I am curious what others have been told in relation to whether it is a problem to have pets in the house once one is diagnosed with and/or being treated for multiple myeloma.
My oncologist and nurse practitioner both told me when I asked this question that my cats would not be a problem. That I should wash my hands frequently when playing with them and that I should clean any scratches that I may get (my cats have claws) as soon as I get scratched. They didn't seem concerned that my cats sleep with me. When I was discharged from the hospital after my autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), I asked the attending oncologist and nurse practitioner the same question. They both said that it wouldn't be a problem, but that I should have someone else take care of the litter boxes for a while.
I have been home from the hospital for 3 months this week. I started taking care of the litter boxes again about 2 weeks ago. So far I haven't had any problems. Of course I wash my hands well after completing the task. And, I try not to breathe too much of the dust while emptying the boxes into a bag.
Just curious,
Nancy
Forums
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Pets and multiple myeloma
Hi Nancy,
I haven't discussed this issue with an oncologist, so I can't directly answer the question you asked.
I'd like to mention a few things, though, that may be relevant as this subject gets discussed further.
For example, as in your own experience, I could imagine that the advice people get depends on where they are in the treatment of their multiple myeloma.
Also, I wonder if it matters somewhat whether the pets are indoor-only pets, or indoor and outdoor pets. My own cat stays indoors all the time, except when he manages to push out a window screen
, and I bet that, as a result, he tracks around a lot fewer germs and other unwanted wildlife in comparison to cats who are outdoors regularly.
Finally, I am really curious if any doctor discusses the psychological benefits of pets with their myeloma patients. Haven't there been studies showing that, in some patient groups, having a pet extends a person's life expectancy?
I haven't discussed this issue with an oncologist, so I can't directly answer the question you asked.
I'd like to mention a few things, though, that may be relevant as this subject gets discussed further.
For example, as in your own experience, I could imagine that the advice people get depends on where they are in the treatment of their multiple myeloma.
Also, I wonder if it matters somewhat whether the pets are indoor-only pets, or indoor and outdoor pets. My own cat stays indoors all the time, except when he manages to push out a window screen
, and I bet that, as a result, he tracks around a lot fewer germs and other unwanted wildlife in comparison to cats who are outdoors regularly.Finally, I am really curious if any doctor discusses the psychological benefits of pets with their myeloma patients. Haven't there been studies showing that, in some patient groups, having a pet extends a person's life expectancy?
Re: Pets and multiple myeloma
Hi there,
Sadly I lost my darling husband 2 yrs ago to multiple myeloma, but I have a few tips for the lucky survivors as I never left my sweetie's side for years.
We had a lab that was very happy and a happy happy tail. Was very dangerous when he went into the walker stage. Had to let our grandchildren have her (she was happy, as they had a pool she stayed in always ;O) Honey and I always had a dog so he asked if he could have a small lap dog for his hospital bed as the disease progressed and I can tell you it was one of the best things we did. We got an older rescue dog that he adored and he instantly knew something was wrong. He slept right in the hospital bed with him and the doc said it was fine. He comforted Honey in so many ways and always there to reach out and pet him. It was a win win situation for both of them.
Unfortunately when Honey passed away, it was strange. As I mourned I noticed our dog was too. He missed his Daddy horribly. So I got him a little sister and now they are inseparable. Snuggle together and it also helped me.
Dogs and animals bring down BP and raise spirits and give unconditional love. Our dog (Honey's) is now in a program to give back and we go to hospitals and nursing home to lift spirits of others. He is loved and now helping others also.
God bless you all and always know there is hope as there are new breakthroughs coming always.
Kathie and her snuggle bunnies.
Sadly I lost my darling husband 2 yrs ago to multiple myeloma, but I have a few tips for the lucky survivors as I never left my sweetie's side for years.
We had a lab that was very happy and a happy happy tail. Was very dangerous when he went into the walker stage. Had to let our grandchildren have her (she was happy, as they had a pool she stayed in always ;O) Honey and I always had a dog so he asked if he could have a small lap dog for his hospital bed as the disease progressed and I can tell you it was one of the best things we did. We got an older rescue dog that he adored and he instantly knew something was wrong. He slept right in the hospital bed with him and the doc said it was fine. He comforted Honey in so many ways and always there to reach out and pet him. It was a win win situation for both of them.
Unfortunately when Honey passed away, it was strange. As I mourned I noticed our dog was too. He missed his Daddy horribly. So I got him a little sister and now they are inseparable. Snuggle together and it also helped me.
Dogs and animals bring down BP and raise spirits and give unconditional love. Our dog (Honey's) is now in a program to give back and we go to hospitals and nursing home to lift spirits of others. He is loved and now helping others also.
God bless you all and always know there is hope as there are new breakthroughs coming always.
Kathie and her snuggle bunnies.
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Kathie
Re: Pets and multiple myeloma
P.S. - I checked with the cancer center's multiple myeloma docs and all agreed it would be a great thing for my hubby, but suggested a hypoallergenic dog. Therefore we rescued a bichon and best thing we ever did. Lots more hypoallergenic types too.
God bless you all,
Kathie
God bless you all,
Kathie
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Kathie
Re: Pets and multiple myeloma
Several of our readers have sent us comments about this discussion:
After my SCT, I believe I was told not to let my dogs up on the bed with me, or let them get too close. My dogs were a major part of my support network, so that was a hard enough request. I don't have cats but I personally stayed away from my bird feeders (not dr.'s orders, but seemed like a good precaution).
We were not able to have our small dog with us during treatment but once we were back home the only precaution the dr. had was not to sleep with any pets and keep the house clean. we only have 1 dog so the other pet concerns didn't matter but I agree with the person above.
After my SCT, was advised to not change or go near litter box for my one house cat (my only pet) for 4 or 5 weeks post-transplant – had a friend assist. After that time period,around week #6, I wore gloves + mask for 2 more weeks (week #7+8) then discontinued. No longer had cat sleep on my bed at nite, either. Have continued that practice. I agreed w/ this recommendation from my care team + followed. Our systems are compromised/+ more susceptible to germ/infections. I can see this being a challenge with patients who have multiple pets. However, my health comes first. Good to think about this in advance and plan. Hope this helps.
Re: Pets and multiple myeloma
Thank you for all of the replies to my question so far. My indoor kitties are my family and I would not have done as well following my transplant if I didn't have them around. One of my neighbors even Skyped my kitties to my computer while I was in the hospital. The kitties were a little confused. They could hear my voice, but they couldn't find me. They went around the back of the computer to look for me, but didn't find me there.
When I came home from the hospital it took them a couple of hours to finally approach me. I had been concerned that they wouldn't recognize me because I probably would smell different with all of the chemicals that had been pumped into me. Once they realized that it was me, at least one of them stayed with me at all times while I was still home recovering. They still are staying really close by now that I have returned to work.
I'm glad to hear that other's oncologists also have said that having pets around is ok.
Nancy
When I came home from the hospital it took them a couple of hours to finally approach me. I had been concerned that they wouldn't recognize me because I probably would smell different with all of the chemicals that had been pumped into me. Once they realized that it was me, at least one of them stayed with me at all times while I was still home recovering. They still are staying really close by now that I have returned to work.
I'm glad to hear that other's oncologists also have said that having pets around is ok.
Nancy
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Pets and multiple myeloma
These are all great posts and replies.
At Ohio State we have no formal recommendations regarding contact with pets for patients after autologous transplants. I tell my myeloma patients that after they get discharged and up to Day +30 after transplant, they need to call us if they have any fever as this is their time when they have the highest risk of bacterial infection. Day +30 to +90 is usually lower risk and hence I don't force them to call us in the middle of the night; and although a myeloma patient's immune system does not return to "normal" until 1.5 years out from autologous transplant (some never return to normal since they are on maintenance therapy), we have no dietary or activity restrictions from the moment of discharge onward.
All that said, there are a couple of caveats:
At Ohio State we have no formal recommendations regarding contact with pets for patients after autologous transplants. I tell my myeloma patients that after they get discharged and up to Day +30 after transplant, they need to call us if they have any fever as this is their time when they have the highest risk of bacterial infection. Day +30 to +90 is usually lower risk and hence I don't force them to call us in the middle of the night; and although a myeloma patient's immune system does not return to "normal" until 1.5 years out from autologous transplant (some never return to normal since they are on maintenance therapy), we have no dietary or activity restrictions from the moment of discharge onward.
All that said, there are a couple of caveats:
- Kittens rarely carry bacteria known to be responsible for "cat scratch disease" and hence I encourage my myeloma patients to avoid kittens early after transplant, or at least avoid getting scratched (easier said than done).
- Avoid dogs that bite. Again not always the easiest thing to do if you run a kennel or breed dogs as a living and the concerns here are a multitude of odd bacteria (pseudomonas, kingella, etc) that are usually adequately treated with antibacterials, but why tempt fate?
- Avoid chicken coops, exposure to bird feces, and lizards as each of these can carry or expose a patient to unusual infections.
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Dr. Craig Hofmeister - Name: Craig C. Hofmeister, M.D.
Re: Pets and multiple myeloma
Since my dad returned from the hospital, he is terrified of our dog. He constantly says that we need to get rid of it since the dog is a threat to his life as it carries bacteria and viruses. He even threatened us to stop eating and taking medicine if we do not get rid of the dog.
We are looking for a new home for the dog using all possible means, but according to dad, we do not try hard enough, it seems he doesn't understand we cannot get rid of the dog overnight.
What shall we do and how to talk to him?
Thanks for advice, we are going crazy with worry about dad.
We are looking for a new home for the dog using all possible means, but according to dad, we do not try hard enough, it seems he doesn't understand we cannot get rid of the dog overnight.
What shall we do and how to talk to him?
Thanks for advice, we are going crazy with worry about dad.
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ladysherlockian - Who do you know with myeloma?: dad
- When were you/they diagnosed?: January 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 75
Re: Pets and multiple myeloma
Since my dad returned from the hospital, he is terrified of our dog. He constantly says that we need to get rid of it since the dog is a threat to his life as it carries bacteria and viruses. He even threatened us to stop eating and taking medicine if we do not get rid of the dog.
We are looking for a new home for the dog using all possible means, but according to dad, we do not try hard enough, it seems he doesn't understand we cannot get rid of the dog overnight.
What shall we do and how to talk to him?
Thanks for advice, we are going crazy with worry about dad.
We are looking for a new home for the dog using all possible means, but according to dad, we do not try hard enough, it seems he doesn't understand we cannot get rid of the dog overnight.
What shall we do and how to talk to him?
Thanks for advice, we are going crazy with worry about dad.
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ladysherlockian - Who do you know with myeloma?: dad
- When were you/they diagnosed?: January 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 75
Re: Pets and multiple myeloma
I'm so sorry that your father is having such a hard time with fear of the dog since his transplant. I still have 2 kitties, although different ones from when I posted in 2010. They have been a great comfort to me during the times that I have had setbacks. I don't know how I would have done without them.
I have never had any problems with developing any infections from my cats. I often have unintentional scratches and pin pricks from their claws if I don't keep them clipped often enough. But, when I notice them, I clean them with soap and water, and if they bleed, cover them with an antibiotic ointment.
Maybe your father's oncologist can talk with your father about his fear of the dog. It might help. It might not. But do what is best for your father's well being.
Nancy in Phila
I have never had any problems with developing any infections from my cats. I often have unintentional scratches and pin pricks from their claws if I don't keep them clipped often enough. But, when I notice them, I clean them with soap and water, and if they bleed, cover them with an antibiotic ointment.
Maybe your father's oncologist can talk with your father about his fear of the dog. It might help. It might not. But do what is best for your father's well being.
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
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