Pets and Lymphedema

Introduction

Having a pet, or pets, can be a great joy; however, when you have lymphedema there are some risks you should be aware of and precautions that you should take.

• On the positive side, the companionship of a pet is a delight and riding your horse, or playing with your cat is a great source of exercise and pleasure.
• Walking your dog is great exercise for both of you!
• On the negative side, some pets increase the risk of accidental injuries that may break the skin of a lymphedema affected limb.

Bites and Scratches

• When you have lymphedema, any break in the skin of the affected area puts you at risk of developing a serious infection.
• When selecting a pet keep this risk in mind and select a pet this is unlikely to put you at risk.
• If you are scratched, it is important that you take the appropriate first aid steps immediately.
• If you are bitten, this is a puncture wound that prompt immediate medical care.
• If your immunizations, such as for Tetnus, are not up-to-date treatment should include a tetanus shot.

 Ticks

Unless you have protected your pets against ticks, they can transmit ticks that could bite you and cause Lyme disease. For details, read the article Lyme Disease Alert.

Cleaning up after Pets

Cleaning the litter box is no one’s favorite task. Pregnant women are warned to have someone else clean the kitty litter box for the duration of the pregnancy because of the risk on contracting toxoplasmosis because of the risk of causes birth defects in the developing child.

In healthy individuals toxoplasmosis does not cause symptoms; however in an individual with a compromised immune system, toxoplasmosis can cause serious health problems.[1] If you have lymphedema, your immune system is compromised. If it is your hand and arm that are affected by lymphedema, it is wise to have someone else take over this clean-up duty. If this cannot be avoided, while performing this task, always wear waterproof protective gloves that are discarded after use.

Fishtank Related Hazards

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now includes Mycobacterium marinum on its list of “Emerging Infectious Diseases.” Also known as fish tank granuloma, this slow growing bacteria can infect fish and people. Although relatively rare, it is increasingly common and those with lymphedema need to beware of the dangers of an infection with this bacteria.[2]

Mycobacterium marinum infections produce nodular (bump-like) lesions or ulcerating (open) skin sores on the extremities. As the disease progresses, multiple sores may form in a line along the lymphatic vessel that drains the site. When there is a delay in diagnosing this condition, this pathogen continues to invade into the deeper tissues of the affected limb.

When there is a break in the skin and anyone with other serious medical conditions, including lymphedema, are at greatest risk because a Mycobacterium marinum infection can be acquired by cleaning aquariums, handling fish, or swimming in water that is not properly chlorinated.

Preventive Recommendations

• If your hand and arm are affected by lymphedema, have somone else take over responsibility for cleaning the fish tank.
• If you must clean the fish tank, always wear waterproof gloves.
• When cleaning fish for eating, always wear heavy gloves to protect your hands from injury. 
• If you have an open sore or break in the skin, it is best to avoid fresh or salt water activities in water where these bacteria are known to exist.

Pets Develop Lymphedema Too

Just like people, cats and dogs are at risk of developing either primary or secondary lymphedema.

• More dogs than cats develop primary lymphedema.
• The breeds of dogs most likely to develop this condition are poodles, Labrador Retrievers, Old English sheepdogs, and English bulldogs.
• Any cat or dog that has had an injury, surgery, or cancer treatment is at risk of developing secondary lymphema.
• Your veteraniarian should know how to help your pet live well with lympheema.

The following is a posting, which was supposedy written by a dog and is posted on Pet Forums. [3] It sounds so familiar to the problems many of us face, I thought you might enjoy it. Ann

"November last year, my left leg was swelling like a balloon. It was rock hard and painful. After I had scans done on it, the doc reached the conclusion that I have lymphedema. Now I have to wear a horrible brown compression stocking. It has helped with the swelling, but not the pain.

"Well I went back today for a check up and the doc said that basically I have to live with it, and keep wearing the stocking. In this weather, the stocking's sooo uncomfortable to wear, as it's real tight and stuffy!! Has anyone else got it, or know of anyone else?"

For advice on pet care and lymhedema visit Pet Peoples Place.

References

[1] CDC Toxoplasmosis

[2]  CDC Mycobacterium marium

[3]  Lymphedema in Dogs by Dr. Bari Spielman.

© LymphNotes.com 2010. This information does not replace the advice of a qualified health care professional.

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Category: Living With Lymphedema Updated: 2010-05-04