The recommended food for cats with thyroid problems is high in protein yet low in carbohydrates, iodine (around 0.32 ppm) and phosphate. 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. Hyperthyroid cats suffer overactive thyroid glands, circulating too much thyroid hormone through their system and affecting nearly every organ. 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. Def scared about this possibility with Fluff, Our cat was treated for hyperthyroidism and has been back home for about two weeks. Supporting Cat Health with Information and Health Studies. . Overall, weight gain was associated with development of hypothyroidism despite levothyroxine replacement . Having lost my 18-year-old feline member of the family a few years ago, I completely understand the attachment and your desire to not stress the cat. Most cats respond to treatment within weeks, although some take up to 6 months to gain the full benefit. Treatment usually includes an adjustment to your cat's diet, medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery. Some people also feel flushed. Radioactive-iodine therapy is becoming increasingly popular when dealing with hyperthyroidism in cats. As stated above, it may also be used for a few weeks to stabilize a cat at increased surgical risk because of cardiac complications. What happens after my cat is released from the hospital? Radioactive iodine is an effective and safe treatment option for children and teenagers with an overactive thyroid gland, but will usually be given as a second-line treatment after a reasonably long course of antithyroid medication. Survival Times for Cats with Hyperthyroidism Treated with Iodine 131, Methimazole, or Both, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part020/, Determination of Release Criteria for I-131 Therapy Cats, Risk of Ionizing Radiation Exposure to Children: A Subject Review, Hormesis: From Marginalization to Mainstream: A Case for Hormesis as the Default Dose-Response Model in Risk Assessment. 122(6): p. 2444-61. DNA can also be damaged directly by radiation. Thyroid hormones affect nearly all of the organs in the body; therefore, thyroid disease often causes secondary problems. 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. The cell repairs itself with mistakes (rare). At the time of discharge, exposure levels measured at 6 feet from the patient are virtually indistinguishable from background levels. Thyroid scintigraphy may also be recommended to confirm a diagnosis and determine the size of the organ before surgery or radioactive iodine. First we need to put this exposure level into some context: How do x-rays increase your risk for cancer? Your veterinarian's instructions regarding separation for the two weeks are simply doing the same thing we do with people. Cat Articles | What happens after radioactive iodine treatment for cats? Exposure limitations: They were randomized into 2 groups for continuous antithyroid and radioiodine treatment. Miles K.G., Simpson S.A., Zimmerman R.B., et al. You can't visit Fluffy during his stay at the veterinary facility. She's lost a pound in less than two weeks, so yeah, I'm glad I let her eat as much as she wanted. These tests are needed to evaluate your cats overall health and predict the likelihood of complications with the chosen treatment protocol. In many cats, only one thyroid lobe is abnormal, so only one surgery is needed. However, these options tend to be expensive and not possible for all pet owners. Therefore if you adhere to the release instructions we provide you with (copies provided on admission and again at discharge), you should be assured of getting less than 1 mSv exposure from interacting with your cat. Before treatment he was ravenous and losing weight -- typical of cats with that disorder I'm told. J Vet Intern Med, 2001. For example, some families cant medicate cats every day, so a more permanent solution such as radioactive iodine treatment or surgery may be best. The treatment options for hyperthyroidism are: Oral medication. Scaly skin. Risks related to radioiodine: Radioactive iodine therapy offers a cure through a simple injection that returns thyroid function to normal levels. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. The risks associated with low level ingestion of radioactive iodine relate to an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. In a study of 524 hyperthyroid cats treated with I-131, only 11/524 (2.1%) developed Medication and radioactive iodine therapy are just as effective at treating hyperthyroidism in cats as surgery and are less invasive, so surgical treatment is rarely chosen for treating this condition. Long-Term Follow-up of Hyperthyroid Cats Treated with Iodine-131. Because metabolism is altered in hyperthyroidism, it's important to monitor your cat's weight and muscle mass. During that time, the ravenous appetite should subside, your cat will probably gain weight, and her blood pressure and heart rate should normalize. Some people may have a feeling of tightness or swelling in their neck for a few days after treatment. Cats havetwo thyroid glands in the neck that are vital in regulating the body's metabolic rate. 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. Further, the litter will be radioactive as most of the radioactive iodine will be excreted via this route. The food isnotmedicated. Gained over three pounds! You would actually have to ingest the cats waste for it to be harmful to you. The first step is determining the blood level of one of the thyroid hormones calledtotal thyroxine (TT4). There are three common forms of treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats: medication, radioactive iodine therapy and surgery. Endocrinology, 1988. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Radioactive Iodine Therapy When available, radioactive iodine therapy is the treatment of choice for cats with hyperthyroidism. Despite the extensive blood and urine tests, chest x-rays and physical exams that we require before radioiodine therapy, some of these conditions remain undiagnosed at the time of radioiodine therapy. Antithyroid medications are also available in a gel that can be applied to the skin. . Category: Nuclear Medicine Patient Issues Questions Concerning Domestic Animals. A single injection is given subcutaneously (i.e. Regardless of radiation exposure, the average overall lifetime risk of developing an invasive cancer is 37.5% for women and 44.9% for men. 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. . Remember that theNRC regulationsrequire that release criteria and discharge instructions provided to owners of hyperthyroid cats prevent exposures of more than 1 mSv. Cats exclusively fed the prescription diet will remain normal, but if the diet is discontinued, they will once again become hyperthyroid. There are several hypothesized causes of hyperthyroidism. You may gain weight after you undergo radioactive iodine treatment. What are other nutritional concerns for my hyperthyroid cat? In almost all cases, your thyroid hormone levels will return to normal or below normal after radioactive iodine treatment. Cats also sweat through their paws and the sweat will have trace amounts of radioactive iodine. 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. This may take 8 to 12 weeks or longer. Did she have stage 1 prior to treatment for hyperthyroidism or did the stage 1 unmask after treatment started and then jump to stage 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. Radioactive iodine therapy. Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of continuous methimazole (MMI) therapy. All rights reserved. So in this case the targeted radiation exposure is actually increasing survival for these patients. 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). NRC Regulations What Treats Can I Give my Dog with CalciumOxalateStones? All bodily fluids in the cat will have trace amounts of radioactive material within them, but it will be most prevalent within the urine. As for your dose, my primary concernespecially if you were allowing the cat to have direct, prolonged contact within the first week of releasewould be the potentially contaminated materials that could result in your intake of radioactive 131I. 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 If both thyroid glands require removal, there is a risk of developing hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels) after surgery. This is more common if you still had a large part of your thyroid gland when you have radioactive iodine treatment. . JavaScript is disabled. The majority of cats treated with radioactive iodine have normal hormone levels within one to two weeks of treatment. Cats with hyperthyroidism exhibit symptoms that are similar to those of humans with the disease: weight loss, increased appetite, excessive . These include weight loss, increased activity, and kitten like behaviour. In some cases, the cat will develop a heart murmur associated with cardiomyopathy. It is acceptable to feed your feline products containing at least 30% protein and less than 15% carbohydrates. Treatment for Hypothyroidism in Cats. Hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity. This is very important meaning that cats rarely develop an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) after radioiodine therapy. Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pets diet, medication, or physical activity routines. Some rare cases of hyperthyroid disease are caused by malignant tumors known as thyroid adenocarcinomas. 228(4): p. 559-63. Dr. Heinze is an employee of Mark Morris Institute and has provided professional serviceshas done consulting for Lafeber and WellPet, given sponsored talks for Nestl Purina PetCare and the Pet Food Institute, and provided professional services to Balance IT.com and Mark Morris Institute. Thus, pate is a better choice for your cat than gravy food due to the latter's higher . There are four treatment options for feline hyperthyroidism: medication, radioactive iodine therapy, surgery, and dietary therapy. Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is a common disease of older cats. As the thyroid levels return to normal, some cats may be able to adjust to their new diets quickly after treatment. Your cat can receive methimazole, a medication that inhibits thyroid hormone production. Risks unrelated to radioiodine therapy: Surgical removal of the gland under general anesthetic was another option. The most common clinical sign of hyperthyroidism is weight loss due to the increased rate of metabolism despite an increased appetite. 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? There are two types of radiation exposure that your vet is trying to minimizeexternal exposure from the radioactive material within the cat's body, and the radioactive materials in the cat's urine and other bodily fluids released by the cat that you may come into contact with and may end up being ingested or absorbed by you accidentally. Studies show that weight gain is inevitable after radioiodine-induced hypothyroidism. 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. However, the risk is minimal if your cat is otherwise healthy, and the initial diagnostic tests and treatment did not reveal any underlying conditions. Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations In a cat treated with radioactive iodine, the drool will contain radioactive materials. Because of the short distances they travel they never exit the patient and as a result no one other than the patient is at risk from exposure to the beta particles unless they internalized the radioiodine excreted by the patient. If your cat does not have elevated T4 levels but your veterinarian still suspects your cat has hyperthyroidism, additional tests may be recommended. 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. He's radioactive, so it's not safe even for humans wearing protective clothing to spend too much time around him. (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". 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. The AVMI radioactive materials license utilizes release criteria and precautionary instructions specifically based on the evaluation of the relative exposure levels to clients following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroid cats treated with I-131. However, an overactive thyroid is quite common. 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. 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. 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). This single treatment will cure 95-98% of cats. Dietary restriction of iodine is, however, somewhat controversial because of concerns about the effects of long-term iodine restriction on overall health and the possibility that such a diet may actually backfire and worsen hyperthyroidism. In some cats, anorexia develops as the disease progresses. You should use the following methods for disposing of your cat's waste that may contain trace amounts of radiation. You should talk with your veterinarian about what diets may be best for him in this case. But this generally resolves without intervention. Occasionally cats will act like they may have a sore throat for a couple of days after the radioiodine therapy. How does the risk from medical radiation compare to background radiation exposure? Pediatrics, 1998. 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. No ill effects have been noted in the children born to parents who received radioactive iodine in the past. After administration of 131 Iodine, your cat is . If this is the case with your cat, paying special attention to specific nutrients such as dietary phosphorus (a key player in chronic kidney disease) may be required. Many owners of cats with hyperthyroidism are hesitant to have radiation therapy or surgery because of their cat's advanced age. Lifelong administration of methimazole can control the effects of an overactive thyroid gland. By 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. 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). What they are trying to prevent is the intake (ingestion, etc.) And, if you destroy your thyroid gland, it turns out that that may have consequences on your metabolism. 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. Your cat will not experience nausea, hair loss, lethargy, or decreased appetite as a result of the procedure. Jeff Brunette, CHP, Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. 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. The radioactive iodine damages these cells and causes your thyroid to shrink and thyroid hormone levels to go down over a few weeks. It has the advantage of being curative in most cases with no ongoing treatment. Of 135 patients with documented pubertal status . Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2004. The coat of affected cats may appear unkempt, matted, or greasy (see Figure 1). Already have a myVCA account? When a radioactive form of iodine is given to hyperthyroid cats, the radiation destroys a portion of the thyroid gland. Research into this potential treatment option is ongoing. A blood chemistry panel and urinalysis will provide information about other organs and provide your veterinarian with an overall picture of your cats health. This surgery requires general anesthesia, however, and there might be added risks if older cats have heart, kidney, or other problems that could cause complications. Iodine is an element normally taken up in large amounts by the thyroid gland, even more so in cats that are hyperthyroid. People may take RAI . Of 247 patients receiving RAI for GD, 157 (79.6% female) had complete data and were included in the analysis. And not only do we love the pets, we also love their people, and you are our reason for making this site. Only about 5% of hyperthyroid cats are younger than 10. Let's tackle the external exposure first as it is the simplest concept. What this means is that occasionally we invest clients economic and perhaps more importantly, emotional resources in treating and resolving hyperthyroidism is cats with other, currently unknown diseases. This helps us offset the costs of running this site, so thank you for your support! Laura Porter / Verywell Hopefully this answers your questions and good luck with your cat. 2007 07/19/2011; Available from: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part020/. Each treatment option has its advantages and disadvantages. But those instruments are quite expensive and are not readily available in stores. Limit close contact (closer than 1 foot) to one hour per day. Many organs are affected by hyperthyroidism, especially the heart. Committee on Environmental Health. 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. 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. If your cat is showing signs of illness or depression, please contact PVESC. A treated cat has to remain hospitalized until its radiation level has fallen to within acceptable limits. However, since wild-caught flaked Alaskan salmon is the first ingredient, it provides a lot of moisture. If surgery is the chosen treatment method, the anti-thyroid medication methimazole (Tapazole, Felimazole) may be prescribed for several weeks before the operation. 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. When an injection of radioactive iodine is given, it destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. Prognosis Your veterinarian has recommended I131 for your cat. The radioactive isotope, Iodine-131 ( 131 I), is administered as a one-off injection. Since hyperthyroid cats are usually over eight years of age, there is a degree of risk involved. Excessive weight gain. Thyroidectomy (largely replaced by radioactive iodine . If we restrict iodine, production of thyroxine decreases. One to two weeks after surgery, another TT4 level is measured. The slow onset of signs means that cat owners will often miss these changes until the late stages of disease. 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. The remainder is gone in about the next two months or so. I-131 therapy does not require anesthesia and eliminates the need for daily medication. Clients frequently have the following 2 questions when considering radioiodine therapy for their cat's hyperthyroidism. This usually leads to permanent destruction of the thyroid, which will cure hyperthyroidism. It is important to drink fluids after your treatment and for the next 2 days. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 2006. Fewer than 2% of hyperthyroid cases in cats involve malignant thyroid gland tumors. During treatment, radioactive iodine is administered as an injection and is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. 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. If possible, I would like to wear protective clothing so we can return to our familiar habit of living/sleeping in 24-hour close physical contact to minimize his stress and promote his recovery. 1 INTRODUCTION. More specific information on what to expect when your cat is treated with radioactive-iodine therapy at Cornell can be found here. Although the thyroid gland enlarges in hyperthyroidism, it is usually a benign or non-malignant change. 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. I'll be honest, the last thing I (or my vet) worried about with Sara was gaining weight. Surgery Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society. The risks of ingesting radioactive iodine and the risks of being around a patient that has been treated with radioactive iodine are very different. . When clicking a link here and buying, we may be able to make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Calabrese E.J., Hormesis: From Marginalization to Mainstream: A Case for Hormesis as the Default Dose-Response Model in Risk Assessment. hypothyroidism was only treated if it was associated with clinical signs like excessive weight gain, lethargy, and skin problems. Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau Wild Salmon Wet Cat Food. 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. In some cases, complications involving other organs may worsen this prognosis. When this occurs, a second test, usually afree T4 by equilibrium dialysis (FT4 by ED)or aT3 suppression test,is performed. 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. There are currently no known preventive measures for hyperthyroidism, but early diagnosis decreases the secondary problems and improves the prognosis. Also, you might get some good ideas about what to feed him on Dr. Lisa Pierson's web site. 2000-2023 TheCatSite.com. Why is the average risk of developing cancer so high? The medication can be given life-long or to stabilize the cat before other treatment. Of course, some people receive no radiation and others much, much more. 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. 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. Employees of facilities that utilize radioactive materials may be categorized as "radiation workers" depending on their role. Even after treatment it may take a long time to reverse weight loss and muscle loss that occurred before your cats diagnosis. 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. 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. A swollen or tender neck and feeling flushed. 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. The inaccurate repair of DNA is rare, but can cause a cell to act wildly or grow into a cancer. Unfortunately these cats may continue to deteriorate and may even die from their other non-thyroid diseases. 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. Determination of Release Criteria for I-131 Therapy Cats in Conference Proceedings American College of Veterinary Radiology. The average US total radiation exposure (all sources) is 6.2 mSv/yr which is an increase from 20 years ago (3.6 mSv/year) when CT scans were much less common. 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. 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. Treatment for hypothyroidism in cats is . About TheCatSite.com. What Are The Side Effects Of Radioactive Iodine Treatment In Cats? 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. These complications include cerebrovascular events (i.e., strokes) and the premature exacerbation of pre-existing kidney disease. Their hyperthyroidism won't come back, and they don't need ongoing medication. The normal thyroid cells will therefore not take up any radioactive iodine. Hyperthyroidism is a common condition in older cats. If the disease involves both lobes of the thyroid gland, two surgeries may be required, depending on the surgeon's choice of procedures. However once the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism has been made, and no other illnesses are identified, the motivation to perform further diagnostics, especially those that require the need for anesthetics or are invasive may be lost. ), family history (genetics) or radiation exposure. You may also be advised to suck on sour candy after treatment to help the radioactive iodine come out in your saliva. Cats can receive a second treatment, if necessary. This is why one of the first signs of thyroid disease may be a change in weight weight gain if the thyroid is underactive and weight loss if the thyroid is overactive.