Thyroid Scan-diagnostic portion of I131
Prior to treating a patient with I-131 therapy, Southern California Veterinary Imaging performs a simple and non-invasive diagnostic scan with Tc-99, allowing us to visualize the size, shape, and margination of the thyroid gland (left and right lobes). This diagnostic scan also assists in determining if disease is unilateral or bilateral. A recent study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that cats with bilateral disease are two times more likely to become hypothyroid than cats with unilateral disease. While the majority of hyperthyroid cats have benign disease, this diagnostic scan allows us to rule out more aggressive diseases such as carcinoma, which has a 1-5% reported incidence in cats. A diagnostic thyroid scan also helps us determine if ectopic thyroid is present elsewhere in the thorax. This diagnostic scan also helps provide us with as much information as possible for our owners prior to treatment. At Southern California Veterinary Imaging we use this information, along with the T4 levels, to determine the appropriate dose of I-131 for each patient. The diagnostic scans for I-131 therapy are usually performed on a Monday. After evaluating the results, our cats receive their subcutaneous injection of I-131 on Tuesday. Patients are monitored over the next few days while they relax in our spacious one bedroom cat condominiums with a loft, private bathroom, and plenty of sunlight shining through our large windows. Most patients are ready to go home by Friday. There are specific guidelines our patients must follow for the first two weeks at home after treatment. If it is not possible for the guidelines to be followed at home, our patients are welcome to stay with us a bit longer. Home | Staff | Location | Contact |
