Treatments are done on Mondays and cats are usually discharged on Thursdays. We will schedule a specific arrival time for your cat and our doctor and staff will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding the treatment process. You will have an opportunity to see where your cat will be staying and where your cat’s treatment will occur.

The injection itself is painless and goes under the skin. A small amount of saline solution containing radioactive iodine is injected. This takes only a few seconds but the cat must be lying still during this time.

During your cat’s hospitalization, we offer a wide variety of food options but do recommend you bring your own cat’s favorite foods, especially those on a prescription diet or with food allergies. Twice daily your cat’s litter and housing area are cleaned and fresh food and water are given. We ask owners to bring a personal item(s) like a small blanket, t-shirt or toy that has a familiar scent. These are put in your cat’s house and therefore cannot be returned after their stay here. We also have cat TV playing or other nature and animal shows along with calming music to keep your cat entertained!

We specialize in personalized customer service and clinical excellence. We will contact you several times throughout the day with updates and photos. We have tried to create a warm, peaceful environment for your cat’s comfort during their hospitalization.

You may see improvements in your cat’s behavior within a few days to weeks, but some cats require two or three months for all symptoms to disappear. As the cat’s metabolism returns to normal, body functions slow down. The formerly hyperactive cat becomes calmer. Along with a slower heartbeat and respiration, changes may include weight gain, better grooming, less vomiting, reduced appetite, fewer visits to the litter box, and more sleeping. Some cats gain one or more pounds in the first month. About 50% have normal thyroid blood tests after a month and most others reach euthyroid levels by 3 months.  A very small number of patients have taken up to 6 months for their thyroid levels to rebound.

Your cat will still have a very low level of radioactivity after returning home from treatment. This radioactivity is decreasing each day by either natural degradation or through your cat’s elimination (urine, feces, vomit and saliva). We will send you home with detailed discharge instructions for the 2 weeks following treatment.

No, it is painless and given under the skin. There is no local skin irritation.

21 years old.

Tapazole (or Felimazole) has many side effects, including nausea, skin excoriations, autoimmune reactions, blood dyscrasias, vomiting and malaise. The side effects get worse when the dosage must be raised to control the disease.

Yes, we have treated many cats that are hyperthyroid and diabetic. We continue their prescribed diet and insulin during hospitalization.

Some can interfere, particularly those containing sea kelp with lots of iodide. These must be discontinued prior to and during treatment.Most antibiotics do not interfere. Please discuss your cat’s medications and supplements with the staff prior to admission and bring the containers with you at the time of admission.

Hypothyroidism can occur in 5% of patients. These cats are placed on a tiny, once a day thyroid supplement that can be added to their food and do well. Renal failure is unmasked in about 5% of the cases that we have treated. The kidneys are not perfused as well as they were in the cat with a racing heart and hypertension. The renal failure can be treated with diet or with fluids.

No, once your cat has been treated, there can be no visitation except by authorized personnel. You may call us anytime for updates on your pet’s condition. If you have questions regarding the treatment of Feline Hyperthyroidism and how we can help your cat, visit the contacts page and fill out the Inquiry Form and a representative will contact you.