Cat allergies

enendawson

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Hi,

I have been looking for an answer to this problem for some time.  But it seems to me that, when cats have allergies, they develop skin problems.  My husband and I are moving out on our own (no roommates) in a month.  Our kitten, Laufeia, has been used to people and my mother-in-law's dog for some time.  We were concerned about her being alone, so my husband really wanted to get another kitten. I was hesitant, but we did, and the two hit it off wonderfully.  Laufeia is very loving and social, but Suzi is afraid of people and only really loves Laufeia, whom she rubs against and tries to help clean.  About a week since we adopted Suzi, Laufeia started sneezing a lot.  But Suzi also sneezes, just not as much as we've noticed Laufeia doing it.  Laufeia was a stray my aunt's coworker took in before a hurricane and we adopted, but we adopted Suzi from Petsmart (she has all but one last booster; she's even spayed).  We've brought Laufeia to her vet, and he said there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with her (but she sounds uncomfortable).  Laufeia is still eating (though less that we're used to), drinking, and playing a little less than normal.  My husband is picking up antibiotics for Laufeia tomorrow, but the vet keeps telling us that if she is not showing discharge from her eyes or nose, she should be fine. 

Could this be seasonal allergies, like the vet says (we haven't had her in Spring before, but she and Suzi are both inside only cats)?  We have roommates, who are disgusting.  We will be moving out into our own place in a about a month, which will definitely be cleaner.  Laufeia has lived with our roommates for over half a year with no problem (but I think that their poor hygiene may have something to do with it).  Suzi is very shy, and everyone was surprised how much she seems to need Laufeia.  I don't want to return Suzi, but if she is causing Laufeia to feel horrible, I would... however heartbreaking it is.  They seem so perfect for each other. 

Is it more likely that Suzi brought in something that Laufeia caught?  Or is Laufeia allergic to Suzi? (Suzi is a longhaired tortoiseshell and Laufeia is a shorthaired calico). 
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Honestly, I've never heard of a cat being allergic to another cat. 

How old is Suzi?  Around 5 months?  Did you take HER to the Vet to get her a clean bill of health before introducing her to Laufeia.  It's not uncommon for newly adopted cats to have upper respiratory infections, but I would think you would see signs other than sneezing.   But, on the other hand, being indoors only would not prevent allergens from attacking.  I have allergies, and keep all the windows closed, yet sneeze all during allergy season, even with hepa filters going full time, etc. 

When you say she seems a little uncomfortable, do you mean you think she is a little stuffed up?  You could always ask the Vet if it's ok to give her Zyrtec...I think that is the allergy medicine of choice for cats.  Ask him how much and if he thinks it might be appropriate...perhaps for both of them.  May not be ok for Suzi since she is still a kitten (I think).

Also, you might try adding L-Lysine to their food twice a day.  Just sprinkle the powder on it.  250 mg. capsule.  it helps build up their immune system.
 

franksmom

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I don't think cats can be allergic to each other. I would listen to the vet if she is just sneezing it is probably seasonal allergies. It could also be dust. What litter do you use? Some cats can't tolerate the dust in litter. There are some low dust options or even a pellet type litter like feline pine which doesn't have any dust.
 
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enendawson

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Suzi is about 14 weeks old now.  Laufeia is a couple months from being a year old.  We haven't brought Suzi yet to our vet, but I am going to in the next week to get her her last booster.

I use the clumping pine litter for our kittens.  I use to use the pellet pine litter, but I had so much trouble cleaning it, I switched to the clumping.  Laufeia's been using that almost since we got her.  I think it would be strange if that were the problem for her. 

When I say she looks uncomfortable, I just mean that she's sneezing so hard and so often.  She lays down a lot, and sleeps on the couch (our roommates have reported) instead of with us like she normally does.  I haven't seen/heard a cat cough before, but it seemed to me the other day that she did.  Still no discharge though.  We gave her the first dose of antibiotics tonight, so I'm hoping it helps. 
 

mrsgreenjeens

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I forgot to mention that it's with food allergies, and/or atopic dermatitis that cats develop skin problems, but with hay fever type allergies (or even inhaled dust) , they will sneeze, just like people
.  And I don't know about you, but when my allergies are in full swing, I fell miserable.  So it could very well be what is happening...why she is eating less, seems to sleep more.  Sneezing can take it out of you.

Your Vet DID exam the older baby, right?  And couldn't find anything wrong?  When you take the little one in next week for her booster, I would definitely ask about allergy pills.  Usually they say to give Zyrtec, (over the counter stuff), but you just need to know how much for each kitty.
 
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enendawson

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That's what I told my husband about why she might react the way she does to allergies.  I had pretty bad allergies as a kid, and I remember how that made me feel.

Yes, the vet did an exam on the older kitten, who's sneezing.  But we have been giving her liquid amoxicillin the last 3 days, and it appears that she IS getting better.  Phew!  I don't know what sort of infection she would have that the vet didn't catch.  Maybe it was too early when he examined her?  She's not entirely done sneezing, but she is definitely not sneezing as frequently or as hard. And she's back to attacking my feet with her teeth, running around like a nut, and eating like she used to. I think it still may have a little to do with allergies as well.  Suzi sneezes a tiny bit every now and then (definitely not at all how much Laufeia was).  Like I said, our roommates are filthy.  But we are moving out this month, and I can't wait.  I can't stand to see my babies walk around their trash (and come home from school or work to clean it up).
 

melesine

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Honestly I'd suspect URI before allergies in a new kitten, especially one that came from Petsmart ( I'm guessing from one of the rescues). Both of my cats that I got from rescue came to me with URI that required vet visits and medication.

One of my dogs has allergies to certain plants that grew in our old yard. It manifests as skin scratching, darkened skin color, loss of hair due to scratching and filthy red irritated ears ( I clean them with zymox enzyme ear cleaner). From what I understand sneezing is not as common of a symptom of allergies in pets as it is in humans. 
 
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enendawson

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I may have caused some confusion.  Suzi, whom we adopted through Petsmart (and was from a shelter),  isn't the one having trouble.  I'm thinking now the stray just has an upper respiratory infection because the amoxicillin is helping tremendously.  Sometimes they are sneezing, but I think that it is for the same reason we are sneezing now, just dust in the air.  They go into my husband's family's storage room, where we've been working to move the boxes we're planning to move with us, and being in that old room makes me sneeze and sniffle.  I'm not so convinced about the seasonal allergy thing (though, our vet is one of the best I've met).  I think it's possible but rare.  I was so worried Laufeia might be allergic to Suzi... as ridiculous as that sounds. 
 
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