I am on MTX (have been since March) and may go on biologics in time. My husband has been more aware recently about immunosuppressant issues with MTX because of son's vaccines and stronger possibility of biologics.
So now he is convinced i shouldn't change the litter box! What do you guys think? He had been doing it but not as often as I'd like (he stays at home, I work) so I was going to start to make that my job and was going to try to do it every day (we have 4 indoor cats, so we need it!) So I don't know how valid his fears are.
He did change it all through both of my pregnancies. I had outdoor cats growing up, and I volunteered at some of the dirtiest animal shelters, cleaning cages. But when then OB tested me for toxiplasmosis exposure, I was negative! Go figure...I think he read about histo and that sounds like tox. and it got him thinking...
I wouldn't like this only because he doesnt change them often enough so I will have to nag instead of being able to do it myself (not that I am great about it either!)
[QUOTE=KatieG]
Katie, I don't change the kitty litter, my husband does. We decided that since I was on Humira, MXT meds it would be onc less thing that we have to worry about. Maybe my chance of exposure or catching a disease is small but why take the risk? You'll find some way to convince him to do it more often. LindyI agree, I would thank him for being so thoughtful and let him know that it is not only important to have someone else dealing with changing the littler box but that it should be done often.
Sounds like a good guy, I'm sure he'll agree I have been changing the litter boxes for my 2 cats since before I had RA. I do use the plastic liners and just pick the plastic up and throw then away. Put in a new liner, fill it with clean kitty litter. Not a problem. that's sweet of him.
I have four indoor cats too.. and I change the litters. I wear rubber gloves... use the kitty liners and my youngest helps carry the trash out, because that stuff gets heavy!! and my grip is weak and gets painful.
IDK if there is any problemw /doing this or not?
Babs, I just did a goog search on this and the only thing that jumps out is if you're pregnant or immune suppressed. Since most of us are immune suppressed, why do it if you don't have to? If I had to I'd wear rubber gloves like you do. Lindy We have a Litter maid that scoops it automatically 10 min after each use. I saw that they are down to now. Once the container is full, son snaps on the lid and throws it away and puts a new one in - for 1 cat, it takes about 2 wks to fill...How about washing your hands afterward?
My goodness, one has to still live there life--be careful but don't fear everything.
I guess that's what I was trying to figure out....how much of a concern is this, really. Not that I'm thrilled to clean the litterbox. But I guess I have gone 30 years without getting toxiplasmosis, soooo.....but, if he will do it for me...
I don't fear much of anything, but cat poop is just that - cat poop. There are just some common sense things that go along with being immune suppressed and not exposing myself to the bacteria, worms, etc. that's in litter makes sense to me. If someone else doesn't want you handling it because of health issues why arm wrestle with him about who's going to empty the kitty litter? Lindy
Most inside cats have been worrmed--if not--should be--so that should not be an issue. If you use the liners--you are not touching a thing. Wash hands afterward. If there is someone else in the house to do it, fine--that is nice.
I fear being in an elevator or close space with humans who have who knows what and are breathing, sneezing and coughing on me much more than my cats in a controlled environment. I don't think you need to fear the cat box--just clean your hands afterward before touching your face, etc.
I should probably fear my husband who has just cleaned the litterbox, rarely washes his hands and is always rubbing his nose and eyes! I know, I know I am being way to harsh with him, he is a great hubby! It's just hard when it hasn't been cleaned for 5 days and he will get all defensive when I ask him to (instead of doing it myself). I will say that if I go on Enbrel or something I am going to whip my family into shape about hand washing. My 4 year old is probably better than all of us (actually I use purell constantly and wash hands a lot more now that I'm on mtx). After using the restroom, of course, but I often forget to do so before eating)
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com