Animal Emergency and Referral Center of Minnesota’s treatment facility for cats who suffer from hyperthyroid disease is the premiere facility for cat comfort and owner access in the Midwest.

Our caring healthcare team will welcome your cat into a luxurious, window-side cat condo, complete with separate sleeping, eating, and bathroom areas.

WHAT IS HYPERTHYROIDISM?

Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine disease in middle-aged and older cats. It is a multi-system disorder caused by an increase in the amount of thyroid hormones (called T3 and T4) produced by the thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism was first documented in cats in the early 1980s. Although the disorder is caused by a tumor in the thyroid gland, it is generally a benign (non-cancerous) adenoma.

The most common signs of hyperthyroidism in cats include weight loss, increased appetite (although some patients have decreased appetite), vomiting, increased thirst and urination, hyperactivity, and diarrhea. The high levels of thyroid hormones can cause heart disease, so cats may also have a heart murmur, difficulty breathing, or a high/irregular heartrate. If your cat has a murmur, or your primary care veterinarian has identified one in the past, we recommend your cat have an echocardiogram prior to I-131 treatment.

WHAT IS I-131 TREATMENT?

In about 95% of patients, a single dose of radioactive iodine (I-131) destroys the tumor within the thyroid gland, eliminating hyperthyroid disease. Once the tumor is destroyed, the normal thyroid tissue will begin to produce thyroid hormone to normalize thyroid function over several weeks following treatment. It can take several months before the thyroid hormone returns to regular levels; however, most cats show improvement almost immediately with a decrease in thirst and appetite, as well as a return to regular activity. Up to 95% of cats will have normal thyroid levels within three months following treatment.

PREPARING FOR TREATMENT

If your cat is currently being treated for thyroid disease, he/she will need to stop taking thyroid medications two weeks prior to the date of treatment. If he/she currently eats Hill’s Y/D diet, you’ll need to feed a different food starting two weeks prior to the date of treatment. Speak to your primary care veterinarian prior to withdrawing medications or changing food.

Current state health regulations require patients to remain hospitalized for a minimum of 11 days following injection, and they may be released once radioactive emissions have reached safe levels. Being away from your cat for that long can be difficult; we understand! We’ll send you daily text updates, and you’ll have webcam access to see what your kitty is up to! And never fear, our team will provide clean food and water and clean the litterbox regularly. Your cat will be in a nice, quiet space that is for cats only, with a window for natural light, and quiet classical music playing. Each kitty gets an individual cozy, cat condo.

You’re encouraged to bring your cat’s own food to prevent the tummy upset that can come from a sudden diet change. You can also bring something that smells like home to help your cat feel comfortable. Keep in mind that this item will not be returned, so leave favorite blankies and toys at home! The cost of treatment includes day-of-admittance diagnostics, chest x-rays, 11-14 days of hospitalization, and the I-131 injection itself.

RADIATION SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Pets continue to excrete small amounts of radioiodine for 7 days after discharge, therefore special procedures will help to keep your family safe.

For 7 Days Post-Treatment:

  • Keep your pet confined to home
  • Refrain from holding your pet, allowing your pet to sit in a chair with you or sleep in bed with you.
  • Use an unoccupied room for your pet’s sleeping area.
  • Indirect contact (anything within a 3-foot radius)may be made twice a day to clean the litter box and replenish food and water.
  • No persons under 18 years of age are to have any contact with the pet.
  • No pregnant, nursing or potentially pregnant women are to have any contact with the pet or its litter.
  • Wash your hands after contact with your animal. This applies to anyone else who has contact with your animal.
  • Avoid direct contact with urine, feces, saliva and footpads.
  • Keep your pet away from all food preparation areas.
  • If your animal vomits/soils outside the litter pan, wear gloves and use normal cleaning procedures. Place all used cleaning materials in a bag with your gloves and store in the outside trash with the soiled litter. Wash hands after cleanup.

Litterbox Handling

  • Keep the litterbox away from occupied areas of your home, including unsupervised dogs and children.
  • Dispose of litter in an outside receptacle daily.
  • Wear disposable rubber gloves when handling litter and dispose of these daily in the outside receptacle.
  • Wash your hands after contact with litter.
  • Maintain the disposed litter and gloves on premises for an additional 6 weeks before disposing of them in the regular trash.
  • If you’re unable to follow those precautions, your cat is welcome to board at AERC for seven days for an additional cost.

For more information on I-131 treatment, please contact us at (651) 501-3766 and ask for the Internal Medicine Department.