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My 11 yr old female cat was dx with hyperthyroid disease this past April. Her T4 level was quite high, at over 11, so she had been hyperthyroid for some time. Normal level is 2.5.
Been doing the Methanizole pill treatment 2x a day, and as of the other day her T4 level is down to 6, but not low enough. Her heart and kidneys have been testing normally.
I've been contemplating and have decided to go for the radiated iodine treatment (I131), which should kill the thyroid tumor. My cat might be in the 10% category that isn't cured in one dose, and in that case she'd have to have a second round of treatment. But it's her best shot at a cure and hopefully no more pills to take.
The treatment itself is simple -- a SubQ injection of the iodine iostope solution and then staying for 3 to 5 days at the specialty hospital and monitored for radioactive levels. When the radiation levels are low enough the cat can come home.
Anyone else had this treatment done for their cat?
Yes. It was quite a few years ago but he made a full recovery. Gained the weight back and ate normally again. Lived many years after that.
For a time after the procedure I had to give subcutaneous fluids to flush out the solution. I hung the ringer bag by a hanger over the door and sat with him on the floor, infusing it into the scruff of neck. I was nervous the first time but he was fine with it. When you realize it's saving his life, it's easy.
This is the place and vet where I had it done: https://www.avmi.net/about/ When he came home from it, I recall that I wasn't supposed to hold him for a few days because he was still slightly radioactive. Again, this was years ago and maybe the procedure has changed. For me it was very much worth it. Good luck!
Yes, a long time ago but he did quite well after that.
I don't know if this has changed but they made me store the used cat litter for several weeks because it can be radioactive and set off the detectors at the landfill. Apparently they do track you and the doctor down if you just throw it away.
The protocols afterwards are the same, I believe, storing used litter for a couple of weeks outside and not holding or sleeping with your cat. With all the pilling and rides of doom to the vet every couple of months, my cat hasn't wanted to be near me much anyway.
We treated our cat, Bianca, for hyperthroidism. We used Methimazole for her. Guess what...I now have hyperthyroidism and I'm taking.....Methimazole! What's good for the cat is good for the aging hippie!
Thank you for the good wishes. They told me they'll only need to sedate her for 5 min. It's a quick shave a spot and inject the solution. She doesn't even need to be fasted beforehand.
It is not something I would consider unless there was no alternative. The issue with RI, is they have to be isolated for several days in the hospital - you cannot be with them at all during this time.
The methimazole has brought your baby down from 11 to 6 so far, with no adverse effects. I would stick with that, at least for now.
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