Our son has come home for a visit and is appalled at the smell of our old dog. She is incontinent and wears nappies or lies on sheets I change several times a day. She insists on sleeping in our room at night, or barks all night long. I love her dearly, but I have noticed I cough a lot when I get up and having done some research online, I am now worried about her affect on my lungs and - post FCR - my chances of developing lung cancer.
Any thoughts from our wonderful community?
That's tough when a family pet needs the comfort of your presence, but in doing so, puts you at risk of infection. I can't see why you would be concerned about developing lung cancer though! Two years post FCR, your immune system may be reasonable, but recovery can be delayed or incomplete. Can your significant other help out with changing your dog's sheets and nappies?
Neil
Spring is here. Crack the windows?
I have an old dog too. Trying to savor the time he has left.
How about bathing/showering your dog more? If you don't do the head, they dislike it less. Then just wipe face/head with wet washcloth instead of spraying or pouring water on their head. Coconut or safflower oil can be used on paws if all the washing is drying out their pads. If they are clean, you won't have urine smell or outdoor germs in your bed to worry about.
At least wipe them down with washcloths more if they really, really hate baths. I put a sheet or light blanket in winter on top of our main comforter all the time now to catch dog dirt or if they are wet. It gets swapped out or washed often. Much easier than trying to clean the main comforter.
Hey!
Cough when you get up - I guess you refer to rising in the morning after a night asleep in a bed... The causes for that can be many. From House Dust Mite allergy through acid reflux to an infection. Definitely a GP conversation would be worth while though, lest it is an infection of some sort from somewhere. A sputum sample would help for bacterial examination. If its gone on for more than 2 weeks - GP chat is in order.
A cough is important - and you are right to raise it as an issue. Indeed sinister cause exist - but are not the most likely.
Post FCR - and mine is an old cat (18th year)! I shared your concerns which are understandable. Unless you are inhaling infection, dog sneezes (or cat) you wont be at great risk. Use a non touch habit - wash hands etc - and dont touch face when handling your dear pet. Normal stuff. I think of this when I clear up the cat sick - gloves / disinfectant etc.
While I was on the FCR my neuts got so low - I was fearful of our cat sat on my lap! No longer tho!
So its really common sense stuff - I feel and have found.
Further - it remains a fact that our own normal bodily bacteria are probably more a risk to us that what one would get from our pets. Not exclusively, but predominantly.
Lung cancer! You cannot catch lung cancer!
From smoking, asbestos etc it can by "caused".
I would seek to reassure you on that, it is a cause of a cough, but not the mostly likely cause - bu a long way.
Cherish the time with your dog - lucky to be receiving such care from you.
Jig
PS!
It could be useful to chat with your vet, about the issue of keeping yourself free of infection risk from you dog. They know about CLL.
As I discovered - while sitting in the vets pre Covid, a Colley dog was waiting too - had CLL! Also had FCR without the R!
J
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