Can kidney transplant patients have a cat?

Kidney transplantation is the only potentially curative treatment for chronic renal failure. Cats receiving transplanted kidneys have been known to survive as long as 6 years or more after surgery. The implanted kidney functions normally and should provide a much improved quality of life for the transplant recipient.

Can kidney transplant patients keep pets?

It is recommended that recently transplanted recipients refrain from adopting a new pet early in their post-transplant period due to the need to be on higher doses of immunosuppressive medications. Before adopting or taking in a pet, be sure to discuss your circumstances with your transplant team.

Can transplant patients be around pets?

Some animals are considered high-risk for causing illness in people with an organ transplant and should not be kept as pets. Pets to avoid include: Rodents, including hamsters, mice, and pet rats. Reptiles, including lizards, snakes, and turtles.

How long is your immune system compromised after a kidney transplant?

About 6 months to a year after transplant, the immunosuppression is usually lowered and the chance of side effects should be low.

Can immunosuppressed patients have pets?

Pets represent a minimum risk to immunocompromised patients for the transmission of disease, except for bite injuries and secondary infection, which are relatively common.

Can you have a cat while on dialysis?

Avoid contact of pets with the dialysis catheter and catheter site. Wash hands after having any contact with pets.

Should immunocompromised patients have cats?

If you have a weak immune system, having a pet can put you at risk for serious illness from diseases that can spread from animals to humans.

Can a transplant patient have a cat?

When getting a new pet, avoid animals that are sick, feral, or young (cats and dogs under 6 months old). These animals are more likely to carry diseases that can make you sick. The following types of animals are considered high-risk for people with weakened immune systems: Reptiles (lizards, snakes, turtles, frogs)

How long does tacrolimus stay in your system?

The drug’s mechanism of action is to lower your immune system’s response and prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted organ. The half-life of tacrolimus is about 2 days. This means that half of a dose of tacrolimus is removed from your body after 2 days.

Should immunocompromised people have cats?

Can immunosuppressed people have cats?

The short answer is, no. However, some precautions may need to be taken for a person with immune compromise to live safely with pets. While dogs and cats pose lower risks, animals such as reptiles and birds or rodents may carry unusual diseases, cannot be vaccinated, and may be difficult to screen for disease.