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Treatment at NuCat

Cat radiation treatment in Tampa.

Once we confirm your cat is a suitable candidate for treatment, we'll arrange an appointment with you.

Before Your Appointment

  • Right after scheduling your appointment, we'll email you some useful information, including our discharge instructions.

  • A few days ahead of your appointment, we'll send you forms via email for review and e-signing. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Once completed, you'll receive a deposit request with a secure payment link. For more details, check our payments page.

  • It's time to get ready for your kitty’s visit! Check out our packing list and travel tips.

  • This is also a great opportunity to gather items needed for their return home. Many of these you might already have.

  • Our website is packed with helpful information, gathered from great questions our clients have asked and our years of experience. We highly encourage you to review the information in our client pages.

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During Your Appointment

  • Dr. Heaton will complete his examination and chat with you about any questions you may have regarding treatment or aftercare. 

  • We want the scoop! We’ll chat about what your cat loves and what they’re not so keen on, so we can make their stay absolutely purr-fect. 

  • Our patients receive their treatment the same day as their appointment. Here’s more info on the procedure itself.

  • After treatment they get settled into their purr-sonal condo where they get to relax, enjoy the view outside, and indulge in some snacks. 

  • Once everyone is settled in and happy, we will call you with an update. 

The Power of I-131 Therapy:
Curing 98% of Cats!

One-time treatment that safely and permanently cures feline hyperthyroidism—without surgery or daily medication.

NuCat Kitty Camp Packing List

  • A hard sided carrier that has a removable top is best. Line the carrier with a towel or clothing item that smells
    like home or their favorite person. Accidents happen! Remember to bring an extra liner in case your cat gets carsick or has a potty mishap enroute.

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  • Extra towels or clothing that can be used as bedding throughout their stay.

  • A toy or 2, if your cat likes them.

  • Your cat’s usual diet and treats. Please pack a week’s supply. We like to encourage them to eat and offer fresh food often. Wet food is preferred, if tolerated.

  • A week’s worth of any medication your pet is currently taking. Remember! Your cat should NOT be taking any thyroid medications, supplements, or eating y/d diet at this time.

  • If prescribed, please remember to give anxiety or anti- nausea medication 2 hours prior to travel.

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*Please Note*: If any items in your cat's condo become contaminated with radiation, we won't be able to return them. Choose toys and bedding you’re okay with leaving behind.
Rest assured, we’ll send back any unused food, medications, and items not used in
their condo.

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Stress-reducing Travel Tips

To reduce their stress while they travel, your cat may benefit from some help to calm them. Talk to your vet well in
advance, as they might recommend a product such as:
 

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Treatment and Stay Info

Your cat’s I-131 injection will be prepared by a nuclear pharmacist off site and sent to us the day of their appointment and admission to our hospital.

 

We will give the injection like one would a vaccine (under the skin). We do not need to inject the thyroid tumor(s) directly; the I- 131 will enter the blood stream and is then taken up by the thyroid tumor(s).

 

The morning after we give the I-131, we will begin measuring your cat’s residual radiation levels. These measurements help determine when your cat will be able to be released from our facility.

Length of Stay

All veterinary facilities using nuclear medicine must adhere to state and federal rules set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including release criteria. Good news, most pets can head home as soon as 72 hours after treatment!

 

Some patients, like those with large thyroid tumor(s), or those with exceptionally high T4 values may require more aggressive treatment dosages and therefore require a longer stay to meet release requirements.

Supportive Care

Our goal is to keep our patients comfortable during their stay with us. Their kitty condos offer a view of our backyard, providing entertainment from birds and squirrels. NuCat is serene and peaceful, without the usual hustle and bustle of a vet clinic that most cats dislike. And only cats are treated here!

 

We offer fresh food and water multiple times a day. The more they eat, drink, and eliminate, the faster their radiation levels drop. This helps them return home as swiftly as possible.

 

In addition to the hyperthyroid disease, many of our patients struggle with symptoms associated with other chronic illnesses, such as kidney disease or inflammatory bowel disease. We may treat their symptoms while they are in our care to keep them as comfortable as possible during their stay.

 

Treatments may include anxiety medication, anti-emetics (to reduce nausea), appetite stimulants, and probiotics. Some of our patients benefit from a short-term course of a beta blocker. 

 

Any additional treatments received at NuCat will be listed in their record and sent to your primary veterinarian.

Updates

We will give you an update either by phone or email every day your cat is with us, including weekends. During these updates we will also coordinate your cat’s discharge appointment as well.

Returning Home

Your cat might seem a bit tired when they first get home. This may be a temporary side effect if they were given anti-anxiety medication. Sometimes, the stress of being away from home or a car ride can make them feel a little off for a day or two. These are not side effects of the radioactive iodine and should resolve on their own. Please give your cat time to readjust, however, if you are concerned for any reason, please contact us or your primary veterinarian.
 

Radioiodine treatment itself has virtually no side effects, so any abnormal symptoms may be due to the thyroid disease itself, which takes time to resolve, or other issues unrelated to their thyroid disease. Rarely in both humans and pets, a mild sore throat or voice change may be noted.

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