Hyperthyroidism & Radioactive Iodine Treatment

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Callie

All that and a- bag of catnip

Purred: Mon Apr 9, '12 12:38pm PST


	I took Callie to the vet a couple weeks ago for a check on her hips because at 14 years old she is arthritic. During the visit the vet suggested we recheck her thyroid as it was about 7 months since her last test and that one was borderline. Her T4 came back elevated and the vet spoke with me about options (meds, food, surgery or I-131). After reading about all of them in more detail I decided that the least distressing option to her given her temperament and age would be to do the iodine treatment. There is a hospital one hour from here that does them. It is going to be very difficult for me to leave my baby for 2-3 days while she is in isolation at the hospital but I expect them to keep her comfortable and I will be sending her with her favorite foods and one of my shirts to lay on. What I'm really having issue with is the isolation I have to put her in when she comes home. They are telling me it will need to be at least two weeks and that I can only have contact with her 5 minutes every hour. The very thought makes it hard to breathe. Anytime I have to shut her in another room due to guests or workers she sits at the door and cries and paws at the door the entire time. She is already rather neurotic, having been an only kitten all of these years and it very attached to me. We live in an apartment with a master bedroom/bath and a 2nd bedroom for my husband's daughter who comes over every 2 weeks. I don't know where to put her which is the first issue. Should I put her in my SD's room with her litter box and let her be free so she can sleep on the bed, get up in the window and be free with her toys? Should I keep her in my master bathroom where her litter box is currently located? There's nothing soft to lay on in there though and no windows. Should I put her in the doggie kennel I have with her litter box, blanket and food? The second and most important issue is I don't know what to do to make this process easier for us both. Any suggestions?

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Abby

I squeak- therefore I am

Purred: Wed Apr 11, '12 2:02am PST


	Hmmm...this is tough for Callie and you. From your description your husband's daughter's room sounds the best option. And maybe a radio in the room playing soft music if you think Callie would like that? When she is really distressed and wants your company perhaps you could sit on the other side of door and at least let her hear your voice. You don't want to 'tease' her, but sometimes when Abby is upset in one part of our home, hearing a reassuring sentence or two from me working in another part settles her. And although you can only visit five minutes an hour, perhaps others can also visit five five minutes an hour so she at least has attention and company--your husband obviously, but also any cat-loving friends, relatives, or neighbors you have that might be willing to help. I have to admit that in this kind of situation I would probably use treats to soothe my kitty too...Not every hourly visit (!), but maybe some of the times when you have to leave her after five minutes and she is really upset. Not the most healthful choice--I am very restrained with treats usually--but for this situation perhaps justified as long as she does not have weight problems. One other thought: I (Abby's human) was once diagnosed "Hyperthyroid" and it seemed to me the Doctor could not wait to treat when, as you know, the treatments are themselves pretty serious stuff...I held out for multiple thyroid tests over time before I let anyone prescribe me anything and, unexpectedly (to the Doctors) my thyroid stabilized. You should definitely get Callie the best treatment she needs in a timely fashion, but certainly don't rush if you (and your vet) don't judge that you have to... Sending best thoughts your way -- and purrs from Abby.

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Callie

All that and a- bag of catnip

Purred: Wed Apr 11, '12 8:19am PST


	Thank you for the response. I spoke to the clinic this morning and they scheduled her treatment for Monday. Callie started having more symptoms Monday night and now is throwing up (though it is only water first thing in the morning and she is fine the rest of the day holding down her food and water) so I really want to get her treatment as soon as I can. It seems the initial information I was given was incorrect so I'm happy to report it isn't going to be as strict as I was told initially. We can only each cuddle her for 5 minutes an hour so we'll do that separately so that she has more contact time. And her isolation is only for 1 week, not 2 and she can actually be free to roam the whole house except our bedroom at night and roam the whole house during the day when we aren't home. The only time she'll need to be shut away is when we are home and then I will probably just put her in our bedroom until our bedtime. Being more free to run will make her a happier girl. She doesn't like people other than my husband and I (she isn't even fond of my step-daughter) and she isn't a "treats" girl at all. However she loves toys, and the radioactivity only excretes through her urine so I am going to buy her a barrel full of new toys to keep her occupied that she can use even after her isolation.

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Natasha

Princess Forever

Purred: Wed Apr 11, '12 1:13pm PST


	My Ben had the treatment which is very successful. He was gone for two weeks. Even though he was a grumpy guy there, he did well. When he came home, we went on like nothing happened. Natasha didn't like his smell but she got over it fast. I missed him terribly those two weeks but he had to stay there because of his poop being radioactive and it was state policy. We live in Massachusetts. This whole thing was easier than pilling him. He had it done at eleven. He lived until he was sixteen and it wasn't from the thyroid......Let me know if you want any other advice.....Time will pass by quickly and we went on touching him when he got home.....

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Abby

I squeak- therefore I am

Purred: Wed Apr 11, '12 1:27pm PST


	Very glad to hear the regime is not quite as strict as you feared. Purrs to Callie and you...With so much love and concern coming her way (plus toys), I bet she will do great! Edited by author Wed Apr 11, '12 1:28pm PST

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Emily

1243958

Purred: Fri Apr 13, '12 9:47am PST


	Emily had the I-131 treatment when she was 10. I was very anxious about it as I waited for her appointment. Her regular vet gave me website addresses, so I read about it on www.radiocat.com and others. Every website said the period a cat must be isolated is shorter than I was told. I called the vet who did it. He said the reason for that is other hospitals keep cats there longer than he does. You definitely made the right decision. Every website and my regular vet said the same thing: 95% of the time cats do not need to have the procedure again. It is a one-time cure with almost no risk of failure.

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Callie

All that and a- bag of catnip

Purred: Mon Apr 16, '12 12:28pm PST


	Thank you everyone for your responses. Today is the day I take her to the hospital. I feel a little sad, and a little scared that something will go wrong but I'm also a whole lot more peaceful than I was feeling.

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Ben, Angel- Dreamboat,#3- 9-1987-

1220649

Purred: Tue Apr 17, '12 6:52am PST


	The time will pass by and before you know, Callie will be home. I kept busy when Ben was gone. I got reports from Angell's too about how he was doing. He hated being there but it was much better than pilling him every day. When I pilled him, our relationship was stressed. I had to pill him until he got his radiation appointment. It took six weeks for an appointment and it was unbearable. Things returned to normal when he came home. Believe it or not, when he got diabetes years later, giving him shots was easier than pilling. He actually came into the kitchen for his shot. The treatment is so effective and 99% curable. Relax and know that she will be home soon...

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Wilbur

The white is for- sugar

Purred: Thu Apr 19, '12 10:19am PST


	Ben, Wilbur needed allergy shots every week. His allergies were so bad he was licking his skin off and trying to amputate one of his toes. He was OK with a weekly shot at first, but he learned the word shot and started making it hard for Mom to get an opportunity. I am serious - once she told me not to let him leave her bedroom and, after hearing the word shot, he followed her out.

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Callie

All that and a- bag of catnip

Purred: Wed Apr 25, '12 9:28am PST


	The clinic mixed up appointment dates so I actually didn't take her until this past Monday. She had her injection yesterday afternoon and I've called several times to check on her. They said they will do a 48 hour level check tomorrow afternoon and then I can come and pick her up as long as the radiation has dropped into the acceptable level. They said she is resting and eating and pottying well. I'm sure she is scared and confused, but it is only another day. I think it has been hardest on me; I cry like a baby every night. I cannot wait until she is home. I agree that it is still better for both of us than pilling her twice a day.

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Hyperthyroidism & Radioactive Iodine Treatment

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