Hyperthyroid Treatment for Cats

FAQs About Hyperthyroid Treatment

• What are the treatment options for hyperthyroidism?

  There are a variety of potential treatment methods for hyperthyroidism in cats, including these:

  I-131 Radiation Therapy

  This therapy has been used extensively in veterinary medicine and boasts a success rate between 95 and 98% for hyperthyroid cats with only one treatment. 

  Radioactive iodine is absorbed into abnormal thyroid tissue, leaving nearby normal thyroid tissue and other organs undamaged. After the benign tumor has vanished, your cat's normal thyroid tissue will usually resume functioning within a month of therapy. 

  I-131 therapy does not require general anesthesia or surgery. Though the injection is simple, your cat will need to be hospitalized for 3 to 4 days following treatment.

  Less than 5% of cats become hypothyroid (produce too little of the hypothyroid hormone) and require daily supplements as a result of treatment.

  Surgery

  Though surgical removal of the thyroid may cure a hyperthyroid cat, recurrence of issues is common if only one thyroid gland is removed or there is an ectopic thyroid issue (thyroid tissue that grows outside of the thyroid gland.

  If both thyroid glands are removed, the parathyroid glands may be damaged in the process. This would require your cat to be hospitalized for several days. They would also need to be monitored and take supplements (such as Vitamin D) for the rest of their life.

  Older cats who develop hyperthyroidism may also be poor anesthetic or surgical candidates, as anesthesia presents risks.

  Medical Management

  Methimazole (tapazole) is the most common drug used to control hyperthyroidism. However, it does not cure it. You would need to administer liquids or pills twice a day - a difficult task when it comes to some cats. 

  Transdermal formulations of these medications may be unreliable. There are also potential side effects of methimazole, which can include vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, skin problems, bone marrow suppression, immune-mediated disease and liver disease. 

  In addition to daily medications, regularly scheduled laboratory work is needed to monitor for efficacy of methimazole therapy and to identify potential side effects. This close monitoring can involve annual costs. 

  In rare cases (less than 5%), some cats may require a second treatment or develop hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid gland), which requires daily thyroid hormone supplements. 

• Why does my cat have to remain hospitalized for so long after treatment?

  Though there is only one single subcutaneous injection with I-131 radiation therapy, cats will remain radioactive until the isotope decays.

  The radioactive material remains in the cat's body and is primarily excreted through urine and feces. Federal and state laws require us to "hold" or hospitalize a cat until the radioactivity levels he or she is emitting are too low to be harmful. Cats can typically be released after 3 to 4 days, though some cases may require an extended stay. 

• What will happen during my cat's hospital stay?

  While hospitalized, your cat will be kept in an isolation area here at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson and cannot be visited, petted or held by owners until they are discharged (though we can give you daily progress updates). He or she will be monitored daily by a trained staff member, as well as a veterinarian. 

  Medications will be administered as needed, and we encourage you to bring a week's supply of your cat's favorite food. 

  Unfortunately, no personal effects can be returned so we suggest not bringing any cat toys or bedding (we will provide these). 

  Because the radioactive material remains in the cat’s body and is excreted primarily through the urine and feces, your cat is required by state law to remain in our facility until his/her levels are considered low enough for discharge.

  The standard hospital stay is about 5 days, though some cases may require an extended stay. While hospitalized, your cat will be monitored daily by a trained staff member as well as a veterinarian. Medications will be administered as needed, and we encourage you to bring a week’s supply of your cat’s favorite food.

  Unfortunately, no personal effects can be returned so we suggest not leaving any cat toys or bedding (we will provide these).

  Because of these isolation requirements, cats with serious non-thyroidal illnesses (chronic renal failure, diabetes, heart failure, etc.) are not good candidates for I-131 radiation therapy.

• What is required following discharge from the hospital?

  For two weeks following your cat's discharge from hospital, we request you follow some basic safety measures while your cat's body is excreting any remaining radiation. 

  We will provide detailed written instructions which will include limiting extensive contact (especially with children or pregnant women), washing your hands after handling your cat or his/her litter box, and disposing of litter box waste. Your cat will also need to remain indoors during this time.

• Will my cat experience radiation sickness?

  The treatment is administered via a subcutaneous injection, similar to a vaccination. They do not experience radiation sickness. Radioactive iodine is a very safe and effective treatment and is frequently used in human medicine.

• How do I schedule an appointment for I-131 for my cat?

  Please talk with your veterinarian about your cat’s case and whether he or she is an appropriate candidate for I131. Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson can work closely with your veterinarian to provide the best possible care for your cat. We prefer a referral from your veterinarian before we see your cat for evaluation or treatment.