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8:25 pm
September 30, 2010
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Though I've been having a kitty for more than 5 years today; ironically, I found out that I'm allergic to pets.
I was talking to my neighbour who is allergic to cats and noticed that he's had a cat recently. So, I asked him how he managed it. He said well, I tended to sort of used to it.
I asked what he feels that makes him believe that he's alllergic to cats. He said that he starts to cough and sneeze and sometimes has difficulty breathing.
I told him briefly that I had the same symptoms ever since lately - when I brought in my cat. He smiled and said - my dear - You are allergic to cats!!!
I love my cat so much. There is NO WAY I can give her away or abandon her. Out of question!!!
How can I control my allergy to her/my kitty and keep her with me? She really was with me thru thick and thin and I love her so much.
Anyone has had the same experience? Please advise! ~Ras~
8:33 pm
September 27, 2010
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Oh no, I'm so sorry Ras!
Only thing I can suggest is to ask your doctor about allergy medications. You might also want to talk to your vet, maybe there's ways you can groom the cat or bathe her (or have a pet place do it for you to spare your arms their flesh), to keep down the allergens? Even then I suspect there's a chance they could say sorry, best and/or only way to manage the allergy is to give kitty to another home.
I hope things work out for the best.
8:50 pm
September 27, 2010
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Ras:
Definitely ask the doc for allergy meds. Also they have a sponge or glove you can get that you can pet the cat w/ and it will pull any loose hair off her. There is a machine called Living Air that you can also get. It keeps the air clean and will keep the hair down. Wash your bedding every few days. Put a towel on the couch where she lays.... Simple things go a long way. Oh, keep her out of the bedroom also.
My daughter is allergic and this is what we do for her.. Doctor approved.
9:14 pm
September 30, 2010
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Thanks Crochet and MamaC for your precious tips and hints.
Crochet - I will be going to see a doctor soon so I will ask him about some meds for allergy. However, my kitty sleeps with me in my bedroom. I once closed the bedroom door and she was meowing so I took pity on her and let her in and ever since then she sleeps beside me.
MamaC - I can't let her sleep outside my bedroom. We are very attached to each other.
"Also they have a sponge or glove you can get that you can pet the cat w/ and it will pull any loose hair off her."
Where do you buy this from? I brush her fur almost daily or every 2nd day. Is this enough?
"There is a machine called Living Air that you can also get. It keeps the air clean and will keep the hair down. Wash your bedding every few days."
Where do I get this from? This really sounds cool and intriguing. Please advise!
"Oh, keep her out of the bedroom also."
I CAN NOT!!! We are so attached to one another!
~Ras~
10:34 pm
September 24, 2010
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Ras,
I have a friend who is allergic to cats and she has 8 that all live indoors and many of them sleep with her. She takes meds for her allergy and has air filters throughout her house. She also brushes the cats often to keep the shed at a minimum as well as cleaning her house often to keep down the hair, dust and dander.
Here is a link to a website I just found on controlling dander (what most people with pet allergies are allergic to)
http://www.onlineallergyrelief...../pets.html
I am so glad that you are going to keep your kitty.
12:22 am
September 27, 2010
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Got rid of all my pets, cat and dog. Lived with mom off and on and she had the animals too. I usually had a cat and wow, since I have not been around animals, no allergy attacks, that usually lasted all day, no runny noses etc. I had no idea it was the animals, just thought pollins were in the air sometimes, so I just lived with it for years. Now, once the animals were gone, no more difficulties. I would rather have no animals than to deal with that again.
12:51 am
September 27, 2010
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Ras:
The shed glove or sponge you can get at any pet store.
The air purifier... here is some info for you. We used to sell them until I couldn't any longer. I run one and I love it.
Alpine Air Purification System covers utilizing both activated oxygen and negative ions. It can oxidize the molecules which cause odors that could contaminate indoor air and aggravate allergic reactions such as sneezing, sinus and ear irritations, asthma and itchy eyes by significantly reducing chemical gases, paint fumes, tobacco smoke, fungi and mold. They also remove any pet odor and dender. alpineairproducts.com
Bathing is not recommended by vets due to it takes away the natural oils, etc. from their skin. Some cats need bathed tho. My brothere had two white persians and they had to be bathed and brushed coz they were always a mess. But he did it like only 1x a month.
My daughter's allergist said she would never tell a patient to rid themselves of their beloved pets. There are lots of ways around that.
9:36 am
September 27, 2010
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I understand the not wanting to have her out of the bedroom thing. One of my kitties and I have to have our "girl time" every night now that my husband works swing and I go to bed alone during the week.
We climb into bed and she rolls around purring, going "Brrip, whrrrup!" rubbing my face, knocking the TV remote I'm holding out of my hand while I pet her. She'll purr so hard she wheezes. Eventually she curls up behind my knees as I fall asleep.
My girl is a holstein cat, white with black splotches. So imagine a miniature cow with whiskers, pointed ears and a long tail doing all of this. She even has a little "udder" flap on her belly.
She actually nags me now to come to bed, stands in the hallway and yowls at me starting about two hours before I turn in. I sound like a henpecked wife: "Yes, dear, hold your horses, I'm coming to bed - yes, yes, just a minute!" I don't dare turn down our little ritual.
Don't get me started on the sudden stick that gets up her butt if the boy cat tries to join in. It has to be just the two of us.
Having her there is comforting and helps me sleep better. She then simply changes guard at the station when DH comes home a couple hours later 🙂
So yes I totally understand this. It would crush me if I had to give her away for any reason.
It sounds like you're getting some great suggestions, some from who've been there. I hope you're able to figure out a good solution from all this that works for you.
10:42 am
September 30, 2010
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LTC: that's too funny.. my cat does the same thing.. half hour before bed time... meow meow, yoddle etc... time for bed 😉
My buddies always used to give me a hard time and tell me it was time for bed when she started up...
Ras: ya I think everyone else has given you what you need to know, cleaning your pet and your house will be the biggest factors to reducing your allergy level. There are over the counter meds you can take all the time and supposedly this once a month shot you can get, but don't know much about it..
I have a somewhat similar problem in that my new GF is very alleric to my cat.. so I guess someday I'll have to choose between em... and I've had my Selina for 12 years 🙁
7:38 pm
September 30, 2010
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Thanks all for your replies and feedback!
CM - Thanks hun for the link. I will check it out.
Dude - Pets are GREAT companion. I can NEVER give up my kitty. She is really a sweetheart. She sleep on my back at nite and it feels like a massage. She is the most wonderful property I've ever had. Once we had a fire alarm in the building, I picked up my lovely kitty and ran downstairs with her and forgot even to take my purse. She is the most preciuos thing I have.
MamaC - Thanks sweetie. I will be visiting a doc soon. So, I will ask him about some meds for allergy and try to see which one of these itmes I need to buy to have less allergy. My adorable Kitty is worth the trouble for the joy she brought into my life.
LTC - You story is similar to mine. Kitty sleeps on my back in the middle of the nite and as I said to Dude, it really feels like a massage.
Canada - I'm facing so many challenges this year. I just started singing in a choir as a volunteer and do feel like coughing and it's embarrassing. I love being in a choir. Its the 1st time I volunteer to sing in a choir. Its very enriching experience.
If you suffer from gloom (your other thread) Pets and singing in a choir are great antidoes to ward off depression.
BTW: If Mr. Right is allergic to cats, I will tell him bluntly that if he does not accept my kitty, he is NOT the right man for me. Period!!! LOL
~Ras
10:13 pm
September 27, 2010
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Hey Ras, gotta tell ya this. I was trippn out, but my cat started to hiss big time and was wondering what was going on with the cat. I couldn't see anything he was hissn at in the house, then 10 seconds later a 6.0 earthquake pounded the area. So, pets do protect you, thats fer sure.....
10:38 pm
September 24, 2010
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Definitely take the advice about allergy meds. Some over the counter brands may help w/o perscription.
I have allergies too and asthma which all began about 8 years ago. I use prescribed inhalers daily.
I also live with 3 parrots, a 13 year old dog and a recently acquired stray kitten.
Allergies can be managed! Good luck!
10:54 am
September 24, 2010
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Ras,
I know allergies can develope anytime - so it is possible you can be allergic to kitty.
BUT - didn't you just move?
perhaps there is something "new" in the apartment that is making you allergic???????
see your doc and get a referral to an allergy specialist - they will do a thorough exam and a test that will tell you EXACTLY what you are allergic to - then you can go home and figure out what is making you ill.
Don't assume it's kitty - it could be anything from the perfumes in your laundry soap, dust, mold, air fresheners, hair spray, flowers, trees, plants, etc.
it could be kitty, but it might not be.
11:21 am
September 30, 2010
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Thanks 3As & RFAS & dude for your responses.
I agree with you RFAS about that. I have always suffered from allergy. The peak period is right now from fall up to end of winter. I am allergic to chocolate, eggs, perfumes, tomatoes, tissues and fabrics.
When I was a kid, it was even worse, my mother would give me some tables for allergy which would induce drowsiness and I would want to sleep and I would be having an exam which would made me even more worried and stressed and that initself would increase my allergy.
Don't worry folks, there is no way I can give away kitty. She is my soulmate & I love her soooooooo much!!!
11:14 pm
Rasputin-
Hello... sorry to hear about your allergies. When I was growing up in the suburbs, and in my parents house which is dusty, I had to contend with many things there I was allergic to. Now I still get a little bit of an attack when I go there, but nothing like when I was younger- I had that breathing problem, my chest hurt, eyes always runny, sneazy, tickle in my throat... it was constant. This was BEFORE we ever got a dog. Honestly, I must have been miserable, but didn't know any different until I moved to the city.
But when my allergies were at their peak I was tested and found I was allergic to both cats and dogs! I never continued my allergy shots (it requires a commitment and regular appointments that I kept missing... I was so young and irresponsible). But some people swear by the shots.
One thing I noticed about animal allergies is that I am not allergic to all cats and dogs. It varies not by breed, but by individual. I just don't know until I spend time with the cat or dog how I will react. It's hard because I am a real animal lover. With my dog, I got lucky. There is no way I would give her up even if she made me sneeze (she doesn't). And, like you, I love cuddling with her. She has to stay in the bed with me! Even when my ex and I were together, she would sometimes worm her way inbetween us and snuggle. Those were the nice moments.
A lot of cat lovers are allergic... you may be able to find effective treatment... hang in there.
-ella
2:33 pm
Be cautious if you ever get stung by a bee/wasp. If you have allergies, that is one thing that can land you in an emergency room, even if you've been stung many times and never reacted before.
Always wash your hands after you handle your pet BEFORE you touch your face/eyes. Vacuum alot!!!
8:25 pm
September 30, 2010
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Thanks Ella to your wise tips and hints. Oh how I can sympathize. I have good news to you all: I have started to take some food supplemements lately and I noticed my allergy diminishing. So, hoooray!!!
Yes, Ella I love my kitty so much esp. b4 bedtime when I take a book and turn on the soft music and she sits gracefully in her cushion by my beside and I start to brush her. She looks like a princess that sometimes I call her princess. At 4 am. she moves from her cushions to sit right b4 my head and when my alarm clock goes off, I open my eyes to see a sweet white fur right above my head so I reach out and give her a big warm kiss with a hug.
I love my kitty so much.
Bryn - I heard about this that we should wash our hands after we touch or play with our pet. However, it happened several times when I touched and carried my kitty while I was waiting for my supper to be cooked and then went to eat something be it my supper or from the bridge.
Is it serious that thing about washing our hands after handling/touching/playing with our pets?
10:04 am
September 30, 2010
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there are non-alergy dogs. Poodles and Bichons, your alergy is probably to the dander. Bichons don't have this, and they are both known for not shedding.
10:38 am
Hi ella,
About washing your hands after you handle the kitty.... If I don't, and I forget and then rub my eyes or something, I get very itchy eyes. If I get a scratch and do not wash it with soap pretty quickly, that too becomes extremely itchy. We are just sensitive to the dander/hair or some kind of "spore". Washing with anti-bacterial handsoap really helps me. Keeps whatever it is away from MY most sensitive "places"!
3:08 pm
September 30, 2010
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I think I am gonna purchase that hand sensitizer (sp?) which I found many of my co-workers keep a samll bottle of in their desk. It is very useful and handy and written on it anti-bacterial.
Thanks Bryn for that tip!!!
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