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FELINE
HYPERTHYROID TREATMENT PROGRAM
ADMISSION
INFORMATION:
-
You or your referring veterinarian may request an admission
appointment.
-
Anti-thyroid drugs (Tapazole, Methimazole, etc.) Should be
discontinued 1-2 weeks prior to admission. Most other medications
are allowable but should be discussed prior to the admission
process.
- Food
containing fish products should be discontinued 2 weeks prior
to admission. Fish products have been found to prohibit the
uptake of radioactive iodine.
- You
are welcomed and encouraged to bring your cat's favorite foods
and/or treats. We provide an ample, tasty feline menu as well.
-
Cat toys may be kept with your cat but they cannot be returned.
-
Unfortunately, the State of Maine, in accordance with the
strict regulatory guidelines of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
cannot permit client visitation while cats are in the radiotherapy
unit.
- Once
admitted and treated with I-131, your cat cannot be released
to you until his or her radioactivity levels drop to a specific
range. In the extremely unlikely event that a patient dies
from another illness while being housed in the I-131 unit,
the remains must be held by us until radioactivity diminishes
(eighty days).
COST
OF THE PROGRAM.
Radioiodine
therapy has become perhaps the optimal treatment for cats with
hyperthyroid cats. It has an extremely high success and safety
record and we are pleased to offer this state-of-the-art care.
The
costs of therapy reflect costs associated with providing these
services:
-
Pre-admission consultation with a veterinary medical specialist
-
Full body radiographs
-
Cost and administration of the radioactive iodine (cats requiring
>5mCi of I-131 will incur an additional charge)
-
Hospitalization in a new radiotherapy unit
- Litter,
food, and patient monitoring with specialized radiation equipment
according to stringent State nuclear medicine regulatory guidelines
-
Time and expertise of the specialists
-
Costs associated with nuclear regulatory licensing and adherence
to strict safety guidelines for hospital personnel
-
Radioactive waste-removal
- Post-treatment blood work (thyroid and renal testing) is included in our fee if it is not done at our facility prior to or at admission. If this blood work was completed at our facility pre-admission, then there will be a charge for these blood tests at the post-treatment progress exam appointment. There is a $25.00 charge for the post-treatment progress examination.
The total costs are estimated for most cats to be $1375.00. There is an extra charge for other pre-admission diagnostics tests that are deemed necessary in some cases, such as echocardiograms or blood pressures. There will be an extra fee for cats that require more than 5 mCi of radioactive iodine for treatment. Charges for the pre-admission initial consultation and any tests completed are due at the time of the consultation appointment, and the remainder of the balance is due at the time of admission for treatment.
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