Got Cats?

[BroBrooz]

Just after I went on dialysis, we got a couple of cats...  At first we thot that having them on the bed at night would be a no-no.  ...and I did have to get treated for infection, cat stuff in there! They were probably chewing on the patient line....  There is hope! A solution!  Went down to the handy Home Depot, picked up 20' of 1/2" tubuing, sliced it length wise, and put the patient line inside (it closes around it). Works grat, no more cat stuff! MrsBroBrooz is so happy to have her kitties...I just tolarate them!

[TheSpleen]

My wife absolutley adores her cats, and loves sleeping with them, so I was worried about what to do with them for the dialysis. I thought about doing just that (with wiring loom) to keep them off the lines.
We ended up deciding to keep them (and my dog) out of our bedroom. Just my two cents, but if you're living situation allows it, I'd think about keeping them out of the room. I can't imagine the pet fur does great things for the overall cleanliness of the room. We didn't get any specific instruction about keeping them out, but for me at least, it seems like a better safe than sorry kind of thing.

[carson]

I was on PD for 10 yrs and once had a cat that would chew on the lines - I did get peritonitis from this and it was very hard to kill the bug. Once I stopped antibiotics the infection would come back again in a few days. Finally they managed to kill it for good and I never got peritonitis again!! I kept 2 of my cats but found a new home for the chewer (she was a foster anyway). I still have my one old cat and a dog.
I am now on home nocturnal hemo and have had no issues with cat stuff and my permacath.
I love my animals. They are what keeps me sane (well, them and of course my amazing husband!!). If the docs told me I couldn't have a pet I'd probably die!!

[MiSSis]

My husband and I had two cats when I started back on PD about 5 1/2 years ago.  We were worried about them bothering the lines so we tried to shut them out of our bedroom at night.  We'd had the oldest for about 10 years and the younger for 8 and they'd always slept with us at night.  Needless to say, we got no sleep that night or for the the next 3 nights as we tried to get them used to not being in the bedroom.  We caved in and let them in.  The oldest went right into our closet where she was used to sleeping and went right to bed.  The younger jumped up on the bed and settled down immediately too.  Luckily neither showed any interest in chewing on the lines.  The younger one, Percy, is fascinated by the bubbles he sees when I'm priming the lines and likes to chase the bubbles but once they're gone, he loses interest and moves on.  I've had some experiences with peritonitis but it was never as a result of anything from our cats. 

Sadly, we lost our oldest cat Scarlett about 2 years ago to kidney failure at the age of 14.  Percy is becoming an old man and will be 15 in May. 

[RichardMEL]

such a sweet story. I couldn't imagine kicking my cat out of the bedroom. I mean it's really HER bed... If I'm good I get a little bit of the side  I sometimes wonder about post-transplant (if/when that happens) and what might happen in terms of her. I figure though that I've been exposed to just about all her geams for long enough now so it would be OK. I am such a softie that I just keep thinking how awful it would be to boot her out and to not be able to explain to her that "it's not you, it's me!" !!

[kitkatz]

I have learned in the many years of living with cats: You cannot explain anything to them!

[RichardMEL]

oh yes KK but the amount they *know* and understand is amazing. So very perceptive!!!

[twirl]

cats are the trainers ; people are the trainees

[Wenchie58]

Cats don't understand or know what you think...they simply don't CARE what you think!   

[RichardMEL]

Cats don't understand or know what you think...they simply don't CARE what you think!   

BZZT! wrong answer!!!!

[Wenchie58]

Aww come on RM..you know who rules the roost at your house....hint hint..it's not you!

If ever there is a cat in the house there is only one ruler!   

[RichardMEL]

oh absolutely Celeste is the boss - I even call her that sometimes!! LOL but to say they don't care... nope don't agree with that one little bit. The number of times Celeste has forgone food to come cuddle with me when I've not felt too well and needed a lie down, or alls he has wanted to do (even when I've put her food out) is come sit with me and show support.... I *know* otherwise!!

Yes absolutely she rules the roost with an iron paw, but I also know the way she looks at me sometimes, and the way she curls up with me - specially at the times I need company and hugs... it's so much more than what she can get out of me.

[jellybean]

I start PD next week. Switching from in-center Hemo. I have 2 cats and 4 dogs.....it's a madhouse around here most days. I'm worried about the cat hair mostly. They tend to follow me around like I'm a walking treat or something.
The eldest is mine. Beckham,5. He prolly wont care for any of the stuff. He may just want to lay on it. Whereas the youngest Chevey,2 is a bit more of a line eater. I'm not sure yet but based on his past I can bet that he is guna try at least rubbing on the lines.
I don't think that I am going to be doing the cycler but just the manual exchanges. Hopefully I can keep them out of the room while I am doing that.

[TheSpleen]

such a sweet story. I couldn't imagine kicking my cat out of the bedroom. I mean it's really HER bed... If I'm good I get a little bit of the side  I sometimes wonder about post-transplant (if/when that happens) and what might happen in terms of her.

I think our transplant people told they have no problems with cats/dogs. They didn't want people to have birds, and they said the transplant patient shouldn't be changing the cat litter. Which means that'll be my job!

[KT0930]

RichardMel, my transplant team's advice about cats (we were considering getting one) - wait 6 months after transplant and if I *had* to change the litter, I should wear a mask and wash hands thoroughly as soon as I was done.

JB, for manuals, once you're connected, you can let the cats back around you. We had our dog, and I simply did not allow him the spare room where I hooked up and disconnected. When you're connected, it's a closed system, and there's no way for the fur or dander to get in.

Bro, the tube around the tube is a great idea!

[RichardMEL]

I don't have any masks but I do have a box of disposable gloves near the litter tray to get me into the habit.. and I always wash afterwards anyway.. I am sure if/when the time comes for a transplant I will wind up with masks etc.

But I was thinking more in terms of having the cat sleeping with me.. but as someone else said at some time (maybe even my doctor) if I've had the cat for 5 years(which I have) it's likely all her kitty germs are well and truly in my siystem anyway and my body has got used to her so they are probably a lot less of an issue than new nasties. Of course I will discuss all of this with the transplant team if/when this happens.

[lodisweetthing]

     yes we have 2 cats alley and groucho...we are blessed they dont chew the cords ,they have bapped them in the past and was yelled at but now they dont bother them... just when i t was something new curious,,alley well we had trouble with her jumping on the top of the bag on the cycler do to it was warm.. threw trial and error i put a laundry basket over the top and dont have to worry about claws punching the bag.now she dont do that either,, they are declawed in the front and she gave up 'cause she kept falling off..and whoever says you cant train a cat well wrong.. mine are trained as soon as i go the the cycler
they know they will be leaving the room for me to hook up hubby..all i have to say is out and they leave(like telling a dog to sit)as well as when i open the door to our room back they meow and wait for me to say its ok .. they will run back in then..groucho sleeps next to rodney next to his cord and never touches it now.after rodney lost his sight groucho also learned for rod to know he is there and wanting love he takes his paw and strokes his arm to let him know he is there... it is funny from time to time he does it to me out of habit i think lol..so it possible to train threw patients and the animal some are stubern...       sorry about bad typeing


Edited : Fixed smiley error - paris, Moderator

[Jean]

That is a beautiful story. My old cat, who is now gone, would never leave my side when I was not feeling well. They are the bosses, but they are also the lovers. The little cat, Sara, thinks I am her couch!!!!

[Hanify]

I have 3 cats (had 4, but one gat kidney failure too, so she's gone now).  I used to think they had no emotions and just wanted food or whatever, but when I got sick my youngest (Jinx) used to come up and sit near my chest in bed.  It was such a lovely thing at the time, and gave me a lot of pleasure being able to pat the cat.  He has never done it before or since - only when I was really sick.  So, I've had to revise my theory on cats.  My nearly 18 year old - Mayweed, is deaf and stupid and meows at the top of her voice ha ha.

[RichardMEL]

I've said it before and I will say it again: Cats are VERY perceptive creatures. Mine can tell when I need a nap or am not feeling well and she will come cuddle with me and not bug me for anything. She just seems to know somehow.. and when we took her to see my dying mother in hospital(mum's request and agreed to by the hospital) she was absolutely perfect despite the freaky beeping machines, oxygen and funny surroundings.. she sat on the bed and walked up to mum and say by her looking up at her with big green eyes(like she just KNEW this was important) so that mum could gently stroke her fur.. and she just stayed there for half another not moving not trying to run off or anything. I think that was the last time I ever saw my mother smile naturally and with warmth and appreciation. I will always remember that and treasure my Celeste all the more for that.

[cherpep]

I absolutely agree.  My cat, Sparkle, always knows when someone isn't feeling well or needs a little extra cuddling.  He's not one to be picked up and cuddled on the average day, but when you need it the most - he is right there snuggling with you.  Here's a recent picture.  He was sleeping on my son's bed. 

[David13]

Awww, cherpep, Sparkle is gorgeous!   

[aharris2]

I've said it before and I will say it again: Cats are VERY perceptive creatures. Mine can tell when I need a nap or am not feeling well and she will come cuddle with me and not bug me for anything. She just seems to know somehow.. and when we took her to see my dying mother in hospital(mum's request and agreed to by the hospital) she was absolutely perfect despite the freaky beeping machines, oxygen and funny surroundings.. she sat on the bed and walked up to mum and say by her looking up at her with big green eyes(like she just KNEW this was important) so that mum could gently stroke her fur.. and she just stayed there for half another not moving not trying to run off or anything. I think that was the last time I ever saw my mother smile naturally and with warmth and appreciation. I will always remember that and treasure my Celeste all the more for that.

Richard  and one for Celeste too 

[David13]

Alene, how is your kitty doing?   

[KICKSTART]

Ahem ..DOG owner here !!! They have always come up to bed with me and i was worried when i got my cycler about if they would react to it .. im sure they have more sense than people sometimes!!!! They have never offered to go round the side of the bed that has the cycler set up !! Its like they know its out of bounds although ive never had to tell them!!!