Hi

I have a wonderful cat called KIPPER

He is a ginger and white tabby and is great therapy! He has a cat loo rather than an open tray and I have a house spray for fleas/ bugs etc as well as his spot on and regular jabs.

A kitten will nip and play but not CHUNK BITES and will love you and purr and play.

I have been on biologics and steroids and all sorts and never had a problem.

He is a dear friend!

Jenni xx

PS I bought him from the farm shop

Hi Rebecca,

That's a fantastic idea to give a home to a rescue cat. I have been on steroids for years for RA and kidney disease and was about to start anti-TNFs later this month, not starting now as I'm pregnant!

We have 5 rescue cats and I haven't had any cat-related problems health-wise. The cats have been a wonderful comfort, especially last year when my RA was really bad and I spent most days flaked out on the sofa, often with 2-3 cats trying to sit on my lap and legs! They were all very concerned, bless them.

A new cat will take time to adjust but with a bit of patience and some nice treats to help them settle in you'll soon have a loyal, loving companion to keep you company and warm

We have 2 litter trays in the house and if I've had to empty them I wear gloves and then wash the gloves and then my hands after, although I'm off litter duty for a while now.

Good luck with finding a beautiful cat (or two?! )

Vicky xx

Thank you to you all for your wonderful replies.

I love the sound of Kipper,Jenni, glad he brings you so much love with everything you have to go through.

I actually find stroking a cat so soothing for my painful deformed hands, it's evident from your replies that the love from your cats actually helps your R.A.

Thank you all for your advice. I am looking forward to choosing a nice gentle moggy.

Love
Rebecca

Hi Rebecca

I have two cats, Tilly and Ted, who I have had for 14 months. I was on Enbrel until quite recently and also on methotrexate and prednisolone and am about to have a second infusion of Rituximab. I have not experienced any problems with infection from the cats or from cleaning the cat loo. They were only 8 weeks old when we got them and I did receive my fair share of nips and scratches, to be expected really as they were very playful! It didn't seem to make any difference healthwise. An older cat will be less likely to scratch ... mine seem to have grown out of it now!

I can't say I've ever heard of the risk of serious infection because you're on Enbrel! Most health problems carried by cats don't cross species anyway so wouldn't affect you. You're probably more at risk of infection from family and friends

Do let us know how you go on and do think about getting two, they will be good company for one another

Lyn x

Hi Rebecca

I'm on Humira and had a cat up until recently and can only echo the comments above. They are great company and very rewarding. I miss mine loads. Please consider a rescue cat as there are lots needing homes and they make fabulous pets.

Sarah

Hi Rebecca, just caught this thread. thats lovely news that you have Freddy. they really can be such a comfort. I have Bruce who is 7 and is such a character, we all wouldnt be without him. Cats are very intuitive and some seem to know just when you need a cuddle.

Regards the risk of infection, I just had my DAS assessment last Friday and the nurse asked me loads and loads of questions but the question of having animals etc didnt come up. I must admit Its something I didnt think of, perhaps because Bruce does his business in the neighbours gardens and is constantly washing himself, it never occured to me.

Really hope Freddy settles in soon!

love Heather xxxx

Hi Rebecca

Hope Freddy is settling in well, we have three cats, Sam who is 7 and is a tabby, Rusty who is 2 and is a ginger tabby and Toby who is 9 months and is tabby with white bits and gingers bits! They are a great comfort, especially when you are feeling down and unwell. They have become my baby subsitutes as unfortunately due to other complications its very unlikely i will be a mummy now, so my cats do get a big fuss made of them as they are my babies Didn't plan to have 3, but they are just sooooo cute!!

When we got Rusty he stayed under the kitchen table for a few days he was so nervous but they soon settle in.

Thought Id share this little rhyme thats on a magnet I have, says it all i think

My Cat is an Angel
from Heaven above
with sandpaper kisses
and a heart full of love

Sorry as you can see I'm abit cat obsessed!

But it has never been mentioned to me about pets and the risk of infection, but i do have my anti tnf assessment this afternoon so i will let you know if it is mentioned.

Take care
Lou xx

Thank you for all the lovely words for Freddy. Last night I managed to bribe him out from under the settee with some free range cooked chicken, it was like a password, he absolutely loved it and spent the rest of the night curled up on my lap. We have only had him 24hrs and I absolutely adore him. He is very nervous of the tiniest of noises though, and quickly runs into hiding.

Bruce sounds lovely Heather, you are right they are so intuitive, I think Freddy knows I am in alot of pain, he is so gentle. Sue that made me laugh about Fluffy, don't think my husband would stand out in the garden calling Fluffy.

I loved your wonderful rhyme Lou, so glad you get so much from your lovely 3 cats.Like you I haven't been able to have children because of this rotten R.A destroying all my insides. Freddy is a furry blessing. It would be helpful to hear what is said at your anti-tnf assessment.

Oh Sheila it is so sad to hear about your loving Boris, you must miss him so much, he must have left a huge gap in your life. Sending you special Freddy love x

Love
Cat Mad Rebecca

Hi Rebecca

Really glad to hear you took the plunge and have a happy cat with a new home. Just remembered that I did mention that I had a cat to the RA nurse when she went through the risks on Humira and she just said to ensure she (my cat, not the nurse ) wasn't near me when I was doing the injection. And the CD you get with your Humira 'welcome pack' has an interview with a lady on Humira and one of the shots is of her playing with her dog in the garden.....

Sarah

Hi Rebecca

Excellent news about Freddy. He sounds adorable and will, I am sure, be a real comfort to you when times are hard. My two were about 5 months old last Christmas and not content with knocking the baubles off the tree would take to sitting in it! Consequently it never was decorated and the cry 'timber' went out on several occasions! They are now a lot heavier (especially Ted who is a glutton) and I fear for the safety of the tree this year

Rebecca and Lou

My RA started with my first pregnancy and I was seriously ill at the outset; didn't respond well to early treatment and suffered extensive joint damage. However, I was determined that RA was not going to take away my chance of completing my family (it had already taken my career) and I persevered. I wrote to many fertility specialists for advice and was, after a couple of years, put on Clomid for 6 months (to shut me up and prove a point, I think!). On the last cycle I conceived and went on to have twins. 16 months later, with no 'help' I became pregnant again! So from years of having no children, and the prospect of remaining that way, I now have four! So please ladies don't give up, remain positive and be prepared to put up a fight. Yes, RA can cause fertility issues but there are sometimes ways round it.

Lyn x