Which criteria does a cat have to meet in order to be allowed to move in?

Question

Hello!

Since I (27, female, CF) grew up with pets, my partner and I have been pondering for some time about getting our own pet in our apartment again. It so happened that my great-aunt has now died and left behind a kitten who was born outside but then declared herself a house cat. Which health requirements would the cat have to meet in order to be allowed to live with me in the future, also regarding a possible transplantation in the coming years? During the patient briefing, I was told that dogs were no problem at all but other cats were "critical."

One general note, I would like to thank you for your always helpful advice on both this question and past as well as future ones!

Answer

Hello,

Many thanks for your question. There are many similar questions on the different language platforms of ECORN-CF. Dr. Daniela d'Alquen (Würzburg, Germany), who is responsible for the quality assurance of the overarching English central archive of ECORN-CF, has dealt with the question of "pets after lung transplant" in her chapter "ECORN-CF and Transplantation: Questions and Answers from the European Network" [1]:

"Pets after Lung Transplantation

ECORN-CF question: Are pets in general, and cats and dogs in particular, allowed after transplantation?

Answering this question was difficult, since there are no standardized recommendations for CF patients after LTx. Background research showed that transplant centres in Germany issue different recommendations that range from doing without pets entirely during the early stage of transplantation, to allowing certain species under rigorous hygiene rules, to the general endorsement of pets. Critics point to the risk of germ transmission from the pet to the (immunosuppressed) transplant patient [12, 13]; advocates refer to a lack of controlled studies, as there is no data available particularly for the post-LTx stage. The existing recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC – www.cdc.gov/healthypets/bonemarrow_transplant.htm) as well as those of an expert group of the American Society of Transplantation [14] refer to transplant receivers in general. They point to modes of behaviour that should allow for a low-risk cohabitation of pets and transplant receivers (hygiene rules for the patient, veterinary control of the pets, rules for feeding, etc.). They also advise against stray or sick animals, reptiles, chicken or duck chicks and exotic animals. A Swiss study [15] examined the effect of keeping pets on the state of health and quality of life of LTx receivers. It was shown that transplant receivers with pets (mostly cats and dogs) did not have an increased rate of health complications, but did have better quality of life. [1]"

We hope this answer was helpful to you.

Kind regards
Annette Pfalz for ECORN-CF

Literature:

[1] Tim O. Hirche, Thomas O. F. Wagner. Update Mukoviszidose, Band 5: Lungentransplantation, 2012, Stuttgart, Kapitel 1.4., S. 11
[12] Kotton CN. Zoonoses in solid-organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Clin Infect Dis 2007; 44: 857-866
[13] Ner Z, Ross LA, Horn MV et al. Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in pediatric lung transplant recipients. Pediatr Transplant 2003; 7: 413-417
[14] Avery RK, Michaels MG and the AST Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Strategies for safe living following solid organ transplantation. Am J Transplant 2009; 9(Suppl 4): S252-S257
[15] Irani S, Mahler C, Goetzmann L et al. Lung transplant recipients holding companion animals: impact on physical health and quality of life. Am J Transplant 2006; 6: 404-411

14.12.2012