POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: lusopt on January 22, 2009, 12:54:59 pm
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I live alone, and i was thinking in getting a cat before i new the bombastic news that im POZ. My doctor said cats is something that i should avoid, but i know there are HIV people living with them with no problems at all.
What should i do? Is there anyone with cats at home?
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I live alone, and i was thinking in getting a cat before i new the bombastic news that im POZ. My doctor said cats is something that i should avoid, but i know there are HIV people living with them with no problems at all.
What should i do? Is there anyone with cats at home?
My Partner and I Bob, have 2 male neutered adult cats, I've had them since 2002, when they were kittens just 6 weeks old both live indoors with me, and never go outside, I get the shots & City lic. every yr. they are micro-chipped and registered to me, my ID Doctor tell me, that it's ok, if they have all their shots, and they aren't outdoor cats, I hope that answers your questions about HIV & cats as pets ;D
Below are our 2 boys the 1st one JAZZ he's 6 yrs. the 2nd one MAXX he's 7 yrs. old
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There are LOTS of people here who have pets....we call them "companion animals". My partner and I have a cat named Buster.
The thing with cats is keeping them indoors. Do not get a cat that was raised outdoors and wants to go out all the time. A house cat is just fine, however.
IF cats go outdoors, they MIGHT pick up viruses, ETC. The one you make vague reference to is: Toxoplasmosis, I think. The cats pick this up by going outdoors...ITS IN THE DIRT so they are exposed that way. There is even a highly contagious ( only among cats) feline FIV.
Our cat visits the vet for regular vaccinations and check ups. And stays indoors.
Its mostly common sense.
Keep the litter box clean and you have a happy cat and A SAFE LIVING SPACE.
Cats love affection and if you get one that is smart they can be taught tricks and do things on command. One of ours ( who passed away a few years ago) used to "roll over" on command, it was sooooo cute. She got a treat afterwards of course.
See also:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+1359&aid=770
EDITED FOR CLARITY
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Don't worry about the cats. They will do more good than harm. My ID doctor would flip out if I went in for a examination and asked her if I should get rid of my cat.
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I've had my cat a lot longer than I've had my HIV, and I'm not giving him up. He's always been an outdoor cat and it's too late to change that. Maybe not smart on my part, but that's life.
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hehehe niceeeeeeeeeee
Its decided, im going to have a cat.
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hehehe niceeeeeeeeeee
Its decided, im going to have a cat.
It helps if you have a proper bedroom door that can shut - I know I do. If you don't, you might have to spray the bed with "keep off" spray for the first few months and it smells chemical-ish
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It helps if you have a proper bedroom door that can shut - I know I do. If you don't, you might have to spray the bed with "keep off" spray for the first few months and it smells chemical-ish
We have to shut our bedroom door at night when we are ready to go to sleep, if we don't they fight and play and give us holly hell all night long, they sleep almost all day, and they are up all night long.........
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Hi lusopt
You do know of course that the rules of the forum are if anyone gets a new pets that a photo of the new pet must be share with the other members..do not let us down.. ;D
Enjoy your cat when you get him/her, animals are good for the soul, and I should know I have 33 of them..but no cats, my dogs said NO.
Hugs
Jan :-*
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We've got four cats (five until this past Sept) that go inside and outside. We've not had any health problems with them, and my ID Dr. isn't concerned about it, either. The nice thing about ours is that we have a pet door, which means no litter box. My understanding is that the majority of Toxoplasmosis in humans is from handling litter boxes (and cat feces). We never handle either of these. I'd say go for a cat if you're ready for a pet, but realize that cats need attention, food (obviously), trips to the vet ($), etc. A lot of people seem to think it's OK to get a pet on a whim and then only later realize they're not up to dealing with it (I'm not saying you'd do this, though).
David
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My understanding is that the majority of Toxoplasmosis in humans is from handling litter boxes (and cat feces).
David
Hi David
I think you are right in part but I think this would only happen in a person who has a severly damaged immune system, Toxo doesn't seem to cause any problems in someone who has a good immune system...just saying.. :-*
Hugs
Jan :-*
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As far as I know there's only a danger of CNS toxoplasmosis when your cd4 count is <200, and yes you can get it from the cat's fecal material. Considering you have a cd4 count, lusopt, of 650 I find it odd that your doctor was so alarmist. Perhaps you should ask him to clarify why he said what he said.
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I live alone, and i was thinking in getting a cat before i new the bombastic news that im POZ. My doctor said cats is something that i should avoid, but i know there are HIV people living with them with no problems at all.
What should i do? Is there anyone with cats at home?
I have 2 cats. I got them in 2001 when they were kittens, long before I had HIV. Fortunately they are indoor, so I am not likely to pick up anything from them, nor is my bf.
Still, I tested positive for the toxoplasmosis antibody, along with the CMV antibody, and a whole bunch of other shit I didn't know existed at the time of my HIV diagnosis. So I try to be careful. I use disposable gloves and a face mask when changing the litter boxes.
If you raise your cats indoor you should be fine.
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I've had two indoor cats over the 22 years I've been positive.
No problems.
I'd be lost without Buddy.
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Awe - Come on guys! You're making me miss my Agatha. :'(
I would dearly love another cat, and I may get one one day. But not right now.
I just got a new leather sofa.
HUGS,
Mark
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i used to worry about toxo a long time ago when I was diagnosed and had a cat; but I only had about 7 tcells back then. ::) Now I'm up to 250 tcells and lived with that cat for 19 yrs before she passed away.
Though I wasn't looking to complicate my life after the events of last year (losing my partner, house, car, etc; but not the doggies!), things have gotten better, and life goes on. I've got a repeat housemate now (he used to room with me back when I got these doggies 10 yrs ago) and two days ago he brought Corissa to our house. She's the tiniest little gray ball of fur. She's bonding well, and seems almost as eager to meet the dogs (cocker spaniels), as they are to meet her - at least that's the way I judge all the sniffing, wiggling butts, and touching paws through the gap under the door.
I'd take a pet any day of the week, no matter what disease I could catch. I freely admit that I only survived the 90s because I felt responsible for the care of the 7 dogs my partner left with me when he passed away. Struggling to recover from PCP, somedays it was all I could do to get up and put food in their bowls and water in the dishes; but it gave me the chance to feed myself too. The dogs and the one cat always gave as much love as I could handle and they make me laugh at least once a day.
This newest furry roommate is already giving us a ton more that just one laugh a day. Since laughter is the best medicine, I'm doing really good right now. :D ;D
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Enjoy your cat when you get him/her, animals are good for the soul, and I should know I have 33 of them..but no cats, my dogs said NO.
You should have a talk with those dogs. I got my cat when my dog adopted him as a stray. I had no choice after seeing them snuggled together in the back yard on a winter evening.
I hope Lusopt and anyone else considering a cat (or dog) visit the local shelter first. Somewhere tonight there's a cat in a cage, dreaming of a home with an easy chair to nap on, and a window sill to sit on, and a magic dinner bowl that's refilled daily, and purring while sitting on a warm lap having his head rubbed.
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Hi David
I think you are right in part but I think this would only happen in a person who has a severly damaged immune system, Toxo doesn't seem to cause any problems in someone who has a good immune system...just saying.. :-*
Hugs
Jan :-*
Exactly. I guess I was thinking that even if one was at risk, it's generally from the litter box. I don't think I could handle litter boxes from several cats... high T-cell count or not!
I hope Lusopt and anyone else considering a cat (or dog) visit the local shelter first. Somewhere tonight there's a cat in a cage, dreaming of a home with an easy chair to nap on, and a window sill to sit on, and a magic dinner bowl that's refilled daily, and purring while sitting on a warm lap having his head rubbed.
I'd also suggest this. The last three cats that we actively adopted were all from the shelter.
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Like everyone else said, just wear gloves when dealing with their waste. If you get scratched, wash it really good!
I have 9 cats and 6 dogs! NO that is not a typo. Years ago, we didn't have the money to fix them all and they started breeding like crazy. The one's we have left are all fixed (except the 3 male dogs). Only one cat gets to come inside every now and then. We live on over 20 acres, so they all have plenty of room. You should see the front yard in the summer time. Little bits of critters laying around they chose not to eat, LOL. I love these animals and they are all very smart. The 9 cat's we have now are the ones that know how to survive the dangers of living in the woods. I hope to see pictures
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I got my cat from a shelter three years ago, and I also suggest doing this. There's one fee to pay, and the cat has all his/her shots, is fixed, and mine was also microchipped.
I wouldn't trade my kitty for the world. She's a real joy.
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My cat rules the roost around here. She's three and a half now, and has never been outdoors (other than crated, en route to the vet). Back when I had very low t-cells, and virtually no immune system, there was no way I could have a cat. I had a dog then......
My cat is totally oblivious to the fact that I'm the long term survivor here. She is in control, I am here only to serve her needs, and love on her when SHE feels like it, not when I call her. She's a finicky eater, spoiled to expensive "organic" cat treats and Iams Naturals food.....
Oh and she loves to be vacuumed.
Enjoy your cat!
hugs, Alan
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My cat rules the roost around here. She's three and a half now, and has never been outdoors (other than crated, en route to the vet). Back when I had very low t-cells, and virtually no immune system, there was no way I could have a cat. I had a dog then......
My cat is totally oblivious to the fact that I'm the long term survivor here. She is in control, I am here only to serve her needs, and love on her when SHE feels like it, not when I call her. She's a finicky eater, spoiled to expensive "organic" cat treats and Iams Naturals food.....
Oh and she loves to be vacuumed.
Enjoy your cat!
hugs, Alan
LOL.........you got that right, we live with cats, they don't live for us, we live for them, they are smart, clever, and, know how to get what they want, when they want it ;D but, cats have found out that we like them, so, they use that the best way they know how........
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It's common sense, I guess, but I wash my hands after petting my cat, and if I think I have any type of cold I make sure to wash my hands before petting her too. Be careful around the cat in general if you have a cold, they seem susceptible to those and respiratory infections. I have a Russian Blue, they are great.
Gary
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Quote David NC " My understanding is that the majority of Toxoplasmosis in humans is from handling litter boxes (and cat feces). "
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This is true but from what I read, anyway, its only true IF there is toxoplasmosis in the feces. If there is no toxoplasmosis in the cat then there wont be any in the feces. This is why the suggestion is to keep your cat indoors. If your cat goes outside and is exposed to toxo somehow, then I guess cleaning the litter box is an issue, but if your cat is an adult that is a "house cat", it appears that there is no risk at all. Now scratches are something else. I always wash with alcohol when scratched. Sometimes I am remiss in keeping Buster's nails clipped and he doesnt mean to but scratches whoever picks him up.
Buster is the best cat in the whole world and provides both me and Kurt with lots of love.
Hope I am correct. :)
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Quote David NC " My understanding is that the majority of Toxoplasmosis in humans is from handling litter boxes (and cat feces). "
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This is true but from what I read, anyway, its only true IF there is toxoplasmosis in the feces. If there is no toxoplasmosis in the cat then there wont be any in the feces. This is why the suggestion is to keep your cat indoors. If your cat goes outside and is exposed to toxo somehow, then I guess cleaning the litter box is an issue, but if your cat is an adult that is a "house cat", it appears that there is no risk at all. Now scratches are something else. I always wash with alcohol when scratched. Sometimes I am remiss in keeping Buster's nails clipped and he doesnt mean to but scratches whoever picks him up.
Buster is the best cat in the whole world and provides both me and Kurt with lots of love.
Hope I am correct. :)
Both Bob & I have our cats De-clawed (front only) and we trim the back claws down, they can get very sharp and scratch us, they are really funny (like monkeys) they jump & fly all over the house,love to hide in our closets , like boxes to play in, make love to our shoes & underwear, and play-fight with each other, then, they eat and sleep most of the day..and in the eve they're back at it all over again...cats make great pets, and are very affectionate (unlike most people) you can learn a great deal about love from a cat, they are great teachers for us all.......
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Just wear one of those cheap painter's masks when changing the litter so you don't inhale silica/quartz, etc. and put on some cheap plastic gloves if you have any open cuts.
I think I'm the only poz guy I know that doesn't have a cat and no one seems any the worse for their loving creatures except for the occassional claw marks they show me.
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2 cats, 1 dog here. As my first doc told me, don't roll around in the litter box and you'll probably be okay.
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My cat is an indoor cat and I never wear gloves nor a mask when dealing with her litter. Of course, my immune system is strong right now.
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This is true but from what I read, anyway, its only true IF there is toxoplasmosis in the feces. If there is no toxoplasmosis in the cat then there wont be any in the feces. This is why the suggestion is to keep your cat indoors. If your cat goes outside and is exposed to toxo somehow, then I guess cleaning the litter box is an issue, but if your cat is an adult that is a "house cat", it appears that there is no risk at all.
I was just gonna say this but bear60 beat me to it. I've had my cat Abby for 11 years now. She was a stray that I took in when she was about a year old. After that she became and remains an indoor cat and after 11 years I still remain Toxo-free. I do not wear a mask while cleaning the litter box but I do use latex gloves and wash my hands well afterwards.
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My reason for suggesting the painter's mask when changing litter has nothing to do with toxoplasmosis but with the fine particles of the cat litter itself. My great uncle died of what was referred to as Baker's Lung from years of inhaling flour while working in a bakery. I've lost far more people to lung cancer in my life than to AIDS.
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I have had at least one cat since 1991 and never had a problem even when I've had a very low t-cell count. I've always had indoor cats and just made sure to wash my hands really well after cleaning the litter box. My partner and I now have two and I couldn't imagine life without my kids. :)
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My cat is an outdoor cat and has always been for the past 10 years. She likes it indoors when she's cold or if it's raining. I am cautious of her health and yearly shots. I never liked litter boxes inside the house and really don't know where she poops anyways! I know it's not in my patio. ;D
I'm very picky when she kills rats because they are real germ infected animals. When she does this I don't let her get on the sofa or chairs. The bed is a no-no always because I'm aware her paws have touched the dirt she covers her crap with and are her hunting tools which she does by instinct but never eats what she kills unless it's a small bird. She usually then vomits it by eating grass. She knows her stomach doesn't tolerate "live" food! I would never get ride of her no matter what anybody says because she is part of me, and I have never "caught" something by having her.
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Quote David NC " My understanding is that the majority of Toxoplasmosis in humans is from handling litter boxes (and cat feces). "
...............................................
This is true but from what I read, anyway, its only true IF there is toxoplasmosis in the feces. If there is no toxoplasmosis in the cat then there wont be any in the feces. This is why the suggestion is to keep your cat indoors. If your cat goes outside and is exposed to toxo somehow, then I guess cleaning the litter box is an issue, but if your cat is an adult that is a "house cat", it appears that there is no risk at all. Now scratches are something else. I always wash with alcohol when scratched. Sometimes I am remiss in keeping Buster's nails clipped and he doesnt mean to but scratches whoever picks him up.
Buster is the best cat in the whole world and provides both me and Kurt with lots of love.
Hope I am correct. :)
This is true. Before I adopted my kitty (2 mos. after dx) I went to my ID nurse, explained my concerns about toxoplasmosis, he leaned over and said, " Get the cat." Got the cat. Love the cat. Learned much from the cat. Cat is always indoors. Made it a habit to always wash my paws after cleaning the litterbox. Two years ago because of some issues cat was suffering, his blood was tested for many things including toxo...and he doesn't have it. So, I include this because if one is hyper-concerned, the cat's blood can be tested (super-expensive if that's your sole reason for testing). My cat was from a feral gang so the possibility always existed, but it didn't stop me from bringing him home.
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It's good to see so many cat people on here...I can't offer any better advice than what was already given. I have had my demon kitty Lucifer since he was a kitten. He's not really an outdoor cat, I took him in the backyard last summer on a leash. That was a sight indeed. And in the winter I leave my front door open while I shovel, he never goes off the front porch. So, I would say he is definitely a 6 toed indoor cat. He's been fixed and had all his shots. I won't declaw him, I just think that is cruel but I do trim his claws myself. Right now the problem I am dealing with is random biting attacks. It's getting tired and he has an appointment with the vet to see what the problem is.
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It's good to see so many cat people on here...I can't offer any better advice than what was already given. I have had my demon kitty Lucifer since he was a kitten. He's not really an outdoor cat, I took him in the backyard last summer on a leash. That was a sight indeed. And in the winter I leave my front door open while I shovel, he never goes off the front porch. So, I would say he is definitely a 6 toed indoor cat. He's been fixed and had all his shots. I won't declaw him, I just think that is cruel but I do trim his claws myself. Right now the problem I am dealing with is random biting attacks. It's getting tired and he has an appointment with the vet to see what the problem is.
Queen.....those are just love-bites, my guys hide behind corners and do the ambush-attack on my feet and legs, but, they never brake the skin tho, it's just the wat they like to hunt and attack, the best way to stop this is buy some chew-toys, and get a big feather-on-a-string, that they can play with, and chase all over the house ;D
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Love my cats -- they are major CD4 cell boosters, as far as I'm concerned.
Take your bows, Maggie and Molly...
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keep the pet photos coming, they're fantastic :-D
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The pic is of my baby girl and myself....Wouldn't even consider letting her go. She's a real companion to me. She knows when i'm not feeling on track, and is always there for me.
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keep the pet photos coming, they're fantastic :-D
Ok, here's some more of our guys 1st up MAXX,( he's mine) 2nd JAZZ ( he's my partner Bob's)
enjoy ;D I'll try and take more , if they let me ::)
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The pic is of my baby girl and myself....Wouldn't even consider letting her go. She's a real companion to me. She knows when i'm not feeling on track, and is always there for me.
that's her name? cute. she looks like the "family cat" we had back in the mid 1980s "ashley" :D
Ok, here's some more of our guys 1st up MAXX,( he's mine) 2nd JAZZ ( he's my partner Bob's)
enjoy ;D I'll try and take more , if they let me ::)
SO adorable!!
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here's my "Wild Thang".......
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my cats would kill me if I tried to get rid of them.
they bring far more joy and positive than any possible concern over toxo - if you clean the litter every day toxo should never be an issue as it takes a couple of days for the toxo spores to 'ripen' in faeces.
Cats can also pick it up by eating infected mice, so having a house cat in no sure fire way to avoid it. Most warm blooded animals can carry it, and you can get it from undercooked meat.
That being said, the only person I've ever known to catch it was a HIV -ve work colleague.
You just need to follow mum's advice - wash your hands regularly, and clean that damn litter tray every day.
Pic of Venus and Serena attached.
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I came across this thread and even though it's old I just want to add: please try to adopt your kitten or cat or puppy or dog from your local animal shelter or rescue group, there are so many great animals that need forever homes. Literally thousands get put down weekly in most city shelters.
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I just had my cat of 19 years put down. She was 95% deaf and had a bit of arthritis in her back end. She also went totally blind last thanksgiving. I was only slightly worried about catching something from her litter box. The only place for it was at the bottom of my bed.
I was more worried that if I got sick (CD4 count 21) that there would be no one to look after her. I don't know anyone well enough in my apartment building to ask to look after her. With her being blind it wouldn't be easy to move her to a family members house. I do miss her lots.
Hopefully in a few years if my health stays good and my CD4's raise I will get a dog. In the mean time I'm considering fish.
Any animal with fur is a great companion. They also have amazing healing qualities and are really good for peoples mental health.
Dale