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Handling of pets

Question
Dear expert team,
my son (14 months old) suffers from CF. My in-laws, who are also our direct neighbours, have many animals (a dog, a cat, chicken, rabbits and sheep). My son is really crazy about the animals, but I am very insecure, in how far I shall allow the contact with the animals regarding problematic germs.
The dog is running freely on the ground, can therefore also go to the dunghill and can take a bath in the creek, that is running through the ground. Is it o.k. that my son plays with him and strokes him?
The rabbits are in a stable that smells like a stable etc. Until now I did not allow him to stroke the rabbits in their stable, as their dung is in there, either. I am however not sure, if it is for him in general dangerous, to be in the stable at all. Can problematic germs be also in the air (Pseudomonas)? The stable is mostly closed during the day.
The 3 sheep are located during the winter in a stable. In case of good weather the door of the stable is mostly open, the airing is therefore better here than in the rabbit stable. In spite of this I am not sure, if it is good, if my son stays in there.
Could you tell me, how should I behave the best concerning the contact to these animals. I do not want to forbid everything to my child, however do not want to expose him to unnecessary dangers.
Many thanks in advance for your help!
Answer
Hello,
in general the basic rules of hygiene apply especially for a toddler with CF.
That means cleaning the hands after contact to animals, after visiting a stable, after using the toilet i.a.
If the animals are healthy, vaccinated and are under the control of a veterinarian, the keeping of animals does no mean primarily a danger for a little CF child.
Which germs do we fear the most? Staphylococci, Pseudomonas, mould fungi, atypical mycobacteria i.a.

To dogs: If the hands are washed after caressing and before meals also and the dog is healthy, the dog is in my opinion not a great danger.

To cats/rabbits: here I see no greater problems when applying to the general hygiene rules.

Chicken are in general not touched, sheep do not need to be touched.

The above mentioned germs occur everywhere. The above mentioned animals will not increase the colonization of germs.
However, when stables are cleaned, CF children and adults should not be present. If neceassary a mask is worn in the stable like also in the hospital and CF center.
Even if there are no bigger activities done in the stable, the germ load in the air of the stable will not be too big, however a risk stays always. Therefore please wear a mask in the stable.
I repeat to apply to the general rules of hygiene, to have nose/throat swabs done regularly and to have the child be controlled regularly in the CF center.
Animals do also have something exhilarating for the psychological situation of the child. Studies from pediatric allergology have shown, that indeed growing-up on a farm with many appearing "dangers" supports and strenghtens the immune-system.
In my opinion, one should not irritate the family idyll via getting rid of the animals. But please apply to the general rules of hygiene!
Best regards,
Dr. H.-E. Heuer
16.05.2015