Laurelwood Animal Hospital
If you are interested in radioiodine after reading the Client Information Packet and you would like to continue the process, please email us at [email protected] or fill out the questionnaire below.
Before Your Phone Consult
Please read over the "Client Information Packet", our FAQ page, and the "Treatment Prep Packet". Please watch this video prior to our consult and be prepared with medical questions for Dr. Decker.
The video covers the basics that we review with every client considering radioiodine.
How the injection is given and how radioiodine works in the body
Speaks to the safety of the injection for the rest of the organs other than thyroid cells
Highlights the reason for our 95% 1st injection cure rate
Being a radioactive kitty in the hospital
Describes our wonderful facility and the care we provide
Sets expectations for our limited ability to monitor, test and treat radioactive patients while there are in isolation after the injection
Touches on pre-radioiodine testing
Follow-up monitoring and communication between our team, you, and your vet
It is very helpful for the most productive phone consultation if you have a good grasp of the process including diagnostic testing. These items will lay a good foundation that we build on during our conversation.
Helpful Documents
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 or other medications as directed by your vet.
Please note that Bonqat is not given the night before unless specifically noted.
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 come into the lobby with a mask on and let the front office staff know that you are here for us. If your cat is nervous you can ask for to be put into a room early if one is available.
Please note that we are still observing respiratory virus protocols and require masks when interacting with our staff members. This is so we can stay healthy and keep the program going without sick time and help as many cats as possible.
Follow Dr. Decker's individual timeline for your cat with time to wean off y/d or methimazole. 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 (usually 10-20% depending on weight status) and contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns. This timing is very specific with the treatment dates so please let us know ASAP if anything changes.
5 Weeks Prior to radioiodine
Be aware that cats on y/d almost always have to be off the diet for 4 weeks prior to the I-131 injection. This should always have a 5 day slow transition period.
1 Week Prior to radioiodine
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:
We 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 or other medications as directed by your vet . Please note that Bonqat is not given the night before unless specifically noted.
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.
