What should I do if my cat is going through radioactive iodine?
So what is my advice to any of you whose cats may be going through the radioactive iodine treatment? Keep busy, and, especially if the cat being treated is your one and only, stay away from home as much as you can during your cat’s hospital stay. Expect to be stressed, and expect to worry.
Can iodine treatment cause kidney problems in cats?
But you must understand that the kidney problem is not a result of the iodine treatment. There are minimal risks for the iodine treatment- but there will be more risks if your kitty receives no treatment for hyperthyroidism. Lack of eating can cause a liver problem within days.
Can radioiodine cause diarrhea in cats with hyperthyroidism?
Cats may also continue to show signs of hyperthyroidism, including vomiting and diarrhea, for 3-4 weeks after the radioiodine therapy as the disease continues to resolve. The risk to these cats is the simple fact that many cats in the age range when cats develop hyperthyroidism (8+ years) also develop other diseases.
Did the radioactive treatment work for my Cat?
I can say the radioactive treatment worked very well, and she went on the upswing pretty quickly. Her weight is back up and she is doing great.I hope your kitty gets better soon.
Can radioactive iodine cause kidney problems?
The renal cast formation and tubular damage are evaluated by a pathologist in a blinded manner. Results: Ablative radioiodine-131 therapy induced renal tubular damage was significantly higher in the radioactive iodine fifth day group (RI-5) when compared with the Sham group (p=0.01) and Amifostine group (p=0.01).
How quickly does kidney failure progress in cats?
There are two types of kidney failure in cats. Each has different causes, treatments, and outlooks. Acute renal failure develops suddenly, over a matter of days or weeks.
Does hyperthyroidism mask kidney disease in cats?
There is a definite link between kidney disease and an overactive thyroid in cats. If your cat already suffers from kidney disease, the increased blood flow to the kidneys can help them to function better. In this way, hyperthyroidism can actually mask kidney disease.
What are the side effects of radioactive iodine treatment in cats?
There are no side effects directly associated with the injection. Your cat will not experience nausea, hair loss, lethargy, or decreased appetite due to his procedure. However, following treatment, some cats may experience a short period of readjustment as the thyroid levels return to normal.
Are cats in pain with kidney failure?
If your cat is suffering from acute kidney failure you may also notice an arched back or stiff-legged gait, symptoms that your cat's kidneys are causing pain. Chronic kidney failure gradually progresses over years, and the signs may not be noticeable.
What are the symptoms of end stage kidney failure in cats?
Symptoms of end stage kidney failure in cats include dull sunken eyes, inability to walk, body odour, incontinence in bladder or bowels, refusal to eat or drink, seizures, confusion, pacing and restlessness, withdrawing, hiding and running away.
Can hyperthyroidism in cats lead to kidney failure?
Because most cats with hyperthyroidism have an excellent to ravenous appetite, people often do not suspect that their aging cat has a medical condition. Due to the hypertension (high blood pressure) that develops with hyperthyroidism, however, damage to the heart, kidneys and eyes can occur.
How long can a cat live with hyperthyroidism and kidney disease?
However, in general the survival of cats that have azotemic CKD prior to treatment of hyperthyroidism is poor; in our studies performed in first-opinion practices the median survival time was only 178 days (range 0– 1,505 days).
Does hyperthyroidism in cats cause renal failure?
Feline hyperthyroidism and chronic renal failure (CRF) are common diseases in older cats. Further, renal function is profoundly influenced by thyroid status in several species. In cats, several studies have shown a marked decline of renal function after treatment of hyperthyroidism.
How long does it take for radioactive iodine to work in cats?
Most hyperthyroid cats respond fully to a single injection with radio-iodine. Their hyperthyroidism won't come back, and they don't need ongoing medication. Most cats respond to treatment within weeks, although some take up to 6 months to gain the full benefit.
What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine?
Possible long term side effectsAbility to have children (fertility) Some women may have irregular periods after radioactive iodine treatment. ... Inflammation of the salivary glands (where spit is made) ... Tiredness. ... Dry or watery eyes. ... Lower levels of blood cells. ... Lung problems. ... Second cancers.
How effective is radioactive iodine treatment for cats?
Radioiodine is safe and effective with cure rates approximately 95 - 98% with one treatment. Cats can receive a second treatment, if necessary. Radioiodine treatment avoids surgery, anesthesia, and anti-thyroid drugs.
What are the symptoms of end-stage kidney failure in cats?
The symptoms of end-stage kidney failure reflect the kidneys’ inability to compensate for significant damage and loss of function. These symptoms i...
How long does a cat live with kidney failure?
This depends on the stage of kidney failure. A cat may live several years with early-stage kidney failure, but less than that if the kidney failure...
Is kidney failure painful in cats?
That can depend on the underlying cause of kidney failure. For example, antifreeze toxicity can lead to a painful swelling of the kidneys.
Is kidney failure reversible?
The kidneys can withstand a lot of damage before they start to fail. However, once kidney failure sets in, there’s little chance for the kidneys to...
How long does it take for a cat to show signs of hyperthyroidism?
Cats may also continue to show signs of hyperthyroidism, including vomiting and diarrhea, for 3-4 weeks after the radioiodine therapy as the disease continues to resolve. The risk to these cats is the simple fact that many cats in the age range when cats develop hyperthyroidism (8+ years) also develop other diseases.
What are the complications of radioiodine therapy?
These complications include cerebrovascular events (i.e., strokes) and the premature exacerbation of pre-existing kidney disease. Luckily these risks will diminish in time following successful radioiodine therapy and a return to a persistently normal thyroid level.
What is the risk of radioiodine?
1.) Risk to the patient: The radioiodine (I -131) used to treat thyroid disease in people and animals emits both gamma rays and beta particles. The beta particles, which are much more potent forms of radiation, travel an average distance of less than 1 mm. Because of the short distances they travel they never exit the patient ...
Why do cats never exit the patient?
Because of the short distances they travel they never exit the patient and as a result no one other than the patient is at risk from exposure to the beta particles unless they internalized the radioiodine excreted by the patient. In cats > 95% of the radioiodine is excreted in the urine.
Can you put radioactive iodine in your cat's urine?
The good news is that virtually every client will already take steps to avoid this, even when radioactive iodine in their cat's urine is not the motivation.
What happens when X-rays pass through the body?
When x-rays, or any ionizing radiation, pass through the body they cause electrons to be ejected from atoms, leaving behind positive ions. These positive ions, or free radicals, can cause damage to DNA. DNA can also be damaged directly by radiation. If DNA is damaged, there are three possible outcomes:
Does iodine help cats with thyroid disease?
When it comes to survival, the studies that have been done show that cats cured of their thyroid disease by radioactive iodine live much longer (up to twice as long) when compared to hyperthy roid cats treated by methimazole. So in this case the targeted radiation exposure is actually increasing survival for these patients.
How long does radioactive iodine last?
Radioactive iodine has a half life of about eight days. This means, after eight days, half of it will have decayed into other elements. After 16 days only one quarter remains, etc., etc. What the doctor is trying to do is to let the radioiodine decay to a safe level.
Why do animals get healthier from radiation?
So instead of forming cancers and mutations the animals get healthier because of there immune systems eliminating damaged cells.
What happens if a cat doesn't take up thyroid?
What is not taken up by the thyroid will be present in the cat's bodily fluids and will primarily be voided in the cat's urine (in those first four days at the vet hospital). What is taken up by the thyroid will be released slowly over the next days/weeks to the other bodily fluids which is why they have the precautions that you describe.
Why is my cat being separated for 4 days?
One of the reasons the cat was held for four days was to allow for much of the radioactive 131 I to be excreted in urine so that the amount of external radiation exposure is significantly reduced.
How to control radiation exposure?
The three ways that we control exposures to external sources of radiation are time, distance, and shielding. Reduce the time near a source, increase the distance from the source, or use some sort of radiation absorbing shielding between you and the source of radiation and you will reduce your radiation dose .
Is cat litter radioactive?
Further, the litter will be radioactive as most of the radioactive iodine will be excreted via this route. I am certain that your veterinarian probably told you to take care when handling the litter and to wash your hands thoroughly after handling litter, the cat, and items that the cat came into contact with.
Does a cat have radioactive iodine?
Now let's deal with the issue of radioactive iodine released by the cat, which I believe is actually the bigger concern. All bodily fluids in the cat will have trace amounts of radioactive material within them, but it will be most prevalent within the urine.
Does iodine make cats drool?
I have a cat also and I know when she is happy and purring while sitting on my lap getting strokes, she drools. In a cat treated with radioactive iodine, the drool will contain radioactive materials. Cats also sweat through their paws and the sweat will have trace amounts of radioactive iodine.
Does 131 I cause thyroid issues?
What they are trying to prevent is the intake (ingestion, etc.) of the radioactive iodine into your body because, just like the cat, any 131 I intake you have will result in an uptake by your thyroid and in larger quantities could result in significant thyroid dose.
How old is a cat when it has kidney failure?
Chronic kidney failure, also called chronic kidney disease, develops over many years. It usually begins when cats are about six years old and becomes progressively worse as the nephrons slowly die. When more nephrons die than can be replaced, kidney failure becomes apparent.
What are the treatment goals for kidney failure in cats?
Treatment goals include reducing the kidneys’ workload, minimizing waste products from the blood, replacing lost nutrients, and managing clinical signs. Treatments can generally be grouped into dietary changes and medications. Be aware that not every cat in kidney failure will need every available treatment.
What happens when the kidneys stop working?
Kidney failure occurs when at least two-thirds of each kidney is damaged. With this much damage, the kidneys cannot perform their essential functions. Kidney failure can be acute or chronic. Acute kidney failure occurs when the kidneys suddenly stop working.
How to tell if you have advanced kidney failure?
Uremia, which is the life-threatening buildup of toxins and waste in the blood, develops and causes severe clinical signs. Reduced appetite. Weight loss.
What is kidney failure in cats?
Kidney failure is a complicated but manageable disease in older cats. If your cat is in kidney failure, work with your veterinarian and do your best to care for your cat.
What organs do cats have?
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs responsible for several vital functions, including filtering toxins and waste out of your cat’s bloodstream, producing urine, regulating the blood’s levels of nutrients, and conserving water.
What is the best diet for kidney failure?
Dietary Changes. The ideal kidney diet is low in protein, phosphorus, and sodium. A low-protein diet is needed to reduce the kidneys’ workload, but the protein must be of high quality. Phosphorus must be kept low because it can accumulate in the blood when the kidneys are failing.
What to expect at a vet for a cat with kidney failure?
If your veterinarian needs to confirm your cat’s diagnosis of chronic kidney failure, he or she may need to order a blood chemistry panel, complete blood cell count, a urinalysis, and blood pressure testing. Findings typically include some combination of:
How long does a cat live with kidney failure?
Some cats enjoy good quality of life for many months, or even years, while others have to be euthanized soon after diagnosis.
What to do if your cat has kidney failure?
If your cat has been diagnosed with chronic renal failure, this is what you can expect to happen next: Medication: Medications and supplements that lower blood pressure, raise potassium levels, lower phosphorous levels, promote kidney function, treat anemia, treat gastrointestinal ulcers, and reduce vomiting may all be a part of therapy.
What to give a dog for kidney disease?
Additional recommendations are based on a pet’s individual needs and may include: 1 Medications to lower blood pressure (e.g., propranolol, atenolol, or enalapril) 2 Nutritional supplements that reduce BUN (Azodyl) and phosphorus levels (Epakitin) 3 Omega 3 fatty acids to protect the kidneys 4 Medications to treat or prevent stomach ulcers (e.g., ranitidine, famotidine, omeprazole, sucralfate) 5 Potassium supplements 6 Medications decrease blood phosphorous levels (e.g., calcium carbonate) 7 Calcitriol to slow the progression of chronic renal failure 8 Medications to treat anemia (e.g., erythropoietin or darbepoetin) 9 Anti-nausea medications (e.g., maropitant or ondansetron)
What is the best medication for kidney failure in cats?
Medications to treat anemia (e.g., erythropoietin or darbepoetin) Anti-nausea medications (e.g., maropitant or ondansetron) Kidney transplants may be an option for cats who meet specific criteria.
Can a cat be hospitalized for renal failure?
high blood pressure. After a definitive diagnosis of chronic renal failure, your veterinarian will determine whether your cat needs to be hospitalized. Severely affected cats may need to stay at the veterinary clinic to receive intravenous fluids and begin treatment for any other symptoms they might have (see below).
How long does a cat have to be hospitalized for radiation?
One of the requirements of the treatment is that the cat has to be hospitalized for 3-5 days, until she has reached the safe and legal level of radiation release. The length of the stay varies by state and is governed by Nuclear Regulatory Commission guidelines.
What is radiocat hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is a common disease that typically affects middle-aged and older cats.
Why does my cat have thyroid problems?
It is caused by an excess production of thyroid hormones, which are produced by the thyroid gland, located inside the cat’s neck. Thyroid hormones affect nearly all organs, which is why thyroid disease can sometimes cause secondary problems such as hypertension, heart and kidney disease.
Why do cats need I-131?
The reason this is done is because thyroid disease can mask kidney disease. The medication trial is designed to determine whether the cat’s kidneys will still perform once the thyroid is under control.
Is Radiocat the same as Blue Pearl?
March 19, 2018 at 5:52 pm (3 years ago) Radiocat and Blue Pearl are separate entities and should not be considered as the same level of treatment or care. Radiocat is exclusively a treatment center for hyperthyroidism in cats. They have treated more cases than anyone in the world.
Is atenolol safe for cats?
Atenolol wasn’t developed for cats, it was developed for humans. Our old school vet didn’t agree the side effects were from the meds, and maybe some cats do OK, but definitely not ours. We have the luxury of working from home, so we can follow his activity very closely and he’s definitely better off the meds.
Can cats get hypothyroidism?
October 10, 2017 at 5:29 am (4 years ago) Some cats can become hypothyroid after the radioactive iodine treatment, which may be causing her lethargy and sluggishness. It’s usually temporary, although in rare cases, cats may need medication if it does not resolve after a few weeks.
How long does it take for iodine to go away from cats?
We were told that 90% of the Radioactive Iodine is gone from the cat in two days. The remainder is gone in about the next two months or so. You would actually have to ingest the cats waste for it to be harmful to you. Some places realize that the stress of being away from home for so long is not good for older cats.
Why is radioactive iodine not working?
The only reasons it may not work is an inadequate dose given or some other medication interfering and possibly a cancerous tumor (less that 1% they say) which requires a dose ~ 10 times the amount .
How long did Keefer die from radioactive iodine?
Unfortunately Keefer was given an inadequate dose of Radioactive Iodine and he died 25 days later. We were told we would see some change for the good in about a month.