b'More About Caring for Your Pets When You Have CancerAnother tip is to line a hollow rubber chew toy (Kong is one brand name) with a treat such as butter, peanut butter, cream cheese Frequently Asked Questions or liverwurst and freeze it. It will take your dog longer to eat the frozen treat, which keeps them occupied and gives them the Q: My cat had an intestinal parasitic infection in the past.opportunity for prolonged chewing and licking (which is enjoyable I am now undergoing cancer treatment. What precautionsto many dogs). Talk to your vet, as he or she may have some should I take if my cat gets that sort of infection again?additional recommendations along these lines. A: You should avoid cleaning the litter box whether or not your cat has any kind of illness. Its especially important to stay awayQ: Is it safe for my pet to sleep in my bed when Im in from your cat if it has a parasitic infection (e.g., toxoplasma,treatment for cancer? roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms) as it could be passed on toA: Talk to a member of your health care team before deciding on you through their feces. Whoever changes the litter box should doyour pets sleeping arrangements.While it can be a comfort to so every day. They should also wash the cats rear end with waterhave your pet sleep in your bed, there are circumstances that daily. Stay away from your cats rear end; if you do accidentallyrequire extra caution. Keep your dog or cat out of your bed if you touch that part of their body (or anywhere near it), wash with soaphave had recent surgery. While you are sleeping, your pet might and water for three minutes. put pressure against the area that is healing, which could cause pain or lead to an infection. Pets may also think post-surgery Q: My dog is very high energy. Do you have any special tipstubing (e.g., a drain or catheter) is a toy. They could play with or for me? chew on the tubing, which is potentially harmful to them as well as A: Be proactive in enlisting the help of family, friends, neighborsto you. For the same reason, keep your pet out of your bed if you or dog walkers to provide your dog with extra walks. Some petare receiving nighttime drugs via an intravenous line.walking services have smart phone or tablet apps that allowyou to find, hire and schedule dog walkers on demand; ask Q: Will my dog be allowed to visit me in the hospital? your veterinarian if he or she has a website, service or app A: While many hospitals have protocols that allow certified to recommend.therapy dogs to visit people in the hospital with a trained handler, it is not a practice that typically extends to a persons own dog. Many owners use lavender oil on their dogs for its calming effect.Such visits can happen under extenuating circumstances, so talk You can put a few drops on your dogs collar or create a mixture to a member of the hospital staff if you and your doctor want to in a spray bottle that you then spray onto a towel or washcloth investigate that possibility (keeping in mind that such a visit may for your dog to sniff. Before using lavender oil (or any essential be stressful for your dog and therefore inadvisable). oil) on your dog, make sure your veterinarian approves. Neveruse essential oils on cats, as it can be harmful to them.18 WWW.CANCERCARE.ORG CANCERCARE|CARING FOR YOUR PETS WHEN YOU HAVE CANCER 19'