Faithful Friends Veterinary Clinic & Cat Specialty Center offers on-site radioactive iodine (I-131) therapy, the most effective treatment option for feline hyperthyroidism. With one injection and a short retreat in our Cat Specialty Center, your cat could become a RAD Cat for life.
What Is Hyperthyroidism in Cats?
Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disease in older cats. It occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much hormone (T4), which can lead to:
- Weight loss despite eating well
- Increased thirst and urination
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Restlessness, anxiety, or hyperactivity
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can damage major organs, such as the heart and kidneys, and negatively affect your cat’s quality of life.
Why I-131 Is the Preferred Treatment for Hyperthyroidism in Cats
Radioactive iodine (I-131) is a one-time, non-invasive treatment with a success rate of over 95%. It targets and destroys only the overactive thyroid tissue, while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. Most cats return to a normal thyroid state within two to four months of treatment.
“A lot of people do not realize that hyperthyroidism is one of the only endocrine diseases we can CURE. This means no more medication, and complete reversal of all the damage hyperthyroidism caused to the body”
– Dr. Ashlie Saffire
What to Expect: Step-by-Step
1. Pre-Treatment: Labs and Eligibility
Before we can schedule I-131 therapy, we need to ensure your cat’s kidneys can tolerate the shift back to normal thyroid levels. This involves a methimazole trial, which temporarily manages thyroid levels and helps assess kidney function under controlled conditions.
Required diagnostics within four weeks of treatment include:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Comprehensive Chemistry Profile with electrolytes
- Total T4
- Urinalysis
If your cat is stable and the lab results meet criteria, we will schedule their stay in our dedicated radioactive iodine suite, Club I-131.
2. The Treatment Experience in Club I-131
Your cat will receive a single injection of radioactive iodine and then stay in our specialized I-131 suite for 2-4 days while their radiation levels decrease.
What makes the experience unique at our Cat Specialty Center:
- Gold Level Cat Friendly® and AAHA Certified Practice
- Designed for comfort, safety, and enrichment
- Spacious double kennels with shelves, sleeping, and toileting areas
- 24/7 live camera access so you can check on your cat anytime
- Cat-approved entertainment: bird watching or fish tank movies
- Medications administered safely by our feline-certified veterinary technician specialist
This stay is more than just a treatment. It’s a retreat designed with your cat’s comfort in mind.
3. Post-Treatment: At-Home Care
When your cat returns home, their radiation levels will be low, but we recommend strict safety protocols for three weeks to protect your family:
- Avoid contact with infants, pregnant people, or individuals who are immunocompromised
- Limit close snuggling or sleeping next to your cat
- Wash hands after handling your cat, food bowls, or litter
Litter box protocol (for 30 days following treatment):
- Wear gloves when handling litter
- Place all used litter and waste into a designated trash bag labeled for storage
- Store the sealed bag in a garage, basement, or outdoor area
- Do not dispose of the bag of collected litter until 90 days post-treatment to comply with waste regulations and avoid detection by sanitation systems
The RAD Cat Club
Cats who complete I-131 therapy at Faithful Friends will be inducted into our RADcat club. Becoming a “RADcat” is a badge of honor that reflects their journey through the most advanced treatment available for hyperthyroidism. They become an exclusive life-long member of the RADcat club which means status, fame and most importantly, SWAG!
Is Your Cat a Candidate?
Contact us or have your veterinarian complete the referral form here to schedule your consultation and learn more about whether I-131 therapy is the right choice for your cat.
📲 614-389-0997
