Is radioiodine treatment a good choice for cats with hyperthyroidism?
The vet says that one of our cats has an overactive thyroid, and our options are surgery, medication, or treatment with radioactive iodine (I-131). The vet says that surgery and pills are both problematic and the best choice is the iodine therapy. This treatment requires a week of isolation at the treatment facility (which of itself can be hard on a pet), followed by a period of time at home that they can't go outside and you have to minimize your contact (because they're, um, radioactive). Is this treatment worth it? How effective is it? Any side effects in your personal experience?
User Comments
- Hello there,
I am a Veterinary Tech. in Nashville, TN and have had alot of experience with radioactive iodine treatments for hyperthyroid cats. My answer to you is if you can afford it, it is the best thing to do. I would do it for my cats in a heartbeat. I think the outcomes are amazing. Having to put your cat in isolation for a week while he is "radioactive" is nothing compared to the years you'll gain with him.
Good luck.
- It is the treatment of choice for hyperthyroid cats. Since, sometimes cats can have thyroid tissue outside of the thyroid this is the only way to make sure you get all the hyperactive tissue. If you can afford the treatment is certinly is the best. However, have you had bloodwork done to check the kidneys. Sometimes hyperthyroidism can mask kidney disease.
- I am a vet nurse at the R.S.P.C.A and have found radioactive treatment very effective. I would recommend it and would do it for my cats, should they ever need it. It is reasonably hard on the cat but they bounce back and are very strong. I do believe it is worth it. It can be a bit of an inconvenience but if you're willing to do it, you should have not much trouble with anything else, just looking after you kitty.