The thyroid gland uses iodine from food to produce thyroid hormones. In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, and causes a series of changes in your cat’s body. These changes can lead to significant disease, but we can treat it.

Radioactive Iodine Therapy, or I131 Therapy, uses a rapidly-decaying iodine isotope that is given orally and is absorbed by the body and taken up by the thyroid gland. As it is taken up by the thyroid gland, the radiation destroys part of the thyroid gland, reducing its ability to produce thyroid hormones.

This therapy is considered gold standard in feline hyperthyroidism treatment, and is curative in most cases. In successful cases, these patients should not need on-going medications to manage their thyroid disease, and will need reduced follow-up care compared to patients treated with daily therapies (oral medications or prescription diets). I131 therapy has only been available at specialist referral centres, until now.

Please find our resources below, providing further information on the disease, treatment process and costs involved.