10-day Boarding For Radiation Therapy

[rexinminn]

Today is the day we're taking Peanut in for her radioactive iodine treatment to cure her hyperthyroid condition. My biggest worry, aside from being away from her for 10+ days (it all depends on the geiger counter reading) is how the inactivity will affect her bones. Peanut is female, 13.4 years old and in good health, but I don't want her "back-sliding" as a result of the extended boarding time. Should I be adding a calcium supplement to the food we take with us for her use at the vet? And with regard to cat calcium, is there a better type? For example, for humans, plant-based is more absorbable than calcium carbonate. Any ideas on this?

 

[Kieka]

I’d check with your vet about any supplements. You don’t want to accidentally give her something that will interact with her treatment.

My boy was boarded at the vet for five days and on crate rest for a month. It wasn’t too bad, he had definite muscle loss but he regained that within a few months. He is younger so his age may had played a part in his recovery time. However, I think the bigger health impact will be from the treatment she is receiving and not from the boarding. Either way, I’d partner with your vet about your concerns to find out what, if anything, can be done before taking action.

 

[di and bob]

Ask your vet any questions regarding this, I'm sure he's familiar with what needs to be done. She may feel a little sick during all this and may not want to move around anyway. Can you visit her and use a shield? How do they take care of her? Make sure she has some article of your worn clothing, like a night shirt, for comfort. Ask if you can bring her her favorite foods and treats too. she'll do fine, many cats have this treatment, you might research it and see what is recommended. I would research what is recommended for inactivity too, like for cats that break hips. ask the vet what he thinks about the calcium, you don't want to overload her kidneys, or burden her heart with too much.
My thoughts and prayers are with her today, all the best Peanut!

 

[rexinminn]

I’d check with your vet about any supplements. You don’t want to accidentally give her something that will interact with her treatment.

My boy was boarded at the vet for five days and on crate rest for a month. It wasn’t too bad, he had definite muscle loss but he regained that within a few months. He is younger so his age may had played a part in his recovery time. However, I think the bigger health impact will be from the treatment she is receiving and not from the boarding. Either way, I’d partner with your vet about your concerns to find out what, if anything, can be done before taking action.

Thank you for that. I appreciate the input very much.

 

[rexinminn]

Ask your vet any questions regarding this, I'm sure he's familiar with what needs to be done. She may feel a little sick during all this and may not want to move around anyway. Can you visit her and use a shield? How do they take care of her? Make sure she has some article of your worn clothing, like a night shirt, for comfort. Ask if you can bring her her favorite foods and treats too. she'll do fine, many cats have this treatment, you might research it and see what is recommended. I would research what is recommended for inactivity too, like for cats that break hips. ask the vet what he thinks about the calcium, you don't want to overload her kidneys, or burden her heart with too much.
My thoughts and prayers are with her today, all the best Peanut!

Thanks so much for this! We will do so. I went into this well-informed, so Peanut has lots of reminders of home. I even kept her own hair for Punkin, her sibling who lives with us too, so she is covered as well. I don't like the fact that the cats can't get out of their kennels for some activity, but that's the way it is and I'm sure the vet has his reasons for them. They are expected to call us every night to let us know how she's doing, so I will look forward to that. She is there now, and will receive her first dose of the medicine Wednesday. We're supposed to be able to pick her up Saturday, April 28th at the latest. As the classic Petty song "The Waiting" goes, "...the waiting is the hardest part...."