Korean Journal of Veterinary Research (대한수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Science (대한수의학회)
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Efficacy and safety of radioiodine therapy for 10 hyperthyroid cats: a retrospective case series study in South Korea

  • Yeon Chae (Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Jae-Cheong Lim (Radioisotope Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) ;
  • Taesik Yun (Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Yoonhoi Koo (College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Dohee Lee (Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Mhan-Pyo Yang (Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Hakhyun Kim (Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Byeong-Teck Kang (Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University)
  • Received : 2024.03.11
  • Accepted : 2024.05.23
  • Published : 2024.06.30
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Abstract

Hyperthyroidism, characterized by elevated thyroid hormone levels and thyroid gland hyperplasia or adenoma, is a prevalent endocrinopathy in older cats. Treatment options include antithyroid drugs, surgical thyroidectomy, and radioiodine therapy (RAIT), which is non-invasive treatment option that can achieve complete remission. However, efficacy and safety of RAIT in hyperthyroid cats have not been investigated in South Korea. This study includes 10 hyperthyroid cats with RAIT. Initial assessments comprised history, physical examination, blood analysis, and serum total T4 (tT4) concentration. Thyroid scintigraphy revealed hyperactivity and enlargement of thyroid gland at 24 hours before the RAIT. Radioiodine (RAI) was injected subcutaneously with 2 to 6 mCi, determined by the fixed dose or the scoring system based on severity of clinical signs, tT4 concentration, and thyroid size individually. After RAIT, the concentration of serum tT4 and liver enzymes were significantly decreased at discharge. However, no significant differences were noted in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, symmetric dimethylarginine, hematocrits, and white blood cell counts pre- and post-treatment. Although 4 cats received RAI twice, clinical signs disappeared and tT4 levels decreased following the RAIT. All 10 cats achieved complete remission after 6 months without critical adverse effect. The safety and the effectiveness of RAIT was confirmed based on protocols reported other countries. Therefore, RAIT could be considered the treatment option and prevent adverse effects from medication or surgery. This preliminary study presents the first evaluation of RAIT for hyperthyroid cats using locally produced RAI in South Korea and provide valuable insight for clinicians and further studies.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry (IPET) through Companion Animal Life Cycle Industry Technology Development Program, funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) (322095-04).

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