Pet Lovers

[lilypadfrog]

Does anyone have experience with the radium treatment for this?  Its a one time injection of I-131 under the cats skin.  Its supposed to travel to the thyroid tumor and destroy it.  It makes the cat slightly radioactive for a few days during which time he is monitored.  Its done by a place called Radiocat which is apparently nationwide.  Its expensive but a one time expense rather than monthly medication, frequent thyroid labs etc. 

I figured it out as $1500.00 for injection, labs, hospitalization with additional labs $250 in a follow up quarterly visit.  Then no more treatment.

Vs

$540 medication ($45 mth x 12 mths) + $1,000 labs ($250 × 4 or quarterly) = $1540 for one year.

Theres also the problem (for cat and me) to consider of giving medication either pill form or transdermal daily.  And finally, while it is financially better, does it actually work?  Has anyone done this?

[Phantom41]

I opted for this treatment for one of my kitties a few years ago.  She was not one to be handled at al,l so this was the better treatment plan.  It was $1000 at Blue Pearl, a speciality hospital in my area.  They kept her for three days and I was supposed to clean her litter daily, keep her away from my other cat (didn't happen!) and not to let sleep with me for a week (didn't happen either).  This was successful and I had her for another six years. Good luck with your decision but this was just easier in the long run for us.

[lolakimono]

@lilypadfrog

I did Radiocat a few years ago for my (then) hyperthyroid kitty and it worked great!  They will tell you that sometimes hyperthyroid can mask other things like kidney disease, which is what she succumbed to. It bought us another 18 months.  Before RC, she did the medication briefly (just a few days) and she barfed and stumbled around like a zombie.  We decided it wasn't going to work long term, and Radiocat was a good solution for us.

[lilypadfrog]

Phantom46,  did they tell you that only flushable kitty litter could be used and to get rid of any litter pans used after 2 weeks?  I have never used flushable litter and am frankly leery about sending that stuff down my pipes.  I / cats currently use the Breeze system which has pellets (not litter) and uses piddle pads.  I will need to get new pans and litter.  Oh, and toss the plastic carrier I bring her home in.

When I ask them about this, they say its just procedure.  Ok, but why would I send these items out into the environment if they arent safe to keep at home.  I am curious if you received the same info or if my place was issuing somewhat excessive warnings.

[Phantom41]

Lilipadfrog, I believe they told me to use that litter but she was such a little creature of habit that I continued to use the Tidy Cat stuff she was used to and threw it away. 

[lilypadfrog]

Thank you both.  I will use the litter and pans they recommend unless I have a mutiny among my cats.  I doubt I will toss the cat carrier away just because she rode home in it.  She is scheduled for later this month.   

[GCR18]

My kitty had it.  I chose the cream in the ear. After about six months, that no longer worked.  Switched to pills.  He took them for a couple years.  Made it to 17 1/2. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go the radioactive route.  We would all be happier.  😊

[lilypadfrog]

I feel a little better about this now that a few of you are familiar with this treatment.  The vet talked about pills, liquid, transdermal and even special food.  My cat wont do pills or liquid.  I felt the transdermal wasnt safe since my other cats groom each other.  And, food?  Ha, this cat is a scavenger and even eats the fog food.  We are moving forward on this.

[Phantom41]

i got a second opinion and that vet also recommended this treatment. Good luck with your baby!

[Marp]

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@lilypadfrog wrote:

Phantom46,  did they tell you that only flushable kitty litter could be used and to get rid of any litter pans used after 2 weeks?  I have never used flushable litter and am frankly leery about sending that stuff down my pipes.  I / cats currently use the Breeze system which has pellets (not litter) and uses piddle pads.  I will need to get new pans and litter.  Oh, and toss the plastic carrier I bring her home in.

When I ask them about this, they say its just procedure.  Ok, but why would I send these items out into the environment if they arent safe to keep at home.  I am curious if you received the same info or if my place was issuing somewhat excessive warnings.

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@lilypadfrog, there is post-treatment information in the two links that you should find helpful.  It appears that the general instructions are given in an abundance of caution.  I looked at several sites and could not find reference to disposing of the cat carrier.  The strongest emphasis was on the handling of bodily fluids and waste.

https://www.felinehtc.com/index.php?mod_name=post-treatment-guidelines

Be sure to scroll down to the most helpful Q&A section on this one:  https://www.vetspecialty.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/I-131-Handout.pdf