Hello gunn77,
Fifi the feline and Charlie the canine cause no harm to AML
patients by just being animals - barring an allergy. To the AML
patient, it?s not the pet, it?s what?s ON the pets that is worrisome.
As you probably already know, AML patients are treated with
chemotherapy and/or radiation, with one of the side effects being a
markedly decreased white blood cell count. (WBC). In many instances,
AML patient?s white blood cells are completely destroyed. When WBCs
are decreased or destroyed, the patient becomes ?neutropenic?
(literally meaning lacking WBCs). When one is neutropenic or
immunocompromised, precautions must be taken to avoid infection. Some
of the ways to avoid acquiring an infection during neutropenic periods
are scrupulous hand washing, avoiding crowds and sick people, and
staying away from construction sites.
?People having chemotherapy are particularly at risk of picking up
infections between seven and ten days after the chemotherapy, when the
level of white blood cells will be at its lowest (this time is known
as the nadir).?
http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/Resourcessupport/Copingwithcancer/Avoidinginfection
For most of us with a healthy and active immune system, pets usually
pose little problem. However, for an AML patient, an infection can be
fatal. If you or someone you know was told to avoid pets, threat of
infection is the reason.
Pet food bowls and litter boxes can be breeding grounds for many
pathogens - bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Diseases
transmitted from animals to humans are known as ?zoonoses?, which
certainly looks like ?Zoo noses?, but is actually pronounced
ZO-e-NO-sez! J Additionally pet dishes can attract rodents and
insects that may be carrying pathogens. Dogs and cats that roam
outdoors are even more likely to carry all kinds of germs/pathogens
into your home.
=========
Zoonosis:
=========
?Cats, particularly young kittens, are known to transmit a disease
known as Cat-scratch fever, a disease caused by bacteria
(Pasteurella.)?
?Many mammals and particularly dogs can also transmit Salmonellosis, a
gastro-intestinal bacterial infection due to Salmonella?
?Humans, especially toddlers, may swallow roundworm eggs that come
from the intestines of puppies, dogs and cats, and may develop a
parasitic infection, known as toxocariasis.?
?Pets, especially puppies and kittens, may also harbor in their feces
a bacteria known as Campylobacter?
?Cats also may harbor in their intestines a very dangerous
crescent-shaped micro-organism, Toxoplasma Gondii which causes in
humans a condition known as toxoplasmosis. Cats are the only animal
species known to shed the infectious stage in their feces. Most
infected cats show no symptoms?
http://www.broward.org/mei00277.htm
Leptospirosis is transmitted by pets:
?Caused by spiral-shaped Leptospira bacteria, this disease can be
spread through the urine, blood, or tissue of infected animals (most
outbreaks, however, probably come from boating or swimming in
contaminated water). Humans can get it from pet urine (or from soil
contaminated by that urine); pets usually get it after contact with
the urine of infected livestock, rats, or wild animals, such as deer,
squirrels, raccoons, or opossums. The disease is rare in humans but
can be serious, as it can cause permanent damage to major organs,
including the kidney, heart, liver, and lungs.?
http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5173,00.html
?But close contact with dogs and cats puts the owners at risk for skin
conditions like ringworm and scabies. Fleas and ticks can jump off
pets onto people and allergic pet owners can develop a rash or even
asthma. The dog roundworm can cause a rash or can encyst in the body
or eye if young children eat dirt contaminated with roundworm eggs.
Although rabies has been almost completely eliminated by vaccination,
wild animals like skunks and bats carry rabies so that if you get a
dog it must be immunized.?
http://www.parentkidsright.com/pt-pets1.html
The American Cancer Society says: ?Do not clean up droppings from your
pets; let someone else do this for you.?
http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls/_english/_fever_and_neutropenia/index.htm
?During, or after, cancer treatment, it is important to go outside to
get some exercise and fresh air but it is best to avoid crowds where
possible. This includes avoiding using public transport, particularly
during the rush hour, and crowded shopping centres where you may be
mingling with people who may have an infection that is not obvious. If
it is cold outside, make sure that you wrap up warmly, wearing a hat,
wig or scarf if you have lost your hair, to avoid getting a chill.
It is best to avoid going swimming when your immunity is reduced, due
to the risk of picking up an infection from the water. You could also
pick up an infection from a crowded swimming pool or changing room.
Again, avoid crowds when doing other sports or social activities.?
http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/Resourcessupport/Copingwithcancer/Avoidinginfection
The following web site contains information written for hematopoietic stem
cell transplant recipients and does not cover AML specifically, but
it does discuss what neutropenic patients should do to avoid
infection.
?Preventing Infections Transmitted by Direct Contact
HSCT recipients and candidates should wash their hands thoroughly (i.e., with soap
and water) and often. For example, hands should be washed
? before eating or preparing food;
? after changing diapers;
? after gardening or touching plants or dirt;
? after touching pets or animals;
? after touching secretions or excretions or items that might have had contact with
human or animal stool (e.g., clothing, bedding, toilets, or bedpans)
Page 55
?HSCT physicians should advise recipients and candidates undergoing conditioning
therapy of the potential infection risks posed by pet ownership;
however, they should not
routinely advise HSCT recipients to part with their pets, with limited
exceptions. Generally, immunocompromised HSCT recipients and
candidates undergoing conditioning therapy should minimize direct
contact with animals, particularly those animals that are ill (e.g.,
with diarrhea). Immunocompromised persons who choose to own pets
should be more vigilant regarding maintenance of their pet?s health
than immunocompetent pet owners. This recommendation means seeking
veterinary care for their pet early in the pet?s illness to minimize
the possible transmission of the pet?s illness to the owner ( 335)
(BIII). Feeding pets only high-quality commercial pet foods reduces
the possibility of illness caused by spoiled or contaminated foods,
thus reducing the possibility of transmitting illness from the pet to
the HSCT recipient. If eggs, poultry, or meat products are given to
the pet as supplements, they should be wellcooked. Any dairy products
given to pets should be pasteurized ( 335) (BIII). Pets should be
prevented from drinking toilet bowl water and from having access to
garbage; pets should not scavenge, hunt, or eat other animals? feces.
If HSCT recipients have contact with pets or animals, they should wash
their hands after handling them (particularly before eating) and after
cleaning cages?? Copyright laws prevent me from posting the entire
content, but further reading will show that immunocompromised
(neutropenic) patients should not empty litter boxes, clean cages, or
be near animals with digestive disturbances.
Page 57
Not the canine variety, but ?Hot dogs? should be avoided by people at
risk for infection.
?Deli meats, hot dogs, and processed meats?
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/RR/RR4910.pdf
From Carol?s AML page, below halfway down the page:
?Avoid Bugs: and bacteria and viruses and fungi. Stay away from
anyone who either is sick or has been around someone who may be sick.
Sometimes this means a longer stay in the hospital until your counts
come up. If you're at home, stay home. If you go out, wear a mask.
Think about other sources of germs, such as houseplants and pets?
http://www.visi.com/~chaugan/carol/CA_AML_Pages.html#Neutropenia__Avoiding_Infections_
http://canceradvocacy.org/resources/essential/effects/infection.aspx#prevention
Related to pets too, is the issue of chemicals, such as flea collars,
flea and tick dips, and such.
?In addition, the public should try to minimize occupational and
environmental exposure to pesticides. Ways to do this would include:
avoiding use at home, on pets, and in the garden; avoiding ? if
possible ? exposure via purchased food; and wearing protective gear if
pesticide use is deemed necessary.?Page 51
http://www.ocfp.on.ca/local/files/Communications/Current%20Issues/Pesticides/Chapter5.pdf
?Positive association was found between brain cancer and exposure to
no-pest strips, termite treatment, Kwell shampoo (Lindane), flea
collars on pets, Diazinon use in the garden or orchard, and the use of
herbicides in yards.?
http://www.naturopathic-retreat.com/practice/toxicology-testing.htm
For additional information, the following site gives an excellent
overview of leukemia types.
http://merck.micromedex.com/index.asp?page=bhg_report&article_id=BHG01HE05§ion=report
There you go! If any part of my answer is unclear, please request an
Answer Clarification, before rating. This will allow me to assist you
further, if possible.
I wish you the best!
Regards,
crabcakes
Neutropenia + acute myelogenous leukemia + pets
Animal exposure + neutropenia
AML + pet exposure
housepets and bacteria |
