dd possibly asthmatic and we have a cat!

chocdonuty

oakenshaw is not far from me
I do think it probably will be the cat and have asked family if they would like to rehome him if it comes to it but no-one can (not asked anyone else yet)
I definatly will ask for allergy testing when we go back to the doctors and go from there though.
I just don't see how I can stop dd coming into close contact with morris and his fur without keeping him confined to one room, which I will not do as it's not fair on him and no life for a cat. I did not plan on having a cat and only have him because he was a stray and needed a home desperatly so me being soft hearted said yes!
I also have guinea pigs but tbh they can be moved to my room without too much of a fuss as at the moment they are in the lounge in a cage, we have had them for years though so don't think they are the problem.

meritaten

Person_one wrote: »

I say someone dies every 7 hours and you say 'so what'?

You say 'SO WHAT?!'

What's wrong with you?

Its not a chip on my shoulder at all, its true, look it up. I just find it a little depressing that attitudes towards allergies don't seem to be moving on much, when you've spent your life having people roll their eyes at you and try to tell you you must just hate cats/dogs/birds/XYZ food and the allergy is a cover story it gets a bit annoying! Asthma isn't even an allergy! It just happens that it can, sometimes but not every time, be triggered by an allergic response.

If you read my first response you'll see that I genuinely hope that the cat can stay, but that if it is a trigger then that should be taken seriously, that's all. Seems sensible to me, and the cat can be a trigger even without a true allergy, that's why its still important to keep up the anti-cat hair regime even if skin tests come back negative.
(I never realised there were so many doctors, immunologists and microbiologists on the Pets board either!)

Person-one, please notice that at least THREE people have stated that they have HAD the proper allergy tests and CATS were not implicated as triggers!
None of them take asthma lightly either - they are all well aware that asthma is one of the most dangerous conditions to have! you may be diagnosed with mild asthma - walk out of the surgery and then have a severe attack which could kill you!
All we are saying is that if Cats, Dogs, birds, etc are NOT triggers for asthma then its unfair of medical personell to insist they be removed from the home. many asthmatic kids (and adults) rely on thier pets for love and companionship and to remove them willy nilly without just cause is heartbreaking for the owner!
its far better (as JoJo says) to ensure the home is scrupilously clean and dust free as dust mites are almost ALWAYS triggers for Asthma!
also being aware of other triggers - a diary will help in which you note weather conditions, foods eaten, and which environment you were in (I know one lady who had to have home hairdressing as visiting the salon 'triggered' her asthma). There are so many different triggers, that to blame pets every time asthma is diagnosed is just a cop out!
Saying that - if animals are a trigger - then sometimes taking antihistamines can help! pets dont always have to be rehomed!

cleggie

My 7 yr old son is asthmatic and we have a cat (used to have 2 cats). Have had cats since he was 18 months old.
I just make sure i hoover and dust everyday, including matresses.
Strangely enough, he has never reacted to the cats, but if he comes into contact with ciggie smoke etc, then its awful!!

Person_one

meritaten wrote: »

Person-one, please notice that at least THREE people have stated that they have HAD the proper allergy tests and CATS were not implicated as triggers!
None of them take asthma lightly either - they are all well aware that asthma is one of the most dangerous conditions to have! you may be diagnosed with mild asthma - walk out of the surgery and then have a severe attack which could kill you!
All we are saying is that if Cats, Dogs, birds, etc are NOT triggers for asthma then its unfair of medical personell to insist they be removed from the home. many asthmatic kids (and adults) rely on thier pets for love and companionship and to remove them willy nilly without just cause is heartbreaking for the owner!
its far better (as JoJo says) to ensure the home is scrupilously clean and dust free as dust mites are almost ALWAYS triggers for Asthma!
also being aware of other triggers - a diary will help in which you note weather conditions, foods eaten, and which environment you were in (I know one lady who had to have home hairdressing as visiting the salon 'triggered' her asthma). There are so many different triggers, that to blame pets every time asthma is diagnosed is just a cop out!
Saying that - if animals are a trigger - then sometimes taking antihistamines can help! pets dont always have to be rehomed!

Its worth realising that the people who were triggered by cats and therefore had to rehome them aren't likely to be hanging around the Pets board.

I am in complete agreement with all the people suggesting allergy testing, if you read my first post I suggested lots of ways to minimise the allergen to see if it helped.

All I'm saying is that people like the OP shouldn't underestimate or misunderstand asthma (which plenty do, look at the poster who thought it only kills people with 'weak hearts') and that the OP might have to face the possibility that the cat is a trigger. One voice of caution in the midst of many offering hope, that's all.

If the OP keeps the cat its very important not to get complacent and to keep on top of the anti-allergen regime and the observations of the asthma symptoms.

michbright

I have a daughter who is asthmatic and her triggers seem to be cold weather, illness and some dogs. We had a cat when she was born and when that cat sadly passed away, we got 2 more of the same breed, just in case another breed might trigger her asthma. She has never reacted to any of the 3 cats that we've had.

We did, however, have a cocker spaniel for a month as a friend needed to rehome her and we gladly rehomed her. Unfortunately, I reacted badly, as did my husband and my asthmatic daughter so we had to rehome her with another friend. Even now, my daughter starts coughing and sneezing when we visit my friend with that dog. As the friend is DD's godmother, we can't really avoid visiting her but my friend knows to move the dog to an area where DD won't have contact with her when we visit.

I had asthma as a child but outgrew it and my father had asthma and severe hayfever all his life but kept all manner of animals, despite having severe reactions to said animals - he was a very stubborn man.

I would say, make sure it is the cat before you rehome it. I hope for your sake it's not the cat. Having a pet is so lovely.

As for animals that don't trigger allergies, poodles are very good dogs to have as they don't shed and they are 'hypoallergenic'. My aunt suffers with hayfever and asthma and has a toy poodle with no problems, but has a cat that triggers her hayfever (just as stubborn as her brother!).

Sorry for the long story, but I just thought I'd add my little bit

meritaten

Person_one wrote: »

Its worth realising that the people who were triggered by cats and therefore had to rehome them aren't likely to be hanging around the Pets board.

I am in complete agreement with all the people suggesting allergy testing, if you read my first post I suggested lots of ways to minimise the allergen to see if it helped.

All I'm saying is that people like the OP shouldn't underestimate or misunderstand asthma (which plenty do, look at the poster who thought it only kills people with 'weak hearts') and that the OP might have to face the possibility that the cat is a trigger. One voice of caution in the midst of many offering hope, that's all.

If the OP keeps the cat its very important not to get complacent and to keep on top of the anti-allergen regime and the observations of the asthma symptoms.

Yes, person-one _ I agree with this post entirely.
I am the first person to say that taking asthma lightly is to risk your life! the unpredictability of the condition is its chief danger.

But, Life has risks doesnt it? and if you can minimise the risks then the chances of having a life-threatening attack diminish.

I wish ALL GPs or consultants would order allergy testing - its often a complete surprise when a test is done exactly WHAT will trigger a reaction!
Its often something that the asthmatic either comes across daily or rarely! This is why a DIARY can be so useful! if you can pinpoint a trigger .then the GP or hospital MAY be willing to pay for testing for that trigger along with some of the most common allergens

I also have to say that while my DD lived at home she had no reaction to the dog or cat. after she moved out she reacted badly to our Springer Spaniel! But, not at all to the cat! So, I do believe that people can be de-sensitised to the animals they LIVE with!

lister

Person_one wrote: »

I really hope nobody ever has a severe asthma attack after you've turned them away.

I'm all in favour of keeping animals where possible but it seems like some people are seriously misunderstanding and vastly underestimating asthma. On average, someone dies of asthma every 7 hours.

We turn people away because we prioritise on the basis of the cat's needs, not the human needs. We probably take in 5% or less of the cats we are asked to, so that means we almost entirely take in stray and abandoned animals, so anything we can do to help people resolve a problem with a cat in a home situation is a positive step for us.

My point is that we would be under vastly less pressure if correct advice and diagnoses were given rather than playing the easy card.

Person_one

lister wrote: »

We turn people away because we prioritise on the basis of the cat's needs, not the human needs. We probably take in 5% or less of the cats we are asked to, so that means we almost entirely take in stray and abandoned animals, so anything we can do to help people resolve a problem with a cat in a home situation is a positive step for us.

My point is that we would be under vastly less pressure if correct advice and diagnoses were given rather than playing the easy card.

Turning away because there's no room is of course understandable, you gave the impression you were dispensing medical advice, I'm really pleased to hear that's not the case.

Molly41

My friend from my childhood died from an asthma attack. Given that was 30 odd years ago and that treatments have moved on.

My husband has very bad asthma but we have pets. We manage by having dogs that dont moult and generally he is well controlled. His major trigger is pollen though so struggles all year as it is amazing what is flowering and when. I hope you can find a happy compromise xx

Person_one

Molly41 wrote: »

My friend from my childhood died from an asthma attack. Given that was 30 odd years ago and that treatments have moved on.

My husband has very bad asthma but we have pets. We manage by having dogs that dont moult and generally he is well controlled. His major trigger is pollen though so struggles all year as it is amazing what is flowering and when. I hope you can find a happy compromise xx

They haven't moved on all that much actually. I was diagnosed 25 years ago and I'm still on essentially the same treatment. They're still just juggling bronchodilators and steroids to try and get the best results but mortality rates are pretty constant.