Hyperthyroid In My Cat Just Being Diagnosed Worriedi

[Jojo&Tutu]

I was just at my internal medicine vet. Tutu might have hyperthyroid. They are doing a thyroid blood test now. I am worried. Her blood pressure was elevated and thyroid gland a little enlarged but her kidney values have dropped down even better than last time we were in. Usually elevated blood pressure affects her kidney. She is on amlodipine for hypertension. I am worried about if she needs radioactive uptake for her thyroid. I have a radiation injury and I don't think I can be exposed. They say she can't sleep in my bed and bedding after and I think it will be impossible to be able to feed her and give her her medicine for her other issues. How long are they radioactive? She has inflammatory bowel disease, chronic hepatitis and chronic pancreatitis, all of which are in good control. Right now she only has a little elevated alt which is her liver and her potassium is a little low. I am also worried about a thyroid tumor since that is usually what causes it. Does anyone have experience with medication vs surgery vs radioactive thyroid uptake? Survival rates? I think it will be hard to be away from her for a week or two. We are extremely bonded and I worry about her a lot. Her tummy is fragile. She bled for a day just from deworming for tapeworm. How will she manage?

 

[Antonio65]

Hi and welcome!
In HT cats their renal issues are masked by the hyperthyroid, so it seems that the kidneys are working better than they are.
As a matter of fact, the vets at the facilities where I-131 treatment is performed warn you about possible increase in kidney levels post treatment.
The options for an HT cat are the methimazole, the surgery and the radiation.
The latter is the best, with the least risk and best outcome. The surgery can have some risks.

My cat was treated with I-131 a few months ago, and in early February I had her checked for her last blood test after the treatment and she is fine and cured.
She has a mild CKD, a chronic liver inflammation, IBD and occasionally pancreatitis as well.

How long is a treated cat radioactive? Generally the vets talk about 4 weeks. Most facilities hold the cat at the facility for 2 weeks, so the other 2 weeks at home can be more easily managed.
The guidelines are to keep the cat away from you when sleeping or watching TV, but you can cuddle and touch them for a few minutes a day. You have to use disposable gloves for litter tray cleaning or for wiping after them should they vomit or pee outside the tray.

Elsewhere I have read that these guidelines are much more restrictive than the necessary, and are just a safety mesure from the vets to avoid any possible issue that could arise at home. It seems that a treated cat isn't more radioactive than a microwave oven and the radiation decays very quickly and travels short distance from the cat.

In my opinion, the radiation treatment is the best option ever. Your cat doesn't need to stand a surgery and an anesthesia. The I-131 is a one-off injection done while the cat is sedated, and it is effective 98% of cases.

 

[Jojo&Tutu]

Hi and welcome!
In HT cats their renal issues are masked by the hyperthyroid, so it seems that the kidneys are working better than they are.
As a matter of fact, the vets at the facilities where I-131 treatment is performed warn you about possible increase in kidney levels post treatment.
The options for an HT cat are the methimazole, the surgery and the radiation.
The latter is the best, with the least risk and best outcome. The surgery can have some risks.

My cat was treated with I-131 a few months ago, and in early February I had her checked for her last blood test after the treatment and she is fine and cured.
She has a mild CKD, a chronic liver inflammation, IBD and occasionally pancreatitis as well.

How long is a treated cat radioactive? Generally the vets talk about 4 weeks. Most facilities hold the cat at the facility for 2 weeks, so the other 2 weeks at home can be more easily managed.
The guidelines are to keep the cat away from you when sleeping or watching TV, but you can cuddle and touch them for a few minutes a day. You have to use disposable gloves for litter tray cleaning or for wiping after them should they vomit or pee outside the tray.

Elsewhere I have read that these guidelines are much more restrictive than the necessary, and are just a safety mesure from the vets to avoid any possible issue that could arise at home. It seems that a treated cat isn't more radioactive than a microwave oven and the radiation decays very quickly and travels short distance from the cat.

In my opinion, the radiation treatment is the best option ever. Your cat doesn't need to stand a surgery and an anesthesia. The I-131 is a one-off injection done while the cat is sedated, and it is effective 98% of cases.

Thank you so much for responding to my post. I am waiting to hear if she really does have a thyroid problem as blood tests are being done. The thyroid showed slightly enlarged and her early ckd problem resolved both signs she is beginning to have this problem. I am hoping because it is caught early it won't be a strong radioactive dose if she needs it. I found out it is done right at my vet specialist office by one vet specialist and if I need to remain apart from her they who absolutely love her will care for her longer there. I think she would be stressed to the max being near me but not near me. I even thought about her being in a dog pop up tent like crate so she could be in my room but not on me. Did you have to throw away your cat's bedding or isolate your cat in a room without carpet or save her litter in double bags for two weeks? I still don't know that she has this for sure and I might be worrying unnecessarily. Her coat is fine and she is not overeating. I think it brings up the issue of eventually losing her that stresses me to the max. I grew up with a Siamese cat who bonded with me in my family but this cat is something extraordinary to me. She is beautiful and incredibly smart. I was injured by illegal military testing a long time ago. I myself have a radiation exposure injury so the issue of thyroiditis which absolutely can be radiation induced as my own Hashimoto's Thyroiditis was caused by my exposure years ago - this whole issue is tough for me emotionally to deal with. I got my kitty when my immune system started to fail because of that injury. Being harassed with further exposures of acoustic infrasound found by engineers in my home and radiofrequency from the darn smart meters and etc. both our health has been precarious for the last 15 years. We both got tumors when the smart meters were installed on my block. I found the research that shows that they could be caused by radiofrequency. We have been through so much together.

 

[Antonio65]

About those damn smart meters, a few days ago another member of this forum wrote about radiofrequency induced tumors in their home!

Yes, according to the new protocols, the dosage of I-131 is proportioned to the severity of the thyroid disease. If caught early, the dosage could be low and hence the radiation emitted should be lower.
Anyway, the vet must assess the severity of the disease with a scintigraphy, a scan like a MRI or a CT that can't be done anywhere. So refer to a specialist or a facility where they can do everything in-house and in the same day. It's easier for you and less stressful for Tutu.
All that can absorb radiation must be disposed of at the end of the critical period. Items made if steel and plastic can be saved.
Cleaning of the litter tray can be done with disposable gloves. I was told to store the used litter in a bin far away from home for not less than 3 months.

 

[Jojo&Tutu]

I'm the one who posted about my cat and I getting tumors. Damn all the utility companies for pushing smart meters on us all and for not accommodating my disability by removing them on my block.
I just found out Tutu, my kitty has to have the radioactive iodine to fix her thyroid. Thyroid likely has adenoma causing enlargement and hyperthyroid, converts to cancer. Funny how vets think it is lack of iodine or age. It is radiation that causes the thyroid adenoma. The neck attracts 26 Times the radiofrequency compared to the rest of the body. (As per air force research) I read years ago. Ionizing radiation survivors are given iodine to protect their thyroid. The cats are getting dosed like we are from cellular and radiofrequency from smart meters They are little canaries and we are not paying attention. So now my only baby my kitty has to go through radiation treatment for her thyroid and because I have to be careful with my parotid gland adenoma (tumor). I might have to board her for three weeks. I might not be .able to be exposed. I am so sad. I have only been apart from her for four or five days when she had her rate benign liver tumor removed. I am totally depressed

 

[Antonio65]

Last researches show that benign thyroid cancers in cats (those who cause hyperthyroid) are mainly from chemicals in the environments, like flame retardants in fabrics , plastics and furniture. Other causes could be found in the materials that make the inner side of cans, and from food itself.
It is likely that radiations, radiofrequencies, in the environment can be a cause too.

Anyway, if your vets think that Tutu needs a radio-iodine treatment, I think they picked the best option, with the least consequences for Tutu. She'll be fine in a few weeks, you will have daily updates from your vets. Leave a cloth from you with her, but know that it will not be returned, as it won't be returned anything else you leave with her, like blankets, toys and all.

As I said yesterday, make sure you refer to a clinic where they can do BOTH scintigraphy AND I-131 in the same place and day, to reduce time, costs and stress.

Best of luck!

 

[Jojo&Tutu]

Last researches show that benign thyroid cancers in cats (those who cause hyperthyroid) are mainly from chemicals in the environments, like flame retardants in fabrics , plastics and furniture. Other causes could be found in the materials that make the inner side of cans, and from food itself.
It is likely that radiations, radiofrequencies, in the environment can be a cause too.

Anyway, if your vets think that Tutu needs a radio-iodine treatment, I think they picked the best option, with the least consequences for Tutu. She'll be fine in a few weeks, you will have daily updates from your vets. Leave a cloth from you with her, but know that it will not be returned, as it won't be returned anything else you leave with her, like blankets, toys and all.

As I said yesterday, make sure you refer to a clinic where they can do BOTH scintigraphy AND I-131 in the same place and day, to reduce time, costs and stress.

Best of luck!

My cat also developed a rare benign liver tumor the same time as I developed a parotid gland adenoma tumor both one year after the gas smart meters were installed on my block summer 2016. Hers was removed fall 2016. Both are caused by radiofrequency exposure. Her tumor is so rare that her internal medicine vet has only seen three cases and her elderly cat vet has only seen one case in the history of their practices. Her radiology vet said that iodine is needed to protect the thyroid from Thyroiditis in cats. That is what is used when exposed to ionizing radiation. Chemicals and radiation do similar damage to the body and we need stricter standards.
She is currently eating Lotus just juicy venison which helped her get over extreme flare up for two years IBD pancreatitis from previous food ziwipeek venison when they added chick pea into it. She cannot tolerate peas beans carbs related. Any other suggestions for food?

 

[Antonio65]

My former HT cat has IBD too and has a special diet, which is a food that she had never had before, and it is working fine. It's pork 95% and lamb 5%, no carbs.

 

[Jojo&Tutu]

My former HT cat has IBD too and has a special diet, which is a food that she had never had before, and it is working fine. It's pork 95% and lamb 5%, no carbs.

I did a lot of research and the radiology vet has 30 years doing this. I feel confident that this is the only option if she has any adenoma in her thyroid. He will test first to see. The I 131 will eliminate the bad cells that can convert to cancer and save the good cells. Surgery is too risky as there is likely risk of vascular or parathyroid gland damage which makes it incredibly difficult to manage metabolism after. Medications do control symptoms of hyperthyroid but the adenomas grow and can eventually metastasize requiring greater doses of I 131. I think the hardest thing will be to see how she intially does. She might be very anxious or depressed away from me and I certainly will feel that away from her. Once she gets past the first few days she could come home but I can't risk being exposed with my fragile condition. I am thinking of having her transferred to her internal medicine vet if she is not doing well because they can pay more loving limited exposure attention on her away from the overall exposures at the rad vet. They have kitty cameras at the rad vet kitty condo for me to always watch her so I can feel connected but she won't have much human contact and it might affect her. She may be tired from the dose so I will have to see. It is scary because I adore my kitty so much.

 

[Antonio65]

You did some good researches
The I-131 shot doesn't seem to affect their body, cats are just fine after the shot, they do not realize of that.
But your cat might suffer from not being with you. Anyway, it's just a few weeks. Everything will be fine.

 

[Jojo&Tutu]

You did some good researches
The I-131 shot doesn't seem to affect their body, cats are just fine after the shot, they do not realize of that.
But your cat might suffer from not being with you. Anyway, it's just a few weeks. Everything will be fine.

Thanks. I am nervous & sad !!!

 

[Jojo&Tutu]

Just met with a very good surgeon and am still uncertain what to do. Is a risk for Horners syndrome if a nerve gets cut. He would put her on thyroid meds for two weeks before surgery to see that her kidneys won't crash after surgery. The I 131 radiology vet felt her kidneys were fine and could tolerate treatment. Would be gone three weeks if I 141 treatment. My internal medicine vet could board her once she is past the critical point of exposure and keep an eye on her kidney values etc. Now I am leaning towards the I 131 treatment. I meet with an internal medicine vet tomorrow as her regular internal medicine vet is on medical leave. My poor baby who I love dearly. It is scary.

 

[Antonio65]

Now I am leaning towards the I 131 treatment. I meet with an internal medicine vet tomorrow as her regular internal medicine vet is on medical leave. My poor baby who I love dearly. It is scary.

I think this is a very good decision!

 

[Jojo&Tutu]

I think this is a very good decision!

Do you think my kitty will be ok? I am so worried.

 

[Antonio65]

As long as the therapy is right, your kitty will be more than fine afterwards!
Have you seen a specialist?

 

[Jojo&Tutu]

As long as the therapy is right, your kitty will be more than fine afterwards!
Have you seen a specialist?

My kitty saw a radiology veterinary specialist who did scintigraphy scan to determine the I 131 dose. It will be a very low dose. I am mostly worried what the effect of the general I 131 exposure will be on her liver, pancreas and intestinal systems. She has IBD, chronic pancreatitis, chronic hepatitis and at one point was in stage two kidney failure but she was on a high protein diet because of her intolerance of carbohydrates and her bun-creatinine ratio was always below 20 (good). She lost one third of her liver to a very very rare benign liver tumor. She is stable right now only slightly high normal t4 and of course her kidney function went normal due to slightly elevated thyroid. Her blood pressure is 64 only slightly elevated (should be under 60). I'd like to get rid of the tiny thyroid tumor so it doesn't need a high dose I 131 if I wait because it could get bigger and if I wait she will need another scan. The scan emits X-ray and gamma ray from her body and for seven hours she had to stay away from me so I don't want her to have to do that again as that is additional exposure. I checked with two surgeons and because I 131 is so safe they haven't been doing any surgery of cats thyroids since the 1980s. So I know it is the right thing to do just should I wait? I think I should do it now because she is finally stable but I had a friend say to me will you be ok if you do this and she dies? (Some friend....). I haven't talked to this friend since I am so mad at her insensitivity. It really upset me. Additionally my kitty is a very dependent cat as she has been ill her whole life. For years with IBD she would only eat out of my hand. I worry she will become ill due to separation anxiety causing greater IBD triad flare up. She can come home after four or so days but I am arranging her to go to her internal medicine veterinarian to board her for the remaining two to three weeks because I myself have a parotid gland adenoma that I have to be careful of. I think my kitty will stress out too much being here but locked in a bathroom not allowed to sleep on me. She will also stress out at the veterinarian all that time but they will monitor her carefully and if she needs to come home the earliest she can is at two weeks post treatment. This is all I worry about.

 

[Antonio65]

It is advisable to follow with the I-131 right after the scintigraphy, because if meanwhile the thyroid situation changes, the dose the vet will inject wil be unsuitable for the current condition.
In my case the I-132 shot was done a few hours following the scintigraphy.

Of course the cat could be affected in some measure by the radiations, but this is part of the game and is taken in account for the therapy. The damage the body will receive from the radiation is minimum compared to the benefits the cat will have from the radio iodine.

My cat suffers from IBD too, she's on a novel protein diet. She's had a pancreatitis and has chronic liver issues. She also have a chest effusion of unknown nature, and has shown a slight renal failure.
Nevertheless she has receive an incredible benefit from the treatment, and I would do that thousand times again because it is wonderful.

She's prone to stress and anxiety and hates being away from home. She fears stranger people and unknown places, hates travelling, and everything that is different from her daily routine upsets her greatly to the point she stops eating, drinking, sleeping and using the litter tray. Despite all this, she did rather fine during the isolation period at the clinic.

 

[Jojo&Tutu]

How long was your cat away from you? Because of my own parotid gland adenoma and immune problems my cat may need to be away for three weeks. Was your cat gone for that long? The radiology vet said the scintography test was good for six weeks to determine dose. She has an appointment for the I 131 treatment within that time period so it will be ok. How often and how many days or weeks did you give your cats sub q fluids after the I 131? The radiology vet suggested every other day for 20 days. It is good to know your cat has greatly benefited. Did your cat's kidney or other conditions get worse? Thank you for your input. Your kitty is lucky to have your care. Thank you for taking the time to reassure me.

 

[Antonio65]

My cat stayed away from me just 5 days.
She was admitted on Monday morning, she was supposed to be treated on the same morning, but because of some issues that I wasn't aware of, and that the vets at the facility spotted on that very day, her treatment was delayed by 24h. Meanwhile she was scanned with X-rays and ultrasound three or four times before being cleared for the treatment.
She was discharged on Friday and we both came back home.
Because here in Italy we have no I-131 facilities, we drove to Belgium and I stayed there for the time needed.

I was adviced to keep my cat at a distance for 4 weeks and to follow certain precautions in handling and petting her. And also in scooping her litter and storing the waste before disposing of it.
I only followed the rules for the litter, though, and stored the waste in a separate and far from the house bin for some months (actually I still have to dispose of it!), but I decided to completely disregard the precautions about handling her, and also decided to keep my cat with me, or on me, whenever she felt like. It would have broken her heart if I had to keep her in a separate room and without contact for weeks.
So I took my chances for her own sake.

I wasn't told to give her sub-Qs after the treatment.
Her kidneys levels have been going slightly up and down, last test was in February and the creatinine was a bit over the limit, but I'm not concerned, she's fine on that side.
What concerns me the most is the fluid that is building up in her chest and that the vets haven't understood what it is.
Despite this fluid, she's fine, and shows no symptoms of breathing issues, so the vets told me not to do anything unless strictly necessary.

I think you're in good hands with your kitty. Your vets will guide you step by step along this wonderful process Don't worry, she'll be fine in those weeks, she will be on holiday and you'll have daily updates.

 

[Jojo&Tutu]

Have your vets checked your kitty's heart? Elevated T4 could have affected her heart. My kitty's T4 is in the gray area not high enough to impact her heart and she is on blood pressure meds. Maybe kitty needs to see a vet cardiologist or pulmonary vet or internal medicine vet. Hope your kitty is ok!!!!
Prayers sent to you and your kitty