Thanks, jeffp and JenEllen. Jeff, I'm sorry to hear that your kitty had to lose a leg, but I'm glad she's well now. My cat's name is Artie; he's a small, black-brown longhair of no particular breed, with a very sweet pet-me-hold-me-carry-me disposition.

JenEllen asks: "Why did they recommend the iodine over surgery?" Surgery's riskier for several reasons: anesthesia; possible damage to parathyroid glands; and difficulty removing the entire tumor, particularly in tissue in the chest. Often more than one surgery is required; there's a high probability that another tumor can develop on the opposite side or in the chest area within a couple of years. Many cats need the iodine therapy anyway, even after surgery!

Another option would've been an anti-thyroid drug called Tapazole, but the side effects include nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite – not helpful when I'm trying to get Artie to GAIN weight! It also damages the liver and kidneys, and interferes with blood-clotting. I would've had to pill him twice a day for life, and in only two years that would've cost as much as the iodine treatment (plus costs to treat the side effects, plus more frequent blood tests... eek!).

So the iodine seemed like the best long-range plan. He's 13, and an indoors-only cat, so I'm hoping to have him around for another 6-7 years (or more)!