While fatal if left untreated, hyperthyroidism can now be safely and effectively cured with radioiodine (I-131) treatment. Depending on the formulation available, the radioiodine is either given as a few drops in the back of their mouth or as a single injection under the skin on the day your cat is admitted. That’s all it takes!

Radioiodine is rapidly absorbed into abnormal thyroid tissue and destroys it, wherever its location. Since radioiodine is only taken up by the active thyroid cells, it does not harm any other tissues in your cat’s body. This means that the cats do not feel sick from the treatment. The first time cure rate is 98%. A small number of cats (under 10%) become hypothyroid. This is more likely to occur in cats that have already undergone thyroidectomies. Experts agree that radioiodine therapy is the treatment of choice for feline hyperthyroidism.

Our treatment plan includes a review of your cat’s blood tests, physical examination and consultation, radioiodine therapy, hospitalization, feeding, daily monitoring, updates to you and your family veterinarians, and radiation safety. Your cat is never too old for radioiodine therapy; we have treated cats as old as 26 years of age!