Home Dialysis and Dogs

[juzzme]

My husband is considering home dialysis with NxStage in the next few months (if his fistula develops!).  We are getting mixed messages about having a dog.  Does anyone have a dog at home while doing home dialysis?  Are there problems? Do we have to get rid of the dog?  Help!

[Joe]

I do PD at home and have 3 dogs; 2 Jack Russel Terriers and a Shitzu Chihuahua mix. I keep them out of the room while I'm connecting and disconnecting my catheter, but otherwise they are usually sitting at my feet. They are primarily indoor dogs, so that might make a difference. And my PD team knows about them, hasn't said a thing.
HTH

[cattlekid]

I do NxStage at home and I have a dog.  I was up front about the dog from the get-go.  He is not in the room when I am hooking up.  When I am hooked up, he wants nothing to do with the machine because it makes noise.  He lays on the opposite chair from me and gives me sad looks.  By the time I am ready to unhook, he is usually fast asleep and not bothering anyone.

[boswife]

we have some great pics of 'dogs and dialysis' from one of our members... Hope he'll re'post   He actually has 'mentioned'  that his' beloved'  is his nurse     Yes, dogs are ok and will be ok'ed as far as nxStage.  Mine were in the house when they came for inspection and they are primarly indoors, but out when *they* desire.   

[justjen321]

We had the same concerns when we started training for Home Dialysis. We were training for PD, and I asked clearly. We were told much like the above posters have said:

Don't have dogs in the room while connecting.

Be VERY cautious if your dogs come hang out with you while connected. They've been known to bite lines, or just fidget and cause a tug or whatever.

We are switching to home hemo nocturnal, and our dialysis nurse has been to our home. I asked her when we pondered switching if it meant we'd need to not have our dogs, and she said 'Absolutely not. You have great dogs, keep a clean house. Just keep the dogs out when connecting and disconnecting. '

Hope that helps. Family pets can help with morale, mood, spirit and healing. We were absolutely crushed at the thought of giving up our pooches.

Jen

[Trikkechickk]

I have two basset hounds and they keep me company while I am chained up.  When I started training, my doc and the HHemo team didn't even bat an eye.

[juzzme]

Sounds like we don't have to worry about Auggie the dog!  I am figuring that if we kennel him during connect and disconnect, we'll be fine.  Thanks for the responses!

[lmunchkin]

I think dogs are okay, as long as they are not in the room when you hook up or unhook.  Just be sure of their whereabouts when dialysising.  I know that they prefer you not have pets, but do not discourage them either.

lmunch