Safe to have kittens?

[Splashes]

We are contemplating enriching our lives with two yellow kittens. I have high-risk cll, successfully treated with daily ibrutrinib and an ivig every 4 weeks. Covid destroyed 40% of my lungs in 2020. I am 73. On paper my health sounds awful, but I exercise daily and eat healthy. Last summer I climbed an Adirondack Mt. Would cats bring in more germs than pleasure? Anyone have physical trouble with cats?

[Panz]

I was told to avoid litter boxes and perhaps it would be wise to not have cats. I am very much like you with a badly compromised immune system and receive IVIG every 4 weeks…it keeps me in a safe place. I too have had Covid but and doing super and am on Calquence. They said a dog would be better but no bird. Hard choice for some people….good luck!

Panz 💕🙂☘️🙏

[Splashes in reply to Panz]

Thanks for your wisdom.

[Alex830]

We have two cats. I am on treatment. My CLL acts like multiple myeloma which means I also have kidney failure. All my immunoglobulins are low. My cats have not caused any issues for me. As long you are not allergic to cats, I would say go for it. Animals are great stress relievers. If I need to clean the litter box I just use gloves and wash my hands after. Picture of one my fluffs keeping me company in bed.

Black cat

[nvrbeold62 in reply to Alex830]

I’ve got two cats and I am the one that changes the litter box each day. Part of a long running deal I made with my wife - long story! I’m currently on treatment with Acalabrutinib and my lymphocyte counts are nearing normal after reaching close to 200 a short few months ago. My IGG is down close to 400. I wash my hands right after scooping the boxes and I’ve had no problems. I wear no gloves. I get occasional scratches and tooth pokes but just wash with soap and water when it happens.

My orange guy is curled up on my lap as I type this and his Calico momma is asleep on a chair next to me. They are my pals. No doc of mine has ever said to rid myself of the cats and I’ve not had any health issues from having them here in my 5 years with CLL.

I say get the cats and use good hygiene when dealing with cat related chores. All good.

[Yuck]

Hi Splashes!Go for it! Get cats! The litter boxes would never be a problem with indoor cats. People don’t understand.

A house is not a home without a cat. For us, it’s 20 plus years with CLL and 20 plus years with cats.

We just got a cat 3 weeks ago (in year 7 with treatment # 2) another senior cat to go with our senior cat and the 2 senior humans!

Preowned cats who are older and need adoption are a good way to go because then you really know what kind of personality the cat has. Is it loving and sweet?

Our cats probably build immunity. Who knows?

Again, the litter boxes are not harmful with indoor cats for pregnant women or people with CLL, etc. Check it out, if in doubt.

Given the never ending pandemic, a home with cats can be a great comfort. They are much easier to care for than dogs. They sleep a lot!

Good luck!

~ Yuck

[Lovely67 in reply to Yuck]

Hi Yuck, I wish you at least 20 more heathy years and many more. Did you take medication to control your CLL for 20 years? Are you 13q mutated (IGHV mutated) as that allows normal life after treatment.

[Yuck in reply to Lovely67]

Thanks!Yes, 13q, mutated. In year 7 with Ibrutinib.

First treatment was 2 rounds of FCR,

(not 6, due to very low platelets) in the end of 2010, providing exactly 5 years until the start of the second treatment with Ibrutinib, starting in January 2016.

All going well. Life has been normal, except for Covid!

~ Yuck

[Lovely67 in reply to Yuck]

Enjoy and wish you good health

[Yuck]

Hi Splashes,

I might add that cats can live 20 years. The last 3 we adopted lost their human companions, so we are sticking with older cats — older like us. We actually were screened 3 weeks ago. One of our adult kids had to promise to take the newest cat (about 12 years old) if something were to happen to us.

Also, cats may create some wear and tear on a home and its furnishings, so if you are an extreme perfectionist about everything, maybe think carefully.

Lots to consider.

~ Yuck

[Jm954 Administrator]

Well, I have cats and dogs and would never be without them. I interact with them completely freely and have never been sick with an infection.I know mrsjsmith also has cats and they are a source of companionship and comfort.

I would think about an older cat but with caveat that they don't always have the manners we want and kittens give you the opportunity to train them not to jump up onto surfaces etc.

It's worth spending some time thinking about it.

Jackie

[mrsjsmith]

As Jackie said I have had cats for many years, and usually kittens or fairly young cats. I was diagnosed in 2007 and I wouldn’t be without them as they are such great company especially when I don’t feel so great. I have never had any problems. Like you on Ibrutinib and IVIG.

Colette

[Splashes]

Sounds like you made the right decision.

[Nicebaps]

Go for it. We have two cats and have no problems.

.

[SERVrider]

I was diagnosed with CLL in 2020, having been on weekly subcutaneous immunoglobulin G replacement therapy for a year or so before that. We have had cats for 47 years and our present cat, now 11, has caused me no problems whatever. As I bruise more easily, bits of his rough play can cause bruising and the odd claw scratch does seem to take longer to heal up but it is a small price to pay. "Little Loyalty" is out there as the car comes into the driveway to welcome us home whether we've been out for an hour or a day. Our daughter sometimes brings her cat to stay for a day or two and her cat causes me (nor our cat) any problems at all. While our cat doesn't use a litter tray, we don't let our daughter's cat out so she has a tray (the cat, that is, not my daughter). Again, no problems. I do the usual turd-trawls and then wash my hands, then empty the entire tray on the compost heap when it has passed its best. A cat makes a house a home.

[KMac1969]

Unfortunately, cats were one of the animals I was told to avoid at all cost. Cats are known to carry several “diseases” that can be worrisome if an immunocompromised person gets in to. Ringworm and hookworm/roundworms being primary. The toxoplasmosis is the issue with the litter box. Cat scratch fever is another.

Now, to be fair, my specialist also said to avoid “nipping” puppies, too.

But, cats were/are off limits.

[Alex830 in reply to KMac1969]

We have had cats since I was a child. They never had ringworm nor any other worms. There are great preventative meds available so cats won’t get fleas, ticks etc. which could cause worms. The one time my daughter got ringworm was from digging in the sandbox at preschool when all the kids came down with it.

[KMac1969 in reply to Alex830]

Yes, the sand boxes are a favorite pooping spot for feral cats and other animals.

I will admit, I am not a cat person, so it didn’t bother me much when she said no to cats.

My wife is a teacher and anytime someone gets ringworm, it is from family cats and/or sand boxes. I believe lots of animals can carry them, though.

It spreads like wildfire. That stuff is contagious.

Are there preventative meds for ringworm??

Also, hope you didn’t take what I posted as offensive. Just passing along what my specialist told me.

[Alex830 in reply to KMac1969]

No offense taken. Unfortunately I don’t believe there are preventive meds for ringworm. It is a fungus that is present in all environments. Any pet can get ringworm.

[CLLCalifornia-USA]

I’ve always enjoyed cats and dogs. At one time I had three cats and two dogs. Never any issues other than the enjoyment they brought was good medicine. My cats lived to be 18 and 22. My labs are 12 and 14. I will always have animals in my life. So much enjoyment. Best of luck. Sally

[beanlake14]

I have cats. One is on my lap now. Never an issue. I too was told to avoid liter boxes but never cats!

[HOSS10]

My husband had had stage IV CLL for over 11 years. Our cats have helped he through some of his really bad days. We had one cat that would lay on his lap and put pressure where my husband hurt most, this helped with his pain. The love he receives from out cat is better than any medication.

[Splashes in reply to HOSS10]

Sweet! Praying for your husband.

[ANA4 in reply to HOSS10]

🐈 💙

[JigFettler Volunteer]

Interesting one.

We have an 18yr male cat. A bit of a bruiser, can bite and scratch altho he is old and passive now. A real charactor and is very fond of me. He is an outdoor cat, and definately in the past a hunter.

During FCR (2018) with super low white counts I was quite fearful of him.

Generally cats are by nature very clean animals. I would suggest more so than dogs.

However - a bite or a scratch can be bad news.

patient.info/treatment-medi...

Kittens will be scratch in a playful way. They will bite a bit and nip.

Treat all skin breaches with respect. Clean, disinfect and act if worried about infection.

Over all - cats are great companions. Independant too.

Jig

[larrymarion]

After 17 years with CLL (11q, unmutated, complex karyotype), 12 years of chemo and novel agents, and 40 years with cats, i also vote with the group that advocates going for it with felines.

My hemoc at the time of my chemo (11 cycles of PCR and BR) strongly urged me to stay away from the litter box (others have already described the issue) after my immune system had been destroyed. So I relinquished my role as CDO--chief duty officer. Sorry for the bad pun.

Several years after starting on ibrutinib my IgG, IgA and IgM bounced back a bit and my hemoc (who hated cats), said my slightly improved immune system opened up the possibility for me to return to the litter box. My levels were, and remain, below the bottom of the range considered normal.

So i resumed my CDO role, with all the precautions others have noted. No issues at all for me since then--i returned to the CDO role six years ago.

You may want to check your IgX levels and discuss with your hemoc before you make the decision.

Yet another risk/reward calculation. For me, the risk was extremely low and the reward extremely high.

[cook4650]

I too have CLL, and been on Imbruvica for about 8 years, with occasional monthly infusions in the winter. We have a cat (a "rescue" pet) and have had her for about 4 years. Here's how we handle things, and have had no problem whatsoever. First, #1 is do NOT let your kitty go outdoors. Keeping her strictly as a house cat is that best thing you can do for her and for yourself. If they catch and eat mice or birds, that puts certain bacteria in their gut that isn't good for us. Also, sooner or later she will get hit by a car and you will lose her. #2 goes right along with number 1, and that is to let your husband or housemate take charge of the litter box. If the cat never goes outdoors, those bad bacteria won't be in her feces in the first place. But just to be safe, don't care for the litter box yourself. There have been times when I have had to do it, and so I wear a disposable mask. That will keep most of the dust or small particles of dried feces from being breathed in. You should also use a good brand of litter, and scoop it out every day. Cats don't like having to step around their poop, and if they don't have clean litter they may decide to poop OUTside the box! You don't want that. A periodic total change of the used litter is a good idea as well. #3: Sooner or later your kitty will scratch you or even bite. Wash it thoroughly with good soap, preferably an antibacterial soap. If it bleeds, apply Bacitracin and cover with a bandaid for a day or two. The other thing some folks like us may experience and get freaked out by is that cat scratches ITCH like crazy! No idea why. Surely something in their saliva. Wash it good and you'll be fine. And make sure to keep up with their immunizations. An annual checkup with the vet is good too. I would say, enjoy your kitty!

[Jacksc06]

I have always had cats, Just be aware that any scratches must be treated straight away. I would say get the cats if you want unconditional love and companionship.

[Psalm4610]

Splashes, I asked my vet about having a cat, as we already had owned several over 40 years. Vet didn’t see a problem except for possible scratches and suggested we look for a declawed cat. We found one that needed to be rehomed and she’s been a godsend. I am normally against declawing and realize it’s a hot issue, but this kitty needed a home. And we needed her. She’s 100% indoors so no litter box issues. I don’t know what I’d do without Lily. Her purring is calming and as one reader stated, the pressure feels nice. Lily seems to know when I feel off.

I have high risk CLL, and am on watch & wait but have low IgG so get IVIG monthly. Had kitty most of that time in last 10 years.

I know your decision is not easy but just wanted to present another viewpoint. If it matters, I live in the USA.

We give up a lot having CLL; sometimes we just need work a rounds. I recall when many years ago my daughter became allergic to cats. I didn’t get rid of our beloved pet - just found a liveable alternative solution.

Blessings to you,

Donna in Texas

Color - Siamese cat

[Splashes in reply to Psalm4610]

I love your Lily cat and your story.

[claree_ford]

I am not in your position medically - still on w&w - but for what it’s worth I feel I am at less risk of infection from my cats (cat tray and all) than I am from my husband... that said, if I do get scratched or bitten (we’re talking the cats here), I am very careful with the soap, water and antiseptic cream.

[scarletnoir]

Definitely safe, if you are a cat....

[Splashes in reply to scarletnoir]

You made me laugh. Thanks.

[scarletnoir in reply to Splashes]

Good - I always think laughter is one of the best medicines!😀