My husband is going to have a nuclear stress test next week. He is to avoid coming within 3.048 m of small children and pregnant women for 24–48 hours post-test. I am concerned about our cat, as I’m assuming if a young child can potentially be affected, a small animal could as well.
The cat is not a concern. The recommendation for your husband to avoid coming within 3.048 m of small children and pregnant women for 24–48 hours after the test is a very conservative precaution. The precaution is not based on size. It is based on the fact that developing cells present in children and fetuses are more sensitive to radiation than fully developed cells.
Victoria (Vicki) Morris, MS, CHP
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