Some oncologists recommend that parents rehome pets while their child is being treated for leukemia. Although it is very unlikely that your child will be harmed by living with a household pet, several common-sense precautions can help protect a child with a low ANC from disease, worms, or infection:

• Make sure your pet is vaccinated against all possible diseases.
• Have your pets checked for worms as soon as possible after your child is diagnosed, and then every year thereafter (more often for puppies). Give preventive treatments to your pets as directed by your veterinarian.
• Do not let pets eat off plates or lick your child’s face.
• Keep children away from the cat litter box and any animal feces outdoors.
• Have all of your children wash their hands after playing with the pet.
• Make sure your pet has no ticks or fleas.
• If you have a pet that bites or scratches, consider finding another home for it. But if you have a gentle, well-loved pet, it may be a source of great comfort.

I think parents should know that you should not automatically get rid of your dog because your child has a low ANC. We went through a small crisis trying to decide whether to give away our large but beloved mongrel. The doctors wouldn’t really give us a straight answer, but a parent in the support group said, “DO NOT get rid of your dog. Your son will need that dog’s love and company in the years ahead.” She was right. The dog was a tremendous comfort to our son.

If at all possible, try to delay getting a new pet until your child has finished treatment. If your child wants a pet while undergoing cancer treatment and the family is in a position to take care of it, follow these guidelines:

• Do not get a puppy. All puppies bite while teething, increasing the chance that your child may contract an infection.
• Do not get a parrot or parakeet, as these species can transmit an infection called psittacosis to humans.
• Do not get a turtle or other reptile (e.g., snake, iguana) as they sometimes carry salmonella.
• Get a calm animal that is unlikely to bite or scratch.

We bought Sarah a young adult dog. We were very selective about the breeder and the breed. The dog has given my little girl back to me. After she got the dog, she started to want to walk again. She started to laugh. She had reason to think beyond herself and how terrible this illness is. She had someone who needed her. Someone who was delighted to see her and made her feel special in a way no human can. It literally transformed my child.

The dog’s name is Libbe, and after having Libbe for about a week, Sarah started asking when Libbe was going to die. She knew Libbe was young, but she really was asking about herself. We were able to tell her that Libbe will be around when she is a teenager and she can take Libbe with her on those big-girl sleepovers. Heck, she could take Libbe in the car for a ride, if she wanted. She beamed. It put the death and dying issue to rest.

If you have any concerns or questions about pets you already own or are thinking about purchasing, ask your oncologist and veterinarian for advice.

There were times during my son’s treatment that I felt he suffered more from the side effects of treatment than from the disease. It was emotionally painful for me to watch him go through so much. I think one of the hardest moments for me was the day he lost all his hair. Up until that point I had been living in a semi-state of denial. His bald head was more proof of our reality—he really did have cancer. I had to learn how to accept our situation, because I needed to be strong for my child. To get through, I reminded myself every day that the treatments were necessary, and that without them he would die. It was a struggle, but the unpleasant side effects soon passed, and he was able to resume his normal activities. I was constantly amazed at his resilience.