Cat Safety

Amatullah, I think your cat is safe.  It is probably like you hugging another person when you are sweaty - you are not giving any of the chemo to that person.  I think they would have probably advised that you be careful what you touch since your immune system is lowered.  For example, I was told not to do any work in the garden or flower beds when I was on chemo.  I would think handling cat litter or dog feces would be the same.  Maybe my doctor's office was been abundantly cautious as I have never heard anyone else here be told about working in the yard like this.  I think it is why I was probably told mushrooms were off the list of items to eat during chemo and any fruit or veggie that had an edible skin - green peppers were out, etc...you just can't get them clean and expose yourself to something from the earth being left on them.  I know I had neighbors who rudely used my flower beds as their dogs potty.

I am sure one of the other ladies will be along soon.

I have 2 cats and 2 dogs- they are all fine at almost a year.  I didn't handle their litter and I was super cautious about them scratching or licking me.

I'm sorry you are feeling bad- glad you were ready for it.  I hope they can make you comfortable.  (((HUGS)))

My husband just recently finsihed chemo.  They told him not to let our dogs drink out of the toilet.  Even if it was flushed.   I know some cats my also try to drink out of the "bowl".   Also, as Soup and others have said, stay away from salad bars and don't do the litter box.

I have two cats and have been through chemo twice.  One cat is now 20, the other is 9, and both have been through chemo with me twice without any apparent ill effects. The oldest regularly pokes and prods at me at bedtime, but he never punctures the skin.  He is experiencing kidney failure and an abnormal heart rhythm, but those are to be expected at his age, I would think.  My vet says she has never treated a cat older than 21.  I was told to flush the toilet twice while I'm on chemo so that if the cats drink out of the bowl, they won't be affected.  The old one used to do that regularly, but doesn't do it any more since the vet advised me to put water bowls out in various places around the house so that he can drink more often because he will be putting out more urine with his kidney failure.  I haven't been flushing twice because he no longer drinks out of the john, and I'm not sure if he could even stand up on it any more if he wanted to do that (he has arthritis).  If he gets any table scraps, he is to have only chicken and turkey, and nothing with spices like garlic or onion.  I don't think you need to worry about the chemo affecting your cat.  One thing I hadn't thought about was the radiation from my PET scans.  I was told to avoid small children and babies for several hours after my scans, but I wasn't told to avoid my pets.  However, I usually go to bed fairly late, and they mostly hang out in other rooms when I'm up, so they probably didn't get much radiation until I was past the dangerous stage for them. 

one that touched my own personal life. When I learned that I had been diagnosed with UPSC stage 3a almost 4 years ago, all that I could think about was who would care for my partner of 28 years at that time and my 3 kitties when I died?  Since my cats were more dependent on my care, I felt particularly worried about their welfare. Who would love and care for them in the way that I did? My oldest kitty, Mew Mews, who adores me would be most vulnerable. I told myself that I MUST live; nothing less was exceptable.  I think if you have reasons to live perhaps that makes a difference- or maybe not. I don't know. But I am still here alive and NED and working in Florida. I don't post much anymore but think about all of you and pray for your good health.

Warm and Loving Wishes, My Friends,

Cathy

to say that I am still here and well. I am very grateful as I know, as you do, too, that there are no guarantees that the cancer won't return. I have at this point put my cancer diagnosis on the back burner, only thinking about it occasionally or when I see yet another cancer related tv commercial. I do frequently, however, think about my fellow sisters on this Board with warm regard and with hope for a brighter tomorrow. 

Cathy