Our Exceptional I-131 Radioiodine Therapy Service for Feline Hyperthyroidism
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Here at BEVS, we are proud to offer a simple, proven treatment for your feline patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism: radioactive iodine therapy. A proven alternative to thyroidectomy or antithyroid drugs, I-131 therapy is minimally invasive. It’s also effective, with cure rates of approximately 95% to 98% after one treatment. Cats can receive a second treatment, if necessary.
After being injected, the radioiodine concentrates within the thyroid tumor, selectively irradiating and destroying hyperfunctioning thyroid tissue without affecting nearby structures or organs. The body naturally eliminates any I-131 not absorbed by the thyroid gland within a few days.
The advantages of radioiodine therapy include:
- Eliminates the need for daily antithyroid medication
- Avoids surgery, including anesthesia
- Restores normal thyroid function within a few weeks
- Minimal side effects
- More economical than surgery or continual medication
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Following the I-131 injection, federal law requires that patients spend a minimum of 96 hours in isolation until the I-131 is excreted from their system. For client safety, no visits are permitted during this time.
To make it easier for pet parents, our I-131 suites are equipped with webcams so that they can virtually visit their cat any time during their stay. We provide each client with a suite number that connects to the webcam feed in their cat’s private suite. The feed is accessible via any web-enabled device (smartphone*, tablet, or computer) with internet access. Our 24/7 hospital staff also uses webcams to continuously monitor these patients, keeping direct contact minimal while still providing excellent care.
*Webcam viewing is not supported for iPhone at this time.
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Radioiodine Protocols:
Preparing your feline patient for their I-131 appointment at BEVS
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1-2 WEEKS PRIOR:
- If the cat is on methimazole, it must be discontinued 7-10 days prior to treatment.
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2 view (VD and lateral) whole body radiographs must be completed. This can be done at your office (no more than 3 weeks before appointment) or here at BEVS on day of exam. If done at your office, please forward radiographs along with the referral to [email protected] prior to the appointment.
MORNING OF:
- Please prescribe gabapentin 50mg for the owner to give the morning of the appointment.
- The cat must be fasted the morning of appointment (except for the gabapentin).
DAY OF APPOINTMENT AT BEVS:
- Full chemistry, CBC, T4, +/- UA (if azotemic) will be done on day of appointment by the BEVS team.
- If significant cardiac issues are noted on exam, such as arrhythmia, visible cardiac changes on radiographs and/or 3-6 heart murmur, this will warrant echocardiogram.
- Sedation protocol: gabapentin (given at home by owner), butorphanol, and midazolam.
Treatments may be scheduled M-Th with our Internal Medicine Team.
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Your Patients Are in Expert Hands |
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Bryan Harnett, DVM, DACVIM, Medical Director |
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Our internist, Dr. Harnett, oversees our I-131 services. He earned his DVM from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine before completing his internship and internal medicine residency at Animal Medical Center in New York City. From 2000 to 2007, Dr. Harnett was a staff internist at Mission MedVet in Kansas City. In 2007, he moved to Vermont and joined BEVS as medical director and its first veterinary specialist. He subsequently purchased the practice in 2009, combining ER and specialty services to provide greater collaboration and continuity of care. |
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A Truly Collaborative Approach
The best relationships successfully serve the interests of both partners. Our goal is to support you, your practice, and your patients in a manner that works well for all parties.
Each month, we will be sending you information about our services and other items we hope you find helpful. If you have any questions about our radioiodine therapy, our handling of I-131 patients, or would like to discuss a patient, please call us at 802.863.BEVS (2387). To help expedite the referral process, you can fill out our Patient Referral Form online, or visit our Referring Veterinary Portal. We’re here to help in whatever way we can.
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COVID-19 UPDATE
Beginning June 7, we expect to begin allowing clients to enter the building with their pets. Masks will still be required until July 1 to allow time for our staff to get fully vaccinated. Please visit our COVID-19 web page for updates, including details on all of our safety protocols related to specialty appointments, visitation, discharge, medication refills, end-of-life options, and more. We are still experiencing a high demand for emergency veterinary services and continue to triage emergency cases to care for the most critically injured or ill pets first.
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Burlington Emergency and Veterinary Specialists
1417 Marshall Avenue, Williston, VT 05495 | 802.863.2387 | bevsvt.com
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24/7 Emergency | Acupuncture | Dentistry | Internal Medicine | Oncology
Radioiodine Therapy (I-131) | Rehabilitation | Surgery
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