Chemo and pets.

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marie5890
marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
edited February 2018 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I have a family member who will be starting chemo soon. He and his wife and young son have a dog and a couple of cats. Did/do any of you have a hard time going thru chemo and taking care of pets?


TIA

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  • Mucki1991
    Mucki1991 Member Posts: 294
    edited February 2018

    My dog was a huge comfort to me during my worst chemo days. So no taking care of my dog was not an issue.

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  • BellasMomToo
    BellasMomToo Member Posts: 305
    edited February 2018

    I'm a stay-at-home-mom to my dogs. They are used to going to the dog park everyday for 30 minute walks. While I was going to chemo, my husband worked from home and took the dogs for their daily exercise. I joined in on the days I felt well enough.

    Fortunately my husband took over the care of our dogs (feeding, etc...) cause it would have been difficult for me on some days (when I had fevers, diarrhea, fatigue) during chemo.

    It would be helpful to have a back up person if your relative has some bad chemo days.

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  • buttonsmachine
    buttonsmachine Member Posts: 930
    edited February 2018

    If possible, have family members pick up after the pets while on chemo, especially when blood counts are low. Or just wear gloves and be cautious. I also was careful not to get chemo on my dog the first few days after my infusions - the same precautions you use for protecting other humans, use for protecting your pets. Other than that, my family did the dog walking on days I couldn't, but there were a lot of days where I could.

    My dog has been my best friend and an angel throughout this. He lays next to my bed or chair for hours. He knows I don't feel good and he shepherds me until I'm better. I would be lost without him, and me and my dog bonded even more throughout treatment. Pets are so comforting and they make us smile when we feel awful otherwise.

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  • Nancy2581
    Nancy2581 Member Posts: 1,234
    edited February 2018

    I had no problem feeding my two chocolate labs, birds and fish. I cleaned up after them too, but wore gloves. I walked my chocolate labs twice a day. The birds I didn't handle much and hubby put his hands in the fish tanks for cleaning. They were all a huge comfort to me

    Nancy

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited February 2018

    I adopted another dog during chemo!! Spookie was 3, Kris gave me reasons to get up and move a bit. Rescue dogs can have issues.

    You and the fur kids will be fine😍.

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