Liver problem

[cigar1]

My daughter has severe liver problems from alcohol abuse. She wants to know if breathing amonia fumes from the urine of a house cat can cause her problem to increase.  Thank you in advance.

[sfbaygirl]

Thanks! I will try that mineral oil.

[nitramog]

use mineral oil on your cats ears when you clean them, it smothers the ear mites mary.

[Kalio1]

  
Here's an article about it I had in my file from back when I used to make chicken coops so I think it came from a farm magazine, but the info applies to anyone with a compromised immune sysem or even to healthy individuals.

Zoonoses - Animals Can Make You Sick    
  
  
While animals may appear healthy, they may be carrying a disease that can infect you and family members. These diseases can be transmitted through everyday contact with the animal, or through contact with their carcasses or other by-products. A person can also be infected by just entering a contaminated animal housing facility. Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans are referred to as zoonotic diseases or zoonoses.

It is important to know about zoonotic diseases because the symptoms are frequently similar to other types of illnesses. Symptoms of psittacosis (ornithosis) for example, range from a flu-like illness to acute pneumonia. For proper diagnosis and treatment, your healthcare professional must be also aware of any potential sources of the infection. While there are many zoonotic diseases, This is only a partial list of zoonotic diseases.

Some of the more obvious zoonotic diseases can be the result of being scratched or bitten by an animal or from milking. Symptoms of one of the most common zoonotic diseases, Cat-Scratch Fever, can include localized pain, swelling, redness and fever. Another common zoonotic disease is Milkers' Nodules, which frequently results in pustules on the hands and fingers after being infected. Ringworm is a common zoonotic disease that causes pustular nodules with hair loss in exposed areas of the body head or arms.

Zoonotic diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, chlamydia, fungi and parasites. Animal sources for zoonosis include cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, chickens, turkeys, dogs, cats, rodents and some wild animals. Depending on the disease, all of these animals can be a source of infection (See Table 1).

Steps to minimize the risk of contacting a zoonotic disease include wearing gloves for certain activities, a well-managed vaccination program, and good sanitation and personal hygiene.

Table 1. Animal Diseases that can infect humans
Disease Common Source Clinical Effects Mode of Acquisition Prevention
Bacterial Diseases  
Campylobacter Cattle, Sheep Pigs, Dogs Rodents Poultry Acute gastroenteritis nausea headache, diarrhea Direct contact food contaminated with animal feces Avoid contact with infected animals and feces contaminated food
Cat-scratch diseases Cats, Dogs Fomites Fever, primary skin papule, regional lymphadenopathy Direct contact with infected animals Avoidance of animal scratches and puncture wounds
Salmoneliosis Cattle, Cats Dogs, Horses Poultry, Turtles Chills, fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting Direct contact with animal or its feces, food contamination from infected animals Improved food processing and preparation
Viral Diseases  
Encephalitis Horses Rodents Lethargy, fever headache, disorientation Mosquito or tick bite Protective clothing, insect repellents
Rabies Cats, Dogs Raccoons Skunks, Bats Foxes Fever, headache, agitation, confusion, seizures, excessive salivation, death Animal bite, contact with infected tissue, body fluids or feces Avoid contact with suspected animals, local wound care, pre- and post- exposure immunization/ vaccination
Chlamydial Diseases  
Psittacosis (Ornithosis)  Pigeons Turkeys Parakeets Parrots Fever, headache, pneumonia Inhaled from infected birds, carcasses, secretions and contaminated facilities Avoid contact with infected birds, control of disease with antibiotics
Fungal Diseases  
Ringworm Cats, Cattle Skin lesions Direct contact Avoid close contact with infected animals, Children and individuals with immune suppressed system are more susceptible
Parasitic Diseases  
Tosocariasis (Visceral larval migrans) Dogs Raccoons Cats Eye disease, brain disease Ingestion and contact with infected ovum of parasites Treat pets, avoid fecal contaminated soil and sandboxes
Toxoplasmosis Cats, Sheep Undercooked meat Fever, lymph- adenopathy, abortion, still- birth, mental retardation Ingestion of infected meats, oocysts in fecal contaminated soil Proper disposal of cat feces, cook meat well, avoid contaminated soil (especially preg- nant women and immune compromised individuals)
Scabies Dogs Raccoons Itching skin Lesions Direct contact with infected animals Treat pets, avoid contact with infected animals

[Kalio1]

Seriously, cats can be dangerous to us with compromised immune systems. I didn't know this either until I got this horrific infection and the doctor said "do you have a cat?" finally we figured out it was due to the neighbor's cat coming in my yard.
I was suprised too.

Since you are on tx the problem shouldn't be as bad, your getting some protection from the IFN plus healing your immune system. I'd just wear gloves when dealing with the box and if you get scratched, watch it closely.

[sfbaygirl]

Besides the fleas and mosquitos not liking my poisoned blood, I can now have the excuse to let someone else clean the cat boxes. Sounds like a plan to me!

With my WBC so low you would think I would be more prone to infections. What type do cats carry that humans can get? My cats all hang out with me when I don't feel well. When I do they follow me around. Of course there is no way I would give them up, but I will keep an eye out for problems. One of my cats has ear mites. I got some medicine for him.

[sfbaygirl]

Wow, am I in trouble! I have 6 cats and two kittens I am giving away. They have ticks especially when it rains that I have to pull off, but I have never had any infections. Knock on wood! Fleas and mosquitos don't seem to like me on tx, one plus for tx!

I do clean the cat boxes, I quess I should be more careful! They should not smell if you clean them enough!!

[sfbaygirl]

Thanks for the list! Now I have ALL the symptoms of everything! LOL No, not really but I have already informed the household that no more cleaning cat boxes for me.

You were right about not getting to joyful about feeling so well the past several days. This is the day before my shot and I am down for the count for the first time from the last shot. Fever, tired, sleepy, yucky....glad I had a few good days though. It was really nice. Saturday I thought I was not even on tx. I never even felt like laying or sitting down. B/c of my back, I have problems standing or sitting too long. I truly enjoyed the grandkids and we had lots of fun. Sunday was the same. Went to a Ellen Tausher event and then carved pumpkins with the family. It was a really nice weekend and lovely weather too.

We are on the other side of the tx hill now. I don't even want to add up when my tx ends...I'm afraid I'll jinx it.

[Kalio1]

Nick has gotten so if I say "wow, I feel good" he says " don't jinx it!" LOL

It seems the minute we settle in to enjoy feeling good, tx bites us again. Oh well, at least you had a good weekend.

I notice that I get a sort of "jones" the day before my shots now and feel yucky, maybe that is happening to you.

Have you still been able to avoid the shot? How did your numbers look? I hope they are staying in an acceptable range and keeping you from those painful shots.

hang in there kiddo, we will make it through.

Happy Halloween by the way!

BOO!
This year I don't need a costume, I already look like a gremlin.

[sfbaygirl]

I felt so lousy today I didn't make it to the lab. Tomorrow I will check it out before my shot. The Hemo must have overlooked my test, as I haven't heard a thing. I haven't checked my voice mail for a few days tho LOL. Thurs. I will be out of town so I don't know how he's going to get me to come in. He can't cut me off tx, since I have enough meds for a month. I do want to know if it is too low and will check tomorrow. Roll down my mountain and the lab in right there.

Yep, I think I jinxed it.... but lately I have felt yucky the day before the shot.

I have my halloween costume too. My hair is now officially coming out and whats left sticks straight up. With my white pale face and burning eyes, I will most likely scare off any trick or treaters. We don't get any kids up here anyway. For several years I bought candy to pass out, no one came. John said today that if some kid did walk the mile up the hill he deserves more than candy! LOL

[Kalio1]

People who have compromised immune systems need to be extremely careful living around cats. Cats can be dangerous to her health.
As far as the smells go, people with liver issues have an increased sensitivity to fumes.
She should not even clean the litter box, if she does she needs to wear gloves and be very careful. I was told to stay away from cats altogether. I dont have one but my neighbor does and I got a cat related infection from someone else's cat believe it or not.
Sounds like she needs to clean up after the cat more often or give it away. There shouldn't be ANY smells eminating from the box if it is cleaned daily.

[mycoldfeet]

sounds nasty, clean the litter box now and then, I have liver problems and have a cat, and I don't have a problem with her. Never heard of ammonia causing irritation of the liver but it would nauseate me.