21 replies to this topic

[survenant]

''There are several factors behind the proliferation of diseases in humans that are caused by pets. One is an increase in the number of patients at risk of pet-associated diseases.  For healthy people, the risk is fairly low - not so for newborns, kids with leukemia, adults with cancer as well as organ transplant recipients of all ages. Several surveys have found that the general public and vulnerable patients are unaware of the health risks from pets.  One study found 77% of households that got a new pet following a diagnosis of cancer got a high-risk pet.''

 

Extract of Who let the dogs out? Pet therapy's hidden danger

 

 

See also Zootherapy and CML

[gerry]

First article talks about compromised immune systems, for most of us with CML that isn't an issue. 

[pammartin]

I have six dogs, a Russian tortoise, the random stray animal, a 20 year old son, and am a foster parent.  I went through the majority of my diagnosis, treatment, and finally undetectable status with almost all of the above in constant contact.  I would not have had it any other way.

[Trey]

Probably more hazardous to have children around.....

[pammartin]

What Trey said.....

[scuba]

I have 4 dogs (Doberman Pinschers), a couple of birds, hundreds of gallons of aquarium fish, Racoons (yep - live upstairs) and survived them all even when my Neutrophils were 0.1 ... 

 

I have a suspicion they helped keep me alive rather than be a threat. 

 

... p.s. and one wife.

[Harper3994]

These posts really made my day. Thanks for making me laugh! They say laughter is the best medicine!

[CallMeLucky]

Dangerous? I don't think so, but if it's like my dog, it's a pain in the ass.

Assuming you have normal blood counts and immune system is not compromised it would be fine.

[kat73]

This may a stupid or obvious question, one that may have already been answered, but I still don't really understand how you know if you're immune-compromised or not.  If your absolute neutrophils number is within normal limits, is that the indicator?  Or do other tests show how your immune system is doing?  Surely it can't just be anecdotal: whether you "get sick a lot"??!!

[Trey]

Immune compromised is a life threatening status.  The body is essentially defenseless.  We are not that.  Then there are various stages of what might be called immune-suppressed.  That can happen to people with and without CML, sometimes referred to as being "run down" in otherwise healthy people.  That is a continuum with many levels.  But if your body makes the cells needed when they are needed, the immune system works just fine, which is what happens for almost all of us with CML even if our average counts are under normal limits. 

 

But I still would not lick the shoe bottoms of small children.  That is called being mentally compromised.  Just sayin'

[Terran]

Shoe bottoms might be the cleanest part of a small child. Still, I fondly remember toddler kisses and can't wait for grand children. My oldest son has just returned to his wife after a 6 months deployment. I'm crossing my fingers.

[Terran]

And if I didn't have two dogs and a cat keeping me company last February when I was bedridden with my new diagnosis, I don't know......

[Anti-Matters]

Shoe bottoms are fine. It's the rest of them that gets really disgusting.

[kat73]

Oh Trey, you've really opened the diaper now! 

 

For me, the real lollapaloozas of illnesses that are lodged in my memory - the legendary, mythical, avalanche and tsunami sized sicknesses, the Top Ten shall we say were ALL SMALL CHILD CAUSED - what a vector!  Grandchildren!  Oy!  Wash your hands if you touch them or anything they own, wear, or touch and for Lord's sake, NEVER KISS THEM!!!!! If they need their noses wiped, nudge them (use your knuckle) toward their parents, DON'T DO IT YOURSELF!  You will have to burn the kleenex and dip your hands in Bentadyne . . .

[hannibellemo]

This is an excellent article on why pets are so important for healing and how some very important hospitals are making it possible for pet visits ro improve the lives and outlooks of their patients.

 

http://www.akc.org/n...rom-their-pets/

[pammartin]

My dogs are cleaner than my son will ever be.  And have less germs.

[RayT]

The only time my dogs have been dangerous is when I tried to pet my food-possessive 100lb Akita, not realizing he had an empty tuna can under his paws.

[Noodle]

I Went through 10 months of agreesive chemo to cure my AML with two amazing golden doodle by my side. Actual had a litter of puppies in the midst while being nuetrapedic. No issues.

[Trey]

Actual had a litter of puppies in the midst while being nuetrapedic.

 

That must have hurt.  I can't imagine the nursing.

Edited by Trey, 30 January 2016 - 11:40 PM.

[kat73]

The only time my dogs have been dangerous is when I tried to pet my food-possessive 100lb Akita, not realizing he had an empty tuna can under his paws.

 

RayT - That's how I got it, too, from my 112lb Berner.  He got an empty tuna foil packet out of the recycling and I managed to get it away from him with a broom, which made him mad, and when I tossed him a Milkbone dog biscuit, he went for it, changed his mind and turned around and went for my arm instead.  I found out later from a dog behaviorist we hired that tuna is the #1 treat from a dog's standpoint - a "high value treat" and that's why he rejected the boring old dry dog biscuit.  I got stitches at an urgent care facility and, even though I went home with antibiotics, it was infected the next day.  I spent 11 days in the hospital with IV antibiotics and a WoundVac (as gross as it sounds) before a debridement and washout to get the last infection.  I've had two fat grafts, but it still looks bad.  And yes, the dog is still with us!  Thanks to the behaviorist.  WE changed all OUR behavior!  What happened to you?