A veterinary surgery in Lowestoft is set to launch a new therapy service next month.
From June 5, The Veterinary Surgery in Lowestoft will offer a new radioactive iodine (RI) therapy service for veterinary practices in the east of England - allowing them to help treat cats with hyperthyroidism.
With hyperthyroidism being a common condition in older cats, the service is set to be run by Dr Eloise Quince and Dr Kate Allgood - supported by an experienced team of registered veterinary nurses.
The practice said that RI therapy is the "treatment of choice" for hyperthyroid cats as it provides a permanent cure in up to 95 per cent of cases.
It is administered by an iodine injection under the skin in a specialised unit by a trained vet and nurse.
The practice says a benefit of RI is that it treats "ectopic tissue" that may be present outside of the thyroid gland, which is not treated by surgical methods of thyroid removal.
Normal thyroid tissue is also spared, so that there is normal thyroid function post-treatment.
In a statement Dr Quince and Dr Allgood said: "We have a culture of recommending the best possible treatments to our clients.
"And we want to provide the best clinical care every time.
"This means ensuring our clinicians have access to the right facilities, equipment and medicines at the right time."
Elissa Norman, clinical director - who initially developed the idea for the iodine unit - said: "The iodine unit first started as a scribble on a piece of paper and a dream of our team back in 2017 and it has taken a huge amount of dedication and effort from a large team of people to get to the point of opening in 2023.
"Radioactive iodine offers a lifetime cure for our hyperthyroid cats and we are delighted to be able to bring this service to the cats of East Anglia."
The new RI therapy service is set to be available to all veterinary practices in Suffolk and Norfolk from June 5.
To refer a cat patient, vets should email iodine@veterinary-hospital.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here