Better Accommodations

Despite the dramatic reduction in the length of hospitalization, many clients continued to express concerns over the nature of their catʼs accommodations during the hospitalization for radioiodine therapy. In 1999, after close to 15 years treating hyperthyroid cats with radioiodine, AVMI opened the doors of a new facility dedicated to providing the optimal therapy and environment for cats needing radioiodine therapy for both benign and malignant thyroid disease.

During that 15 years a handful of other veterinary facilities had opened in southern California that also provided radioiodine therapy for cats with hyperthyroidism. The logistics of the isolation needed for the procedure resulted in most of these facilities dedicating a single, small isolated room for the hospitalization of cats needing radioiodine therapy.

To overcome its clients concerns over the conditions encountered by cats receiving radioiodine therapy AVMI's new facility boasts a separate feline radiotherapy ward with large picture windows providing its occupants with a sense of separation from the activities in the rest of the facility while avoiding the claustrophobic conditions usually provided for cats undergoing this therapy. To ensure that the feline patients hospitalized for radioiodine therapy at AVMI enjoy a truly optimal experience, Synder Cat Cottages™ were installed. These spacious individual living quarters boast large, elevated shelves for cats to stretch out on, as well as cozy bedrooms for napping and even individual cat hide-a-ways for cats seeking the security of apparent isolation. Each cottage has a private adjoining bathroom that contains the patient's litter box and is equipped with its own exhaust fan ensuring an odor free environment for both cats and caregivers alike.