Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS A CT SCAN?
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use x-rays to acquire three-dimensional, cross sectional images of the body with high contrast resolution. This makes it an excellent diagnostic test to identify disease in the thorax, nasal cavity, and abdomen. CT scans are also an excellent modality to evaluate bone, and frequently other procedures such as a rhinoscopy and biopsies are performed based on the findings of the CT scan and the recommendations of the referring veterinarian.
HOW LONG DOES A CT SCAN TAKE?
The actual time to acquire images during the scan is very short, usually less than one minute. The whole procedure, including placing a catheter, anesthesia, and recovery time, can take one to two hours.
DOES MY PET NEED TO BE SEDATED/ANESTHETIZED?
Yes. General anesthesia is required for a CT scan. Patients must remain motionless as the scan is performed.
WHAT SHOULD I DO TO PREPARE MY PET?
No food after 10 pm the night before. Water should be available at all times.
WHO INTERPRETS THE RESULTS AND HOW DO I GET THEM?
The results are given to your veterinarian by phone as well as a written report. A consultation with the radiologist is available for an additional cost.
WILL MY PET HAVE TO STAY THE NIGHT?
Most pets go home the same day. If a procedure such as rhinscopy or biospies are performed at the same time, patients may spend the night in the hospital.
WILL IT HURT MY PET?
The CT scan is non-invasive and is not painful.
WHAT IS AN ULTRASOUND?
Ultrasound uses sound waves with no radiation to evaluate soft tissue structures. We use ultrasound primarily to image the abdomen, heart and sometimes other soft tissues of the body. Because sound waves travel at such different speeds in air and bone, ultrasound is NOT the best imaging modality to evaluate these structures. Ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that is extensively used in veterinary medicine.
WHO PERFORMS THE EXAM?
One of our board certified radiologists. Ultrasounds are performed six days a week (Monday through Saturday).
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE & WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO PREPARE MY PET?
The exam usually takes approximately one hour. Patients should be fasted after 10 pm the night before, unless their exam is late in the afternoon, and then they can have an early, small breakfast. Most patients will have their belly shaved.
WILL MY PET NEED TO BE SEDATED?
Most of our patients do NOT need sedation. If sedation will improve the exam and make the patient more comfortable we will obtain consent from the client. We recommend that clients remain on the premise while we perform the exam to expedite communication if needed. If fine needle aspirates are going to be obtained we will often sedate our patients for the safety and comfort of the patient.
HOW SOON WILL I GET THE RESULTS?
Many clients prefer to discuss the findings of the exam with their veterinarian. The radiologists will consult with the referring veterinarian by phone and write a written report. A consultation with the radiologist is also available for an additional fee.
WHAT IS NUCLEAR MEDICINE?
Nuclear medicine is a broad term covering a group of diagnostic tests for different things. All of the diagnostic tests use the radionuclide technecium (Tc-99m). Technecium is often attached to a drug that goes to a specific area of the body. A gamma camera is used to count the photons (same as x-rays, but originating from radioactive decay instead of an x-ray machine) that are emitted as the radionuclide breaks down. This is a very sensitive test that allows us to see activity in an area such as the thyroid gland or bone that is having increased activity. The other radionuclide that we use is radioactive Iodine-131 which we use to treat hyperthyroid cats.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS MUST I TAKE ONCE I BRING MY PET HOME?
The half life of technecium is short; 6.5 hours. Almost all of our patients will not be radioactive by the following day. The majority of the radioactivity is excreted in the urine, so the precautions that we recommend and cover with all our clients is associated with the urine.
DOES MY PET NEED TO STAY OVERNIGHT?
For a diagnostic technecium scan almost all patients will go home the same day. If there is concern for urine contamination the evening of the scan, the patient can spend the night at the hospital. Our patients that are being treated with Iodine-131 stay with us from Monday to Friday. We will board cats beyond their initial week stay if needed. 
DOES MY PET NEED TO BE SEDATED?
For certain exams, sedation or complete anesthesia is needed. Please see the specific exam being performed under services.
WILL THE RADIATION CAUSE CANCER FOR ME, MY CHILDREN OR MY OTHER PETS?
The doses of radiation we use are considered to be very low by the standards of overall doses of radiation. Low dose radiation has been studied extensively, and there is little evidence of any side effects. We always strive to keep exposure as low as possible for all family members of our patients. It is highly recommended that children, pregnant and nursing women have no contact with our patients while they are still radioactive. 
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE MY PET FOR THE TEST/TREATMENT?
For many tests we recommend fasting after 10 pm the night before. If sedation or anesthesia is going to be needed fasting is required.  Water is allowed at all times.  Most patients stay for the day and we recommend that their owner bring their medications if needed and any special diet as we feed our patients after their test/procedure.
CAN I VISIT MY CAT?
The state of California does not allow anyone except our staff, who have been trained in radiation safety, to visit our cats during their stay at SCVI. The state regulates the level of radioactivity they consider safe for us to send our radioactive patients home. Once at home there are a few precautions that are recommended to keep everyone as safe as possible. We go over these precautions at the initial consultation and again at the time of release.
We provide daily updates to our clients by telephone. Our radioiodine cats are evaluated daily by our staff and veterinarians as well as checked on every 4 hours during the night by our 24 hour emergency staff.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE ANIMALS IN THE HOUSE. ARE THEY SAFE?
Radioactivity is eliminated in the urine. When multiple cats are using litter boxes we cannot differentiate between radioactive and non-radioactive urine. All urine scooped in the two weeks after returning home are isolated and kept away from people and animals for two weeks. We provide gloves to use during litter box scooping.
WHAT IF MY CAT VOMITS, DEFECATES, OR URINATES OUTSIDE THE LITTER BOX?
The urine will be the most radioactive, as the majority of the radioactivity is eliminated in the urine. We recommend cleaning up the urine, feces or vomit with plastic gloves and placing it in a bag in the same location in which the scooped litter is being stored. After two weeks since the cat has returned home, all the waste can be put in the normal garbage.
CAN MY CAT SLEEP WITH ME?
We recommend that your cat does not sleep with you for the first two weeks after treatment. While petting and snuggle sessions are a must after the separation, we recommend limited lap/snuggle time during the first two weeks after treatment.
WILL THE RADIATION CAUSE CANCER FOR ME, MY CHILDREN OR MY OTHER PETS?
The doses of radiation we use are considered to be very low by the standards of overall doses of radiation. Low dose radiation has been studied extensively, and there is little evidence of any side effects. We always strive to keep exposure as low as possible for all family members of our patients. It is highly recommended that children, pregnant and nursing women have no contact with our patients while they are still radioactive. 
CAN MY INDOOR/OUTDOOR CAT GO BACK OUTSIDE?
As with any visit away from home, we recommend that you do not let your cat outside for at least a few days after treatment if possible. If there is any possibility that the radioiodine cat will be urinating or defecating in a place where children or people can come into contact with the waste, the cat needs to stay inside for two weeks after returning home.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE MY CAT TO GAIN WEIGHT AND RETURN TO NORMAL BEHAVIOR?
We see the thyroid levels return to normal usually in 1-2 months. That is why we recommend a recheck of the T4 levels with your regular veterinarian at one, 2, 6 months and 1 year post radioiodine treatment - with yearly rechecks after that. If the cat was not able to tolerate a Tapazole trial, or even if a Tapazole trial was performed and the thyroid (T4) level did not return to normal, we also recommend rechecking the BUN, creatinine and urine specific gravity (kidney values).
WHY DOES MY CAT NEED A TAPAZOLE TRIAL?
The kidneys, as well as the heart and many other organs of the body are strongly affected by an increased thyroid hormone level in the body. The elevated thyroid hormone level causes increased blood flow to the kidneys. This increased blood flow artificially causes the parameters of evaluation of the kidney function (BUN, creatinine) to appear normal secondary to the increased blood flow. When we take away the excess thyroid hormone with radioactive iodine, we also take away the excess blood flow. Since we cannot reverse treatment once the radioiodine is given, it is best to know how the kidneys will respond to the decreased thyroid hormone levels before it is administered. We can test the kidneys' response to the decreased thyroid hormone by giving the Tapazole (methimazole) for a 1 month trial, and then re-test the thyroid levels and kidney function.
Many cats have a reaction to the Tapazole (vomiting, inappetance, severe scratching of the face or skin rash) so if any of these symptoms occur, discontinue the Tapazole and contact your primary care veterinarian immediately.
IS IT WORTH TREATING AN OLDER CAT?
Most of our patients are older. Hyperthyroidism is a disease that affects all organs and if not treated could result in death of the patient. Almost all cats that are hyperthyroid can be cured with one dose of radioiodine.

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