Dedicated feline treatment facility is running at full capacity Image Fecility, a 14-year-old domestic shorthair is thriving following i131 treatment for hyperthyroidism The University of Edinburgh's Hospital for Small Animals is celebrating the first anniversary of the relaunch of its radioactive iodine (I131) service for the treatment of hyperthyroid cats.One of only two places in Scotland able to offer this treatment option for cats with hyperthyroidism, the Hospital for Small Animals boasts a dedicated treatment facility, feline ward and feline specific nurses to ensure that patients have a calm and comfortable stay during their treatment.This vital service, which originally opened in 2005, was forced to pause at the end of 2022 due to the lack of available radioactive iodine in Europe, but reopened its doors to patients in August 2023.Treatment of choiceHyperthyroidism is a relatively common disease of middle-aged and older cats, affecting around 12% of the UK cat population.Radioactive iodine treatment is considered the treatment of choice as it can provide long term control or cure, has no serious side effects and doesn’t require anaesthesia.The treatment is given as a single dose either by subcutaneous injection or oral capsule. The iodine concentrates in the thyroid gland, where it emits beta-radiation, killing the hyper-functioning cells. This treatment is extremely effective as all thyroid tissue, even ectopic tissue, is treated. The usual stay in the radioactive iodine unit is around seven to ten days.Exceptional careThe Hospital’s radioactive iodine service has been well received by cat owners. Felicity, a 14-year-old domestic shorthair, was the first cat treated when the service reopened last year. Fiona, her owner, says Felicity is now thriving following successful treatment for her hyperthyroidism.“The care that Felicity received at the Hospital for Small Animals was exceptional. I was anxious about the prospect of being separated from her while she received i131 treatment but I needn’t have worried; I received frequent updates from the kind and compassionate staff, along with photographs of Felicity, which kept me informed and reassured me that she was receiving the very best of care.If you have a cat with hyperthyroidism you would like to refer for I131 therapy, please contact us at HfSareception@ed.ac.uk About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than 800 staff and almost 1400 students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos. The School comprises: The Roslin Institute The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems The Roslin Innovation Centre The Hospital for Small Animals Equine Veterinary Services Farm Animal Services Easter Bush Pathology The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge. Tags HfSA Vet Publication date 24 Aug, 2024
