HyperT, Radioactive Isotope therapy, any experience anyone?

[Christie]

I'm glad you got all the information you needed so you could make an informed decision. The info about all the testing is basically what they told us at Glasgow U, that's actually how they found Lucia's other problems. I felt it would have been horrible if they hadn't found those things, had proceeded with treatment, and then as she became ill, they wouldn't have been able to take care of her as she needed. (Once she started to become more ill she needed intensive nursing care)

I'm sure Tom will be fine, and will enjoy his Primula treats!

[Desley (booktigger)]

Aww, fingers crossed for him R - it is interesting about the treatment though.

[Rosella moggy]

Just to finish this thread off in case it might help others.  Tom's doing OK  . I read thru stuff from vet. 

Loooong story about the Radioiodine therapy; minimum 3 weeks isolation at Animal Health Trust in Newmarket not 4; minimal contact allowed for 3 weeks on return home; nurses allowed to treat for any conditions that might develop during isolation but only for very short periods of time so extremely thoro tests are carried out beforehand which, with Tom's heart murmur, would prob have to include an ultrasound; HyperT can affect urea and creatinine levels to possibly mask potential kidney probs and, whilst Tom's levels within normal range, they are currently at the upper end of normal; inhouse T4 levels not fully reliable; have to send away for a thoro T4 test if going radioiodine route but only before medication starts; the list of stuff goes on and the bottom line is I can't put Tom through all this at his age.

SO I finally rang the vet this am to confirm Tommie is going the medication for life route with blood tests on and off to monitor situation.  Silly of me to think any other route may have been acceptable esp considering his minor stroke last summer.  Imagine how I'd have felt if he developed a serious condition requiring more intervention than the nurses were able to give? 

I bought a tube of primula cheese spread for tomorrow's tablet Helen. Looks like he likes Primula 

BTW, I rang Axa (who provide Tom's cover) yesterday and they really couldn't have been more helpful. Very knowlegable about the radioiodine treatment.  Claim forms arrrived this morning.

[Desley (booktigger)]

R - the being careful is the litter tray, apparently there can still be radiation in that deptarmetn (and I would assume more so the shorter time in isolation). Fingers crossed that he gets used to the bloods - I would ask the vet about the anaesthetic gel (can't remember its name) - it is the only way they can get blood from Molly, just means two apps, 10 mins apart - they just put it on their neck after they have shaved it, and leave it to work. You just can't touch his neck, or you can have numb fingers!!

[Rosella moggy]

I know the treatment costs a fortune.

Just a quickie to say that's not a problem as Tom is insured.

[Canterbury_cats (Sharon)]

Yes Sharon it is? Well i can see your point.. Its a real difficult one. I know the treatment costs a fortune. My niece is the vet nurse that treats some of these puss cats and its esp difficult for younger cats that love to be around people. But the success rate if very good.. Still, you know your cat better then anyone...Actually a few years back we had a cat in our care that had to have this done.. she was a stray and we put out an appeal for her to raise the money and received it, she went onto the treatment for 6wks and got rehomed after another few weeks coming out of isolation. She lived another 2 yrs and eventually died of something not related to the original problem..

I do believe though that we didnt really have a choose as she was to far gone to take the meds, this treatment was her only option.. I remember her well...

I suppose we are lucky to have a vet locally that offers this (only one is SE area) otherwise we would of had no option but to PTS..

[Rosella moggy]

It is Sharon isn't it?  Hi there.  Yes it all sounded so very tempting (95% success rate I hear) but Tom is 18 which is a little more than just elderly, had a stroke last summer and has a heart murmer. Currently having sneezes bouts too.  His Mom (me) is also highly strung and might not survive the stress. 6 weeks and no medical intervention if needed  ...just can't do it.

[Canterbury_cats (Sharon)]

Barton vets in Canterbury is one of those vets that offers this treatment. Its six weeks in isolation.. However, we have know quite  a few elderly cats go through the clinic and the 6wks stay and are happy and healthy now with no meds.. The "no" touching and isolation is a big issue though...

[Rosella moggy]

Thank you Christie for sharing what must have been a terrible experience esp as it was all so recent. It is so very much appreciated.

Having had another 5 minutes to digest what you've said and discussed with OH, it's simply a non starter now. 4 weeks is far too long at Tom's age and the idea that they would be unable to treat him for anything that might happen during that period, I wouldn't survive the worry, let alone Tommie. If he were a younger lad, things would be different.

This site is very good isn't it 

[Christie]

Hi Rosella. Yes, it was a terrible shock, we took her up there hoping for one thing, and brought her home very ill, on chemotherapy, and she had to be pts on 1 January as she wasn't getting any better. But at least we were able to bring her home. Thank you for your kind words.

I was surprised at the isolation being so long, but the specialists at Glasgow said it's really UK law, and designed to protect the vets, nurses and other staff from radioactive contamination. They can have very minimal contact with the animal during the isolation, but they stressed minimal, and said if Lucia became ill, there was an extremely high probability that they wouldn't be able to treat her.

Also, our vets and the specialists at Glasgow said it's not 100% cure rate, so there was possibility she may have to go back in future.

So anyway, best of luck to you and Tom, I'm happy to discuss our experience with Glasgow in more detail if it would help yo.

[Rosella moggy]

is it down to 1-2 weeks, it used to be up to 6? you also still need to be careful when they come home.  

Depends on which website you read Desley (on 1 US site it mentions 3 to 7 days) but I'm now getting the impression that it is still up to 6 weeks which is a non starter. Haven't read that about needing to be careful when they get home. I think I've now decided against anything involving more than 2 weeks away from home which does not mean I will accept up to 2 weeks though. I'd just give it consideration. It is tempting up to that length of time due to the success rate, non recurrence and "non invasiveness" of it.  Such a pity it involves being away from home at all.

Thanks Helen and JS. I don't expect the daily tablet to be an issue, it's more the regular blood tests. This is just about Tom's quality of life. My sleepless nights for the duration he's away would not be nice even for a night  

Cheers Christie. That is incredibly helpful. It would be Bristol University for Tom and I did wonder what would happen if he became ill. I think you may just have sorted me out but will chat to vet tomorrow. So sorry about Lucia. What an awful shock that must have been 

[Christie]

Lucia was referred to Glasgow University pet hospital for evaluation for the radioactive isotope treatment for hyperthyroidism. Unfortunately, while evaluating her, they found she had pancreatitis and a cancerous tumor which (to say the least) was a total shock. However, they are extremely selective about admitting patients to the program. It's a 4-week isolation, not 1-2 weeks, in this country (although much less in the US). Believe me, I researched this thoroughly! If she had been otherwise healthy, at 13 years old, she would have been a good candidate, but if your cat has any problems that might need treatment during the isolation, I wouldn't count on them admitting him for the treatment. They told us if Lucia had any health issues, they wouldn't be able to treat her during the isolation because of the risk of radioactive exposure, so it would be possible a cat could die or have to be pts due to an illness while in treatment!

So do a lot of research, and discussion with your vet.

[Tiggy's Mum]

I would definitely opt for the meds route too, I wouldn't want to 'waste' all those precious weeks without him.  Even if he's not the worlds biggest cuddle monster he would still miss you and of course you would miss him. 

Have you tried poking the tablet in a blob of Primula/Dairylea and letting him lick it off your finger, this way there is zero stress and he thinks he's getting a treat every day  Once he's stabilised on the meds he will only need a blood test every 3 - 6 months, his levels aren't outrageously high so hopefully you'll be able to control it fairly quickly.  Tiggy was hyperthyroid for the last 4-5 years of her life, all tablets were disguised in treats twice daily and she was fine with the blood tests so although in hindsight I wish I'd considered the op for my own convenience really (due to the length of time she was on meds for, being twice daily it was awkward logistically) at the time there is no way I would have considered it and think you're right in ruling it out for Tom given his age.

[Desley (booktigger)]

I personally would do meds with his age, I Wouldnt want to put him through the stress of the isolation - is it down to 1-2 weeks, it used to be up to 6? you also still need to be careful when they come home. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[JackSpratt]

It's always really hard when things like this happen to organise your thoughts. It sounds like you've kind of got a plan now, though.

Has to be said, LJ is fine when they take blood from his leg, but absolutely hates it when they take it from his neck so am sure sympathises with Thomas.

[Rosella moggy]

Our 18 year old Thomas has just been diagnosed as HyperT altho T4 level not that high thankfully at 68.2 so have caught early.  He also has a heart murmur and suffered a mild stroke last summer.  All other blood results (liver, kidneys, glucose) are within normal range.  All the same I am against surgery.

I have initially opted for medication which involves 1 tablet a day (Vidalta carbimazole 10mg which I understand is fairly new) and he will need regular blood tests to confirm T4 levels.  Afraid Tom really howled loudly last night having blood test (taken from neck).  My current inclination is however to stick with this treatment and ensure another vet takes blood in future.

Having said that, I wonder if anyone on here has had any experience of treatment of HyperT with a radioactive isotope?  I have read up on it and the only 2 drawbacks I can see at the moment are the travelling to whichever centre can carry out procedure and Tom having to stay at the centre for between 1 and 2 weeks without company.  I wouldn't say Tom enjoys being in the car but he doesn't show signs of distress.  He is also not exactly a cuddle bum altho I would worry about him being completely on his own for this length of time.  I will be going to see vet Thurs at 5pm to have a proper discussion but would welcome peeps input esp if you have experience of radioactive isotope treatment.

Naturally, the priority is Tom's welfare.  Need to weigh up tablet a day (quite small tho) plus regular blood tests for life against car journey, stay at prob Bristol Univ and perhaps complete cure (need to ask vet about likliehood of complete cure and whether it might return)

TBH typing this thread has allowed me to put my thoughts together concisely which has helped a bit already.