Cats & Doctors

Why do doctors strongly suggest removing all animals from your home when you have a sinus condition?

I went to the doctor Thursday and that's what I was told. That my condition will not get any better with cats in our home. I have had cats for over 15 years now and I think I will continue to deal with my sinus issues with my furballs cuddled up with me.

Seriously why do they suggest this?

Don't get me started. The cats are always the first to get blamed.

Have you ever been to an allergist and have been tested and found to have a cat allergy? I've been to an allergist that told me even before testing to get rid of my cat. Needless to say, I didn't stick around. I have a new allergist who feels that it is cruel to ask people to give up a member of their family when there are things that can be done to allow you to live with your pet.

I haven't seen an allergist. When I was about 5 I had really bad ear infections and had tubes put in. Mom was told then I can't have cats and to trash any stuff animals. I do know I sneeze around certain dogs like shelties and my fathers long fur cat.

The sinus infections started when I picked up the horrible habit of smoking. It's been great over the last 10 years though. I used to get sick every month from August to April.

I love my doctor but I wanted to lunge at him when he made the sugggestion. He quickly shut up when he realized how much we love cats.

They obviously don't realise that a cat is more than just a "house accessory". My allergenist told me there wasn't much more she could do until we got rid of the cats. As though it was a forgone conclusion that the cats were the cause of my allergies, and geting rid of them would fix everything.

I've lived my entire life with cats, and it's only since moving to the US that my allergies were that bad - I just had to get used to new trees and grasses that I hadn't ben exposed to before. Needless to say, I stopped seeing her.

I don't tell my medical pros that I even own one cat.

cause, unless you smoke, or drink, or have pets,
they Get lost on how to treat you.

Originally Posted by lunasmom

I don't tell my medical pros that I even own one cat.

Click to expand...

Me neither..its too easy to blame them Maybe if we don't mention the cats..the dr's will work to find out the real problem.

Originally Posted by Crazyforinfo

Why do doctors strongly suggest removing all animals from your home when you have a sinus condition?

I went to the doctor Thursday and that's what I was told. That my condition will not get any better with cats in our home. I have had cats for over 15 years now and I think I will continue to deal with my sinus issues with my furballs cuddled up with me.

Seriously why do they suggest this?

Click to expand...

I have no idea unless... it is true. Here is something that happened to me two weeks ago. I was told that wallpaper in a house was old fashioned. Since I am selling my house in a buyer's market, I had the wallpaper removed and painted. From that very day, I started sneezing and having all of the usual sinus conditions. An idiot that shall remain unamed suggested that my cats were causing my condition.

In a case like this, a daily log is helpful. Do you go on vacation from your cats, and if so, do you get better? In my case, I can pinpoint the exact day I started having the sneezing attacks. But I have always had sinus conditions. And people are quick to point out it is my cats, especially Persi, who has long flowing hair. My present condition I know is attributed to the wallpaper being torn down. So my suggestion is to keep a daily log (perhaps on your cellphone) that may affect your condition.

For me, I know without a doubt that my cats are my best friends and are causing me no harm, simply because I have kept, if not physical, a mental log of when certain events have transpired that may contribute to my problem.

I remember when I first saw the doctor treating my asthma, he asked me if I had any pets. I told him I had a 14 year old cat - he looked at me and said - OK you have a cat. He didn't dare go any further with that thought! The cat was never mentioned again by him!

I've noticed that the days I tend to sneeze that the cats do as well, suggesting an environmental source (neighbors spraying their yard, nearby pasture being bailed up) and not the cats as it's unlikely my cats would be allergic to themselves.
I have sinus problems, too. Easily linked back to really bad colds in childhood. Aggravating factors are usually chemical related - scented/perfumed stuff, dust, and smoke of any kind. While burying my face is fluffy cat bellies doesn't bother me at all.

The only possible link I can think of between cats and serious sinus or allergy problems in people that have owned them for years would be litter dust.

If you think comments about how cats are unhealthy is annoying then everyone should read the amount of bad information on reptiles - ie that they all carry salmonella that will make you very sick/kill you, never mind the obvious fact that people should wash their hands.
And I have read posts on reptile forums concerning people's doctors telling them to get rid of their reptiles...

It's not just cats, they do it with birds too. Although to be fair, the feather dust from birds can be an aggravating factor in respiratory conditions and can also cause some quite nasty ones if you have a lot of exposure, so when it comes to birds they may have more of a valid point in some cases.

Originally Posted by lunasmom

I don't tell my medical pros that I even own one cat.

Click to expand...

Hmmmm...the accessory cat hair fashion accents didn't give you away?

I know I'm slightly allergic to my cats. When my doctor mentioned getting rid of them, I said, "That is not an option, end of discussion." She said, "Well, I guess we'll work around it then!"

Originally Posted by theimp98

cause, unless you smoke, or drink, or have pets,
they Get lost on how to treat you.

Click to expand...

That's what it seems like!!!!

I'm allergic to cat dander and my doc told me to get rid of them. He told me I had no other choice than to suffer or get rid of the cats! Would he get rid of HIS children because of chronic ulcers??

All I do is give the cats a bath once a month and I almost never have an allergic reation. Although....I still get hives when Enzo rubs his scent on my face!