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Nuclear Medicine Patient Questionaire

    During your cat's stay with us in Nuclear Medicine Isolation, we want to ensure that he/she is as comfortable while in our care as they would be in their own home. Please take the time to fill out this questionnaire, so that our staff can ensure that your cat's needs are being met.

    Litter Box

    If yes, what type do they prefer?

    Feeding & Medication

    Is your cat on a special diet? (Please note, clients must discontinue feeding the y/d diet 2 weeks prior to treatment)*

    If yes, what does he/she eat?

    Are there any special feeding instructions that our staff should be aware of?*

    If yes, please provide detailed instructions:

    Is your cat on thyroid medication? (Please note, clients must discontinue thyroid medication 2 weeks prior to treatment)*

    Household

    Is anyone in the household pregnant or think they may be pregnant?*

    Is there a child under the age of 18 in the household?*

    Please read the following in its entirety:

    Feline I-131 Therapy: What to Expect

    Appointment/Drop off Day

    • Our board-certified veterinary internal medicine doctor will meet with you and your cat to review your veterinarian’s findings, perform a physical examination, discuss whether I-131 is the best treatment option, and whether any underlying diseases are present.

    • A CBC, blood chemistries with T4 and urinalysis will be submitted and reviewed.

    • We also perform chest radiographs on all patients. An echocardiogram may be indicated if heart problems are noted in the initial workup.

    • TC99m Thyroid scan – is performed the first day following initial work up. All cats being considered as candidates for I-131 therapy must have a confirmed diagnosis of hyperthyroidism by having a positive thyroid nuclear scan. The patient will have to remain very still for up to 5 minutes at a time, for this reason sedation might be required.

    • Our board certified radiologist will review the scan, consult with our board certified internal medicine doctor, and calculate the appropriate dose for your pet.

    • I-131 Therapy - is administered 24 hours following the thyroid scan with a small injection under the skin between the shoulder blades. This can be uncomfortable for the pet, and sedation might be required.

    • If your cat is on a particular diet, please bring in an 8-day supply of their food. We have Fancy Feast, Science Diet and Purina. We use Arm and Hammer clumping litter. If your pet prefers another type of litter, you are welcome to provide your own.

    • We do provide comfortable bedding for all patients. Pet owners are welcome to bring their own bedding, however items will not be returned for 3 months, as they are radioactive. We are not responsible for lost or forgotten items.

    • Any other unforeseen treatments that need to be performed while hospitalized will be administered at additional cost.

    Daily Assessments

    • Examination, vital parameters, and kennel cleaning are performed daily by our highly trained nuclear medicine staff and the attending doctor.

    • Daily radioactivity measurements are obtained with a Geiger counter. Pets treated with higher doses are measured every other day to reduce staff exposure.

    • Daily calls from our staff are made to you to update you on your cat’s progress.

    • Your veterinarian receives medical records upon your cat’s discharge from nuclear isolation. Included in this summary sheet are the recommended monitoring steps for your veterinarian to perform after your pet returns home.

    • Your pet will stay a minimum of 3 days, but may stay up to 14 days depending on dose administered and individual excretion.

    • Your pet may receive medications during their stay (at additional cost).

    • Per Texas state law, visitors are not allowed during hospitalization.

    • All I-131 patients are DNR (Do Not Resuscitate), as life-saving measures possible in nuclear isolation are minimal. This will be explained in detail by your attending specialists.

    Post I-131 Therapy: Home Care

    • Once your cat’s radioactivity emission rate has dropped below the legal level and we feel it is appropriate, we will release him/her to return home.

    • Your cat will still continue to emit low levels of radiation for a short period of time.

    • At that time, you will be given detailed instructions on how to specifically care for your cat for the first 7 days following discharge from the hospital. This includes restrictions on physical contact, how to clean the litter box, hygiene following touching your cat, and if necessary, how to medicate your cat during this time.

    • Your cat may not be released to another boarding facility. If your cat needs to be boarded after the normal discharge from GCVS, they must stay here, as other facilities are not equipped to handle radioactive excreta.

    • Cats are to stay indoors after discharge. It is a danger to unsuspecting neighbors if a pet is allowed to urinate outside.

    • No one under the age of 18 should handle your pet for 7 days after release.

    • If you plan to fly with your cat within 7 days of release, please contact your airline carrier to determine if there are specific restrictions.

    • The only reported side effect from 131-I administration is the possibility of a focal area of hair loss at the site of injection.

    If these guidelines are followed, it is safe to have your cat with you at home. If you are concerned with your ability to follow these guidelines, arrangements can be made to have your cat stay with us for a longer period of time.

    Post I-131 Therapy Medical Follow Up

    • At one-month post treatment, your veterinarian will perform a physical exam and will run blood chemistries with a T4, as well as test urine specific gravity.

    • Post treatment, cats should receive a physical exam and lab tests every six months to assess overall health.

    • If, following I-131 therapy, your pet passes away during its stay with us, we are required to hold your cat’s body until radiation levels are equal to background levels. After that time, around 90 days, we can release the remains to you for cremation.

    By checking this box, I agree that I have read the I-131 Client Form.*