cat question

christineforbus

I have a question to ask.

Does anybody know if it is dangerous to own a cat when you have breast cancer? My mother has breast cancer, and feels that our cat is making her sick. I've heard of possible dangers in owning an outdoor cat or dog, but ours is an indoor cat. My stepfather has mentioned getting rid of it, but it's like part of the family. Not to say that I'd choose the cat over my mother. I just want to know if it really is the cat. I've never heard of anything like it. If anybody knows anything please let me know! THANKS!

suzie14

Many of us on the boards have found our cats (and all pets in general) to be very comforting, attentive and therapeutic onour BC trek.
What was your Mom's attitude towards your cat before she was told she has BC? If she didn'tmind the cat perhaps her treatments are 'making her sick' and she needs an outlet to express herself.

What symptoms is she experiencing?

If cat is strictly an inside cat

suzie14

sorry..I cut myself off.

If your cat is strictly an inside cat there should not be a problem. I would suggest that you tend to the cat box for her if that has been her responsiility in the past. Or if she does clean the cat box she should wear gloves, a mask possibly, and wash her hands well afterwards.

Is there a way the cat could be separated from your mom?

I hope you all come to a compromise on this issue without causing hurt feelings.

Give my best to your Mom, she must be having a rough go of it. Also, hugs to you, your Mom and your Dad.

suzie

jackie11

I have never heard of this either. There are plenty of people on these boards who have pets, myself included. I own a dog. He is a love and the best therapy for this horrible journey.

I was told when I was going through chemo by my oncologist that dogs have less germs than babies! I had a case of low blood counts and spent 4 days in the hospital. I asked my doctor if my dog should go stay at my parents house for a while. She said absolutely not!

I have heard that when you go through chemo to be very careful emptying the litter box for cats. Wear gloves while cleaning it or even better, have someone else do it.

Don't give up your pet. I think most of us here will agree that our pets have gotten us through our treatment. I wouldn't give up my dog for anything.

Calico

The only thing I got sick of during chemo with my cat was the smell of the cat box.

I always had a cat in my life, the current one for 16 years now. He is an outside/inside guy and I love him to pieces.
He knows something was up and snuggled like never before.
He's such a babe....

I don't think you can get anything bad (not like toxoplasmosis during pregnancy and even that is rare)....

God Bless

csp

The only thing Mom needs to be careful about is cleaning the litter box maybe if she is doing chemo her sense of smell is in overdrive so more frequent litter changes might be in order.
Also I hate to say this as I am a cat and Dog owner/lover
Chemo can cause allergic reactions to things you weren't allergic to before.
Maybe with permission from her Onc sinus meds might help?

Good Luck ~
Carrie

Milica

The only danger a cat or dog or bird, etc presents is if your mother had her axillary lymphs removed. Any scratch could cause an infection in that arm. Cuts from a knife or other sharp object present the same danger. Clipping cuticles with cuticle clipper could cause same danger.

An outdoor cat might bring in alergy agents from outside, but other then that -- cats are just fine to have around.

ladydi

My onc just warned me to stay away from the litter box while on chemo as well...Too many germs there...Other than that...The cat should be fine. You may want to get the cat in for a checkup with the vet if she is due and update the shots...

PookieBear

I have an indoor only cat and every morning he lays on my pillow and puts his head on mine. Sometimes I get a paw or tail in my eye. There is nothing inherent to having a cat that would make her sick or sicker than she was. Maybe she just doesn't want the cat anymore. Pets (if you love animals) can be such a wonderful comfort through all this mess in our lives. If she gives up the cat, please make sure a good home is found for it.

jamie34

I received so much unconditional love and comfort from my 3 kitties during treatment. I don't know what I would have done with out them! I hugged & kissed them and they all slept with me and my dh even when my blood counts were low.

Also, Pet germs and human germs are different. We don't usually get sick from out pets(except allergies) & they don't catch what we have.

SEI

I have six indoor cats. While going through chemo and radiation my husband cleaned the litter boxes. We did have to change to an unscented litter during chemo because I couldn't stand the perfumey smell. I would be upstairs and could tell when one of the cats had been in the litterbox in the basement. I didn't smell what they did, just smelled the scent of the litter. Could also smell it on the cats.

nowheregirl

I have two indoor only cats and live alone with them. Had no one to be able to clean their litter boxes so I had to do that and got no problems while on chemo. But while I do feel exactly the same as everyone here, I think it's more about how your mother feels about the cat. Your mother feels that the cat is making her sick, right? If there's anyone who doesn't feel safe around the cat or wants to get rid of it, I don't think it's really good to have it. Personally I would never ever feel that way even if it really was my cats that brought me this disease. They are my love and life. Not to say your mother doesn't love the cat, but if it's hard to let her believe that the cat isn't making her sick, then I'd say find someone being able to adopt it because it doesn't sound good for both her and the cat.