We have had a cat in our family for 15 years (1 for 12, now Zoey for 3). My husband is not a cat lover but gave in to my daughters. He tolerates the cat, but basicly they ignore each other. He says he used to be allergic cats -about 35 years ago. About a month ago he developed what we thought was a cold. He went to a walkin clinic last week and the dr. said yes he may have a sinus infection, but he thinks having a cat isn't helping. My husband proceeded to tell him that he always feels a little congested at home. When he goes out of town or is working outside he is fine, but when he comes home he feels cold like symptoms. The antibiotic and antihistamine that he was prescribed is not helping at all. Thursday he has an appt with the family dr. I'm so afraid he is going to say it's Zoey and then of course my husband will expect us to get rid of her. Any advice?? Can an allergy really come back after all these years. Zoey is not much of a shedder and short haired.
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I don't want to get rid of my cat!! HELP!
- Thread starter erlamimi
- Start Date
Well for the sake of his daughters losing their pets, there are allergy meds out there that he can take. There are people on this site, who are also allergic to cats that take allergy meds to be able to comfortably coexist with their cats. Im sure his Dr will discuss that with him. If he has a Dr that tells him to get rid of cat over it, I would find another Dr because it is treatable. Good luck with all of this.
Wow… I canâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t say much more then what Pami stated. Doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t seem like there is much effort put into this whole situation considering the fact that your kids are going to be absolutely crushed. I would get a second opinion. Getting rid of a cat shouldnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t be done so easily.
if it's possibly in the budget, get a referral to an allergist - not that walk-in clinics don't have their place, but it's not for the treatment of long-term, chronic issues, including allergies. My own internist is allergic to dogs - for the sake of his daughter, he went to an allergist, and now is ok with the help of some meds.
Also, while not allergic to cats, I developed some environmental allergies as an adult - it took a few different prescriptions before we found one that worked. So, tell your husband not to give up, if for no other reason that the love of his children.
Also, while not allergic to cats, I developed some environmental allergies as an adult - it took a few different prescriptions before we found one that worked. So, tell your husband not to give up, if for no other reason that the love of his children.
On top of the allergy meds or what not, if you have the money, I'd consider seriously investing in a very good HEPA air purifier. I have the Austin Healthmate one (for my dog - she's allergic to cat dander!) and it works wonders.
I find that physicians are always quick to blame the pets and, of course, their first suggestion is usually to "get rid of the dog or cat". I hear it way too often.
I find that physicians are always quick to blame the pets and, of course, their first suggestion is usually to "get rid of the dog or cat". I hear it way too often.
Seems strange to me.
I am Allergic to cats and alot of other things.
Go to the allergy Dr they can do alot.
I used to take shots.
I was about 12 when we got our first cat as a kid because my dad is allergic and the dr had told him no cats.
My mom took a chance and it was ok.
You do not know if the cat is the problem.
My dad would get sick everytime he went to his sisters and her cat was blamed.
It turned out to be the plants she had that were making him sneeze.
He has to cats now.
I am Allergic to cats and alot of other things.
Go to the allergy Dr they can do alot.
I used to take shots.
I was about 12 when we got our first cat as a kid because my dad is allergic and the dr had told him no cats.
My mom took a chance and it was ok.
You do not know if the cat is the problem.
My dad would get sick everytime he went to his sisters and her cat was blamed.
It turned out to be the plants she had that were making him sneeze.
He has to cats now.
You do not know if the cat is the problem.
I agree with this. There are many potential allergens in the home.
Of course you don't want your husband to suffer or be uncomfortable, but after living with the cat for so many years, you might want to investigate (or get some allergy tests) before making a decision.
I agree with this. There are many potential allergens in the home.
Of course you don't want your husband to suffer or be uncomfortable, but after living with the cat for so many years, you might want to investigate (or get some allergy tests) before making a decision.
I did develop allergies to my cats, but not before having a horrendous cold. The allergy is starting to wane....about 6 years later...but never once did I think that the cats had to go....the allergic reaction had to go! I just bought over the counter allergy relief....ones that say they help with pet allergies. They have worked fine for me....and now I only have to take one about once a month or less (and here's hoping that my allergies disappear altogether)
Pets are not lamps..to be tossed out when we tire of them, or give us problems, or perceived troubles. Do you think your husband is trying to 'invent' an excuse to dispose of the cats? I would stand my ground and tell him to take allergy pills or whatever he can afford to be rid of the allergic reaction.....and tell him that the cats stay...they are members of the family.
Good Luck!
Pets are not lamps..to be tossed out when we tire of them, or give us problems, or perceived troubles. Do you think your husband is trying to 'invent' an excuse to dispose of the cats? I would stand my ground and tell him to take allergy pills or whatever he can afford to be rid of the allergic reaction.....and tell him that the cats stay...they are members of the family.
Good Luck!
What raises a flag to me is that the antihistamine is not working - if it was allergy, it would relieve his symptoms. That is what antihistamines are for... It doesn't look like allergies to me.
My daughter has allergies and cats are among the many. They do a specific allergy testing to find the cause. Diagnosing without the proper testing is not good medical advice.
We lived around her allergies.
Make bedroom a cat free zone.
Get HEPA air filters.
There are products to wipe the cats to help. I hear a dampened cloth with distilled water wiped on the cats daily will help.
Take allergy shots for the specific allergy.
Another way to look at this is if you are allergic to 'grass' there is no way to rid your area of grass during the spring and summer. You take meds and allergy shots and go on with your life.
Allergies are something you can work around. There are other members of the family that will be affected....including your furry family member.
There are good doctors that will help. Keep looking.
We lived around her allergies.
Make bedroom a cat free zone.
Get HEPA air filters.
There are products to wipe the cats to help. I hear a dampened cloth with distilled water wiped on the cats daily will help.
Take allergy shots for the specific allergy.
Another way to look at this is if you are allergic to 'grass' there is no way to rid your area of grass during the spring and summer. You take meds and allergy shots and go on with your life.
Allergies are something you can work around. There are other members of the family that will be affected....including your furry family member.
There are good doctors that will help. Keep looking.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #11
Please keep us updated.
I have to say though, doctors are rotten when it comes to tossing out the "you better get rid of the cat" advice. they are brutal and ignorant that way. that is their answer to everything with respect to allergy symptoms, etc.
could there be other things in your home that are causing this?
any new construction/renovation lately? (sometimes after this, furnace and ducts get filled horribly w/ drywall dust, construction dust, etc.........and if not cleaned out, this stuff will be everywhere in the environment).......have you changed your furnace filter lately? should be every 3 months if you use your furnace a moderate amount.
Any possibility of MOLD in your house? Any leaks? is your house old? Certain types of mold can grow where there's been moisture; often times it's behind the drywall or up in the rafters or attic, where you can't easily see it.............but can cause amazing reactions including allergy symptoms, colds, upper respiratory symptoms, etc.
do you use things like scented candles? air fresheners? potpourri? room spray? those things can trigger allergies over time.
I have to say though, doctors are rotten when it comes to tossing out the "you better get rid of the cat" advice. they are brutal and ignorant that way. that is their answer to everything with respect to allergy symptoms, etc.
could there be other things in your home that are causing this?
any new construction/renovation lately? (sometimes after this, furnace and ducts get filled horribly w/ drywall dust, construction dust, etc.........and if not cleaned out, this stuff will be everywhere in the environment).......have you changed your furnace filter lately? should be every 3 months if you use your furnace a moderate amount.
Any possibility of MOLD in your house? Any leaks? is your house old? Certain types of mold can grow where there's been moisture; often times it's behind the drywall or up in the rafters or attic, where you can't easily see it.............but can cause amazing reactions including allergy symptoms, colds, upper respiratory symptoms, etc.
do you use things like scented candles? air fresheners? potpourri? room spray? those things can trigger allergies over time.
Your husband should get allergy tests to pinpoint what is causing his issues. There could be something else in the house causing the problem. It would be horrible to get rid of the kitty, thoroughly clean the home of dander and still have the problem.
He could have been suffering with the symptoms for years and has reached the end of his rope with it. Allergies can and do develop after years with no problems.
If it is a cat allergy- the cat should be bathed at least once a week. Less often and the dander starts collecting all over the house again. NO cats in the bedroom where he sleeps. Clothes and linens exposed to the cat should not be kept in the bedroom unless they are washed and dried. Frequent vacuuming is necessary- including any fabric upholstered furniture. Frequent dusting. A HEPA air cleaner should be put in the rooms where he spends the most time. Your daughters can learn how to clean this way as part of a two way street- if daddy is supposed to live with the cat they need to help clean and make the effect on daddy as small as possible.
It is not true at all that any old antihistamine will take care of a cat allergy. Some work better than others for different allergies. Some don't work for certain people at all. If I take antihistamines more often than twice a week I get horrible nosebleeds and can't smell anything. It doesn't matter what kind of antihistamine it is, all antihistamines dry my nose out that badly no matter how much water I drink. That's just how my body responds. Thank goodness my kitty isn't the source of my allergies...pollen is.
Remember that docs aren't trying to be mean (nor are they brutal or ignorant) when they say to get rid of animals that cause allergies. They are duty bound to tell you the most effective way to get rid of the problem...and with animal allergies that is getting a new home for the animal or keeping it outside exclusively. However the doc should be willing to work with a patient to find an acceptable treatment if rehoming the animal is not an option. (I am sure your husband is not out to break his daughters' hearts- or else you have a bigger problem than his allergies)
I know this will make me a pariah on the board- but I have been that mean medical professional (not a doctor). I try to be as nice and compassionate as possible when laying out ALL the choices, but somehow I am the bully when I tell someone that the most effective way to control animal allergies is to not be exposed to the animal. If I don't make that recommendation and the person gets even more ill after long term exposure (I have seen people die from animal allergies-but only a few times in many years) I can lose my license and be sued for malpractice. I am not risking my license and everything I own and can earn in the future to avoid making a patient angry that I told them rehoming a pet is the most effective treatment.
I really hope that your husband finds relief and your daughters get to keep their kitty. I really do.
He could have been suffering with the symptoms for years and has reached the end of his rope with it. Allergies can and do develop after years with no problems.
If it is a cat allergy- the cat should be bathed at least once a week. Less often and the dander starts collecting all over the house again. NO cats in the bedroom where he sleeps. Clothes and linens exposed to the cat should not be kept in the bedroom unless they are washed and dried. Frequent vacuuming is necessary- including any fabric upholstered furniture. Frequent dusting. A HEPA air cleaner should be put in the rooms where he spends the most time. Your daughters can learn how to clean this way as part of a two way street- if daddy is supposed to live with the cat they need to help clean and make the effect on daddy as small as possible.
It is not true at all that any old antihistamine will take care of a cat allergy. Some work better than others for different allergies. Some don't work for certain people at all. If I take antihistamines more often than twice a week I get horrible nosebleeds and can't smell anything. It doesn't matter what kind of antihistamine it is, all antihistamines dry my nose out that badly no matter how much water I drink. That's just how my body responds. Thank goodness my kitty isn't the source of my allergies...pollen is.
Remember that docs aren't trying to be mean (nor are they brutal or ignorant) when they say to get rid of animals that cause allergies. They are duty bound to tell you the most effective way to get rid of the problem...and with animal allergies that is getting a new home for the animal or keeping it outside exclusively. However the doc should be willing to work with a patient to find an acceptable treatment if rehoming the animal is not an option. (I am sure your husband is not out to break his daughters' hearts- or else you have a bigger problem than his allergies)
I know this will make me a pariah on the board- but I have been that mean medical professional (not a doctor). I try to be as nice and compassionate as possible when laying out ALL the choices, but somehow I am the bully when I tell someone that the most effective way to control animal allergies is to not be exposed to the animal. If I don't make that recommendation and the person gets even more ill after long term exposure (I have seen people die from animal allergies-but only a few times in many years) I can lose my license and be sued for malpractice. I am not risking my license and everything I own and can earn in the future to avoid making a patient angry that I told them rehoming a pet is the most effective treatment.
I really hope that your husband finds relief and your daughters get to keep their kitty. I really do.
