Smouldering Myeloma and Pet

[fenr65]

3 Years ago I was diagnosed with smouldering Myeloma. I was put on watch and wait every 3 months. Has anyone else done a stupid thing like getting a kitten and then realising it is the most dangerous thing they’ve ever done? I got scratched and now I’m panicking.
Because I’ve had cats all my life, dealt with scratches, puncture wounds, severe bites at times for myself and children, never had any infection or illness from that I didn’t even think about any possible danger.

My GP was very understanding, prescribed a course of preventative antibiotics but the side effects have made me so weak I’ve had to stop taking them. I tried to re-contact my G.P. for advice but they said I need an appointment which they don’t have. I’ve tried contacting my Heamo team but they are unavailable.
Is anyone else with this condition risking danger every day? How do you do it? I’m really terrified now but the kitten has boosted my mental health which was in a severe state of decline. That’s going to return if I have to have the kitten re-homed.
The advice on line is devastating. Seems I’m doomed to suffer a severe reaction to the scratch even though the scratches are healing.
I’m feeling pretty stupid at the moment but also upset and very frightened.

• This topic was modified 6 days, 16 hours ago by fenr65.
• This topic was modified 6 days, 16 hours ago by fenr65.

[rabbit]

Hi fenr65 and welcome to the forum.

First things first: as your myeloma is smouldering, it could be worse. How are your bloods (neutrophils seem to be the most relevant here)?

Getting antibiotics was the right thing to do.

Advice from AI:
Recommended Precautions & Action Plan
​
If someone with SMM is scratched or bitten by a cat:

​Immediate Wound Care:

​Immediately wash the area with soap and warm running water for at least 5 minutes.

​Apply an antiseptic (e.g., povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine) and cover with a clean bandage.

​Low Threshold for Medical Evaluation:

​Contact a primary care physician or hematologist promptly. Due to the reduced immune clearance, doctors often have a lower threshold for prescribing prophylactic antibiotics (such as amoxicillin-clavulanate or doxycycline) for scratches or punctures from animals.

​Monitor for Warning Signs:

​Watch closely for redness expanding beyond the wound, severe pain, swelling within 2 to 24 hours, pus, unexplained fever, chills, or enlarged lymph nodes (under the armpits, neck, or groin).

​Preventative Steps with Household Cats:

​Keep domestic cats indoors to reduce their exposure to fleas (B. henselae vector).
​Use regular flea prevention treatments on pets.
​Avoid rough play that leads to scratches or bites, and do not allow cats to lick open skin wounds.”

[fenr65]

Wow thank you so much for that informative post! Helped a lot. Well I was scratched last Sunday 1st November and the scratches are healing fine. No redness, swelling, they’re dry not wet so I’m hoping it’s ok.
My kitten is flea free now, the house has been treated professionally for fleas and he will be regularly treated every month, also kept strictly indoors.
Kitten is very gentle – he never draws his claws even when playing just gentle pats. I hope it continues that way but as he grows older I’ll have to be very careful I now know.
My bloods have been steady for three years except over the last 9 months light chains have been gradually increasing but Heamo team don’t seem concerned about that. I have an appointment with the team on 26th November so can discuss this with them then.
I just hope they don’t tell me to have kitten re-homed as that would break my heart and severely damage my mental health right now.
Your advice has been very reassuring – thank you so much for replying.
Because I am so well at the moment I tend to forget I have this condition at times – I’m going to have to keep that uppermost in my mind in future.

[Author]

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