For Veterinarians
Veterinarians: If you would like to consult about a patient or to see if your patient is a candidate for I-131, please email 2 years of medical notes and lab reports, along with your questions/concerns, to felinehtc@gmail.com. Dr. Vaughan considers multiple parameters on the physical exam, history, and lab work when considering candidacy.
1. Procedures to perform prior to referral with cat not on Methimazole (ALL procedures, including the full physical exam, must be within 6 weeks of appointment with FHTC):
- Complete Physical Exam
- CBC
- Full Chemistry Screen
- Total T4
- Urinalysis
- Blood Pressure (recommended, but not required)
Free T4s are typically not necessary. You are welcome to call Dr. Vaughan to see if a Free T4 is advised.
If your patient is currently taking Methimazole/Felimazole®, you are welcome to call our office so we can discuss the timing of labs for your patient. The true (non-medicated) thyroid hormone (T4) level that is less than 6 weeks old is needed to determine a treatment dosage of I-131.
To clarify, blood work done while the cat is on Methimazole provides a skewed T4 result. An owner must abstain from giving Methimazole for at least 7 days before blood is drawn.
2. How should I prepare my client?
Have your client read all sections of Essential Reading prior to scheduling
3. When can my patient be seen? How far out is scheduling?
Normally we can see and treat your patient within 2-3 weeks
4.Why Does My Patient Need To Be Scheduled at a Specific Location (Shoreline vs. Tacoma) ?
If your client's cat falls into any of the following categories, they will need to be treated at our Shoreline facility:
- Cats that are considered "medically fragile" (i.e. have additional illnesses affecting the heart, the kidneys, etc.), which is more likely in senior cats.
- Feral cats or cats requiring sedation to be examined
- Cats with a T4 level of 12 or higher
If your client's cat has a T4 of less than 12 and is otherwise healthy, they will be scheduled for treatment at our Tacoma facility. This clinic is our satellite facility, designed to treat cats that require lower doses of radioiodine.
Our Shoreline clinic treats patients from all over the Pacific Northwest, as well as from Alaska and Hawaii. Therefore, severely hyperthyroid cats must be prioritized. If traveling to Tacoma is a true hardship for your client, their cat's (T4 less than 12) treatment can be at our Shoreline location. However, there may be a delay of up to 4 weeks*.
*Please note: This delay in treatment could result in you having to obtain additional lab work prior to the patient's treatment date. See the above timeline for requirements.
5. What is the total cost of the treatment?
The cost ranges from $1550.00 to $1850.00, depending on what dose the cat receives. Our doctor determines the dosage during her consultation with the cat and the owner.
6. What is the success rate of the treatment?
Over 95% of cats we treat are permanently cured of hyperthyroidism
Testimonials
Princess started losing weight and after checking with the vet she was confirmed as being Hyperthyroid. After Approximately 13 months of of a paste-like med applied to the ears, switching from left to right... read more
They are very personable, professional, and knowledgeable about their very specialized practice. If you have a cat with thyroid issues, I highly recommend this clinic. read more
BeckySeattle, WA
My cat was diagnosed as hyperthyroid when she was 10. We had her treated as soon as she was diagnosed and I was glad it was found early. I didn’t really give the thyroid... read more
SavannahLynnwood, WA
Thanks to Dr Faythe Vaughan, and her kind staff in Shoreline and Tacoma for giving us at least 5 extra, good quality, years with our buddy, Rocky! He was a rescue cat to begin with, and his good... read more
RockyTacoma, WA
Will & Grace found me in 1999 when they were four weeks old. They were born near in a parking lot off Highway 99. They are twins and do everything together. This year they celebrated their... read more
Will, Grace, and HunterEdmonds, WA
Dr. Vaughan; Kathy; Miranda; and anyone who was involved in treating and caring for Tigger. Just wanted you to see the life Tigger is leading because of your excellent care on this upcoming anniversary... read more
PepperI wanted to drop you and everyone at FHTC a note to let you know that Byron (the PAWS™ kitty FHTC treated pro bono earlier this year) was adopted last month! Even better, he... read more
ByronSeattle, WA
Hello! Just wanted to let you know Rio Blanco is doing great! As soon as we got home he started emptying the bowls of food! I haven't even opened the anti-nausea or the... read more
Patrick and RioWe want to thank you for your extraordinary efforts in looking after our Samson's well being. You took the initiative of a problem we were not aware was even present. We are very, very... read more
SamsonPort Townsend, WA
You took care of our Nina Kitty and it was like she found the Fountain of Youth! At age twelve, she had been slowly losing weight and getting a bit more "yowly" but we... read more
NinaAs a member of an animal rescue organization on Vashon Island (VIPP), as well as being a chronic cat owner, I've had many opportunities to visit the Feline Hyperthyroid Treatment Center. Over the past... read more
Piro Kramar. Vashon Island Pet ProtectorsVashon Island, WA
Ripley (kitty) and I just wanted to thank Dr Vaughan and the whole staff for your great service and care. You were all great to work with, and communicated well with us! Ripley left... read more
Kali & RipleyGreat place. They were so good to my kitty who was really scared. He seems to be completely cured. read more
My family has had Lila since she was a kitten. She is turning 15 in October, I was only 10 when we got her. I moved away as an adult for a few years... read more
LilaShoreline, WA
Monty is 12 years old. Dr. Vaughan had been monitoring Monty’s thyroid over the years and identified that he was borderline for hyperthyroidism. After discussing his overall appearance, behavior and appetite, we decided that... read more
MontyThree months ago my 13 year old kitty Miss Fanny spent three days in the care of Dr. Vaughan and the staff. Before treatment she had been losing weight, getting more lethargic and her... read more
Miss FannyNorthbend, WA
Pox's Story Does it make sense to treat hyperthyroid in a fourteen-year-old, mostly outdoor cat? That’s what we were asking ourselves in the summer of 2013. Pox let me know his opinion by following me... read more
PoxSeattle, WA