Overheard on the Web: Hypurrcat Recommended on the Feline Hyper-T Yahoo Group

Below is a post we found on the Hyperthyroid Cat Yahoo Group, which is the original support list for people whose cats have been diagnosed as hyperthyroid or hypothyroid. Founded in 1999, the group has over 2400 members.

This is a great resource for anyone whose cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The group is full of caring and supportive people who are more than willing to share their experience.

I-131 In NYC?

I joined the group about two weeks ago after we got a hyperthyroid diagnosis for my 14-year old kitty. She's started the methimazole, which seems to be going well. She's hard to give pills to, and HATES having her ears messed with, so we opted to try the chicken flavor "chewies" — which she scarfs right down. What a relief!

Now we're starting to think about the I-131 procedure. Our vet said they have a few places that they can recommend, and we'll get more details from them when we go back for the first checkup in a week or two, but thought we might start doing research now. We live in NYC, so that would be best for us.

I know Dr. Peterson has a clinic in Manhattan and is highly thought of on this group, and we'll definitely be looking into that option. But I was hoping there are others on the list who might offer their experiences with any places in NYC.

Sampson Thunderpaws, a 12-year, male Maine Coon cat treated at Hypurrcat

Response: I-131 In NYC?


Sampson Thunderpaws went to Dr. Peterson's clinic in Bedford Hills, NY about 3 weeks ago. If the clinic in Manhattan is anything like the one in Bedford Hills, Suki will be thoroughly spoiled by the time she gets home.

• Dr. Peterson tailors each I-131 dosage to the cat and his/her needs rather than give a set dosage per cat as some of the clinics do. 
• There is a vet tech in with the cats all day, and I caught her feeding Sampson (there are webcams in every "condo") after 8 pm one night. 
• They answered all my emails promptly — and I sent a "few". :) Sampson was hand-fed when he didn't want to eat and they gave him additional cooked pieces of chicken to tempt him.
• They have lots of things for the cats to watch — cat TV and real, live Gerbils in cages just outside their "condos".
• Oh — and they brought him a gerbil in a ball to keep his hunting skills sharp. LOL! (A vet tech was there every minute so no gerbils were harmed in the process.)

Dr. Peterson is the man for hyperthyroidism with 30-plus years experience, so that is the real reason we went there—but I couldn't have asked for a better experience for Sampson. Which made it easier for me to leave him there.

 Peace, Plenty and Purrs,
Memory and Sampson Thunderpaws

Sampson Thunderpaws, a hyperthyroid cat treated at Hypurrcat