Qualifying for Radioactive Iodine I-131 Treatment Questions

[catmando2]

Aside from initial cost and availability decisions by the cat parent, what's used to determine whether a cat is a good candidate or not for the I-131 treatment?

Isn't the treatment low risk and little to any side-effects?

I understand about that HT can masks kidney issues, so that I assume is one factor to consider. How about the heart? Is that also considered?

To rephrase, I'm not clear as to why would one cat get considered as a good candidate and another not a good candidate.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi
This is from vcahospitals .com;

How is hyperthyroidism treated?
Before choosing any form of treatment, several tests are performed which may include additional blood tests, a urinalysis, chest X-rays, an ECG, and blood pressure measurement. These tests are needed to evaluate the overall health of your cat and to predict the likelihood of complications with the chosen treatment protocol.

Ultrasound of the heart (called echocardiography) may be recommended based on your cat's condition, especially if there is any concern about cardiomyopathy. Thyroid scintigraphy may also be recommended to confirm a diagnosis and determine the size of the organ prior to surgery or radioactive iodine.

 

[neely]

Our cat underwent the I-131 radioactive treatment last December. Initially we started with Methimazole in the transdermal gel form because aside from saving up for it I needed time to learn about the I-131 and feel comfortable with it. Our regular vet is a feline specialist and recommended that we seriously consider the radioactive iodine treatment while he was a good candidate, i.e. no organ involvement which means the treatment would be more successful. I-131 has a 95-98% success rate. In addition, there are preliminary tests that need to be done within a very specific time frame prior to a cat being considered a good candidate.

Our vet stressed the importance of going to a facility that uses Scintigraphy which we did. Without Scintigraphy they would estimate how much radioactive iodine to inject . The radiologist called me prior to our cat being admitted and told me that if Scintigraphy indicated the tumor was either too large or there were multiple tumors they would most likely recommend surgery to remove the thyroid instead. In other words, if you went to a facility that doesn't use Scintigraphy they might proceed with I-131 and there could be potential complications. I hope this helps answer some of your questions and if you're like me, research the I-131 for your cat and ask questions.

 

[catmando2]

Hi
This is from vcahospitals .com;

How is hyperthyroidism treated?
Before choosing any form of treatment, several tests are performed which may include additional blood tests, a urinalysis, chest X-rays, an ECG, and blood pressure measurement. These tests are needed to evaluate the overall health of your cat and to predict the likelihood of complications with the chosen treatment protocol.

Ultrasound of the heart (called echocardiography) may be recommended based on your cat's condition, especially if there is any concern about cardiomyopathy. Thyroid scintigraphy may also be recommended to confirm a diagnosis and determine the size of the organ prior to surgery or radioactive iodine.

Afraid that I need translation for dummies version ...

If there is any concern about "cardiomyopathy" ... What doe this mean? Concern of heart attack during treatment if the cat has a heat condition? Or does this mean that cats with "cardiomyopathy" are considered not candidates because of a shot expected life span?

Also, in reading about HT, I've come across the statement more than once about most heart conditions aren't treatable but if the heart condition is secondary and a result of HT, the treating the HT can reverse the bad heart partially or fully. If this is the case, then wouldn't cats with bad hearts be a good candidate for I-131 treatment and not the other way around? I am confused. As mentioned, I need an interpretation that a layperson like me can understand.

 

[Furballsmom]

I don't know but I'm guessing that high blood pressure is something that's looked at as well, or should be.

You may want to talk to your vet, but since you've commented your vet isn't communicating well, can you find a cat-only vet clinic?

 

[sweetpea3858]

I don't know but I'm guessing that high blood pressure is something that's looked at as well, or should be.

You may want to talk to your vet, but since you've commented your vet isn't communicating well, can you find a cat-only vet clinic?

Thank you so much!!!

 

[catmando2]

I don't know but I'm guessing that high blood pressure is something that's looked at as well, or should be.

You may want to talk to your vet, but since you've commented your vet isn't communicating well, can you find a cat-only vet clinic?

I'm planning on changing vets. Have an appointment set with new vet at a place that only sees cats.

Unfortunately, appointments so full that appointment not until late October unless someone else cancels maybe earlier as I'm on that wait list.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Maybe this website will help give you some information?
Endocrine Clinic | Animal Endocrine Clinic

 

[catmando2]

I don't know but I'm guessing that high blood pressure is something that's looked at as well, or should be.

You may want to talk to your vet, but since you've commented your vet isn't communicating well, can you find a cat-only vet clinic?

I just found out that my current vet is leaving. Moving away out of state at end of the month.

I do believe that most in the health profession aim to do good. But at the same time, they have lives too so your are just a patient number.

 

[Furballsmom]

If you haven't already, be sure and get all of your kitties records as soon as possible

 

[catmando2]

If you haven't already, be sure and get all of your kitties records as soon as possible

The vet is part of an animal hospital.

I already got the records for one of my cats. Will the records for the other one tomorrow.

 

[catmando2]

I'm estatic!!

My cat has a new lease on life! Had an ultrasound done of my cat's heart yesterday, thinking, before making any final decisions, I want to see the extent of damage to his heart. As, the tone of things were that his heart was giving out.

I got a copy of the test result, and expecting the worse, the results came back descriptions like "heart size, left right..normal." "No risk of sudden death". My cat's heart came back normal.

The vet (tomorrow is the vet's final day) did call me tell me the good news. Even more, I asked, does this mean my cat now is a candidate of the radio active iodine treatment? The answer is YES!

What a roller coaster ride.

 

[Furballsmom]

Wow, this is fantastic, and congrats !!

 

[neely]

Even more, I asked, does this mean my cat now is a candidate of the radio active iodine treatment? The answer is YES!

That's the best news ever - you made our day! And if you have any questions about the I-131 treatment please feel free to ask, we're here to help and support you.

 

[catmando2]

Hi,

A quick update on my cat.

I decided to stay with the vets at the animal hospital where I initially took my cat to. I decided against the vet that was cat only. I didn't have the best vibe, plus either the place is understaffed or way over booked -- next available appointment was not until end of October.

As for the I-131 treatment (oral capsule, not the shot) , I managed to call a cat hospital about 10 miles from me that does this and got an appointment scheduled. Yay! The appointment is not until December. The hospital had an opening in November but I'm out of town (and could not break plan) on that day so it's pushed until the following month.

Today, I brought my cat in to the vet for lab test as my cat's been taking the hyperthyroid pill (1/2 pill, twice a day) for about 2 weeks. Haven't got the lab results back yet (vet will call) but from examining, the vet said seems my cat is doing good. He's gained back about 1lb in about 2 weeks and I can see he's not out of breath and winded like before. The pill is probably keeping his his metabolism from going into overdrive.

 

[Furballsmom]

Wow!