Radioactive Iodine Treatment
A very effective treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats.
See details about hyperthyroidism here. Curious about what to expect during your cat’s radioiodine therapy I-131? The following is a list of all the procedures that will be performed at our hospital.
Admission Day
- Health Exam
- Review of tests from referring veterinarian
- Review of recent medical records
- Allow your cat to get settled in
Radioiodine Therapy Day
Radioiodine Therapy (I-131): While we anticipate proceeding with treatment, sometimes issues arise during our pre-treatment assessment. If this is the case, we will contact you, so please make sure you’re available at the phone number(s) given to us.
Two Week Post Therapy Requirements & Precautions
- Your cat must be kept indoors exclusively for two weeks because your cat’s body will still be releasing small amounts of radiation.
- Anyone under the age of 18 or pregnant women should not change the litter box or come within an 8-foot distance of their cat.
- For your safety, we recommend that you keep an 8-foot distance from your cat at all times except for 30 minutes per day. The amount of time could change to more or less depending on the radiation readings of the patient prior to discharge. (minutes are per person, which can be distributed throughout the day.) Please do not allow your cat to sleep with you at night. It is best to keep him or her in an unoccupied room.
- Avoid face-to-face contact and any contact with your cat’s saliva. If you need to give your cat oral medication, please wear protective gloves. We strongly advise that you wash your hands after any contact with his or her saliva.
- Cleaning the litter box: Because a small amount of radioactivity is excreted in your cat’s urine and feces, please wear protective gloves while cleaning the litter box. (Do not use them for other tasks.) Please clean your cat’s litter box daily. Flushable litter is not recommended. Continue to use the litter your cat is familiar with and do not allow it to share a litter box with other cats. Remove the soiled litter, and place it in a plastic bag. If your cat should vomit or soil outside the litter box, perform normal cleaning procedures, wearing your protective gloves. Place all soiled cleaning materials into a plastic bag. All waste must be held for 90 days. We recommend using an empty 5-gallon bucket with a lid. After the 2-week post-therapy period, tightly seal the 5-gallon bucket. After 90 days, the waste can be disposed of in your regular garbage.
- Please keep your cat from walking on kitchen counters. For food preparation, use a cutting board that can be washed and put away when not in use.
DVM Hyperthyroidism Referral Form
