If DNA is damaged, there are three possible outcomes: I-131 therapy does not require anesthesia and eliminates the need for daily medication. When choosing the best therapy for an individual cat, many factors must be considered. This cat is showing weight loss and poor coat - typical signs of hyperthyroidism. 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 . 1 INTRODUCTION. The radioiodine is eliminated in urine and feces. Most hyperthyroid cats respond fully to a single injection with radio-iodine. I-131 therapy does not require anesthesia and eliminates the need for daily medication. Treatment usually includes an adjustment to your cat's diet, medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery. 5. Jane Meggitt has been a writer for more than 20 years. For the same reasons as surgical treatment, your cat will likely be started on methimazole for about a month before radioactive iodine therapy. At 1 and 3 months after the treatment, a blood test for thyroid and kidney function should be done by your veterinarian. The 1-month level thyroid may be slightly high, low or normal. Further, the litter will be radioactive as most of the radioactive iodine will be excreted via this route. Discuss these issues with your veterinarian when considering dietary iodine restriction as a treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats. A small number of cats will remain hyperthyroid after treatment, if this is the case your cat will need . The risks of ingesting radioactive iodine and the risks of being around a patient that has been treated with radioactive iodine are very different. This may take 8 to 12 weeks or longer. If your cat requires daily medications for issues other than hyperthyroidism, he's not a candidate for radioactive iodine therapy. Thyroid scintigraphy may also be recommended to confirm a diagnosis and determine the size of the organ before surgery or radioactive iodine. To scientifically prove a connection would require nearly one million patients followed closely over decades to detect the small increased risk with any confidence. Too cold? Answer posted on 30 March 2019. 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. While the treatment is fairly expensive, over the long term it could be cheaper than medication and is on a par with surgical treatment. Now that I know my cat has hyperthyroidism, what do I do? This can best be done by monitoring your cats body condition, muscle condition, and weight. You would actually have to ingest the cats waste for it to be harmful to you. Even after treatment it may take a long time to reverse weight loss and muscle loss that occurred before your cats diagnosis. 2. 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. 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. With this therapy, you take radioactive iodine (radioiodine) by mouth. Depending on the dose, radioactive iodine can kill a portion, or all, of your thyroid. In most cases, only enough radioiodine is given to destroy that part of the gland that is functioning . What happens after radioactive iodine treatment for cats? The majority of cats treated with radioactive iodine have normal hormone levels within one to two weeks of treatment. Wet food is much better for him anyhow, so this is a good time to get him settled on it. To help your cat gain weight, you need to increase the protein and . . Rarely, a permanent reduction in thyroid-hormone levels called hypothyroidism occurs after radioactive iodine treatment. 101(4 Pt 1): p. 717-9. Subscribe to always know when we add new material! 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. It is given one to three times daily and must be continued for the remainder of the pet's life. Some people may have a feeling of tightness or swelling in their neck for a few days after treatment. Recurrence of hyperthyroidism is rare after I-131 therapy. You must log in or register to reply here. For this reason, some cats with hyperthyroidism may require additional treatment to control secondary heart disease. 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. The iodine is taken into the thyroid gland and incorporated into thyroxine. Over time, this progresses to increased blood pressure, severe weight loss, heart disease, blindness, and kidney damage. 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. Within one year after discontinuation of MMI, hyperthyroidism recurred in 104 patients. . GFR results are used to determine the functional status of the kidneys, and identify cats with subclinical renal disease. Overall, weight gain was associated with development of hypothyroidism despite levothyroxine replacement . This information is not a substitute for a vets opinion. Why? The risks associated with low level ingestion of radioactive iodine relate to an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Affected cats are often restless and may become cranky or aggressive. 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). 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. At the time of discharge, exposure levels measured at 6 feet from the patient are virtually indistinguishable from background levels. In some of these cats, blood pressure can become so high that retinal bleeding or retinal detachment will occur, resulting in sudden blindness. First we need to put this exposure level into some context: How do x-rays increase your risk for cancer? Thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy may develop because the heart enlarges and thickens to meet the increased metabolic demands. You can't visit Fluffy during his stay at the veterinary facility. We were told that 90% of the Radioactive Iodine is gone from the cat in two days. Many times the only symptoms these other conditions cause are weight loss. The cell dies (only occurs with very high doses). Annual blood and urine tests are important in all cats seven years and older to detect hyperthyroidism before potentially irreversible damage occurs. If radioactive iodine therapy won't work for you and your cat, alternatives are available. Why isn't there a study directly linking medical imaging and cancer? Clinical signs include lethargy, dullness, obesity, oily skin, and matted fur. Learn more about the Clinical Nutrition Team at Tufts. Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is a common disease of older cats. 197(2): p. 125-136. Whats the difference between type 1 and 2 diabetes NHS. In cases where radioactive iodine therapy is not successful, the treatment can be repeated. But this generally resolves without intervention. These tests are needed to evaluate your cats overall health and predict the likelihood of complications with the chosen treatment protocol. 2004. Hyperthyroid cats suffer overactive thyroid glands, circulating too much thyroid hormone through their system and affecting nearly every organ. Hypertension develops due to the increased pumping pressure and elevated heart rate that occurs with hyperthyroidism. The three ways that we control exposures to external sources of radiation are time, distance, and shielding. . 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. Cats receive a single dose of radioactive iodine by either subcutaneous injection or by a capsule given by mouth. While I do not know the amount of radioactive 131I that was administered to your cat, the recommendations that your veterinarian has given you are very standard for the industry. An anti-thyroid medication, like methimazole. Surgical removal of the affected thyroid gland(s) may be very effective. There are no studies that directly link cancer to the low dose radiation used in current medical imaging. American Academy of Pediatrics. However, caution should be taken in disposal of products that may contain trace amounts of this radioactive substance. If the total GFR is below this number, medical therapy for hyperthyroidism may be recommended, although I-131 treatment may still be an option in specific patients. 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. However, the risk is minimal if your cat is otherwise healthy, and the initial diagnostic tests and treatment did not reveal any underlying conditions. A prescription diet is available that lowers thyroid hormone, but for it to work your cat can't ever eat any other food. 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 anti-thyroid pill is methimazole, also known as Tapazole. Slater M.R., Komkov A., Robinson L.E., et al., Long-Term Follow-up of Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine-131. . If the disease involves both lobes of the thyroid gland, two surgeries may be required, depending on the surgeon's choice of procedures. Will he come around at some point or have we created a monster who will run off to the food dish every time we get up from the chair. Looking for a convenient way to access your pets health records, refill prescriptions, view upcoming appointments and more? 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. A standard Chest x-ray is 0.1 mSv. 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. 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. Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations 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. 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. 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. Many organs are affected by hyperthyroidism, especially the heart. Let's tackle the external exposure first as it is the simplest concept. When an injection of radioactive iodine is given, it destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. Log in 24/7 to access your pets health care information. 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. Radioactive iodine therapy offers a cure through a simple injection that returns thyroid function to normal levels. Hypothyroidism, is a condition resulting from a deficiency of thyroid hormone. Weight gain after RAI is typical. All three have risks and benefits. Also, you might get some good ideas about what to feed him on Dr. Lisa Pierson's web site. The more common symptoms are an increase in thirst, urination, and appetite, as well as weight loss. ), family history (genetics) or radiation exposure. 4. 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. Fewer than 2% of hyperthyroid cases in cats involve malignant thyroid gland tumors. 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. What are other nutritional concerns for my hyperthyroid cat? It is best to perform a nuclear scan before surgery to rule out ectopic thyroid tissue. Occasionally cats will act like they may have a sore throat for a couple of days after the radioiodine therapy. Your cat can receive methimazole, a medication that inhibits thyroid hormone production. There are four treatment options for feline hyperthyroidism: medication, radioactive iodine therapy, surgery, and dietary therapy. 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. This test can also help the doctor determine the cause of your hyperthyroidism and get other information about your thyroid tissue. 1 Radioactive iodine (RAI)] is generally considered the optimal treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats. But there are clear reasons for the precautions that the veterinarian has given you and I also recommend that you follow them. Risks unrelated to radioiodine therapy: Do not allow your cat to sleep against your body. In most cases, enlargement of thyroid glands is caused by a non-cancerous tumor called an adenoma. 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?). Ten patients (6.4%) had DS (Down Syndrome) and 33 (21.0%) had received ATDs before RAI ablation. TheCatSite.com is a community of cat lovers dedicated to quality cat care and cat welfare. In the US, the average person is exposed to an additional 3.0 mSv/yr from medical sources (predominantly CT scans). 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 information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice. Recurrence of the disease is a possibility in some cats. However, these options tend to be expensive and not possible for all pet owners. Hair loss. 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. Hyperthyroidism is a common condition in older cats. The food isnotmedicated. Since fewer than 2% of cats with hyperthyroidism have cancerous growths of the thyroid gland, treatment is usually very successful.
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