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Radioiodine Treatment (I-131)

The Imaging Center provides iodine-131 treatment for cats and dogs suffering hyperthyroidism and thyroid carcinomas as an alternative to thyroid gland surgery.

Radioiodine therapy is the least invasive, the safest, and the most effective way to treat hyperthyroidism in cats. It avoids the inconvenience of daily, oral administration and side effects associated with antithyroid drugs (such as Tapazole), as well as the risks and postoperative complications associated with anesthesia and surgical thyroidectomy.

 

More than 95 percent of cats will be cured by a single injection. The remaining small percentage of cats can be treated a second time safely if the thyroid levels remain high six months after injection. The I-131 is absorbed and metabolized by the hyperactive thyroid tissue only (even ectopic tissue) and destroys the abnormal hyperfunctioning thyroid cells. The normal cells are suppressed by the hyperactive tissue; therefore they don’t uptake the I-131 and are spared. The I-131 does not travel more than 3 mm in tissue therefore adjacent structures are not affected. Normal thyroid levels are usually reached within a month.

RADIOIODINE PROCEDURES

PRE-REFERRAL DATA

A thorough physical exam, complete blood work including complete blood count (CBC), chemistry, T4, thoracic radiographs, and a urinalysis will be required within one month of admission. If any underlying cardiac abnormalities are detected, further workup of these patients by means of electrocardiography (ECG) or echocardiography may be necessary. Cats with renal failure or other chronic illnesses should be stabilized as much as possible prior to treatment. In this way we hope to avoid complications during hospitalization following the radioiodine treatment.

PROCEDURE

Our protocol includes an imaging study of the thyroid prior to the I-131 therapy. Not only will the scintigraphic study confirm the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in cats that do not have a palpable thyroid nodule, but also in those cats that have had a relapse of hyperthyroidism after thyroidectomy. It will also evaluate for the possibility of ectopic thyroid tissue. The scintigraphic study is done under sedation.

The I-131 is administered as a subcutaneous injection. Due to the radioactive nature of the I-131, the patient is obligated to remain within the shielded facility, approved by the state, at all times during the established days of hospitalization (approximately five days). Safety regulations do not allow any visitors in the treatment/housing area. The radiologist will monitor each patient every day. The owners will be updated on a daily basis on the status of their pet by a technician. The referring veterinarian will receive a notification at the release of the patient.

POST-TREATMENT PROCEDURES (at home)

At the time of release, the radiologist will meet with the owner and explain the post-treatment procedures.

For the first two weeks following treatment:

  • Limit close contact (holding close to your own neck, sleeping next to) with your cat to a maximum of 30 minutes per day per person.
  • Keep your cat indoors. Scoop urine and fecal clumps from the litter box twice daily. Use a flushable litter (ICA will provide one 10 lb. bag) and flush all clumps down the toilet. Avoid splashing and flush three times.
  • Always wear latex gloves (ICA will provide) when handling your cat’s waste products, bodily fluids and when cleaning the litter box. Place gloves and any objects that have been in contact with your cat’s urine or feces in a double lined garbage bag in a remote area of the house away from children and other animals
  • Keep minors (those under 18 years of age) and pregnant women from coming into contact with your cat or its waste products.
  • Keep your cat in a carrier during any transport to avoid contamination of your vehicle by your cat’s urine or feces. After this two week period, you and your cat can resume normal activities and you may stop flushing waste products.

 

FOLLOW-UP with referring veterinarian

Normal thyroid levels are usually reached between one and three months (up to five months). More than 95 percent of cats will be cured by a single injection. The remaining small percentage of cats can be treated a second time safely if the thyroid levels remain high six months after the injection.

Follow-up blood work and T4 levels at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months are recommended. This can easily be done at the family veterinarian’s clinic.