Internal Medicine

Though we do our best to keep our pets healthy, sometimes they become ill. An important part of our health services is the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of pets with diseases that affect their internal organs and body systems. When you bring your pet to Shaker Heights Animal Hospital, rest assured that your pet will receive the highest standards of quality internal medicine available.

I-131 Treatment for Hyperthyroid CATS

Hyperthyroidism can occur in aging cats when the thyroid gland releases too much hormone into the body. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include weight loss, changes in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and changes in urination. Hyperthyroid cats may also exhibit changes in activity level and overall attitude. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, we recommend you make an appointment for a physical exam and blood work.

Hyperthyroidism can easily be diagnosed by performing a simple blood test called a T4, which measures the amount of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. If it is above normal, that indicates the cat is hyperthyroid. There is a medication that can suppress the amount of hormone released from the thyroid gland; however, the medication has to be given on a daily basis for the duration of your cat’s life. The cat would also need to be tested periodically to ensure the medication is working properly.

I-131 treatment is an intravenous treatment that corrects the over-production of thyroid hormone by administering radioactive iodine to the cat. The radioactive iodine shuts down the abnormal or overactive cells of the thyroid gland resulting in the return to normal thyroid activity and eliminates the need for daily medication. This procedure requires your pet to be hospitalized for the duration of treatment, typically a few days.  

Prescription Diets

When pets are diagnosed with conditions or illnesses, diets formulated to support nutritional health can prove beneficial as part of their treatment. Prescription diets can benefit patients with food allergies, diabetes, liver disease, bladder and kidney disease, and many other conditions. At Shaker Heights Animal Hospital we carry prescription diets from Hill’s, Royal Canin and Purina. If we do not have the diet your pet requires in stock, we would be happy to order it for you. You may also conveniently order through our online pharmacy which offers competitive pricing.

Referrals & SPECIALISTS

Along with general practice there are many specialties within the veterinary field. To best fulfill the needs of your pet, Dr. Welsh can refer patients to specialists for CT scans and MRIs, orthopedic surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, oncology and emergency care.  Our team has a very close working relationship with the local specialty hospitals and providers and can offer coordinated, streamlined care.