Radioiodine therapy is the gold-standard curative treatment for feline hyperthyroidism, but access barriers mean many cats receive less effective long-term management.
Access to radioiodine therapy is a welfare equity issue: the curative potential of this treatment means that cats whose owners cannot access or afford it are managed with lifetime medication that requires daily pilling — a source of stress for many cats — and carries the risk of owner compliance failures. For hyperthyroid cats managed with daily medication, missed doses cause fluctuating thyroid hormone levels and inconsistent control of the disease. Radioiodine, by contrast, provides stable, lasting resolution. Expanding access through more licensed treatment centres and cost-support mechanisms would improve welfare outcomes for hyperthyroid cats across all income groups. The welfare case for radioiodine is strong wherever it is accessible and the cat is a suitable candidate.