Making An Appointment

The consultation with our doctor and the I-131 injection will be done the SAME DAY to reduce car trips for both you and your cat. Appointments are offered on Mondays and Thursdays at our Shoreline facility. Our physical exam and review of your cats' medical records help determine whether your cat is a good candidate for I-131 treatment, and if so, what dose will be best. A family member or someone that lives with the cat needs to be present during the consultation. This person should know the cat's history and be able to make medical decisions for the cat.

If your cat is arriving by air, we will want them to arrive no later than the day before treatment. When possible, we do recommend flying with your cat to minimize risks associated with cargo transit. However, if this is not possible, we will give you the phone number of a courier service which you can call and make arrangements to transport your cat to and from the airport. An additional fee will be charged by the courier company.

We heartily recommend using the WAZE navigation application on your Smart phone to direct you to our facility. This free phone application will generally provide the fastest route and will warn you about road hazards. Just enter our address and press GO.

What is required prior to treatment?

The following procedures* must all be less than 6 weeks old:

• Complete physical exam
• Full CBC
• Full chemistry screen with total T4
• Urinalysis
• Blood pressure (recommended but not required)

*If your cat is currently on Methimazole/Felimazole or the y/d diet, please call our facility before having updated procedures performed

If Your Cat Is On Thyroid Medication:

Do I need to stop the antithyroid medications (Methimazole/Felimazole®) prior to treatment?

Yes. They should be discontinued approximately 1 week before treatment. Exceptions can be made if your cat has serious cardiac disease. If this is a factor, you will be instructed by your veterinarian or by our doctor to keep on the medication until treatment. If your cat can tolerate being without these medications for longer, then discontinue them even sooner. The antithyroid medications may increase the uptake of radio-iodine into the normal thyroid tissue and increase the possibility of hypothyroidism after therapy. Therefore, the longer they can be off these medications without compromising their health, the better.

Are there any medications or supplements I should avoid prior to therapy?

As previously mentioned, Methimazole (Felimazole®) should be stopped 7 days prior to the treatment.

Any supplements containing iodine, kelp (high in iodine), or are high in calcium or magnesium should be discontinued one week prior to therapy.

We have had some treatment failures in cats on holistic/herbal nutritional supplements, therefore we ask that supplements and additives not be given for 1 week prior to treatment and one week after. Continue all prescriptions i.e. antibiotics, heart medication, and/or flea products as directed by your veterinarian.

Anything else I should do to prepare my cat?

Yes! Immediately begin giving your cat UNLIMITED* amounts of canned/wet food. Hyperthyroid cats should not be on a restricted or measured amount of food; you may resume that once the hyperthyroidism has been cured. Hyperthyroid cats need high calories and high protein.

*If your cat has a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 5 or higher, we do not recommend unlimited amounts of food. For those cats, continue portioned feedings, but DO change the diet to all canned/wet, if possible. Your veterinarian will be able to provide the BCS.

Request Appointment Cat Information Form