Outdoor animals

[Bucky]

Happy Wednesday to you all -

I have two outdoor cats.  Most animals love to rub up against your legs when they see their owners, etc., and you reach down and pet them, and if they could talk you would hear them say, "ahhhhh, keep scratching my head and rubbing my back, that feels sooooo good!". 

Here's my dilemma - yesterday, TJ in his usual fashion, rubs up against my legs when I went out to feed him.  A little bit later I find that I am itching my legs.  I look down and I have red bumps all over the calf of my leg.  Poison Ivy!!  Ugh!  I have gotten poison ivy from the cats before rubbing up against me.

How can you avoid this?   I hate to have to put on a pair of long pants just to feed the cats - but, it looks like I might have to do that.  Last night I slept with knee socks on (with the foot cut off, or I would get too hot) so it wouldn't spread to my other leg.

Now I'm wondering if I shave my legs, will that make the poison ivy spread too?  Thankfully, I have the day off work today, so I don't have to worry about that today, but I will have to figure something out for tomorrow.

Any suggestions on how to keep the animals from sharing poison ivy with their owners?

Bucky

[harrigan]

No advice I'm afraid Bucky, just commiserations (and a sneaky smile at your sexy nightwear!)  Hope TJ is forgiven 

xx Ailsa

[quietdynamics]

    Paw Print Wellies?

[Cassi307]

Be very careful.  Do not have your legs just yet in case there is residual oil from the poison ivy. Clean it  well. Make sure you wash everything that you wore.

My son had poison ivy twice. One of those times he reinfected ( not sure if it's the right word) because he did not wash the shorts he wore and he got it right back. It spreads easily.

Feel better soon. I understand how miserable it can be.

[Bucky]

Thanks for the replies - I'm sure you WERE snickering at my bed time get-up, Ailsa.  Something right off the Victoria Secret runway!!   

Cute boots, Quietdynamics!

Cassi307 - I've lucked out and will have to wear long pants these next few days as our temperatures have nose dived into the 50's & 60's - so, I can get away without shaving my legs.     I've been using calamine lotion on the rash - and, knock-on-wood, it hasn't been itching and I don't think it's spread at all.  Yay!

None of my clothes touched where TJ rubbed up against me on my leg.

Does anyone know how long the poision ivy stays on an animals fur?  TJ obviously wants me to pet him, but I've been avoiding it the last two days.  Poor TJ!!  Plus, his mother, Spooky, has been missing for the last four days.     So unlike her.  She's a good hunter, so I'm not worried about her getting something to eat, but I do wonder where she is and if she's alright.  Spooky will be 8 yrs. old next month.

Bucky

[susanep]

My dogs are with us a lot, but when they go out to do their potty, the first place they run to is the tallest weeds they can find. I always forget about that. Later I wonder why my legs are itching me so badly as my little doggie is laying on my legs. 

susanep

[Bucky]

YAY - I just looked out on the porch, Spooky is back!!  ^.^   

I gave her some food and took my chances and petted her and welcomed her home.  I washed my hands really good - so hopefully, no poison ivy from her.

I asked her where she's been - but, she's not saying anything!!

Bucky

[lighthouse33]

Pets can transfer poison ivy to humans, but you can reduce the risk

annarbor.com/pets/poison-ivy-pets-dogs-cats-garden-cures-treat-remedy-allergic-how-to/

[Suslew]

The two times I've gotten poisen oak on my face it's been from the cat sleeping on my pillow after roaming through poisen oak.  Not good!  I try to keep it off my property by sending my husband to spray each spring and so far so good! 

[MarieB]

So glad Spooky is back!  I worry and worry when I can't find my pets, even the strays if they disappear so I know you were relieved. 

When I was young I got poison ivy often as my family went camping, fishing, girl scout activities etc. quite often.  It would spread and I was miserable until my mom would take me in to get a shot. 

Then I finally figured out if I could just keep the first bumps under control (using calamine and NOT scratching even one time) it would dry up quickly.  Since then it's been only a minor problem.  It's hard not to scratch or rub but the alternative is worse.   

Hope it passes quickly for you.  Sounds like you are taking all the right steps.

Marie