Hygiene rules for dogs in rental apartments

Question

Hello,
I am a 22-year-old CF patient and I am thinking about having a dog together with my boyfriend after my studies. I know, that I will not always be able to care for it due to my illness. My boyfriend would then take care completely of the dog in such times. However I am worried if hygiene in the household would suffer due to the pet and if this would be a health risk.
I read in a paper from the Robert-Koch institute (German official hygiene authority), that one should wash the hands after any contact to animals, even also in case of own pets. I think this is utopian, especially as in the future planned children would not follow these rules.
Which guidelines do exist for a CF patient keeping a dog? Is it advisable to let the pet only in certain rooms (which therefore does speak only for a little dog)? In case of choosing a dog breed, it is taken for granted that a dog with short hair is favorable.
Is there a great risk to have cross-infections of problematic germs between the dog and the CF patient? Or how great is the risk that my future pet will aquire MRSA or similar germs from the veterinarian office?
Many thanks,
D.

Answer

Dear D.,
unfortunately there is no general, respectively profound answer to your question, as there are only few investigations on this topic. Apart from the classical illnesses transmitted by animals (so-called zoonosis) transmission of germs can take place between the animal and its owner. There are different examples without a connection to CF, however also in CF patients single transmissions of germs (e.g. MRSA, Bordetella bronchiseptica) via contact to animals have been described. Molecular investigations show, that MRSA strains from humans and animals are genetically very similar, which could explain the relatively easy transmission. Where animals acquire MRSA can not be said clearly, either. Antibiotics, the stay at a veterinarian hospital could play a role similar as with human beings.
Pets are therefore a possible source of germs. It is unclear, how often such transmissions occur and which role they play for the health status of CF patients. One can assume for sure, that the closer the contact is, the greater is the risk of transmitting germs. A study describes, that CF patients with contact to cats show more often nasal polypes and that CF patients with contact to cats and dogs show breathing problems (obstruction) more often.
The decision to have a pet has to be made individually by weighing the positive (psycho-social) and negative (possible, however not accurately assessable health risk) effects. Please discuss this also with your CF physician in charge. The risk to acquire possible harmful germs can depend on several environmental factors, and having a pet is here one among many. In the end, it is advisable in my opinion, in case of having a pet, to pertain hygiene rules as good as possible. A concrete recommendation for choosing a pet respectively for keeping it cannot be given by me (possibly it is helpful to get advice from a veterinarian)
Best regards,
Michael Hogardt

23.09.2016