From what I read about radioiodine, it is successful even in older cats. Cats from 17-20 have been cured.
They keep the cats a longer time because even their eliminations are radioactive. I remember something about this from my Environmental science class this spring. We were studying landfill regulations and radioactive wastes need to be disposed of in a special (and expensive) way. Normal trash can be landfilled for $90 a ton, hazardous and radioactive wastes can cost over $5000 a ton. In one case we read of, a normal landfill had some high radiation readings and they traced it back to radioactive cat litter!
So the cat has to stay in quarantine until after the radioactive waste has passed through urine and feces, and even after that they urge caution. A special flushable litter is needed for a week after the cat returns from quarantine (I don't know why flushable radioactive poop is OK), pregnant women and children should have no contact with the cat for a week or two, and even normal contact should be limited to ten minutes out of each 24 hour period.
Bo sleeps on my pillow every night; I don't know if I could handle the quarantine or the ignoring him after he returned home. But that would completely cure his hyperthyroidism, and since he's only 14 it could even be less expensive in the long run, figuring he will live until age 20 or beyond. (I hope!)
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks