I-131 treatment and cat - safe?

[vcheng79]

Hi everyone. I need help with my cat. I just finished a I-131 treatment (80mCi to start with on Jan 26 at around 4:30pm) and am now released back to my home (< 10 mCi when measured this morning), just wondering if it would be safe for my cat if I touch her? I moved her to my brother's room (now empty) and tried to explain to my cat why I am doing this but she looks so depressed it breaks my heart. Can anyone please help me? I really don't want to hurt her in anyway. Thanks.

I am also going for a nuclear medicine whole body scan (don't know if I need to take another pill and if so at what dose), but I would need regular scanning in the future with a much smaller dose, would it be safe for my cat if I touch her after that? Thanks again.

[Prin]

Here's a link that might help you:
http://www.endocrinologist.com/Radioactive.html
it says:

In general, a distance of one arm's length should be maintained between the person treated and others who spend more than two hours next to the patient in any 24 hour period. This applies especially to children and pregnant women. While brief contact with a person after treatment is acceptable, sleeping together, watching television, going to movies, long care or plane trips should be avoided for approximately 11 days after the treatment.

So as long as you're at arms length or your really close contact is brief, your kitty should be ok.

[vcheng79]

Thanks. That's what my doctor told me. However, I am just worried because my cat weights only approx. 9 lbs, which is so much lighter than most children. I am just worried with my dosage it would still hurt her. It really kills me to see her so disappointed and cried because she wants to sleep with me...

[Prin]

8 days to go... I'm so sorry. I know it must be so hard for you to recover without your kitty and with your kitty all confused.

[vcheng79]

I just miss her so much...I was just released from quarantine after the I-131 thyroid ablation procedure and all I want to do is hold her and kiss her till all her fur is off...HAHA... I am counting the seconds...