To not clean up after our sick cat?

[gonewiththepotter]

Our 1.5 year old cat has got sickness and dhiarrea. Vomiting all over the house this afternoon and several nasty episodes the other way.

DH is dealing with it atm but has to go to work shortly (gonna nip kitty to the vets before he does)!

I adore our cat, he’s my baby but I’m 4/5 weeks pregnant (struggling with symptoms so signed off work) and received a STERN warning from vets not to touch anything that comes out of him (specifically cat feces which can be REALLY dangerous for baby).

I’m now panicking about being left with kitty all night and short of locking him in the kitchen extension (which will distress him greatly) not sure what to do. I’m hoping the vets keep him in at this rate but he HATES the vets so I feel awful!

DH is doing everything ...literally following cat around with detol and a scrubbing brush (we have wood floors so it’s not too bad) whilst I sit here on the sofa feeling useless!

Just double check but I’ve got a feeling dettol might be toxic to cats

We don’t have rubber gloves ... I’ve asked DH to get some but he’s also got to go get my sickness meds from the chemist and go to the vet so he doesn’t think he’ll have time to also go to the shops at this rate.

I can’t really do anything or go anywhere - horrible stabby cervical pains and carrying a bucket around 🤢

Also chances are with a cat you’ve contracted a previous toxoplasmosis which means you’re likely immune to any further infections. This happened to me having contracted it some point prior to pregnancy

do you have anyone who could take over cleaning up after kitty ?

@Thingathong

I mentioned we were using detol to clean floor when I rang the vets and they didn’t say anything. It’s that or bleach I’m afraid as he’s vomiting EVERYWHERE

does the chemist sell any type of gloves latex etc ?

I’ve checked and it’s poisonous to cats so this is going to make his sickness worse . Can’t you use another type of cleaning product?

@Thingathong...probably but it’s my first pregnancy ... would you take the risk?

@littlepaddypaws 😭 I’m gonna call my mum! I’m 26 and feel ridiculous but I’ve also been waking up sick frequently in the middle of the night and with cramps so actually don’t want to be left on my own...even without the cat being unwell!

Also get GP to run a toxoplasmosis test for you

@Thingathong...probably but it’s my first pregnancy ... would you take the risk? I totally understand I was panicking with my first too - that’s why GP ran the test for me.

Just get some rubber gloves for the future. I continued doing the cat litter all through pregnancy. I just made sure I practised good hand hygiene and wore gloves. Can someone else come help or bring you some gloves? I don't think I'd like to leave rancid cat poo overnight in this heat. Tbh I'd probably just cover my hands with wipes or whatever and deal with it rather than leave it but I accept I was on the lower end of pregnancy anxiety!

Go and buy some rubber gloves and stop being such a ninny, as long as you take precautions and wash your hands you won’t catch anything from your poor moggy.
Maybe try and confine the cat to the bathroom with its litter tray. Less mess for you to clear up.
Use hot soapy water to clean up, not bleach, Dettol or Zoflora.
Hope your cat is better soon.

Ask your dh to get some disposable gloves from the chemist?

@Thingathong

DH is washing it well with hot water after using detol so don’t think there’s lots hanging around. Plus it’s the spare room/ front living room and hallways he’s puked in so far...where he spends the least amount of time licking floor boards 😂 thank you for pointing this out though. DH has just trotted off with another bucket of hot water to wash as much of the detol off as possible!

We shall not buy it in future- I had no idea and I’m usually good with stuff like that. Won’t have any Lily’s in floral displays as know they’re poisonous

Can't you contain the cat to one room?

I know it’s a marmite product on MN but zoflora claims to be cat safe.

www.zoflora.co.uk/pet-hub/pet-safety-faqs

Just seen you have pregnancy related sickness too. Get gloves, antibacterial wipes, a peg for your nose and clean up the best you can.
Speaking from experience here when 9 weeks pregnant with DS, very large puppy had explosive diarrhoea, it was like clearing up cow pats. If you can’t smell it you will be fine.

MN always told me Zoflora was toxic to cats!!!

I’m not leaving the house right now.
A) because I have stabby cervix pains
B) because I don’t want to vomit in public!

I can’t believe I didn’t think about the chemist having gloves though!!! God I’m a right idiot ofc they will!!! I shall ask DH to get some there.

😭 thanks guys - sorry I was panicking and already feel SOOO dreadful it’s the last thing I needed to deal with!

And yes keep the cat in one room while DH is away. He won’t like it but its pretty important you don’t come into contact with his poo.

MN always told me Zoflora was toxic to cats!!!

I’ve always been told the same but the website says it’s safe.

Why not explain the situation to the vet and ask for your cat to kept in overnight? Ora is usually very happy to accommodate. In this heat I'd want a cat who was being very ill to be kept in and have his fluid intake monitored carefully anyway.

Get dh to get some Vicks too for up your nose to combat the smell when you clear up.

Dettol is toxic to cats if ingested - usually by them walking in it and then licking their paws. You can buy lots of very effective pet-safe cleaning products which are designed to deal with vomit, poo etc.

I would also recommend you don't come into contact with his faeces. Your vet may well keep him in - if he's been vomiting and having severe diarrhoea for an extended period he may be dehydrated and need fluid therapy - but if not do you have a small, easily cleaned room you could close him in with a litter tray, bed, lots of fresh water and some newspaper or puppy pads on the floor? A spare bathroom/en suite or utility room maybe? Put the bed and water bowls up off the floor if possible so if he is soiling on the floor they should stay clean. You can check on him whilst your DH is out but won't have to touch anything.

gonewiththepotter Fri 26-Jul-19 16:19:13
We don’t have rubber gloves ... I’ve asked DH to get some but he’s also got to go get my sickness meds from the chemist and go to the vet so he doesn’t think he’ll have time to also go to the shops at this rate.

Sickness meds?

is that wise?