Forgive me for this apparently dumb question, but I have to ask people I love and trust. It's okay if you chuckle at this question but you know me - I gotta ask. My best friend is about to start her first of 6 cycles of chemo Carbo/Taxol treatments on Monday 4/9. She has an adorable calico cat, she adores. She lives in a small apartment and usually before diagnosis cleans out the cat box, litter,etc. every 3 days. I have been doing it for her for a month now since she is unable to bend/lift anything up due to that extensive abdominal vertical incision from the surgery, not wanting sticthes to open. Once she starts chemo is it harmful to her immune system to " clean out the cat litter, and change all of litter, in the cat box"? I can hardly do it myself because obviously one must breathe while changing it from soiled to clean for the little one. Any replies would be greatly appreciated.
Love to each of you!
Linda xo
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I have two cats and was advised by my vet not to do the litter trays myself because of the bacteria being a risk to my weakened immune system. My cats are 'outdoor' cats anyway, so it hasn't been a big problem.
If you can put up with helping her for a while longer, then I recommend that you do. Breathing through the mouth helps... If not, buy your friend some 'one use' disposable gloves that she must wear when disposing of the litter, and remind her to wash her hands really well afterwards. I'd also wipe any surfaces I'd touched with the gloves (door handles, rubbish bin etc).
Cats are great company, but they can be a health hazard for us! Mine are totally worth it though...
This is exactly the type of problem I come up against being an animal person. I didn’t let on during treatment that I was caring for horse and cat!!
I think they do advise against cleaning out the cat box on chemo but I would suggest that you just need to be clever about it. Using a liner and rubber gloves you can upend the entire contents into a plastic bag without touching it or breathing in dust. So your friend may just need to opt for a different technique...yes she will waste more litter but it will be worth it.
Chemo requires sensible precautions but life goes on...xx
Hi Lyndy, Yep, I do use a liner each time with disposable gloves. I love her cat but hate cleaning the litter box. A true test of love I will do it for as long as I need too.
Get a good mask. I mean a GOOD mask. Not those things they give out at the hospital. There are masks on the market the are professional and keep out even minute specks of contaminants.
Ron, I went to the site, thank you again. It looks like what I need exactly. Not sure which one to choose - but who would I call to see the prices and purchase one?
I use the simple disposable masks to clean out my chickens and disposable gloves. I am a bit slower about it than I would have been previously in the hope I create less airborne debris.
This is a very smart question. I remember when I was pregnant, that doctor said no cat or kitty litter handling. There is an amoeba cats carry that can infect humans. Your buddies immune system is about to take a punch. I would ask her doctor about the cat situation before her chemo. Inquire about rubber gloves and face masks being used while changing the litter box. Best wishes on chemo day! Cook up some chicken soup! 💖Margaret
Thank you Iris. That's exactly what I thought. I had to ask, no one on her medical team even asked if she had pets,etc. That's what I'm here for to ask questions on her behalf. Be well!
You are a good friend, Linda! No-one medical ever mentioned it to me either, but our veterinarian is excellent, and my cat was very sick at the same time as I was being diagnosed, so he not only patched my little fur ball up and didn't charge us, he also gave me a lecture on minimising risks with cat bacteria.
Yoshbosh, your cat was coming out in sympathy with you - being sick when you were diagnosed! A strange thing happened to my cat - when I lost my hair, she licked all the hair off her tummy - both of us are growing back now! 😂
My best friend lives alone too. I camp out there most of the time even overnight to help since her abd surgery. She loves her cat so much. It is hard for me to clean the cat box but I am terrified of letting her do it. Thanks for writing. Sorry I am too tired to write more.
She is lucky to have such a good friend. I was fortunate that my mum looked after me after surgery and would come and clean for me. However she is now getting older and needs a bit of looking after herself.
I decided to rehome my cats and dog last year just before I started a clinical trial. It was sad but the best decision for me.
I know how difficult and painful in itself to rehome your beloved pets. I myself am 72, and feeling the aches, and pains of housekeeping for the cat, the cat box, feeding especially bending up and down since I have scoliosis in my spine. I am determined to be there for my friend. I am her family and vice versa. Thank you for sharing. I wish you only the best in this life!!
Hi Linda, my hubby did help with our cat boxes (3 cats) but I did do it myself through chemo if he was away, but always wore surgical grade rubber gloves and a face mask! Best wishes to your friend and to you for being there for her. xx
I asked my oncologist this question as I have 2 cats and 2 litter trays. He advised me to steer clear of changing cat litter during chemo. I had to change it once and used heavy duty rubber gloves and a mask and washed hands thoroughly afterwards.
Hi ShazD. I completely understand and totally agree with your wise words and those of your Onc. I will do what I can to ask her to stay away from cleaning it. She is alone and I go there during the week and take care of it myself but then also need to drive back to my house as it needs attention as well. What a tough road - it appears that "so called friends" are scarce when the rubber hits the road. I will be there for her. My mother raised me right and I know that with God one is a majority. Plus my best friend is the kindest, most gentle person I've every been blessed to have as my best pal for 34 yrs. I am so grateful for her in my life.
I can only agree with what the other ladies have put on here. Wear gloves, use a litter tray liner with some clumping cat litter and Wear a mask if you can. I picked up my dog's poo in poo bags with a vinyl glove while I was having chemo and used hand sanitizer afterwards. I cuddled my cats and dog throughout and sadly had to have one of my cats put to sleep because he had cancer just after I finished my chemo. The emotional benefits of pets outweigh the risks in my opinion as long as you take a little more care with hygiene. You are a lovely friend and are doing an amazing job.
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If not, buy your friend some 'one use' disposable gloves that she must wear when disposing of the litter, and remind her to wash her hands really well afterwards. I'd also wipe any surfaces I'd touched with the gloves (door handles, rubbish bin etc). 
I will do it for as long as I need too.
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