What is the treatment for hyperthyroidism?
In lieu of surgery and medication, radioiodine therapy can be performed. While this procedure does not require anesthesia, hospitalization for ten days to two weeks in an approved facility is required. The closest location to Peoria for this is the University of Illinois. The doctors of Whitney Veterinary Hospital currently recommend three weeks of tapazol prior to surgery. Surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. The patient will go home the same day surgery is performed and return in ten days to have sutures (stitches) removed. Rarely is any follow-up therapy needed. In 5 – 10% of cases, recurrence of the thyroid tissue is possible within five years. This is unusual; however, re-operation to remove the growth will correct the problem at that time. Risks associated with surgery are generally minor, however because the thyroid gland is tightly attached to the parathyroid gland, it is possible to damage the parathyroid during surgery. If this happens, temporary or permanent calcium
