Pets...

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anonymous

New member
Does anyone know if pets ie dogs in particular worsen symptoms for CFers, I have a 11mth old son with CF & 3 dogs, Kieran is crawling about now & I fear for him catching things they bring in or by playing in their water bowl. We are just home after him having caught MRSA & Psudomonus infection & I know Psudomonus is found in soil & water...should I be concerned?

Mum (no cf) of 4, Sophie 12, Emma 10, Hayley 6 - non CF and baby Kieran 11mths w/CF, married to Stephen (no cf)
Also with 3 dogs, 1 cat, 1 guinea pig & 1 fish.
 
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Emily65Roses

New member
I grew up with cats and dogs in the house all my life. At one time we had as many as 6 dogs in my old house. My docs always knew and never cared. You may get different answers, but I say leave the dogs. Dogs are too great to get rid of. Unless the child has obvious allergies to the dogs, the CF doesn't make a difference.
 
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rose4cale

New member
Our Dr told us that the dog doesn't matter. However, we recently moved the kennel and water/food bowl to a room that our child doesn't go into. Not so much because he had symptoms of anything, but the water bowl is always so enticing to a little one, and at times it can sit there for long periods of time with stale water in there. So it is a precaution that I took. I have thought about one of those water bowls for dogs that I have seen in specialty shops that keeps the water flowing (kind of like a fountain) for fresher-less bacteria infested water. That may be a possibility for you. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">
 
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CFHockeyMom

New member
We had two dogs and a cat when Sean was diagnosed and our CF Dr. said that although she wouldn't recommend getting either for a CFer, she recognized how important they are to the family and wouldn't advise us to get rid of them. She did ask us though to make sure we kept the pets out of Sean's room. Initially it didn't matter but now that he's older, during allergy season, we really try to keep the pets out of his room. I think it's an individual thing. If you're sensitive to dog/cat dander then I wouldn't get one but if not then go for it.

As for the germ stand point, it's my understanding that neither dogs nor cats put a CFer at any significant risk. There is some debate about cats and that whole litter box issue but I don't expect your little Kieran will be hanging out there.

As a precaution we encourage both our boys to wash their hands after petting/playing with the dogs/cat.
 
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anonymous

New member
Hi,
I love animals and had a dog, a cat, rabbits and so on since I was 4 years old. What I never did, is kissing them or let them lick my face and the pets have also never been in my bed. I think, thats important, not only if you have cf...(at least I really don´t want to be licked by a dog, which just before licked another dogs back or stools...). Your kids should also learn to wash their hands after playing with the pets and not to feed them by hand at the table. Another thing is to get regulary "pet-controls" by a vet, so they don´t have worms or such crap.

Uli,43, Germany
 
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anonymous

New member
I have had dogs my whole life. I was told I was allergic to dogs (as a child) yet ignored the issue, without ill effect. Cats have obvious health issues. Post TX I had three German Shepards and was told not to sleep with them in the bed. My dogs currently sleep in my bedroom, my wife (non CF) has a larger issue with minor allergies. Birds are a major concern. I use to spend time with horses.

The dogs have helped motivate PT via walks etc. My dog is currently at my feet, I'm alive and very well.

CF 55 TX cepacia.
 
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Lilith

New member
I've always been around pets. When I was born we had a German Shepard, and we had him up until I was about 13. I'd never even been to the hospital once until I was 12, so obviously the dog didn't effect me in the least. I've had 2 hamsters, 1 rabbit, and now I have 2 cats (both absolutely adorable ^_^) and have never had any issues. My oldest cat even slept on the same pillow as me when he was a kitten, right on top of my head, and it never bothered me in the least. My doctor has always known about every pet I've ever had and has never even brought them up as a possible issue.
 
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julie

New member
My husband and I have to indoor cats and two dogs. He grew up with a dog and never really had a problem that would/could be attributed to the animals. We both do have animal hair allergies, (go figure with our zoo!) but after about a year of having our cats and dogs, our bodies seemed to get used to it and we've had them now for about 4 years. He did live without animals for about 6 years, and I think thats why he had allergie symptoms when we first got the cats.
 
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JazzysMom

New member
I grew up with at least a one dog & sometimes more. I have always had animals. They are part of my life just like my daughter is. At one point during a real troublesome time for me, my doctor mentioned getting rid of my animals. I told her that will never happen. As far as I am concerned, the pros outway the cons. My daughter, husband & I have a black lab/dalmation mix who weighs almost as much as I do & thinks she is a lapdog, a cat & 2 parakeets. Over the years I have had pugs, poodles, mutts, cats, pigs & my Mom even owned a skunk that was descented (that was before my time). I am sure they add to my difficulties at times, but I am not willing to part with them. The emotional/mental influence is very important to me!
 
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anonymous

New member
We have dogs and would never consider getting rid of them. They are part of the family. I think they keep our spirits up and the pros outway the cons.
 
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anonymous

New member
I believe in QUALITY not quantity of life and i wouldnt have any quality without my horses and dogs. They kept me active and healthy, i do everything in the barn from grooming to mucking stalls and i used to sleep with my dog all the time. It was never a problem for me.
 
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anonymous

New member
Check for an article from the New England Journal of Medicine, around a year ago, that studied and found pets decreased asthma from a postulated improved immune system. (As I recall). Try a med. search.

CF 55 TX Cepacia
 
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SeasonsOfLove

Guest
Years ago there was a discussion on another support group about birds carrying a lot of funky respiratory viruses. I think dogs and cats are fine unless you're severely allergic to them. Coll isn't and we'd love to get a dog or cat - not allowed by our landlord though!

Overall I think pets are fine. Good luck
 
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Cutecurlz

Guest
37 yr old female with CF. I've had one kind of pet or another all my life. Up until 5 yrs ago I went to an allergy doctor and found out that I am DEATHLY allergic to cats. But that's an allergy problem NOT a CF problem, so cats are a no no for me...I don't like em anyhow. So unless your child/ren are allergic to them don't worry. Having CF and or pets has nothing to do with each other. The only reason I went to an allergy doctor was because at the time I was dating a guy who had a cat and whenever I spent the night at his house I got really bad ashma and could hardly stand to be there...I had to go to the ER because I had trouble breathing. So I went to the allergist and taaaadaaaaaa....I'm allergic to cats to the point that I can't really even be near anyone who has a cat. But don't worry having pets has nothing to do with CF. I hope this helps.
 
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