I've always wanted to have a cat and now my situation has changed it's become realistic for me. But I'm nervous about being bitten by fleas.
My lymphoedema was triggered 12 years ago by a flea bite when I was on chemo and they do seem to be attracted to me. Due to my immune system being poor at that time it caused cellulitis. (I may have already had lymphoedema but it hadn't been diagnosed). I'm thinking of starting as a foster carer for cats so I probably wouldn't have the cat permanently, but I'm worried about not being able to control the fleas and the effect of bites on lymphoedemous legs. Does anybody who owns a cat or dog have any suggestions - or am I worrying unnecessarily?
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caroline111
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Many of my clients (MLD practitioner before I retired & mild lymphoedema following breast cancer) owned pets of many species but rarely reported problems. If a pet in the home is regular treated for fleas/ticks/worms, then you should not have problems (my own cats are treated with preventative drops). Do you wear compression garments - these might lessen the effects of accidental scratches, but always keep a supply of Tea Tree oil to drop on any bites/scratches - just in case! I’ve always had cats and dogs - they keep me vaguely sane and I could not be without them. I’ve also had cellulitis quite a few times - I know the signs, and keep antibiotics on hand just in case! I hope you enjoy your furry friends when they arrive! My recent additions were meant to be fosters, but now live with me permanently!
I agree with Lynora. I too have a cat and 2 dogs. I have Lymphoedema in both legs. My cat - Bella is 13 and always in need of a cuddle as she has got older. As a precaution, I put a cushion or small, folded blanket on my knees when I sit down as her claws are longer due to her not going out as much. I was concerned about scratches but the pleasure of having Bella (and my dogs) is a great help and comfort to me.
I have 2 wonderful çats, both had fleas once when they first came to me, but not since. One is now 12, the other 11. They very rarely go outside.I have lymphoedema in my lower legs and wear compression socks during the day. I woke yo three weeks ago to find that my ankles were wet. The culprit was lymph fluid leaking from two places in one leg. At one site there appeared to be a scratch which might have been caused by the younger cat walking across my bare legs, if the duvet had slipped off during the night. At the other site the fluid was just coming through my skin.
I changed the sheets and put on Alleyvin super-absorbent dressings, after cleaning the leaking areas. After that I elevated my legs at night, and changed the dressings. After 5 days the leakage stopped. I put a normal dressing on the apparent cut. I've since put another dressing on to help it to heal. I take Warfarin as I also have permanent, though asymptomatic, atrial fibrillation.
As I've said, my cats are wonderful. I don't regularly give them anti-flea medication. They have kept flea free.
Thank you everybody for your replies. I'd forgotten about the fact that my tights which I wear virtually all the time, except at night, will give me a bit of protection from any bites. Thanks also for the advice about what to do if I do get bitten. Hopefully I can keep the cat flea-free.
My neighbours' cat (who I love very much) comes in my house regularly and a few months ago she had an awful flea infestation! I got eaten alive on my ankles and feet for the subsequent few weeks but I was absolutely fine. I think the greater risk can come from scratching at the bites so I was careful to leave them alone as much as possible. No harm done. My neighbours have since moved away and I miss the cat terribly! Don't let the flea worry put you off allowing a cat into your life. They're wonderful creatures, as you know, and chances are you'll have no problems.
Thank you Morgan 0103, I agree it's probably the scratching which does the damage. I had a similar experience with fleas a few years ago which has made me a bit paranoid, I think 😀. Thanks again for your reassurance.
Hello Caroline111, I would do whatever makes you feel happy and take precautions, that way your lovely home is graced by cats in need of care and you get the added benefit of their company. My neighbours cat Marvin, has a habit of dropping in and staying overnight when the weather is wet and the cat has had enough of the noise of kids. So we both benefit, the cat gets to sleep in a quiet household for a few hours and I get the pleasure of this beautiful,exceptionally clean and flea free , graceful ginger cat calling on me. Win win. Not my cat but the neighbour knows her cat is with me and she has kindly left a box of Go- cat with me for when her cat drops in. I had bought Whiskas but she said her cat prefers Go-Cat. It seems cats still find my home an attractive one to drop in. And I must admit I don't mind in the least, as it is a long time since I have had a cat of my own.
So I would if I were you take the chance of offering your care and your home as a temporary possible permanent stop gap for a cat in need.
Thank you, Maureen, for your lovely reply. Yes, it sounds like you're both benefitting from each other's company and that the cat has ensured, as they do, that its demands are being suitably catered for! 😄
I’ve not had cats for years, though when bringing in new ones to your home try to ensure both they n any bedding/blanket that comes with them are flea free if possible or if unsure with bedding, put in sealed plastic container/bag n place in freezer overnight as this usually kills the fleas. While giving the cat a bath with medicated flea shampoo should get rid of any that are on them. That’s not to say that every new cat will need this treatment as if fostering, many will already be checked n treated for fleas, though it’s handy to have a plan just in case.
With younger cats/kittens they may still have a tendency to crawl up your legs (even thick tights won’t prevent scratches from that), if you wear trousers for the first day or so until you are certain they won’t crawl up your legs, then you should be fine.
Though I agree that it’s the scratching of bites that can cause the majority of problems, be mindful that different people react differently to insect bites, eg my sister comes out in big swellings/brusing from midge bites, while I can stand in the middle of a host of them n the worst I have is the itchy sensation when they are walking over me n afterwards not even a red mark. Whereas with fleas I come up with very small itchy raised bites (still not as bad as sister though). How your body responds may be different from everyone else, or not, though if you take precautions suitable for you, I’m sure you’ll be ok.
I have venous insufficiency in both lower legs which does lead to swelling and occasional 'leaks' when the skin gets damaged.
Although I don't own a cat (nor am I owned by a cat!!), my neighbour does have a Siamese which is the most friendly, gentle and lovely animal you could imagine. Despite his gentle nature, he does have the habit of trying to climb up my legs when he wants a cuddle. Those needle-sharp claws can all-too-easily easily puncture the skin, so please do be aware and be careful.
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