Pets
Transition to Adult Care
After transplant, your child is at a higher risk for infections. Most family pets are perfectly safe to have in the house and for your child to be around. Cats and dogs should be kept up to date on vaccinations. After transplant, your child should not clean or handle the cat litter box, as there is a risk of her getting a certain bacteria (toxoplasmosis) that is sometimes found in the stool of cats.
When your child becomes a teenager, we will begin to teach her what she will need to know to manage her health in the future. This teaching will continue until she reaches 18, when her care will be transferred to an adult heart transplant team of your choice. There are many adult heart transplant programs in the country, and your CHOP transplant team can help you find one for your child when the time comes.
We recommend that you do not have any reptiles as pets. They may carry bacteria called salmonella, which could cause your child to get sick. Your child may handle reptiles or other animals at a zoo or museum, but must clean her hands well with hand-sanitizing gel or soap and water afterward.
Piercings and Tattoos Your child should not get any ear or body piercings or tattoos until you speak with one of the transplant doctors. These are not necessary medical treatments, and they could put your child at risk for infection.
Here are some of Lauren’s stuffed friends that she’d take with her on Hospital corridor rides.
Resources Gift of Life Donor Program 401 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123 800-DONORS-1 www.donors1.org
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) P.O. Box 2484, Richmond, VA 23218 www.unos.org
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