Medivet 24 Hour Enfield Iodine

An innovative treatment available at London veterinary practice Medivet 24 Hour Enfield is providing a lifeline for older cats suffering from an increasingly common condition called hyperthyroidism.

Iodine therapy, which is offered in only a handful of veterinary practices around the country, is now considered the safest and most effective option for cats with hyperthyroidism - an overactive thyroid. The radioactive treatment provides a non-invasive yet permanent solution to the common problem.

Hyperthyroidism is often seen in middle aged and older cats - with the average age of patient developing the condition between 12 and 13-years. If left untreated, the issue can seriously damage the animal’s heart and kidneys. Over time, benign growths - which are most often the cause of the condition – can become malignant.

We have seen such dramatic transformations in patients that we would wholeheartedly recommend this permanent treatment.

Medivet 24 Hour Enfield Branch partner and Veterinary Surgeon Kelly Burrow commented: “Educating owners is important and the disease is easily diagnosed with a blood test. We would urge any owners with cats experiencing an increased appetite or weight loss to visit their Vet as soon as possible.”

“While we do have to screen patients for their suitability, we have now seen so many senior cats having their lives transformed by the therapy that we felt it important to try and bring attention to this ground-breaking treatment.”

Researchers are not sure what causes feline hyperthyroidism, but experts believe that dietary factors found in food or the environment do play a part. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism are usually subtle to begin with, becoming more severe as the condition worsens. These symptoms include:

• Weight loss
• Increased appetite and/or thirst
• Increase activity, restlessness or irritability
• Increased heart rate
• Poor condition of fur or skin

The treatment involves a simple injection under the skin which is absorbed by the abnormal thyroid tissue. The iodine destroys the affected tissues without harming the surrounding glands or tissues. This innovative radioactive treatment has a high success rate but can require a stay at the practice of two to three weeks.

Kelly added: “While there are anti-thyroid medicines available, they will not definitively cure the disease, plus the need for the lifelong medication of their pets can be concerning for owners. We do appreciate that an extended stay in a pet hospital can also be a concern, but we have seen such dramatic transformations in patients that we would wholeheartedly recommend this permanent treatment.”

The Iodine Unit can be emailed via enfield.iodine@medivet.co.uk