Is cat lymphoma chemo safe for babies or breastfeeding mothers?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 8 years and 7 months old | 13.5 lbs
My cat has recently been diagnosed with lymphoma. Our vet said it would be better to not do chemo because we have a newborn baby in the house and also I am breastfeeding. She said even the amount of chemo in the keys saliva that may get on the fur and shed around the house could be harmful to the baby or me. Is this true? And what would the danger to me or the baby be?
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 21st, 2017
Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm so sorry to hear about Luigi! Your vet is correct in saying that chemo is probably not safe to be around for you and your baby. Most chemo is excreted in the urine, which is problematic as Luigi likely uses a litter box. Most chemo agents can be toxic to the bone marrow, which is responsible for making all of the blood cells. This is concerning because white blood cells, which are responsible for preventing infections, are often killed. This can be dangerous to a baby, as their immune systems are not fully developed. You can go to a veterinary oncologist, who specializes in cancers, for a second opinion. They can present different treatment options, including less toxic options such as steroids. Good luck and I'm sorry about Luigi!
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