years following treatment, versus an average of only two years for cats on medication.Dec 19, 2016. Although the cause of feline hyperthyroidism is not known, possible contributing factors include deficiencies or excesses of certain compounds in the diet and chronic exposure to thyroid-disrupting chemicals in food or the environment. Depending on the dose, radioactive iodine can kill a portion, or all, of your thyroid. Interestingly, when higher doses are given, like those received by the patient treated for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer, then the injury to the cells is terminal and hence the cells do not survive to go on to become malignant. Remember that theNRC regulationsrequire that release criteria and discharge instructions provided to owners of hyperthyroid cats prevent exposures of more than 1 mSv. . The thyroid takes up the radioactive iodine, which destroys cells in the thyroid. Supporting Cat Health with Information and Health Studies. Before treatment he was ravenous and losing weight -- typical of cats with that disorder I'm told. This information is not a substitute for a vets opinion. When choosing the best therapy for an individual cat, many factors must be considered. You must log in or register to reply here. Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society. How long can a cat live after radioactive iodine treatment? 7. 4. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice.