2 New Kittys, 1 Problem...

Hi All,
New to this forum. Glad I found it and hopefully can find answers here. My son is 10, all his life he's been allergic to dogs. He would get hives, strep throat and/or ear infections. During the years, he's gone to friends with cats and never showed any allergic symptoms. So we decided to adopt 2 kittys. Well we got them 2 Fridays ago. My kid started the sneezing, occasional small cough and not much more. Oh yeah, one of the kittys scratched him and immediate hive like, and he washedup and immediately went away. So here is the problem and my main concern......Asthma. We have heard of continue exposure to allergens causing asthma. We really dont want to get rid of the kittens(bout 8weeks old now if that), but my kids health ha to come first. So far nothing drastic as with dogs but still feel guilty when we hear my kid sneeze. What I want to know is if we should be worried. Maybe you guys have similar experiences, and all turned out well or for the worse. Please help. I adopted a brother and a sister. We named them Tigger and Ashley. I dont think they are Russian Blues,but the pet shop worker thought they might be. Anyway your help and advice will greatly be appreciated, glad I found this forum. Here is Ashley a few days ago, her brother looks just like her with less of the stripes:

My child has Asthma as well, he has an allergy to cats, i was told to get rid of my cat, but i didn't (Of course if he were really suffering i would) What i have noticed is the more he is around the cat the better he seems to get..It seems to be more of a skin allergy now, he gets itchy if he gets the fur on his skin, i mean like if the cat rubs on his face. But his breathing seems fine as far as the cat goes.
I do notice that if he goes to the vets with me, his asthma will kick up there.
I am probably not much help...i am sure someone will have more info for you.

Try allerpet

http://www.allerpet.com/

Originally Posted by Luvs2Be

My child has Asthma as well, he has an allergy to cats, i was told to get rid of my cat, but i didn't (Of course if he were really suffering i would) What i have noticed is the more he is around the cat the better he seems to get..It seems to be more of a skin allergy now, he gets itchy if he gets the fur on his skin, i mean like if the cat rubs on his face. But his breathing seems fine as far as the cat goes.
I do notice that if he goes to the vets with me, his asthma will kick up there.
I am probably not much help...i am sure someone will have more info for you.

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I guess your kid had asthma prior to cats. I'm just hoping my son sniffling and lil coughs dont turn into asthma. Those kittens sure are cuties.

I used to be HOPELESSLY allergic to cats - hives, my eyes would puff up till I couldn't see, and itch like mad, I would sneeze uncontrollably - it was hell.

However, I now have five cats and no allergies whatsoever to them. I believe I have become immune through exposure - purely because despite allergies I refused to live a life without cats.

It is possible to have what's known as a desensitising procedure done through an Immunologist - but it takes up to two years. It involves injecting a small amount of the allergen at regular intervals into the patient until they build up a natural immune tolerance. That's a pretty drastic step, though!

Perhaps this will happen with your son - although it's not necessarily a method I would recommend...lol.

Most people are allergic to cat dander (their saliva) not their fur. So try to not let the kittens bite or lick him (difficult) or for him to go near them whilst or directly after they have cleaned themselves (also difficult).

I would go to an immunologist if you are worried and have a skin-prick sensitivity test done - that way you will know for sure if he is allergic.

BTW - your kitties look quite pale for possible Russian Blues - although there's a couple of sure-fire ways to tell if they have any in them. Firstly, they do tend to have stripes as kittens which go as they get older, second they have lovely minty green eyes (and yours look like they do) but the clincher is their paw pads. If they are mauve, not pink, you've got yourself a Russian Blue!!

Originally Posted by KitEKats4Eva!

It involves injecting a small amount of the allergen at regular intervals into the patient until they build up a natural immune tolerance. That's a pretty drastic step, though!



BTW - your kitties look quite pale for possible Russian Blues - although there's a couple of sure-fire ways to tell if they have any in them. Firstly, they do tend to have stripes as kittens which go as they get older, second they have lovely minty green eyes (and yours look like they do) but the clincher is their paw pads. If they are mauve, not pink, you've got yourself a Russian Blue!!

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Well if he wants to keep the kittens, I will mention needles,lol.

The girl has faded darker stripes on her fur. The eyes are green around the pupils, and light bluish around the green. The paws are pink, and really soft. I've never seen such soft pink paws. They kind of look delicate, like these cats are no alley cats. Those alleys, even kittens sometimes have rough paws. Maybe they have a tiny bit of a Russian Mix, not sure.

It's possible they have a bit - and if they do, you're in for some fun! They are MENTAL as kittens, and grow into wonderful, wonderful cats. It's one of my favourite breeds and my little Sashka is just a joy. She has little tiny delicate feet too - like a fairy ballerina!

Well these lil ones are turning me into a softy. I noticed though, they play fight alot, holycow. All over the place, although when in the litter box sometimes they playfight and I take them out of there. And they sleep alot, wow talk about lazy cat. My goldfish has more energy

Kittens will sleep up to 22 hours a day, and adult cats about 20. It is from their remote ancestry when they had to preserve their energy for hunting. (And plus, I think they just like it a lot...lol!)

Sashka really loves her rough-housing. She is always leaping on Sunday (who is five times her size) for a good old wrestle. No claws, just fun. It's hysterical to watch.

I doubt the kittens caused the asthma - asthma itself has other etiologies. That said thi, of course respiratory probs can be exaserbated by catr dander. There are many steps you can take before rehoming the kittens - who were way too young to leave their mommies but that's a pet store for you, (sighhhhhhh!!). 98% of all cats sold in pet stores come from unscrupulous breeders or kitten mills but many people are not aware of that - the kittens are just so irreistible I know!!!

You could get the kitties used to baths. And take out any carpeting because that will just allow the stuff to accumulate. Also, do not allow the cats to sleep with your son since 8 hrs plus of cat dander will not help his developing asthma- of that is what it is. You should take him to your pediatrician to make sure. I have never suggested a parent rehome a cat - and I have patients recovering from bone marrow transplants who have cats and do very well - but I can hardly comment on your son's situation without knowing the past history.

There are studies that show that children who grow up with pets are much less likely to develop severe respiratory problems and while I am loathe to cite personal examples (it is hardly scientific), my own sister had asthma most of her life but it decreased as she aged and now she has three wonderful Siamese and no asthma! Pehaps it is a kind of desenitization? And we had cats my entire life!

Good luck!!!

Ask the pet store for the registration papers - and the pedigree. That is the only way you will know if they are Russian Blue. The same sister with the allergies had a Russian Blue and they tend to have a more svelte like body and distinct head that that pictire oes not. It is hard to tell just by looking though!!! Many cats look like Blues but are just similar - not the real thing. Your kitten is beautiful and I hope she is valuable to you, pedigree or not!

desensitising, is what were hoping now. Thanks for all your comments, more positive than negative,lol. These kittens look like they have eyeliner on,lol. Also a white leathery nose. BTW, they werent being sold in the petshop. They were dropped off by people, and we were informed by vets. The petshop only sold dogs, they had these kittens in a corner, in a dog cage. They are going nuts now. Usually become hyper around this time of night. They love chasing each other around the living room, o cute watching. First time cat owner, btw.

Sadly, asthma is becoming increasingly common in children, but you can take steps to prevent this. Take out your carpets, groom the kitties regularly, get an air purifier, clean regularly, all those things will go along way to keeping your child's allergies at a minimum. Desensitization is a real possibility. I know two people who had cat allergies that went away when they lived with cats, although they are adults. I would communicate with your son's doctor, but I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to keep cats in your home even though your son is allergic.

Dust-mite is also a huge problem for children (and adults) and it is quite possible your son is allergic to that, too. It's really hard to control entirely but there are lots of positive steps you can take to minimise dust-mite.

After I dust-mite-proofed my house as much as possible, many of my other allergies either disappeared entirely or really became much less of a problem.

I agree with what others are saying. I am allergic also and have asthma. I would not say it's because of the cats though because I had cats my entire life and did not develope asthma until I was 18. I can hardly tell I am allergic to them most days because I do believe your body gets used the dander, etc. That does not mean that your child will react the same.

I see my Allergist every year. Naturally, they tell you that getting rid of your cats. It's the best solution because it would be removing the source. I told him that his plan was not an option and asked what the plan was when they live with you. So, please speak with your son's doctor about it. Mine simply stated some easy steps - keep them out of your bedroom and off your bed; dust often and get an air purifier.