Radioactive Therapy
Hyperthyroidism is a condition that affects some older cats when the thyroid gland begins to produce too much thyroid hormone. As a result, the cat’s metabolic rate goes go into high gear, causing such symptoms as:
- Weight loss
- Increased appetite
- Restlessness
- Increased water drinking
- Matted or greasy fur
- Fast heart rate
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If hyperthyroidism is left untreated, it damages a cat’s organs and body systems, and can cause heart failure.
Here at The Cat Practice, we have incorporated the option of radioactive iodine therapy as part of our therapeutic choices for treating this disease. The beauty of this therapy is that owners no longer have to treat their hyperthyroid kitty with daily meds or special diets. We treat not only our patients with this method, but we receive referrals from other veterinary hospitals across the Gulf South whose clients want this service as well.
What is Radioactive Iodine Therapy
Radioactive iodine (a substance called I-131) therapy is an alternative to performing surgery on your cat’s thyroid gland or giving your cat daily medication. Best of all, over 95% of cats are cured of hyperthyroidism with just one I-131 injection.
The thyroid gland is the only gland or organ in the body to naturally use iodine. As a result, when radioactive iodine is injected into the body, it goes right to the thyroid gland, where it’s absorbed by the hyperactive thyroid cells, destroying them.
Due to the fact that the radioactive iodine must be eliminated by the cat’s body, your kitty will spend a few days with us so that the radiation levels in your cat’s body are reduced to safe levels before we can send your cat home.
