We ask that your cat’s blood and urine tests be current within a month of radioiodine therapy. If your cat has started on methimazole or has had an increase in the dose of methimazole since the last blood work we will ask you to have the CBC (Complete Blood Count) checked prior to hospitalization. This is to make sure methimazole did not cause any bone marrow damage and that your cat is safe to come into hospital.

Pre-treatment radiographs are required shortly before treatment to rule out heart failure or other chest pathology.

For most cats, we recommend anti-thyroid medications be discontinued 7 or more days prior to therapy to minimize the risk of hypothyroidism. We will work with you and your veterinarian to come up with a personalized medication withdrawal plan. Please do not change your cat’s current medication regime before consulting with us or your family veterinarian.

For cats with heart disease, seizures related to hyperthyroidism, have been on methimazole long term (years), or are aggressive or unwell without medications we will work with you and your veterinarian to formulate the best plan for your cat. This may include partial dose reduction or shorter withdrawal period, or even no withdrawal at all.

If your cat has been managed with the low-iodine diet (Hill’s y/d) your cat needs to have been eating a regular cat food diet for at least 2 weeks prior to your cat’s appointment for treatment.

Any supplements containing iodine should be discontinued 2 weeks prior to therapy.

Your kitty does not need to be fasted so they can eat a hearty breakfast before coming in.

Cats may benefit from a B Vitamin Complex injection and potassium supplementation prior to hospitalization, especially those cats with a history of muscle weakness or thyroid storm.