Cats and Biologicals?

[anti_venum]

I have a bit of a cat problem that is out of my hands currently. Multiple cats that have never been vaccinated, have never even seen a vet. I have been told that my Crohn's is severe, despite only having inflammation and none of the more scary and horrible aspects of it.

My question is this, how safe would it be for me to go on any biological when taking care of cats that haven't seen a vet and one or two sneezes a lot?

I know some things can go from cats to humans, but how high of a risk is that really? I will say I tend to get sinus infections or minor infections with my teeth pretty easily, and once every two years or so I inevitably come down with strep throat.

I have had a bunch of blood drawn and stool samples taken to check for things, and they all came back negative. These cats have been here for years upon years, so how much of a risk is it if I went on a biological with these cats still around?

I have been using Prednisone off and on since I was diagnosed, longest being three months though normally it is barely a week of use every few months. My insurance is set so that I must would go on Himura and fail that before I could be offered any of the other biologicals.

My GI doctor is also very against any steroid use. I honestly doubt he will do a refill if there is another flare up. In his own words "If it was me I would use a biological before even using a steroid for a single day. Nearly anything is better than using them." My options as such are now becoming limited.

 

[ronroush7]

I think your immune system will be lowered while on a biologic.

 

[my little penguin]

Cat scratch disease can happen
But biologics make you more likely to get opportunistic infections (such as pneumonia with the flu )
An infectious disease doc would be the best to ask
Your GI may know as well
Ds has been on biologics for over 6 years without any extra issues

But GI and infectious disease would be a wonderful resource

 

[Bufford]

Chances are your body has built up its defenses after being around the cats for so many years. I would advise you to mention this to your doctor before starting any treatments to be safe.

 

[Jelly loves Peanut butter]

About 80% of all cats have a bacteria in their mouth/saliva called pastuerella, which can be transmitted to humans from a lick to an open cut or a bite. Cat feces can transmit toxoplasmosis to humans only if their feces is infected. Also infected fleas can pass disease to cats and humans as well. With that, a healthy person's risk is low but being on any meds that would suppress immune system would increase the risk. I would check with your gi regarding risk to you.

 

[anti_venum]

Thank you all for the replies, and while I doubt you can get a resistance to everything that can be passed on from a cat, more so when you are on a biological, I didn't even think of that.

I wear gloves when cleaning up after them, I rarely pet them as they aren't truly mine to begin with and I absolutely don't let them any where near my face.

I have been scratched before by them though, mostly when I am eating a piece of turkey or chicken and on decides to make a gamble for it. Nothing bad but a scratch is still a scratch. It has happened only twice in years so not a common occurrence at all.

I have a appointment with my gastroenterologist within the next few days so I'll follow up by also asking him in person.

Jelly loves Peanut butter, do you happen to know if the feces can be transmitter via the air once cleaning litters? That is my main concern at this time and if a over the counter cheap mask could do the trick with getting around that.

 

[anti_venum]

Update from the doctor, he thinks it should be fine and then said I should talk to my regular doctor instead of him as he doesn't deal with infections or the like. -_- He went on but it pretty much amounted to this.

"We identify the problem and get you on medicine (Biological as they push that real hard, maybe kickbacks not sure) and once you are on the medicine any problems you have will be treated by your regular doctor while we just make sure you are monitored."

He also admitted to knowing near nothing about rashes or skin fungus but then says what he sees it should be fine. He also says the cat problem should be fine to get on with Humira as long as I wish my hands a lot and use hand sanitize.

Thing is I have had multiple doctors say he is real good at his job and can be trusted. That he knows what he is doing.

I'll be pushing back the biological use for a bit longer while trying to fix the cat problem. Maybe something new will come up or I can get a second opinion on that from a different gastroenterologist.

 

[Jelly loves Peanut butter]

Toxoplasmosis is not so much an airborne disease but can be inhaled from the dusty cat litter (that's if the cat is infected). Gloves and a mask would be good protection but if there is someone else that can do the litter box cleaning, that would be even better.