will my cat gain weight after radioactive iodine treatment

Lack of appetite. Learn more about radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism, Learn about radioiodine therapy for thyroid carcinoma, Learn more aboutSamariumtherapy for primary or metastatic bone tumors. There are four treatment options for feline hyperthyroidism: medication, radioactive iodine therapy, surgery, and dietary therapy. Cats havetwo thyroid glands in the neck that are vital in regulating the body's metabolic rate. In the US, the average person is exposed to an additional 3.0 mSv/yr from medical sources (predominantly CT scans). radioactive iodine All three treatments will reduce thyroid hormone levels and the signs of hyperthyroidism. Now that I know my cat has hyperthyroidism, what do I do? In order to produce thyroid hormone (thyroxine), the body needs a supply of iodine. In some cases, complications involving other organs may worsen this prognosis. People may take RAI . The more common symptoms are an increase in thirst, urination, and appetite, as well as weight loss. The typical cat with hyperthyroidism is middle-aged or older; the average age of affected cats is approximately 12 years. Because of the important role the thyroid gland plays in the body, some cats with hyperthyroidism develop secondary problems, including heart disease and high blood pressure. It might not be an option for a frail cat who shouldn't undergo anesthesia. Treatment for Hypothyroidism in Cats. What is not taken up by the thyroid will be present in the cat's bodily fluids and will primarily be voided in the cat's urine (in those first four days at the vet hospital). Hypothyroidism, is a condition resulting from a deficiency of thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in cats, and mostly afflicts cats middle-aged and older. Cats treated with radioactive iodine for their hyperthyroidism have several risks unrelated to the radioiodine therapy itself. When x-rays, or any ionizing radiation, pass through the body they cause electrons to be ejected from atoms, leaving behind positive ions. Out little Nera was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism about 4-5 months ago. Did You Know? of the radioactive iodine into your body because, just like the cat, any 131I intake you have will result in an uptake by your thyroid and in larger quantities could result in significant thyroid dose. Risks related to radioiodine: Generally, about 5 to 10 pounds of excess weight can likely be attributed to the lack of thyroid hormones that occurs in people diagnosed with hypothyroidism. If the nearest facility is far away, there's the stress or travel for both you and Fluffy, as well as possible hotel and other travel expenses. Number of cases per 100,000 persons exposed to a single dose of 0.1 Gy. One way to treat a cat with hyperthyroidism is with an oral medication that contains methimazole. If your cat is showing signs of illness or depression, please contact PVESC. Gradual weight gain and return to healthy body condition are expected. Affected cats are often restless and may become cranky or aggressive. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is another potential complication of hyperthyroidism, and can cause additional damage to several organs, including the eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain. The ALARA recommendation follows the classic "less is more" argument and hence adherence to this philosophy suggests that exposures to ionizing radiation should be minimized whenever possible. Facilities that use radioactive materials like I-131 must have radioactive materials licenses. Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, materials, and information described herein. As a cat owner, I completely understand your desire to get your cat back to his normal routine as soon as possible. Clients owning hyperthyroid cats undergoing radioiodine therapy are always considered members of the general public. Not all veterinary facilities perform the procedure. Radioactive iodine therapy is the treatment of choice, however, because it destroys abnormal thyroid tissue without damaging the surrounding tissue, providing a more permanent form of treatment. Symptoms include weight loss, muscle wasting, increased appetite, increased thirst and urination, vomiting, unkempt appearance, and sometimes hyperactivity. A standard Chest x-ray is 0.1 mSv. Ultrasound of the heart (called echocardiography) may be recommended based on your cat's condition, especially if there is any concern about cardiomyopathy. When an injection of radioactive iodine is given, it destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without endangering other organs. The cell dies (only occurs with very high doses). Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations Once your cat's radiation levels have declined below the maximum allowed by federal and state law prior to being released from the hospital (usually 1-5 days), your cat is able to return home. What Treats Can I Give my Dog with CalciumOxalateStones? At the time of discharge, exposure levels measured at 6 feet from the patient are virtually indistinguishable from background levels. Your veterinarian's instructions regarding separation for the two weeks are simply doing the same thing we do with people. It will take about a month for thyroid levels to return to normal in most cats. Even after treatment it may take a long time to reverse weight loss and muscle loss that occurred before your cats diagnosis. It is used less commonly in younger children. The chronic elevation of circulating thyroid hormone levels in cats with hyperthyroidism leads to changes in their heart muscle that predispose them to developing heart failure. However, because your cat will be radioactive for several days after receiving the shot, precautions must be taken during and after the treatment. Radioactive iodine is a treatment for an overactive thyroid gland. You should use the following methods for disposing of your cat's waste that may contain trace amounts of radiation. 2. The most common clinical signs of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, increased appetite, and increased thirst and urination. These licenses establish the basis for the facilities compliance with federal regulations established by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Reduce the time near a source, increase the distance from the source, or use some sort of radiation absorbing shielding between you and the source of radiation and you will reduce your radiation dose. For the same reasons as surgical treatment, your cat will likely be started on methimazole for about a month before radioactive iodine therapy. What about radioactive iodine treatment for children and teenagers? The risks associated with low level ingestion of radioactive iodine relate to an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. Overall, weight gain was associated with development of hypothyroidism despite levothyroxine replacement . Now that he's back home, he still exhibits the behavior of wanting food all the time but I wonder if it's a habit he picked up before treatment or perhaps the symptoms won't completely gone away until the treatment has time to take hold. The radioiodine is eliminated in urine and feces. Surgical removal of the affected thyroid gland(s) may be very effective. Keeping your pets food temperature just right. What happens after radioactive iodine treatment for cats? To answer these questions we have to separate the risks associated with internalizing (i.e., ingesting) radioactive iodine from the risks of being around a patient that has been treated with radioactive iodine. Hays M.T., Broome M.R. It has to do with how important your thyroid is in regulating your metabolism and your weight. Treatment usually includes an adjustment to your cat's diet, medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery. 35(3): p. 204-209. One study looked at patients with Graves' disease who were treated with RAI over five years. Usually, the TT4 level is so high that there is no question about the diagnosis (see the handout "Thyroid Hormone Testing in Cats"). Nuclear Medicine Patient Issues Questions Concerning Domestic Animals. Determination of Release Criteria for I-131 Therapy Cats in Conference Proceedings American College of Veterinary Radiology. If you know that your cat has hyperthyroidism, you probably have already seen your vet in order to have this disease properly treated. It requires two round-trips for you. Endocrinology, 1988. 15(1): p. 47-51. The total effective dose equivalent to individual members of the public from the licensed operation does not exceed 1 mSv in a year, exclusive of the dose contributions from background radiation, from any administration the individual has received, from exposure to individuals administered radioactive material. Despite the extensive blood and urine tests, chest x-rays and physical exams that we require before . If surgery is the chosen treatment method, the anti-thyroid medication methimazole (Tapazole, Felimazole) may be prescribed for several weeks before the operation. 228(4): p. 559-63. Some cats may experience side effects from medication, however, including vomiting, anorexia, fever, anemia, and lethargy. This is due to increased stimulation in the nervous system which is a common occurrence in cats with feline hyperthyroidism. Clinical Signs For this prescription diet to work, it must be the only food fed, which means no cheating with treats. One major risk associated with surgical thyroidectomy is inadvertent damage to the parathyroid glands, which lie close to or within the thyroid gland and are crucial in maintaining stable blood calcium levels. Survival Times for Cats with Hyperthyroidism Treated with Iodine 131, Methimazole, or Both, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part020/, Determination of Release Criteria for I-131 Therapy Cats, Risk of Ionizing Radiation Exposure to Children: A Subject Review, Hormesis: From Marginalization to Mainstream: A Case for Hormesis as the Default Dose-Response Model in Risk Assessment. You'll need to consider whether to have radioactive iodine (RAI) vs. other treatments for hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease (an immune system disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism). . A veterinarian who suspects a cat has a thyroid problem will conduct a physical examination and palpate the cats neck area to check for an enlarged thyroid gland (see Figure 2). It is actually the best approach to take to minimize exposures to you and your family while allowing the cat to have post-treatment recovery time at home and not in a veterinary hospital. At 1 and 3 months after the treatment, a blood test for thyroid and kidney function should be done by your veterinarian. The risk to these cats is the simple fact that many cats in the age range when cats develop hyperthyroidism (8+ years) also develop other diseases.

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