For Veterinarians

FHTC Brochure

1. Labs to perform prior to referral (within 6 weeks) with cat not on Methimazole:

• CBC
• Chemistry Screen
• Quantified Total T4
• Urinalysis
• Blood pressure (recommended, but not required)

 Free T4’s 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/Tapazole, you are welcome to call our office so we can discuss 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 I¹³¹.

To clarify, blood work done while 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 client read this website 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) ?

The Shoreline office, our original location, has more staff and longer hours, therefore will examine and treat all cats that fall into the following categories:

• Cats that are considered "medically fragile", i.e. have additional illnesses effecting 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 15 or higher
• Any cat, no matter the dose

Our Tacoma office was established to treat cats in the Tacoma region that require low doses of radioiodine, i.e. a T4 level of less than 14.

5. What is the total cost of the treatment?

The cost ranges from $1195.00 to $1595.00, depending on what dose the cat receives. Dr. Vaughan 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