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Preparation & Timelines

If you are interested in radioiodine after reading the attachment and you would like to continue the process, please email us at [email protected].

To get started, review the Client Handout

Our Questionnaire

A reply with answers to the questionnaire (as well as you are able) is our trigger to continue the referral process. 

Steps that you need to take:

  • Contact all veterinarians that have seen your cat in relation to hyperthyroidism to email us their records.  We need all information from one year PRIOR to the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism to the most recent visit, all notes, and lab work.

  • Responding to the questionnaire is what starts the referral process so we can see your cat.

Fill Out Our Questionnaire

Before Your Phone Consult

Please read over the "Client Information Packet" and the "I-131 Treatment Prep Packet" and be prepared with medical questions for Dr. Decker.  It is very helpful for the most productive phone consultation if you have a good grasp of the process including diagnostic testing. The client handout with FAQ is meant to lay a good foundation that we build on during our conversation.

  • (eventually) watch this video

Before your Meet and Greet Consult

Here are some important reminders about your visit:

  • Please note that echocardiogram appointments are a drop-off.  Pick-up is usually early - midafternoon.  If you have a special timing request, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate.

  • The cardiologist has instituted a $100 cancellation fee if the echocardiogram is not canceled before 2 business days. This is due to the long wait times for echocardiograms and the scheduling effects this has on other patients receiving treatment.

Within ~ 1 week prior to meet and greet

  • Email us a photo of your gabapentin bottle so that we can see both the strength and the dose. Alternatively, you can bring the bottle with you to the appointment. 

  • If you have not already done so, download, then fill out and return the Cost Estimate form via email at [email protected]. If you are unable to complete the forms digitally, we can provide paper copies.

The night before the Meet and Greet

  • Give the Gabapentin as directed

The morning of the Meet and Greet

  • Give the Gabapentin as directed

  • If your cat does not get car sick, you may give them ½ portion of breakfast.

  • Plan for ~20 minutes for the drop-off, more if you were not able to send us the completed cost estimate ahead of time.

When you arrive

  • Please stay in your vehicle. Do not come into the lobby.  This is to reduce the stress of your cat.

  • Call (503) 616-2711 to notify us of your arrival.  One of our treatment team will meet you at your vehicle for last-minute instructions and to bring your kitty into the hospital.

  • Please note that as of today we are still observing strict COVID protocols with curb-side meetings and require masks when interacting with our staff members.

Before Radioiodine Treatment Appointment

2.5 Weeks Prior to radioiodine

  • If you are feeding your cat Hills Prescription Diet Y/D,  stop this now after a 3-4 day transition (be 100% OFF y/d at 2 weeks before radioiodine)

1 Week Prior to radioiodine

  • Stop Methimazole unless otherwise directed. This is to help protect the normal thyroid tissue from taking up radioactive iodine.  Some of the signs of hyperthyroidism may return in the intervening time.  Please feed extra food to reduce weight loss and contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns. 

  • Re-read Dr. Decker’s meet-and-greet email regarding notes that are specific to your cat. Notify us if there are any changes to the plan.

  • Re-read the  “what to bring” and sample discharge statement. These contain important information to help you prepare for your cats' stay with us and your home for post-radioiodine housing.

  • Download, fill out, and send to us the documents “I-131 permission to treat” and “I-131 hospitalized care information sheet”.  These can be returned to us via email at [email protected].  If you are unable to complete the forms digitally, we can provide paper copies.

  • Keep your cat indoors unless you have a patio or fenced yard.  We've had to decline treatment when indoor/outdoor cats have come in with wounds from outdoor "adventures" - and charge a $300 unused radioiodine dose fee. 

  • Apply flea medication 3 - 7 days before radioiodine unless you've already done so within the label instructions of your flea product. Please note: 

  • owe will apply flea medication if it has not been done

  • unfortunately, we cannot have a Seresto collar on the patients for safety reasons. 

  • Your cat must be stable to be admitted to the hospital (eating, vomiting, and diarrhea controlled, no sneezing, normal urination).  Please alert us ASAP if any of these occur so that we can stabilize.

The night before radioiodine

  • Give the Gabapentin as directed

The morning of radioiodine

  • Give the Gabapentin as directed

  • If your cat does not get car sick, you may give them ½ portion of breakfast.

  • Plan for ~20 minutes for the drop-off, more if you were not able to send us the completed forms (Treatment Consent and Hospitalized Questionnaire) 

When you arrive

  • Please stay in your vehicle. Do not come into the lobby.  This is to reduce the stress of your cat.

  • Call (503) 616-2711 to notify us of your arrival.  One of our treatment team will meet you at your vehicle for last-minute instructions and to bring your kitty into the hospital.

  • Please note that we are observing strict COVID protocols with curb-side meetings and require masks when interacting with our staff members.

      © Copyright 2023
      © Copyright 2023