Belle and the radioactive iodine treatment - update

[Susan and the girls]

Well, Miss Belle is really getting back to her normal self. She is eating a LOT compared to what she was eating when I first brought her home from her I 131 treatment. She actually looks "cleaner" (as if she's been grooming more) and SOOOO much more "bright-eyed." The litter box has plenty of evidence that she's eating & drinking well, too. She is incredibly vocal, and very purr-y and social with me when I visit with her; she's in the upstairs bathroom, alone, since she has to be isolated while the radiation in her body continues to decrease. The scales don't say she's really gained much weight back, but her backbone isn't nearly as prominent as it was - and the fur along her backbone, which had become thin & "old" looking, definitely looks much cleaner and thicker.

This Friday will be two weeks since she came home, so that means she can be "reintroduced" to Daisy & Scarlett in a couple of days. She hasn't even offered an escape when I open the door to her bathroom isolation, but the others peer around to see her when I go in. (Of course, they then POP each other in displaced aggression... I think it will be interesting, if not a bit stressful, to reintroduce them, for sure....)

My follow-up appointment with my vet for bloodwork (to check her kidney function and thyroid levels) is March 26th. I'd appreciate all the prayers I can get for all those results to be completely normal!!

[Traci]

Woo-hoo!!!

Belle is in my thoughts and prayers for a good report on her bloodwork!!

[Susan and the girls]

Thanks Traci! Pray for an easy re-introduction this weekend..... It has been two weeks since she came home, so we'll see how that goes!

This morning, I went in to visit with her & give her fresh water, and left the door wide open, since Daisy & Scarlett are always on my heels going up the stairs to peek in at her. Belle never offers to leave the bathroom, but this time, Daisy "mosied" on in and walked right up to Belle. They touched noses, and I swear it looked like Belle was about to kiss all over Daisy. They were VERY interested in seeing each other -- and when they stopped nose-sniffing, they both had their mouths open in that funny-looking "smelling" posture. I "ran" Daisy out as I left, and she went about her business. I'm afraid that Scarlett will be the one who will hiss & fuss about her....

I have a question - how much water do cats typically drink? I have monitored her water intake carefully to make sure I'm aware of whether or not she's drinking too much (worried about those kidneys), and it looks like she's drinking about 2/3 a cup a day. Is that about normal or is that too much? You know me.... just a bit paranoid.... She urinates probably 3 times a day, but it's usually in the same spot, so sometimes when I scoop the clumps, there's one HUGE clump to dig out. When she doesn't go in the same spot, there are 2-4 golf-ball sized clumps. I just am so anxious about the bloodwork coming up!!!! I want to get it over with and hear them say her kidney values are fine!!

[Traci]

Good to hear at least one cat took to Belle right away!!

As for normal water consumption, there are various formulas, but overall, let's say a cat is around 11 lbs, then normally, the cat should drink no more than about a cup or slightly less. Urine output is about the same, much like whatever is taken in, would be urinated throughout the day.

Another easy formula: 1 oz. water intake/ per pound of body weight/ per day. (1 oz. is 30 ml)

Did you notice her drinking or urinating any more or less than usual before her radioiodine treatment?

Remember, now that she's more relaxed, she is probably drinking more. What you would be concerned about is when she is hanging over the water dish several times a day, urinating very large amounts, avoiding the litterbox, urine is very dilute or very concentrated, and her dehydration is obvious. (if you gently pinch a small part of her scruff, lift slightly, release, and if the skin snaps back in 1 second, she's probably sufficiently hydrated. If the skin takes over 1 second to fall back, she may be dehydrated - also mucous membranes in mouth might be dry and tacky if dehydrated.)

[Susan and the girls]

I think she's probably drinking LESS than what she was drinking before the treatment. (I didn't realize til she was out of the house and in the hospital that she had been eating us out of house & home & drinking tons of water.) She's definitely NOT dehydrated, and the urine is "normal" smelling. I know that NOW is the time to make sure she is doing what's normal because the moment she's allowed out into the rest of the house, I can't tell who does what in the litter box, or who really eats/drinks how much, you know?

I looked up CRF (signs & symptoms) yesterday because that anxiety hit me, knowing that the vet school really emphasized how it could happen.... She doesn't have really any of the symptoms they list -- so far. I don't know the timeline or what to expect as far as how far out from the treatment she might develop CRF (if she's actually going to). I wish we could go ahead and do the bloodwork tomorrow!!

Thanks for always getting back to me on my posts..... I really appreciate it!

[Traci]

It depends on different factors, like age, and if pre-existing kidney disease was present, or if it was masked by the thyroid. I don't think there's a typical "timeline" but I would think anything unusual would occur within the first 3-6 months (discuss that with your vet). But, age can always be a factor for developing kidney disease with or without any other primary condition. Try not to focus on that too much, keep regular exams/bloodwork scheduled for Belle.

Btw, when checking the litterbox, it is the absorption of the litter that makes the clumps appear so big. Usually, when there is concern for large amounts of urine, the urine will soak litter, but it will also pool on top if you're checking right at the time the cat is urinating. Otherwise, unusually large clumps would be concerning. Golf-ball size isn't that much, really, you have to take into account volume vs weight of the litter. (don't worry about that)

Again, signs to worry about would be hanging over water dish, drinking frequently throughout the day, drinking large amounts in one sitting, urinating large amounts and/or missing or avoiding the litterbox, and overly concentrated or overly dilute urine (+/- other symptoms like anorexia, painful abdomen, reduced activity, lethargy, dehydration, oral health problems, weight loss, vomiting and symptoms of a urinary tract infection)

[mamabear]

I ALSO have had a thyroid condition. Mine was Graves' Disease (Hyperthyroidism). My cat also had it but she went on the medicine for it. Had I known more about the disease I would have given her the RAI. I wasn't diagnosed with it until after she had passed away. I personally went on medicine for it and didn't do the RAI(long story) but it did work for me and I went into remission a few times. I am currently in remission almost 3 years now with no meds at all.

Remember to keep an eye out in case her levels change and she will eventually have to go on Thyroid supplement.

Glad kitty is feeling better. Hyperthyriodism is no joke and makes us feel crummy human or animal !

[Susan and the girls]

I am so glad you are in remission!! Yay for that!!!!

I plan to keep a VERY close eye on Belle's levels - for more reasons than one. I want to make sure her kidneys are working well, too. I am going to repeat the bloodwork in three weeks (for her kidneys) and every 3 months for her T4 (at least for the first year) and then as often as the vet recommends (maybe every six months?) She's a very special & important part of my life and I intend to do all I can to make her happy & healthy!

Already, her coat is SOOO very soft - compared to the rough, messy coat she had when she was battling her thyroid. Even my children say, "Belle is so soft!!!" She looks like she feels 110% better, too. I'm so glad.

You continue to take care of yourself, too!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[mamabear]

Thank you!
I am glad she is feeling better. Just remember there can be side effects with this medicine, don't be surprised but do be alert to anything "off". As for her blood work, although she is feeling better which is something we all want her levels might not show it as fast as she feels it. Some times we have a lot of antibodies in our system and that can take time to heal, so her blood work might still show that there is something wrong. Your dr. will be able to determine this so he can keep her meds the same or adjust accordingly.

Thyroid (hyperthyroid) is not an easy road for anyone... Hoping that this road finds kitty feeling better and better every day.

If I may suggest if you can, brush kitty out often if she will let you. When meds start to work, there might be some hair loss (more so then before) and Belle might not be able to keep up with it. Getting all the dead hair out is key because it helps her skin and coat.

good luck