 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Ziggy is an 11 ½ year old cat referred to the Queen Mother Hospital after abnormalities were detected during an annual check-up. Ziggy’s owners confirmed that recently he had been eating and drinking more than usual, but failed to put on any weight. Tests showed Ziggy had hyperthyroidism, where an overactive thyroid gland causes constant hunger and thirst.
Over the short term hyperthyroidism can be managed with tablet medication, but it does not correct the problem and tablets must be taken daily for life. In managing hyperthyroidism over the long-term, surgery or radiotherapy treatment can be undertaken to remove or destroy the tissue producing the thyroid hormone. Ziggy’s owners wanted to find out more about radiotherapy and so he was referred to the QMH Internal Medicine service.
Clinicians examined Ziggy and confirmed his hyperthyroidism. A treatment plan was discussed with Ziggy’s owners and it was agreed he would stay at the hospital to receive radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy involves injecting radioactive iodine molecules into the cat, as the thyroid tissue is extremely efficient at collecting any iodine within the body. When the radioactive iodine is concentrated into the thyroid cells, enough radiation is present to kill them making the treatment very specific.
The iodine loses its radioactivity over a period of time, (around 4 weeks for the dosage used), during which time Ziggy will be passing radioactive material and must remain isolated from other animals and people.
Cats in isolation are checked and cared for by a dedicated team of nurses and vets. In addition to wearing protective clothing, there is a very strict rota for the nurses to protect them from being exposed to radiation too frequently. The cats are checked at least twice a day with the nurses spending up to an hour with them each time. The majority of cats adapt quickly to their restricted lifestyle and within a month are back at home, no longer needing medication.
Ziggy’s hospital stay was uneventful. After his admission on Monday blood samples confirmed his hyperthyroidism. As radioactive iodine has a short shelf life and needs to be used within several days, it was ordered on Tuesday. On Wednesday he was moved to the Isolation facility and given his injection of Iodine. Throughout his stay in the isolation unit Ziggy stayed quiet and relaxed, and blood tests prior to his discharge showed the hyperthyroidism treatment was successful.
