T-foetus and Ronidazole - Risks to People

kalivio

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Hi all,

I am looking for advice on how to handle my current situation. My question is this... we are preparing to give our cat Ronidazole and I am worried about how to quarantine her and if it's even a good idea to keep her here while she is treated. I have lupus and I am currently taking a low dose of chemotherapy and a low dose of steriods - so I am immunocompromised. I've read that I should not have her in the house while she is taking this drug.

Here's our story: We adopted Little Beep from our local rescue group. She was living with over 100 cats in a hoarding situation since birth. The conditions were horrible and they had no vet care. Our cat is estimated to be about 2-3 years old and looks like she's 6 months because of malnutrition. She had her left eye removed when she was first rescued due to infection that had destroyed her eye. (see pic in my album).

She came to us with diarrhea and I assumed it was from stress. It didn't clear up, so we took her to the vet. They did a stool slide and thought she had giardia. We treated her with metro for 7 days but saw NO improvement while she took that. Last Wednesday, we switched her to a prescription diet since she is losing weight. (She only weighs 6 lbs, so she doesn't have much to lose!!!). She loves this new food and begs to be fed constantly. I'm feeding her morning and night with a little bit in the afternoon to tide her over. No people food, no dog food.

Now she's incontinent and her stools smell even worse than before. While switching her to the diet food, I did some research and found out that the animal shelter had her for 9 months before she finally got adopted out to a family. This family returned her within 7 days due to diarrhea. she then got adopted out again and the second home had her for a couple of weeks before returning her because of diarrhea.

The rescue group had several cats who had come up positive with parasites, and some of them had T-foetus. They had tried metro and it did not work with any of them. The vet they work with finally put them on Ronidazole and all but a few cleared right up and have had no problems since then. The cats who were adopted out (like mine) are all still having trouble and our local vets and humane society are all communicating with each other on how to get them well. Sounds like most are planning to use the Ronidazole.

I need her to get well. I love this cat and I do not want to give her up. At the same time, my health is my first concern and I have had 2 years of horrible problems that have taken me away from my family. I can't risk my health.

I need help and I need it fast. Should I just quarantine her and be very careful with gloves, washing, etc.? (No - my husband won't do it, and even if he would, he won't do it right...). Or should I figure out a way for her to be cared for somewhere else? The rescue group might be willing to take her back and treat her, but I am not sure. And would they do it right? I am scared she won't get well with other cats around.

I'm so upset by this whole thing. I hate that she is going through this.

thanks,

Jess
 

orientalslave

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You have already been exposed to her bug...  To me, I'd suggest being ultra-careful and using disposable gloves, and giving her the medication.  A friend's cat had the same bug, and it cleared up nicely.  Also I can't (easily) find references to it infecting humans, though you do need to be careful with the drug that treats it.
 
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kalivio

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Thanks. It's great to hear that your friend's cat recovered well. I am off to get all the cleaning and protection supplies tonight. I'm also going to have my two teenage sons help out. 

Today I found FIVE diarrhea accidents on the floor in the room with her cat box and I am so anxious for her to get well. 
 

orientalslave

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Don't think you need special cleaning supplies - a dilute solution of biological washing powder or liquid in warm water, microfibre clothes and maybe kitchen roll to dry it should work.  And if you have a reduced immune system you should always wear gloves to deal with the litter tray.
 
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