4. A medication called methimazole, which interferes with thyroid hormone production, is less expensive but requires daily administration. The normal thyroid cells will therefore not take up any radioactive iodine. However, because your cat will be radioactive for several days after receiving the shot, precautions must be taken during and after the treatment. 228(4): p. 559-63. No ill effects have been noted in the children born to parents who received radioactive iodine in the past. There are virtually no side effects, and there is no pain associated with 131I treatment. The advantages of radioactive iodine therapy are that the procedure most often cures hyperthyroidism, has no serious side effects, and does not require anesthesia. Although this procedure is usually very effective, it is more expensive and requires the cat being . Miles K.G., Simpson S.A., Zimmerman R.B., et al. Hays M.T., Broome M.R. Subscribe to always know when we add new material! Most cats with uncomplicated hyperthyroidism will live several years following treatment of hyperthyroidism, unless they develop another disease. Should we just cut him off "cold turkey" (pun intended) and hope he finds fulfillment and eventual weight gain with his old diet of dry food? What are other nutritional concerns for my hyperthyroid cat? Thank you! . Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pets diet, medication, or physical activity routines. The radioiodine is eliminated in urine and feces. Why is the average risk of developing cancer so high? If your cat is showing signs of illness or depression, please contact PVESC. Did You Know? Methods: Therapy and body weight related data of 100 consecutive RITh-patients were retrospectively analysed from the time before up to three years after RITh. To answer these questions we have to separate the risks associated with internalizing (i.e., ingesting) radioactive iodine from the risks of being around a patient that has been treated with radioactive iodine. . Occasionally cats will act like they may have a sore throat for a couple of days after the radioiodine therapy. Hopefully this answers your questions and good luck with your cat. Radioactive Iodine Therapy Often, treating hyperthyroidism will unmask hidden kidney failure that will require additional care and is best detected early in the course of the disease. As the thyroid levels return to normal, some cats may be able to adjust to their new diets quickly after treatment. I'll be honest, the last thing I (or my vet) worried about with Sara was gaining weight. In order to produce thyroid hormone (thyroxine), the body needs a supply of iodine. Treating Hyperthyroidism in Cats. Oftentimes it takes decades for cancer to be detected following radiation exposure. NRC Regulations Montreal. Radioactive iodine may also affect a woman's ovaries, and some women may have irregular periods for up to a year after treatment. For this prescription diet to work, it must be the only food fed, which means no cheating with treats. Having said that, the clients who own the cats we treat with radioiodine should make every effort to avoid ingesting any contents from the litter box. 1 Radioactive iodine (RAI)] is generally considered the optimal treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats. It does, however, involve the handling and injection of a radioactive substance that is only permitted at facilities specially licensed to use radioisotopes. As with surgery, you may need to take thyroid hormone . The radioactive iodine is administered as a single injection . Answer posted on 30 March 2019. Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; Krista Williams, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM; Ernest Ward, DVM. Annual blood and urine tests are important in all cats seven years and older to detect hyperthyroidism before potentially irreversible damage occurs. It is also common for some cats to hide under the bed for a day or so after returning home as they de-stress following their out of home experience. 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. Weight change was analyzed in only 228 patients and 84% gained weight by 1 year after radioactive iodine therapy. The medication can be given life-long or to stabilize the cat before other treatment. Studies show that weight gain is inevitable after radioiodine-induced hypothyroidism. Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society. Surgical patients may become hyperthyroid again if abnormal cells are missed during surgery or if new abnormal cells develop. It is also common for hyperthyroid cats to exhibit increased vocalizing, particularly at night. There are four treatment options for feline hyperthyroidism: medication, radioactive iodine therapy, surgery, and dietary therapy. But this generally resolves without intervention. 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. 7. The radioiodine (I-131) used to treat thyroid disease in people and animals emits both gamma rays and beta particles. 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. Because the thyroid needs iodine to produce hormones, the thyroid takes the radioiodine into the thyroid cells and the radiation destroys the overactive thyroid cells over time. Surgical removal of the gland under general anesthetic was another option. These positive ions, or free radicals, can cause damage to DNA. Risks from hyperthyroidism. 2000-2023 TheCatSite.com. The slow onset of signs means that cat owners will often miss these changes until the late stages of disease. Ideally, the total GFR should be above 2.25 mL/min/kg. The study followed people for 26 years after two or more treatments. For this reason, some cats with hyperthyroidism may require additional treatment to control secondary heart disease. Diagnosis The treatment options for hyperthyroidism are: Oral medication. Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau Wild Salmon Wet Cat Food. Radioactive iodine therapy offers a cure through a simple injection that returns thyroid function to normal levels. For this long-term treatment, the cat is injected with the radioactive iodine, which destroys the tissue of the overactive thyroid gland. The cell dies (only occurs with very high doses). One way to treat a cat with hyperthyroidism is with an oral medication that contains methimazole. 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. What Treats Can I Give my Dog with CalciumOxalateStones? The typical cat with hyperthyroidism is middle-aged or older; the average age of affected cats is approximately 12 years. Hair loss. Domestic airline pilots are exposed to an additional 2.2 mSv per year, about the same dose as a brain CT. As you can see from the table below, the estimated risk of developing cancer from exposure to 0.1 Gy (= 100mSv), while it varies with the age of the individual, is something less than 1% for adults. Weight gain after RAI is typical. Cats with hyperthyroidism exhibit symptoms that are similar to those of humans with the disease: weight loss, increased appetite, excessive . It will take about a month for thyroid levels to return to normal in most cats. Jane Meggitt has been a writer for more than 20 years. Treatment 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. Nearly all cats will be cured by a second treatment. radioactive iodine All three treatments will reduce thyroid hormone levels and the signs of hyperthyroidism. With your cat's diseased thyroid, after methimazole treatment failed, large doses of iodine might have proven effective. . I am certain that your veterinarian probably told you to take care when handling the litter and to wash your hands thoroughly after handling litter, the cat, and items that the cat came into contact with. Your cat will not experience nausea, hair loss, lethargy, or decreased appetite as a result of the procedure. Thyroid scintigraphy may also be recommended to confirm a diagnosis and determine the size of the organ before surgery or radioactive iodine. GFR results are used to determine the functional status of the kidneys, and identify cats with subclinical renal disease. Hypertension develops due to the increased pumping pressure and elevated heart rate that occurs with hyperthyroidism. This problem resolved rapidly after treatment. So, we must use distance and reduction of time near the source when dealing with patients and pets treated with 131I. Not all veterinary facilities perform the procedure. In some cases, complications involving other organs may worsen this prognosis. Gained over three pounds! Category: Nuclear Medicine Patient Issues Questions Concerning Domestic Animals. The cell repairs itself with mistakes (rare). The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice. How to choose the right food for your cat. If left untreated and unmanaged, these changes may eventually compromise the normal function of the heart and can even lead to heart failure. Radioactive iodine therapy. . I-131 therapy does not require anesthesia and eliminates the need for daily medication. Overall, weight gain was associated with development of hypothyroidism despite levothyroxine replacement . 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. Treatment usually includes an adjustment to your cat's diet, medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery. I-131 therapy does not require anesthesia and eliminates the need for daily medication. The recommended food for cats with thyroid problems is high in protein yet low in carbohydrates, iodine (around 0.32 ppm) and phosphate. 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. hypothyroidism was only treated if it was associated with clinical signs like excessive weight gain, lethargy, and skin problems. 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. 1. All bodily fluids in the cat will have trace amounts of radioactive material within them, but it will be most prevalent within the urine. Protein and Carbohydrate Sources of Home-cooked Pet Diets, Deborah E. Linder, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Nutrition), Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy: The cause is not yet known but it hasnt gone away, Too hot? Hyperthyroidism & Liver Function in Cats, Intervals of Depo-Medrol Injections for Cats. These include surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) or treatment with radioactive iodine. This is because the parathyroid glands (responsible for calcium balance in the body) are near the thyroid gland and may be damaged or accidentally removed during surgery. It might not be an option for a frail cat who shouldn't undergo anesthesia. Risks unrelated to radioiodine therapy: Cats treated with radioactive iodine for their hyperthyroidism have several risks unrelated to the radioiodine therapy itself. The good news is that virtually every client will already take steps to avoid this, even when radioactive iodine in their cat's urine is not the motivation. Some people may have a feeling of tightness or swelling in their neck for a few days after treatment. The thyroid cells are damaged or destroyed, but that's the whole idea other cells are left untouched. Supporting Cat Health with Information and Health Studies. Within one year after discontinuation of MMI, hyperthyroidism recurred in 104 patients. The first step is determining the blood level of one of the thyroid hormones calledtotal thyroxine (TT4). A special diet for cats with hyperthyroidism. Radioactive iodine. He's radioactive, so it's not safe even for humans wearing protective clothing to spend too much time around him. Let's tackle the external exposure first as it is the simplest concept. One to two weeks after surgery, another TT4 level is measured. However, the risk is minimal if your cat is otherwise healthy, and the initial diagnostic tests and treatment did not reveal any underlying conditions. 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. Amazingly despite over 35 years of veterinary experience treating hyperthyroid cats with radioiodine there are virtually no reported side effects. The veterinarian's recommendations are to isolate my cat for at least two weeks. In some cases, the cat will develop a heart murmur associated with cardiomyopathy. Radioactive iodine (I-131) is a very safe and effective treatment for hyperthyroidism. For example, some families cant medicate cats every day, so a more permanent solution such as radioactive iodine treatment or surgery may be best. Also, I wonder if there is home-testing equipment to track the household dispersal of the radioactive contaminants that he emits after his treatment and something else to monitor and determine my exposure to the 131I remnants. However, because your cat will be radioactive for several days after receiving the shot, precautions must be taken during and after the treatment. It is important to remember that old age is not a disease. The goal of hyperthyroidism treatment is to lower the levels of thyroid hormones in the body. Your doctor will order a test called a radioactive iodine uptake and scan to determine the dose you will need. If we restrict iodine, production of thyroxine decreases. Our cat was treated for hyperthyroidism and has been back home for about two weeks. Of 247 patients receiving RAI for GD, 157 (79.6% female) had complete data and were included in the analysis. Even after treatment it may take a long time to reverse weight loss and muscle loss that occurred before your cats diagnosis.