Precautions Against Exposure to Chemotherapy Administered to Your Pet

It is always a sad feeling when your pet is treated with chemotherapy. However, despite the feeling of empathy and sadness you should also be aware that it can even have an impact on you. Once chemotherapy has been completed, your pet continues to have the drug in their system for approximately 48-72 hours.

During this time frame it is advisable to follow certain precautions that will assist you and your family from being exposed to the drug. Note that the drug gets excreted from the pet’s body through urine or feces. Even if your pet vomits, the drug is still there in it. 

Let us look at some of the precautions:

• Always wear disposable gloves if you are cleaning urine, feces, vomit or cleaning up the litter box. After using it dispose of the gloves in the trash by covering it with a plastic bag. Always do a double packing to ensure that someone else does not get exposed to the drugs contained in the disposed things. Always wash your hands after confiscating and disposing of the gloves.
• Pets that have undergone the chemotherapy treatment should be kept away from other pets and children. This is due to the fact that the feces of the pet can contain harmful bacteria or pet parasites that can infect a child.
• Discourage the pet from excreting in the same space where other pets excrete
• After 48-72 hours of chemotherapy treatment if your pet has excreted pick up their feces from the outdoors as soon as possible and dispose it in a trash bin by double bagging it. Always clean the litter box of the pet and double bag it when disposing it. After 72 hours of chemotherapy treatment, change the litter completely and sterilize the litter pan.
• It has been observed that there are certain dogs that eat stool or vomit from other pets. Hence, prevent them from eating the stool or vomit from the pet that has received chemotherapy.
• If your pet who has been treated with chemotherapy pees in the house use paper towels to absorb as much of the fluid as possible. Use double bags to dispose the gloves. It is also recommended to utilize bleach at a dilution of about 1 part bleach to 32 parts water, i.e.; approximately ½ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water to clean the spot. Always use the bleach in a well-ventilated area for your safety. It is also recommended to use eye goggles and rubber gloves while cleaning the fluid.
• Any pet bedding of the pet that has been treated with chemotherapy needs to be done separately from the family
• If you accidently are exposed to the pet’s feces, vomit or urine wash your skin completely. If the skin becomes irritated, consult with your physician.

If you are giving oral chemotherapy to the pet at home then follow these precautions:

• Keep the chemotherapy drugs away from children and pets. Always keep the product in the original container. Do not keep the product in a kitchen or bathroom
• When handling and administering the chemotherapy drug wear gloves and wash your hands after removing and disposing off the gloves
• Never open the tablet or capsule or break the tablet and not even dissolve in water
• While administering the medication do not drink, smoke, or chew gum
• If you still have any doubts, consult your veterinarian.