b'Additionally, heres guidance for when you come home from theKeeping Yourself Healthy hospital or any health care facility: Leave your shoes at the door. Your shoes may be carryingIts important to tell your pets veterinarian that you have cancer.staph, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Ask him or her for specific advice or guidance relative to youror other infections which can be transmitted to your pets. health, based on your type of pet and any medical conditions itUse a disinfectant spray when you arrive home (there are may have. some made specifically for shoes).Leave your shoes at thedoor orbetter yetoutside. The following is guidance for keeping yourself healthy whileChange your clothes. Wash the clothes you wore at the enjoying the company of your pet:health care facility before wearing them again, as they may also carry transmittable infections.Be careful to avoid bites and scratches. Keep your petsKeep away from your animals after a PET scan. The nails trimmed and avoid playing with it in a way that mightradioactive dye used in PET scans can be harmful to your cat result in a bite or scratch. Dont touch any pet when it isor dog (just as it is to children). Stay away from your pets for asleep, as this may be startling and cause it to strike out. six hours after receiving a PET scan. To be on the safe side, itsEven a minor playful injury can become infected. This can best to avoid your pet for several hours after a CT scan as well. be a serious problem, especially if you are being treated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation therapy. Take extra care if you are bitten or scratched. Wash thesite of the bite or scratch with soap and water for at leastthree minutes, dry, and then cover the site. Closely monitorthe area for swelling, redness, tenderness or drainage, all ofwhich can be signs of an infection. Contact your health careteam immediately if any of these signs appear, or if you develop a fever.Keep your pet away from your face. As dogs and cats cantransmit diseases, you dont want them licking your mouthor nose. You also dont want them licking an open wound or cut you may have on any part of your body. If this happens, wash your mouth, nose, open wound or cut with soap andwater for at least three minutes.8 WWW.CANCERCARE.ORG CANCERCARE|CARING FOR YOUR PETS WHEN YOU HAVE CANCER 9'