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Hazel Carney, DVM, MS, DABVP |
Diplomate American Board of
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FELINE MEDICINE & BEHAVIOR
Dr. Carney is a graduate of Colorado State University where she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1981. She also has a Master’s degree in Physiology and Biophysics. In 1982, Dr. Carney opened the thirteenth registered cat-only practice in the U.S. where she was the senior clinician for thirteen years. In 1986, she became an adjunct professor of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and was a founding member of Louisiana Veterinary Nuclear Medicine group which provided I – 131 therapy for veterinarians in Louisiana and Mississippi. Dr. Carney is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and is a specialist in Canine and Feline Clinical Practice.
Dr. Hazel Carney’s vast experience and knowledge of feline medicine and behavior enables our practice to continue to expand our services to clients and primary care veterinarians. Because Dr. Carney limits her practice to cats, she has a very specialized scope of services for treating feline behavior problems such as aggression and eliminating outside of the litter box. Dr. Carney has been treating hyperthyroidism in cats with I -131 (radioactive Iodine) for over 20 years. As a fellow of the Academy of Feline Medicine, she was one of 8 people to co-author the 2005 Feline Behavior Guidelines and is now a consulting editor for the upcoming Consensus Report on Bartonella Henselae (Cat Scratch Disease) which was published in the summer of 2006. Dr. Carney also shares her findings and expertise through national conferences. She refers to herself as “one of the oldest living cat doctors left in captivity” and is a featured speaker at many continuing education conferences for regional veterinarians.
A patient who is being referred to WestVet for feline medicine or behavior services would begin with a consultation with Dr. Hazel C. Carney, who has been board-certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP).
As veterinary medicine continues to advance towards rivaling human medicine, we believe that behavior is an increasingly important component of that trend and feel fortunate to have the benefit of Dr. Carney’s services available here in Idaho.
• Learn more about Behavior Services and about Hyperthyroidism in Cats
Your family veterinarian should always be contacted first with any pet health concerns that you may have. If you feel that your pet is in need of specialty services, please consult with your veterinarian prior to scheduling an appointment with a specialist.
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A kitten socialization class |
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BEHAVIOR SERVICES
Do you have a freaky feline or krazy kitten?! You are not alone and there is help! One of only 8 doctors in the country to be a panel member and co-author of the American Association of Feline Practitioner’s Behavior Guidelines, Dr. Hazel Carney provides specialized feline medicine and behavior services and has been a leader in the industry for over 25 years.
According to the AAFP, behavior problems are still the leading reason for euthanasia in pet cats. While behavior problems in cats can lead to family stress, inappropriate punishment and decreased quality of life for the cat, and a deterioration in the human/animal bond, these problems can be helped through proper awareness and prevention.
By understanding normal feline behavior and the environmental circumstances that can cause changes in normal behavior, you can improve the quality of life experienced by you and your cat. Dr. Carney can help you achieve a more harmonious living situation and provide you with insightful information on how to eliminate negative behaviors with your cat(s).
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FELINE HYPERTHYROIDISM
A fairly common disease of older cats, feline hyperthyroidism is a disorder that is the result of a tumor that is producing too much thyroid hormone and over stimulates your cat’s organ systems. By overproducing thyroid hormone, the resulting increase in the metabolic rate causes changes in your cat such as weight loss, fluctuations in appetitie, fluctuations in energy level, fever, rapid heartbeat, excessive water intake, diarrhea, and osteoporosis. The bad news is that it is fatal to your cat if left untreated. The good news is that 98% of the tumors causing hyperthyroidism are benign and can be cured with one shot of radioactive idodine.
Why Radioactive Iodine Therapy?
Radioactive iodione 131 therapy cures 98% of all cats with a single treatment and requires no anesthesia. It is as safe in older cats as in youner cats and avoids the need for for surgery or life-long drugs.
How does I -131 therapy work?
Thyroid cells use idodine in the production of thyroxin. Hyperactive thyroid cells absorb the radioactive iodine. I -131 releases gamma and beta rays. These rays kill the abnormal thyroid cells. As the abnormal cells die, the excess hormone production stops and your cat becomes euthyroid (normal) again.
How do I schedule I -131 therapy?
Your cat’s primary care veterinarian will call Dr. Carney to tell her about your cat and will send copies of your cat’s health record to her. After your cat’s doctor has talked with Dr. Carney, you are to schedule an appointment with Dr. Carney at WestVet. Dr. Carney will give your cat a thorough physical examination, decide whether special medications or other tests are needed and answer your questions about the disease and I -131 therapy. She will determine the date of your cat’s treatment which will take place at Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic in Ontario, OR (due to Idaho regulations).
What will my cat’s stay be like?
The morning of the therapy, you will drop off your cat at Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic, were they will take your cat to the radiation therapy ward. Please bring something that “smells like home” to put in your cat’s cage, be sure it is something that is disposable. (Because of safety regulations, the item cannot be returned). The injection is given under the skin and your cat will be monitored throughout the day. Your cat will eat its usual diet and the technicians will give it any needed medications and check its level of radioactivity. The staff will give all the TLC they can safely give. You will be called with an up-date every day. No dogs are close by to irritate your cat. The cages are warm, cozy and very clean. Quiet music is played but they will be happy to play special music or tapes of your voice for your cat. The state will not allow you to visit your cat while it is in the isolation facility. Once your cat’s level of radiation is at or below the release limit set by the state, your cat can go home. Most cats are truly relaxed while here. The average stay is 5-8 days; the Oregon State minimum is 4 days.
What are the dangers of radioactive iodine treatment?
If lots of hyperactive thyroid cells die and release their stored thyroxin, the cat’s already fast running systems go even faster. A slight risk exists that the cat will have a significant abnormal heart rhythm or increase in blood pressure for 2-3 days after the injection. We watch your cat closely to prevent serious reactions. An occasional cat has a sore throat or hoarse voice for 7 to 10 days. Rarely the iodine will kill all thyroid cells and the cat will need oral thyroid hormone supplementation.
What after-care do you give your cat?
The Department of Radiation Safety of Oregon has several requirements. Your cat must ride home in a carrier. For 2-4 weeks after treatment, the cat excretes un-absorbed I – 131 and radioactive waste products into urine and stool. The total amount of radiation in your cat is very low – about 50 times less than you would have in your body if you were treated with I – 131; as little as you would receive if you flew across country in a plane. For the first 2 weeks your cat is at home, use rubber gloves when cleaning the litter box. Use flushable litter so that you can dispose of your cat’s wastes into the toilet, not the garbage. Closely snuggle with your cat only about an hour a day. We ask that pregnant women and people receiving chemotherapy do not clean the cat’s litter box or medicate the cat. By law your cat must stay at home with you or be boarded with us for these 2 weeks. We recommend that you have us or your cat’s regular veterinarian re-examine your cat at 2, 6 and 12 weeks after treatment.
Will the disease recur?
We do not know the cause of hyperthyroidism, so if your cat has a thyroid tumor in only one side of its neck, the other thyroid gland may develop the disease at some time in the future. This occurs in 5-30 percent of cats within 6-36 months after the initial treatment.
Who will take care of my cat?
Dr. Hazel C. Carney, a Board-Certified Specialist in Veterinary Practice with an M. S. in Veterinary Physiology, has over 20 years experience in feline medicine. She has been treating hyperthyroid cats with I – 131 since 1986 and has received advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. She is dedicated to helping each cat under her care thrive happily.
What is the cost of treatment?
The cost of treatment while your cat is in the treatment center is $850-1150. Other costs vary with the examinations and lab tests that your cat needs.