One to two weeks after surgery, another TT4 level is measured. 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). What are other nutritional concerns for my hyperthyroid cat? 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. If DNA is damaged, there are three possible outcomes: Also, you might get some good ideas about what to feed him on Dr. Lisa Pierson's web site. 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. Hypocalcemia can be life-threatening and may require either short-term or long-term medication postoperatively should it occur. Clients owning hyperthyroid cats undergoing radioiodine therapy are always considered members of the general public. Endocrinology, 1988. Over ten years of clinical nutrition research revealed that by controlling dietary levels of iodine, the hyperthyroid cat's body would resume normal thyroid hormone production. Amazingly despite over 35 years of veterinary experience treating hyperthyroid cats with radioiodine there are virtually no reported side effects. These complications include cerebrovascular events (i.e., strokes) and the premature exacerbation of pre-existing kidney disease. The Disadvantages of Radioiodine Therapy Treatment for Cats, American Veterinary Medical Imaging: Feline Hyperthyroidism, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Radioactive Iodine Treatment of Hyperthyroid Cats, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Hyperthyroidism in the Cat, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Hyperthyroidism in Cats. 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. Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pets diet, medication, or physical activity routines. A Multicompartmental Model for Iodide, Thyroxine, and Triiodothyronine Metabolism in Normal and Spontaneously Hyperthyroid Cats. The radioiodine is eliminated in urine and feces. 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. Diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism is generally straightforward. hypothyroidism was only treated if it was associated with clinical signs like excessive weight gain, lethargy, and skin problems. Secondary Problems These include surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) or treatment with radioactive iodine. What they are trying to prevent is the intake (ingestion, etc.) 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. In more serious cases, surgical removal of the thyroid glands may be required. Long-Term Health and Predictors of Survival for Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine 131. The majority of cats treated with radioactive iodine have normal hormone levels within one to two weeks of treatment. After initial stabilisation with oral medications, a number of curative treatments are also available. As with surgery, you may need to take thyroid hormone . J Am Vet Med Assoc, 2006. 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. You'll need to consider whether to have radioactive iodine (RAI) vs. other treatments for hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease (an immune system disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism). When an injection of radioactive iodine is given, it destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. So in this case the targeted radiation exposure is actually increasing survival for these patients. Your veterinarian's instructions regarding separation for the two weeks are simply doing the same thing we do with people. (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". The clinical significance of weight gain from the time of diagnosis of hyperthyroidism to 2 years after radioactive iodine therapy is unclear. 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. 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. As a cat owner, I completely understand your desire to get your cat back to his normal routine as soon as possible. How to choose the right food for your cat. 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. 3. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is another potential complication of hyperthyroidism, and can cause additional damage to several organs, including the eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain. 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. No individual breed is known to have a greater risk, although Siamese, Burmese, Persian, Abyssinian, Tonkinese, and British shorthair breeds appear to have a somewhat decreased incidence of hyperthyroidism compared to other breeds. One study looked at patients with Graves' disease who were treated with RAI over five years. Does radioactive iodine treatment cause weight gain? Despite the extensive blood and urine tests, chest x-rays and physical exams that we require before . When choosing the best therapy for an individual cat, many factors must be considered. The thyroid takes up the radioactive iodine, which destroys cells in the thyroid. However, the risk is minimal if your cat is otherwise healthy, and the initial diagnostic tests and treatment did not reveal any underlying conditions. The prognosis for cats with hyperthyroidism is generally good with appropriate therapy. Supporting Cat Health with Information and Health Studies. As for equipment for tracking radioactive contamination, there really is no readily available "home-testing" equipment. 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. Let's tackle the external exposure first as it is the simplest concept. Thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy may develop because the heart enlarges and thickens to meet the increased metabolic demands. Of 247 patients receiving RAI for GD, 157 (79.6% female) had complete data and were included in the analysis. You may feel a lump on your cat's throat under his jaw. The most common clinical sign of hyperthyroidism is weight loss due to the increased rate of metabolism despite an increased appetite. For example, some families cant medicate cats every day, so a more permanent solution such as radioactive iodine treatment or surgery may be best. 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. Employees of facilities that utilize radioactive materials may be categorized as "radiation workers" depending on their role. Some cats develop side effects from methimazole, such as vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, fever, liver damage, anemia, and a decrease in white blood cells. Since fewer than 2% of cats with hyperthyroidism have cancerous growths of the thyroid gland, treatment is usually very successful. Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is a common disease of older cats. 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. Dry, dull coat. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. During that time, the ravenous appetite should subside, your cat will probably gain weight, and her blood pressure and heart rate should normalize. There are several treatment options, and your veterinarian will determine the best choice for your cat. The word "individuals" in this context means "people". You can't visit Fluffy during his stay at the veterinary facility. We fed him some Fancy Feast again last night and he ate it all without vomiting. After administration of 131 Iodine, your cat is . 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. TheCatSite.com is a community of cat lovers dedicated to quality cat care and cat welfare. Weight change was analyzed in only 228 patients and 84% gained weight by 1 year after radioactive iodine therapy. Hence people who's hyperthyroid cats are treated with radioiodine would be expected to have a potentially increased risk of developing cancer over the remainder of their lifetime as the result of that exposure of no more than 1/100th of 1 percent. Weigh the pros and cons of various treatments and discuss options with your vet. Even after treatment it may take a long time to reverse weight loss and muscle loss that occurred before your cats diagnosis. Montreal. I-131 is normally a health concern after the . Feeding Hyperthyroid Cats Iodine restriction may help; weight loss is a . Follow up blood work is essential to ensure kitty does not become hypothyroid which is too little thyroid. Other than unexplained weight loss, your cat may also become more restless, hyperactive, vocal, and extremely hungry! The normal thyroid cells will therefore not take up any radioactive iodine. Surgical removal of the gland under general anesthetic was another option. Some places realize that the stress of being away from home for so long is not good for older cats. Clinical signs include lethargy, dullness, obesity, oily skin, and matted fur. The study followed people for 26 years after two or more treatments. And, if you destroy your thyroid gland, it turns out that that may have consequences on your metabolism. This test can also help the doctor determine the cause of your hyperthyroidism and get other information about your thyroid tissue. Jeff Brunette, CHP, Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. Thyroid scintigraphy may also be recommended to confirm a diagnosis and determine the size of the organ before surgery or radioactive iodine. If your cat requires daily medications for issues other than hyperthyroidism, he's not a candidate for radioactive iodine therapy. Hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity. Radioactive iodine therapy is curative within three months of therapy in approximately 95 percent of all hyperthyroid cases. The cell repairs itself perfectly (most common result). . Special attention should be given to the thyroid glands to look for evidence of enlargement and the clinical signs of hyperthyroidism. About 25% of cats with hyperthyroidism become hypertensive. Weight gain was similar for patients who received antithyroid drugs or radioiodine treatment but was significantly greater for patients who had been treated with thyroidectomy (5 kg vs 10 kg; P = 0.007). As youre on this website right now, we can assume that you love pets and likely have a special dog or cat (or many) in your life. Is radioactive iodine treatment safe? Clinical Signs These include an iodine-restricted diet, medications, and radioactive iodine therapy. This helps us offset the costs of running this site, so thank you for your support! So, we must use distance and reduction of time near the source when dealing with patients and pets treated with 131I. Treating Hyperthyroidism in Cats. A treated cat has to remain hospitalized until its radiation level has fallen to within acceptable limits. The good news is that there are many treatment options available to our hyperthyroid cats. Hair loss. The dose of radioactive iodine is taken orally. J Vet Intern Med, 2001. That was part of the problem we had before treatment. To convert these to traditional units we have prepared a. What about radioactive iodine treatment for children and teenagers? Occasionally, a cat suspected of having hyperthyroidism has a TT4 level within the upper range of normal. The treatment of choice for hyperthyroid cats is radioactive iodine therapy, which is a cure. The information posted on this web page is intended as general reference information only. Standards for Protection against Radiation. This is more common if you still had a large part of your thyroid gland when you have radioactive iodine treatment. 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. The advantage of surgery is that it is likely to produce a long-term or permanent cure in most cats, and therefore eliminates the need for long-term medication. Before treatment he was ravenous and losing weight -- typical of cats with that disorder I'm told. A seven hour airplane trip exposes passengers to 0.02 mSv of radiation, which is a fraction of the exposure of a standard Chest x-ray (0.1 mSv). Radioactive iodine is a treatment for an overactive thyroid gland. The 1-month level thyroid may be slightly high, low or normal. Because metabolism is altered in hyperthyroidism, its important to monitor your cats weight and muscle mass. Cats also sweat through their paws and the sweat will have trace amounts of radioactive iodine. 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. Thus, individuals who opt for . One way to treat a cat with hyperthyroidism is with an oral medication that contains methimazole. The beta particles, which are much more potent forms of radiation, travel an average distance of less than 1 mm. Although this procedure is usually very effective, it is more expensive and requires the cat being . 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?). Cats also sweat through their paws and the sweat will have trace amounts of radioactive iodine. If both thyroid glands require removal, there is a risk of developing hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels) after surgery. 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 122(6): p. 2444-61. Cats are homed in our spacious, purpose-built radioactive iodine unit and cared for by our dedicated team of radioiodine nurses. This is due to increased stimulation in the nervous system which is a common occurrence in cats with feline hyperthyroidism. The other conditions that cats can develop at this age are numerous and varied. Many times the only symptoms these other conditions cause are weight loss. An anti-thyroid medication, like methimazole. (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.) RAI is a form of radioactive nuclear medication that permanently destroys thyroid tissue. If surgery is the chosen treatment method, the anti-thyroid medication methimazole (Tapazole, Felimazole) may be prescribed for several weeks before the operation. Miles K.G., Simpson S.A., Zimmerman R.B., et al. An important take-away message about your newly-diagnosed hyperthyroid cat is that there is a wide range of treatment options, so you can likely find something that works for your family. By 14 days after treatment, the radioactivity will have decayed to a very low level. Medication typically. Environmental risk factors have been investigated and may predispose some cats to hyperthyroidism, although the specific mechanisms are unknown. 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. The radioiodine (I-131) used to treat thyroid disease in people and animals emits both gamma rays and beta particles. Thyroid hormones affect nearly all of the organs in the body; therefore, thyroid disease often causes secondary problems. It does, however, involve the handling and injection of a radioactive substance that is only permitted at facilities specially licensed to use radioisotopes. Limit close contact (closer than 1 foot) to one hour per day. 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). For this long-term treatment, the cat is injected with the radioactive iodine, which destroys the tissue of the overactive thyroid gland. 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. Radioactive iodine therapy is becoming the treatment of choice for felines with hyperthyroidism. The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: What testing equipment and protective clothing do you recommend for a nontechnical person who will be giving home care to an 18-year-old blind cat after he has spent four days recovering in the animal hospital from 131I treatment? Consider Hyperthyroid Treatment . Already have a myVCA account? During treatment, radioactive iodine is administered as an injection and is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. 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 . Vet Rad & Ultrasound, 1994. Radioactive iodine (RAI) is a treatment method for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. They may develop periodic vomiting or diarrhea, and fur may appear unkempt. However, it may not be the best treatment for your particular cat. Fewer than 2% of hyperthyroid cases in cats involve malignant thyroid gland tumors. The advantages of medication are that the drugs are readily available and relatively inexpensive. 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. 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. 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.

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