Transplants & Pets

[Nanner60]

Hi, Nanner. I dont want to beat this topic to death, but I'm Gonna you ask some more questions.I take it that Bob is on home hemo?. I am leaning toward pkd when I have to start. I would say if the nurse knows about the dogs then it should'nt be an issue. Is bob on the transplant list?. What kind of enclosure is the dragon in? Our Igauna is in a huge glass enclosure. rarely comes out, and the tank is kept very clean. I would hate to get rid of her too. she is part of the family.I think the problem with igauana's and other exotic animals of that type is mainly due to the possible spread of salnonella. But if the tank is kept clean and the animal checked by a vet often, the chances are minimal. Do the nurses come to the home for inspections?

Bob is on home hemo. We have a nurse inspection coming up very soon, she will come once a year.
The dragon is in a large glass aquarium with a screened lid. Bob really does not come in to contact much since it belongs to our daughther and she does all his care.
Our nurse was most concerned with our rottweiler becomimg aggressive over the blood.
She does not even seem to notice.
I do think that when we were thinking about PD that the animals were more of an issue.
There was a lot of emphasis put on hygiene when we talked about PD.

[sheila ann spafford]

pets

I was told no birds and cats a dogs are ok. and no digging in the dirt after tranplant. while i was on dialysis prets were exceptable.

[missedtheboat]

No digging EVER? I was looking forward to my joint pain easing up after transplant so I can get back down on my knees and dig in my flower beds

[mawf1977]

Just had a transplant and I was told that dogs are okay. We have two. If you have cats, do not handle the litter. It is not recommended to have birds, but if they necessary, there are places you can take them to be tested for a certain virus or bacteria that is dangerous for people with compromised immune systems. Fish are fine.

When I was on PD, my doc and nurse said that my dogs were fine, as long as they weren't in the room while I was hooking up. I kept my dogs out of my bedroom for the period of time I was on PD just to minimize the amount of hair and dander in the room. I didn't have a problem, and those dogs shed a lot.

Hope this helps!

[MissLissa]

Re: Transplants & Pets

I guess it is funny how different transplant centers have different rules! I was transplanted with a cadaver kidney on October 7, 2005 at University of Michigan and I had a big trip planned for November 3 to see my family in Florida. I had dialysis set up and everything (since I obviously wasn't expecting to have a kidney...lol) and I figured the whole trip would be canceled and I'd be out a heap of dough! My surgeons told me on my first follow-up visit that everything was fine but since my incision was not completely healed I had to avoid swimming (lake, pool, and ocean...kind of a bummer) and that was my only restriction! I asked about a mask for the plane and my doctor told me only if i wanted to look like Michael Jackson....I found it kind of strange that I had nearly no restrictions what so ever! I did hear about the birds and cats but they never said to keep my cats out of the house during my recovery, only to not change the litter. It has been 3 years and I change the litter (with gloves and a mask) and I have (knocks on wood) still had no problems. Quite obvious that different centers have different methods to transplantation.

[Rob S]

Re: Transplants & Pets

I had a kidney transplant in Dec 2008, and on the pet issue I was told....No caged birds, Not to ever clean the cat litter without a mask and gloves....and they asked me if I had water turtles in my aquarium...so I guess no water turtles.....I have 1 dog and 2 cats....It really is strange how different transplant centers have different protocols on some issues...


Good Luck to you!

[Rob S]

Re: Transplants & Pets

No digging EVER? I was looking forward to my joint pain easing up after transplant so I can get back down on my knees and dig in my flower beds

I too was told no digging in the dirt...also to be careful around potted plants...and fresh cut flower arrangements....

[angieskidney]

Re: Transplants & Pets

During a discussion of transplants my neph told me that I would'nt be allowed to have pets. First time I heard that one.anyone else hear of that?

I was never told that. I own a cat. The only thing I need to watch for was Cat Scratch Fever due to a lower immune system and that changing a cat litter box I must take huge precautions.

[ronald]

Re: Transplants & Pets

I just had my transplant on april 8,2009. at discharge, I was asked what pets I had.
A cat, and an iguana. the iguana has to go, I was told, but the cat could stay as long as I had no contact with the litter box. Fortunately the iguana is my son's and he just moved into his own apartment so Iggy is moving.

[kdee]

Re: Transplants & Pets

I suppose my transplant team would be horrified! I'm 20 years out from my transplant and have spent the last 11 of those sleeping with a chihuahua and 5 of those years owning a cat who also slept in my bed with me (tricky I know). He was an outdoor cat so no litter box (cat/dog door instead). I've never had any ill affects. I've also owned fish and a fire bellied newt with no problems. No bird of my own but a friend whose house was practically an aviary and NOT very clean and no ill affects. So...while I wouldn't recommend purposely exposing yourself especially in the beginning... I think that some teams error way on the side of caution. As far as digging in the dirt...well, every single time I went with my parents to get wood after my transplant I ended up with pus pockets in the skin on my hands even when I wore gloves. So... I was banned from handling the wood (often covered in dirt) and given other jobs. Also, you can get a parasite from the earth that destroys your vision. So I'd say gardening would be something you'd want to wear a lot of protection for-gloves, mask, wrap around sunglasses, big floppy hat (skin cancer is a real problem for us immuno suppressed folks!!!). But where there is a will...Live your life! You are more than a transplanted kidney and just walking out the door has risk attached to it. Do what you can to reduce known risks but don't let the risk stop you from enjoying what you love! Take some steps to protect yourself where possible and ENJOY your life!

[angieskidney]

Re: Transplants & Pets

As far as digging in the dirt...well, every single time I went with my parents to get wood after my transplant I ended up with pus pockets in the skin on my hands even when I wore gloves. So... I was banned from handling the wood (often covered in dirt) and given other jobs. Also, you can get a parasite from the earth that destroys your vision. So I'd say gardening would be something you'd want to wear a lot of protection for-gloves, mask, wrap around sunglasses, big floppy hat (skin cancer is a real problem for us immuno suppressed folks!!!).
ENJOY your life!

Thank you for that! I was never told to not dig in dirt but the first time I saw that it was in this thread by 2 other people. You were the first to go into more detail however and for that I thank you. I live alone and in the front side of an apartment building where they encourage you to have flowers. So I just got into that 2 years ago (before my transplant) so when I read this I worried. I do wear gloves but I noticed they are not that good (cheap ones) as the dirt / water soaks through.

I used to have a bird with my first transplant and never had a problem caused by it. But I found changing its cage easy with lining the bottom of the cage .. just pull that paper out and replace. Easier than changing cat litter. That is for sure.. But even with cat litter, my fiance, worried about me and my immune system .. bought me an automatic cat litter box:


http://www.fitsmybudget.com/product....cat=748&page=3

[kdee]

Re: Transplants & Pets

Good idea that automatic cat litter thing. Then you don't have to actually touch the stuff. My cat was trained to go outside and I had a pet door so that solved that problem. My chihuahua is not as obliging but she has become accustomed to using a pee pad which I just throw in the washing machine. She generally does her big job outside. I've owned pets pretty much the entire time during my transplant without any problems that I'm aware of. My Chihuahua has slept with me for the past 11 years. I wonder if some people are more prone to problems arising from exposure to animals than others?

[FMBK]

Re: Transplants & Pets

I too have heard it is fine to have pets. I certainly would not change my life if it was otherwise. I have three cats who are very important members of my life and family. I was also told to be careful changing the litter tray for the first few weeks....advised to have someone else do it for the first 3 to 4 weeks. Thereafter, to wear gloves and use a mask. I was told not to travel via public transportation for the first 3 to 4 weeks too. That was all I was told. (I am pre-transplant, by the way.) I guess it does depend on your doctor and the team you work with.

[live2learn]

Re: Transplants & Pets

My husband just had his transplant done 2 weeks ago, and what we've been told is if you already have pets in the house, you don't have to get rid of them, just use extra precautions and common sense. As most people have mentioned, don't change the litter or pick up after your dog. For other animals, too, don't handle cleaning up the poop. After spending time petting, grooming, etc an animal that has been outside, wash your hands well.

Since we do not yet have animals, and he has been wanting another cat, we were thrilled to learn that this is not impossible (he was originally told it would be). The rule they gave us was to wait until after the first 6 months and then it would be ok to get a new cat - again, I will have to clean the liter box, and if he accidentally gets scratched, we will have to clean the area thoroughly, and monitor for any signs of infection, but aside from that - pets are fine.

It's a matter of common sense much like anything else, and the transplant teams also understand that some of us just can't live without our pets!

[flair3366]

Re: Transplants & Pets

Ronald,

I had my transplant 4 weeks ago, and they told dogs are OK, but dont get any new animals for 3 months, dont clean out litter boxes or clean up your dogs waste for 3 months. I have two dogs and they told me that it was fine, just be careful and wash your hands after petting or playing with them. I hope this helps.

Randy