Radioactive Iodine Treatment and Cats..

Draco

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If I should have to go on Radioactive Iodine treatment for my thyroid cancer.. warnings on sites says stay away from children and pregnant women. This probably won't happen for weeks as I still have to meet with the surgeon.. I am thinking ahead.

I am worried about my cats! Would I be safe around my cats? I know I would be radioactive. I really can't board them or send them somewhere for a month.. best I can do is stay with my parents and have someone come in twice a day to check on them in my apartment.

I tried googling it, but I keep coming up with results as treatments FOR cats.

Does anyone have experience with being on Radioactive Iodine, and with cats? Would it harm them? Any suggestions? 

ease my mind?
 

blueyedgirl5946

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Oh my. I am sorry you are dealing with this issue. I am sure your doctor will be able to answer your questions. I wish you well with your treatment and healing.
 

angels mommy

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Oh my. I am sorry you are dealing with this issue. I am sure your doctor will be able to answer your questions. I wish you well with your treatment and healing.
I'm sorry to hear about this too, & was going to suggest the same thing. Even ask their vet, they may know. I hope it will be o.k. I know it would be hard to be away from them for that long, & they would miss their momma.
 

carolina

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Oh no hun :hugs: so sorry you are going through this :rub:
I am sure your doctor will be able to guide you, he is probably the best person to advise you on this...
Would be great for you to have them.... I am sure they would help you to feel loved and comfy... They say a kitty's purr is a wonderful medicine :hugs: :vibes:
 

Winchester

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What? What the heck did I miss? I didn't know you had thyroid cancer! I am so sorry that I didn't know and I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Talk to your vet, just call him on the phone. And talk to you doctor, too, just to make sure that they'll be OK. I hope they can stay with you.

Many, many 
 for you!
 
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Draco

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I spoke to my doctor. He strongly suggest finding a place for them to go for a while. A week. My pet sitter is unable to take them since she's housing her brother's cats and dogs (their home got destroyed in Hurricane Sandy)

I will have to call my vet to see if she can suggest a good boarding place.. my parents will have to help pay the boarding fees :( It's going to be so hard not to have them home with me!
 

smitten4kittens

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I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. My friend had the same exact treatment and she stayed seperate from her family for 5 days, so it's a good idea to keep the cats safely away for a week. The good news I can share with you is that she is completely cancer free 4 years later ( they think because of this treatment). Wishing you good health.


I had to be away from my 2 cats for a 6 day hospital stay.It's hard to not have them with you, but the reunion will be blissful ! I got lots of special toys and treats for the first day home. Maybe you will find a new pet sitter that you like. My vet recommended mine and she was great.
 

smitten4kittens

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Just wanted to let you know the reason my friend stayed seperate from her family was because she has a child. Her husband visited her everyday.
 

tara g

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I'm sorry to hear you have to go through this. :vibes:

When Tigger, my ex's 15 yr old cat, had iodine treatment for her hyperthyroidism, they were also boarding her for a week because they didn't want her near us with the radioactivity in her system. I would think it would go the other way around if a human were to have the treatment.

I think your doctor and vet would be able to answer for sure for you though.
 

natalie_ca

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No, your cats will not be safe around you.  In fact, your cat is probably more in danger than a human adult because of the size.  The amount of radiation to cause harm would be much smaller in a smaller animal, than in a human being.

So yes, you need to find someone who can board your cats for you.
 
 
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Draco

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thanks all

I spoke to my vet. They are going to board my cats for me once I get the date. It's going to be so hard being home without them! I just need to find out for how long they should stay away from my docs.
 
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