I'd decided to go ahead with radioiodine treatment for my 15 year-old cat, Liza, and the only local facility around here says she needs to have her thyroid levels checked after being off methimazole for 14 days to determine dosage. I cleared doing this thoroughly with her regular vet. She's now been off methimazole for 10 days, and her condition has started to decline sharply. She's hiding. She's barely eating, and she obviously feels bad. She has gone from 8.7 to 8.2 pounds. I do have an appointment with my regular vet first thing tomorrow morning (soonest I could get after the 4th), but I was looking around at other pre-treatment protocols. Cornell's site said that a cat would have to be off methimazole for 7-10 days, not 14. I did speak to my vet today, and she said to call the radioiodine program to ask if 14 days was absolutely necessary. But the radioiodine treatment hospital was still closed for the 4th today, so I couldn't reach them.
I'm just wondering what kind of pre-treatment testing protocol others have been required to perform. I feel horrible that I'm making her feel so bad.
I'm just wondering what kind of pre-treatment testing protocol others have been required to perform. I feel horrible that I'm making her feel so bad.
Our boy was off it for 14 days before receiving the I-131 injection. He also had a complete blood panel including T-4, urine analysis and two chest x-ray views. Everything had to be reviewed and cleared by the radiologist.
One thing that helped immensely was the staff who were his surrogate companions, checked on him regularly, called with numerous updates and told us to call as often as we pleased. I hope this helps and you have the same experience for Liza.
