Information for Doctors
Iodine-131 Therapy
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The literature has shown that I-131 is the treatment of choice for Feline Hyperthyroidism, having a spectacular success rate while avoiding side effects, refractory reactions to Tapazole/PTU, client difficulties in pilling their pets, complications of anesthesia, post-surgical persistence or recurrence and possible surgical damage to the parathyroid glands.
Radiocat's I-131 treatment program includes x-ray interpretation and an average of 3-5 days hospitalization post-injection. It's very reasonably priced, and the referring vet performs all pre- and post-therapy workups.
I-131 therapy is ideal for patients who are stable prior to admission, without significant cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, endocrine (other than Hyperthyroidism), or neurologic disease. Medical problems should be discussed with Radiocat personnel to determine if I-131 is appropriate for your patient.
Please review the following information when considering referring a patient for I-131 therapy. Thank you in advance for supporting this exciting treatment option for your client's pets.
- Your pre-therapy workup: CBC/Chem screen, diagnostic T4 within 30 days of therapy, thoracic x-rays & urinalysis (helpful). If the patient is currently on Tapazole/PTU -- and has been for more than 90 days -- we require a T4 taken 7 days after cessation of this medication. Radiocat personnel can suggest a schedule for stopping, being retested and arriving for therapy. Please supply all previous T4 values, histories of biopsies, cancer and acute episodes.
- Patients should be off Tapazole/PTU for at least 7 days prior to admission for I-131 therapy. We will make exceptions to this rule if your cat cannot tolerate being off medications for that long.
- Patients are admitted for therapy by appointment only.
- Patients are hospitalized in the nuclear medicine ward for approximately 3-5 days. Clients cannot visit patients during therapy, nor can patients be removed from the ward until officially released. Clients cannot terminate therapy or arrange for early release once therapy has begun. We're sorry, but these rules are dictated by federal guidelines on radiation safety.
- After admission for I-131 therapy, information on a patient's daily status will be given by Radiocat personnel or may be obtained by calling our toll-free number.
- I-131 therapy includes:
- Review of all pertinent case records and radiographs.
- Hospitalization in the nuclear medicine ward.
- Radioisotope (I-131) and appropriate radiation monitoring.
- Daily care and feeding (and as much love as we can safely give).
- Three month and/or as needed follow-up consultations regarding test results between Radiocat and the referring veterinarian.
- Not included:
- Diagnostic tests performed at your clinic prior to therapy.
- Emergency medical tests, procedures or medications needed during the patient's hospitalization for therapy.
- Post-therapy T4 determination performed at your clinic.
- Diagnostic tests performed at your clinic prior to therapy.
- Review of all pertinent case records and radiographs.
- Patients are released to owners according to strict federal regulations. Patients will be excreting a small amount of Radioiodine on release. Clients are instructed before admission -- and given written instructions -- on the handling of patients for 2 weeks post-release. A litter disposal kit consisting of clumping, flushable litter, latex gloves and litter scoop is given to clients. If clients are unable/unwilling to comply with these precautions, they should consider surgical or medical management as an alternative. If a patient requires medical attention or hospitalization during the 2 weeks immediately following treatment, please contact Radiocat at 1-800-323-9729.
- Possible but very rare complications of Radioiodine therapy include:
- Possibility for patient to become hypothyroid. Rare cases may need exogenous thyroid supplement.
- Possibility for sore throat or dysphagia. This is usually transient, but a permanent voice change is possible.
- Possibility for patient to become hypothyroid. Rare cases may need exogenous thyroid supplement.
We're excited to help you offer this service to your clients, and we know they'll be grateful for the care and concern you've shown in finding a cure for their pet's Hyperthyroidism.
Thank you again for your support.
Dr. David S. Herring
Co-founder of RadiocatDr. Herring performs all of the Iodine 131 treatments at Florida Veterinary Referral Center in Estero, Florida. Dr. Herring is board certified in veterinary radiology and has received special training which has been reviewed and accepted by either the State Regulatory Agency or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission where applicable.