In some cats, anorexia develops as the disease progresses. This isnotan iodine-free diet but a diet with a controlled iodine content of 0.2ppma minimal amount. This can best be done by monitoring your cat's body condition, muscle condition, and weight. At the time of discharge, exposure levels measured at 6 feet from the patient are virtually indistinguishable from background levels. This treatment involves administering an injection of iodine with a radioactive substance attached. You can't visit Fluffy during his stay at the veterinary facility. 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. You may also be advised to suck on sour candy after treatment to help the radioactive iodine come out in your saliva. How does airline travel expose me to radiation? I have a cat also and I know when she is happy and purring while sitting on my lap getting strokes, she drools. In many cats, only one thyroid lobe is abnormal, so only one surgery is needed. Cats are homed in our spacious, purpose-built radioactive iodine unit and cared for by our dedicated team of radioiodine nurses. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from New York University and an Associate of Arts from the American Academy of Dramatics Arts, New York City. 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. Our cat was treated for hyperthyroidism and has been back home for about two weeks. Hypocalcemia can be life-threatening and may require either short-term or long-term medication postoperatively should it occur. In cats > 95% of the radioiodine is excreted in the urine. Montreal. How to choose the right food for your cat. That was part of the problem we had before treatment. Actually it is quite safe, because the radioactive iodine is absorbed only by thyroid cells; no other cells in the body are exposed to the radiation. These tests are needed to evaluate your cats overall health and predict the likelihood of complications with the chosen treatment protocol. At 1 and 3 months after the treatment, a blood test for thyroid and kidney function should be done by your veterinarian. Until then, the radiation safety guidelines of Michigan and the NCR are followed. Not all veterinary facilities perform the procedure. In most cases, enlargement of thyroid glands is caused by a non-cancerous tumor called an adenoma. Site Help | The remainder is gone in about the next two months or so. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. 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. Cats can receive a second treatment, if necessary. They were randomized into 2 groups for continuous antithyroid and radioiodine treatment. Dr. Linder has received speaker fees or research fudning from Hills Pet Nutrition, Nestl Purina PetCare, Royal Canin, and Virbac, and has provided professional services for Mark Morris Institute. With this therapy, you take radioactive iodine (radioiodine) by mouth. These complications include cerebrovascular events (i.e., strokes) and the premature exacerbation of pre-existing kidney disease. To scientifically prove a connection would require nearly one million patients followed closely over decades to detect the small increased risk with any confidence. Occasionally, a cat suspected of having hyperthyroidism has a TT4 level within the upper range of normal. JavaScript is disabled. After treatment, the normal thyroid tissue will regain full function within 1-3 months. The coat of affected cats may appear unkempt, matted, or greasy (see Figure 1). Hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity. The treatment you and your vet choose depends on several factors including how severe the disease is, your cats health, and what works best for your family. Radioactive iodine therapy offers a cure through a simple injection that returns thyroid function to normal levels. Thus, pate is a better choice for your cat than gravy food due to the latter's higher . You must log in or register to reply here. The radioactive iodine is useful in treating the condition that your veterinarian has diagnosed in your cat. Def scared about this possibility with Fluff, Our cat was treated for hyperthyroidism and has been back home for about two weeks. The treatment a cat receives for hyperthyroidism will depend on specific circumstances, including the patients overall health status, the owners ability and willingness to medicate the cat regularly, and financial considerations. What happens after my cat is released from the hospital? Now the question is what risk does one obtain from receiving an exposure of 1 mSv? The cell repairs itself perfectly (most common result). 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. However, the risk is minimal if your cat is otherwise healthy, and the initial diagnostic tests and treatment did not reveal any underlying conditions. During treatment, radioactive iodine is administered as an injection and is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Long-Term Follow-up of Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine-131. Cats also sweat through their paws and the sweat will have trace amounts of radioactive iodine. When this occurs, a second test, usually afree T4 by equilibrium dialysis (FT4 by ED)or aT3 suppression test,is performed. Chance of significant, unhealthy weight gain is increased. Set up your myVCA account today. Rarely, people can feel pain in their neck. Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau Wild Salmon Wet Cat Food. DNA can also be damaged directly by radiation. There are virtually no side effects, and there is no pain associated with 131I treatment. When choosing the best therapy for an individual cat, many factors must be considered. Hypertension develops due to the increased pumping pressure and elevated heart rate that occurs with hyperthyroidism. Dry, dull coat. Methimazole is also given before surgery to determine if the cat has a secondary medical condition, such as kidney or liver disease masked by hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include weight loss, muscle wasting, increased appetite, increased thirst and urination, vomiting, unkempt appearance, and sometimes hyperactivity. Radioiodine treatment avoids surgery, anesthesia, and anti-thyroid drugs. The radioiodine is eliminated in urine and feces. 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. 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. Most cats respond to treatment within weeks, although some take up to 6 months to gain the full benefit. Although many cats diagnosed with hyperthyroid disease already have kidney disease, untreated hyperthyroidism can also cause kidney disease due to the damaging effects of hypertension on the kidneys. Signs of anxiety in a cat including pacing, yowling for no apparent reason, and restlessness are a common symptom of feline hyperthyroidism. Antithyroid medications are also available in a gel that can be applied to the skin. Exposure to high levels of dietary iodine may cause susceptible cats to develop hyperthyroidism. Pediatrics, 1998. Now that I know my cat has hyperthyroidism, what do I do? 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. The radioiodine (I-131) used to treat thyroid disease in people and animals emits both gamma rays and beta particles. hypothyroidism was only treated if it was associated with clinical signs like excessive weight gain, lethargy, and skin problems. 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. 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. When an injection of radioactive iodine is given, it destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. 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. Because of strict treatment guidelines, most facilities will not allow visitors during this quarantine period. So, we must use distance and reduction of time near the source when dealing with patients and pets treated with 131I. These positive ions, or free radicals, can cause damage to DNA. The thyroid cells are damaged or destroyed, but that's the whole idea other cells are left untouched. We were told that 90% of the Radioactive Iodine is gone from the cat in two days. These medications do not provide a cure for the disease, but they do allow either short-term or long-term control of hyperthyroidism. 2007 07/19/2011; Available from: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part020/. I-131 therapy does not require anesthesia and eliminates the need for daily medication. As stated above, it may also be used for a few weeks to stabilize a cat at increased surgical risk because of cardiac complications. The more common symptoms are an increase in thirst, urination, and appetite, as well as weight loss. During that time, the ravenous appetite should subside, your cat will probably gain weight, and her blood pressure and heart rate should normalize. The word "individuals" in this context means "people". Looking for a convenient way to access your pets health records, refill prescriptions, view upcoming appointments and more? If hypertension is diagnosed along with hyperthyroidism, drugs may be needed to control the blood pressure and reduce the risk of damaging other organs. Cats with hyperthyroidism exhibit symptoms that are similar to those of humans with the disease: weight loss, increased appetite, excessive . Although it has a slightly higher iodine content than the previous option, Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau Wild Salmon is the best value for money. When clicking a link here and buying, we may be able to make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Mean baseline age was 12.7 3.0 years and mean baseline BMI SDS was 0.003 1.18 kg/m 2. Aim: Analysis and follow up of body weight after radioiodine therapy (RITh) of hyperthyroidism, since excessive weight gain is a common complaint among these patients. J Vet Intern Med, 2001. Amazingly despite over 35 years of veterinary experience treating hyperthyroid cats with radioiodine there are virtually no reported side effects. In a cat treated with radioactive iodine, the drool will contain radioactive materials. For some cats, a veterinary therapeutic diet low in iodine may be all thats required to control symptoms. This treatment is appropriate for cats with more surgical risk due to other health problems or who are exceptionally old. It is important to drink fluids after your treatment and for the next 2 days. When an injection of radioactive iodine is given, it destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. 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. 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. Of course some cats treated with radioiodine for their hyperthyroidism will go on to get cancer, but in the same proportion as hyperthyroid cats treated with methimazole or surgery. Endocrinology, 1988. It is actually the best approach to take to minimize exposures to you and your family while allowing the cat to have post-treatment recovery time at home and not in a veterinary hospital. Their hyperthyroidism won't come back, and they don't need ongoing medication. Radioactive iodine may also affect a woman's ovaries, and some women may have irregular periods for up to a year after treatment. The current Nuclear Regulatory Commission radiation dose limits for individual members of the public are listed below. What are other nutritional concerns for my hyperthyroid cat? Nera just had her 3 month checkup and her T4 level is down to 2.3! 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 give him some baby food and wet cat food. Because of these rare but serious side effect risks, your cat will need to be closely monitored by having simple blood tests performed every three to six months when using this medication. Unfortunately, 131I has a rather high-energy gamma emission that is difficult to shield. Gained over three pounds! The other conditions that cats can develop at this age are numerous and varied. Let's tackle the external exposure first as it is the simplest concept. I might even suggest using disposable gloves when handling the litter box duties and when caring for the cat during the isolation time. 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. A swollen or tender neck and feeling flushed. Fluffy might be a candidate for a thyroidectomy, surgery to remove the thyroid glands, which usually results in a cure. 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 However, once the underlying hyperthyroidism has been controlled, the cardiac changes will often improve or may even resolve completely. Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, materials, and information described herein. 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. If surgery is the chosen treatment method, the anti-thyroid medication methimazole (Tapazole, Felimazole) may be prescribed for several weeks before the operation. This means that our radioactive materials license requires our practice ensure that our clients receive less than 1 mSv of radiation exposure as the result of our treatment of their hyperthyroid cat with radioiodine. For the same reasons as surgical treatment, your cat will likely be started on methimazole for about a month before radioactive iodine therapy. All rights reserved. Employees of facilities that utilize radioactive materials may be categorized as "radiation workers" depending on their role. Risks related to radioiodine: 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. In cases where radioactive iodine therapy is not successful, the treatment can be repeated. The medication can be given life-long or to stabilize the cat before other treatment. If these tests are not diagnostic, athyroid scan (thyroid scintigraphy)can be performed at a veterinary referral center, or the TT4 can be measured again in a few weeks. Determination of Release Criteria for I-131 Therapy Cats in Conference Proceedings American College of Veterinary Radiology. 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). However, there are a number of reasons for the precautions that your veterinarian has provided you that I will discuss below. 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. 1. You'll have to give him this drug twice daily for the rest of his life, which treats but doesn't cure the condition. 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. Your doctor will order a test called a radioactive iodine uptake and scan to determine the dose you will need. One way to treat a cat with hyperthyroidism is with an oral medication that contains methimazole. The risk to these cats is the simple fact that many cats in the age range when cats develop hyperthyroidism (8+ years) also develop other diseases. 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. Some people may have a feeling of tightness or swelling in their neck for a few days after treatment. What happens after radioactive iodine treatment for cats? Rarely, a permanent reduction in thyroid-hormone levels called hypothyroidism occurs after radioactive iodine treatment. Radioactive iodine therapy is becoming the treatment of choice for felines with hyperthyroidism. But those instruments are quite expensive and are not readily available in stores. The advantages of medication are that the drugs are readily available and relatively inexpensive. Hyperthyroidism is a common condition in older cats. 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. Regardless of the medication, blood tests should be conducted periodically during treatment to evaluate whether the therapy is effective and to monitor kidney function and for potential side effects. There are several hypothesized causes of hyperthyroidism. One study looked at patients with Graves' disease who were treated with RAI over five years. The average age of cats with hyperthyroidism is approximately 12 years and about 5% of hyperthyroid cats are younger than 10 years of age. Luckily these risks will diminish in time following successful radioiodine therapy and a return to a persistently normal thyroid level. And, if you destroy your thyroid gland, it turns out that that may have consequences on your metabolism. What is not taken up by the thyroid will be present in the cat's bodily fluids and will primarily be voided in the cat's urine (in those first four days at the vet hospital). The American Thyroid Association notes that weight gain develops over a long time and may have many causes other than the underactive thyroid. Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of continuous methimazole (MMI) therapy. Since hyperthyroid cats are usually over eight years of age, there is a degree of risk involved. The risks associated with low level ingestion of radioactive iodine relate to an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. Despite the extensive blood and urine tests, chest x-rays and physical exams that we require before . 101(4 Pt 1): p. 717-9. In a study of 524 hyperthyroid cats treated with I-131, only 11/524 (2.1%) developed The radioactive isotope, Iodine-131 ( 131 I), is administered as a one-off injection. These licenses establish the basis for the facilities compliance with federal regulations established by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This can best be done by monitoring your cats body condition, muscle condition, and weight. Most cats with hyperthyroidism have elevated levels of the thyroid hormone T4 in their bloodstream, but a small percentage of cats with hyperthyroidism have T4 levels within the normal range. Upon discharge from PVESC (after an average of 4 to 7 days after treatment), treated cats will still be excreting radioiodine in their urine, saliva, and feces. The radioactive iodine is administered as a single injection . Now let's deal with the issue of radioactive iodine released by the cat, which I believe is actually the bigger concern. About 25% of cats with hyperthyroidism become hypertensive. These include weight loss, increased activity, and kitten like behaviour. Miles K.G., Simpson S.A., Zimmerman R.B., et al. The routine stay in our radioactive iodine unit is currently 12 days. 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 to your question about "home-testing equipment" and "something else to monitor and determine (your) exposure," there really are no good options for that. I'm sure if he is still underweight, his body will be telling him to eat, eat, eat. We fed him some Fancy Feast again last night and he ate it all without vomiting. We love them, too! A prescription diet is available that lowers thyroid hormone, but for it to work your cat can't ever eat any other food. When it comes to survival, the studies that have been done show that cats cured of their thyroid disease by radioactive iodine live much longer (up to twice as long) when compared to hyperthyroid cats treated by methimazole. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 2006. If we use the linear no-threshold model we could estimate that the exposure to 1 mSv would therefore have a risk of less than 0.01% (or 1/100th of 1 %) of causing cancer over the remaining life of an adult. This I131 injection accumulates in the abnormal thyroid tissue, and the radioactivity kills the abnormal tissue without harming other vital structures nearby. They do not take into consideration individual risk factors including lifestyle (smoking, diet, exercise, etc. 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. Fewer than 2% of hyperthyroid cases in cats involve malignant thyroid gland tumors. 35(3): p. 204-209. Copyright 2019 Advanced Veterinary Medical Imaging. Diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism is generally straightforward. It is also common for hyperthyroid cats to exhibit increased vocalizing, particularly at night. Most hyperthyroid cats respond fully to a single injection with radio-iodine. GFR results are used to determine the functional status of the kidneys, and identify cats with subclinical renal disease. Prognosis If your cat is showing signs of illness or depression, please contact PVESC. Hence additional separation between the patient and children are unnecessary. ), family history (genetics) or radiation exposure. 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. 122(6): p. 2444-61. 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. 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. Many organs are affected by hyperthyroidism, especially the heart. When a radioactive form of iodine is given to hyperthyroid cats, the radiation destroys a portion of the thyroid gland. Surgical removal of the affected thyroid gland(s) may be very effective. When x-rays, or any ionizing radiation, pass through the body they cause electrons to be ejected from atoms, leaving behind positive ions. 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. Cat Articles | 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. What Are The Side Effects Of Radioactive Iodine Treatment In Cats? A medication called methimazole, which interferes with thyroid hormone production, is less expensive but requires daily administration. Cats exclusively fed the prescription diet will remain normal, but if the diet is discontinued, they will once again become hyperthyroid. The majority of cats treated with radioactive iodine have normal hormone levels within one to two weeks of treatment. Radioactive iodine targets the thyroid tissue - as this is the only tissue in the body that uses significant quantities of iodine. Why? Thank you! 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. Risks unrelated to radioiodine therapy: The treatment of choice for hyperthyroid cats is radioactive iodine therapy, which is a cure. RAI is a form of radioactive nuclear medication that permanently destroys thyroid tissue. Lifelong administration of methimazole can control the effects of an overactive thyroid gland. We found out about the radioactive iodine treatment and after lots.of research decided this was the way to go. Many doctors recommend that women avoid becoming pregnant for 6 months to a year after treatment. However, it may not be appropriate for all cats (depending on other medical conditions) so important to work with your veterinarian and decide if using this therapeutic diet is the best way to manage your cats condition. She gained and ate a lot and we were more than happy. What is the biggest concern with nuclear meltdown and why? Jeff Brunette, CHP, Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. All bodily fluids in the cat will have trace amounts of radioactive material within them, but it will be most prevalent within the urine. Committee on Environmental Health. The most common clinical sign of hyperthyroidism is weight loss due to the increased rate of metabolism despite an increased appetite. To convert these to traditional units we have prepared a. Iodine-131, Hyperthyroidism, and Radioactive Iodine Therapy Iodine-131 (I-131) is a radioisotope of iodine with a physical half-life of 8.02 days; its primary decay emissions include a 606 keV - particle with 89.6% abundance and a 364 keV -ray with 81.5% abundance (Knolls Atomic Power Lab 2010). Before treatment he was ravenous and losing weight -- typical of cats with that disorder I'm told. 4. Elevated thyroid hormones stimulate an increased heart rate and a stronger contraction of the heart muscle, and can cause thickening of the left ventricle of the heart over time. The recommended food for cats with thyroid problems is high in protein yet low in carbohydrates, iodine (around 0.32 ppm) and phosphate. A small number of cats will remain hyperthyroid after treatment, if this is the case your cat will need . 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. 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. .