I'm allergic to my Kitty

[Mum Tarts]

Calling all wenches, please keep your fingers crossed for me. I just found out I am allergic to my cat :sigh: and now I am going to start shots to build up my immunity. I hope this works.
Has anyone out there had this problem? It is NOT an option to get rid of my cat, she is my baby.
But seriously have any of you had shots and it worked...please tell me yes :cry:
My mother had the nerve to tell me to get rid of the cat! I would disown her if I didn't love her so much but she is not an animal person so I have to forgive her for that. I start my shots tomorrow. wish me luck :pweeease:

[Nimue]

Good luck hun!

I read that baths will reduce the dander, which is the allergen. Also, an air filter might also help.
I hope the shots work!!

[Mum Tarts]

yeah I would do the baths but she is a major B**** when I try, so I gave up on the baths per the vets advice.
But thanks again for the words of encouragement!

[rosefaeries]

Maybe try using a dust buster on her to get the dander. I had a friend who due to allergies vacuum all her cats. She claimed it helped. It was funny to watch her cats line up to get vacuum. Of course this will only work if your cat will let you do it.

[Kit]

Well, I'm allergic to my cat(who sleeps on my pllow with me). Like you I love her dearly so getting rid of her is not an option. I also have two german shepards who I'm also allergic to. I am a animal lover so allergies take second place. I take allergy meds like Allegra, and Zyrtech. But I more or less just choose to live with them. I'm so used to my allergies from having them since I was little that I don't really notice them that much. They are just a part of everyday life for me.

[Mum Tarts]

Thank you all! I don't feel so alone :( I couldn't get near her with a vacuum if my life depended on it..she makes a beeline for the corner behind our big screen tv even if we move the vacuum. oh did I mention my cat is a little deranged? she will only come to me..no one else in the family. she bit and scratched my daughter "Lucy" so she hasn't a warm place in anyone's heart but mine, but I do love her dearly and she does return it. So here I go I will bite the bullet and get the shots. You girls *ahem* wenches are great thanks again! :grouphug:

Oh and my kitty does sleep with me too, I made a cat cuddly for her so the dander doesn't get so much on the bed

[Angel_of_Fire]

i love cats but kat is deathly allergic to them so i kinda feel your pain only in a different way! :( good luck with ths shots!

[Jessa]

My mother went through this about 10 years ago. She did the shots, and they helped alot after a while.

[Myfanawy]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that. :(

Well, I'm allergic to my cat(who sleeps on my pllow with me). Like you I love her dearly so getting rid of her is not an option. I also have two german shepards who I'm also allergic to. I am a animal lover so allergies take second place. I take allergy meds like Allegra, and Zyrtech. But I more or less just choose to live with them. I'm so used to my allergies from having them since I was little that I don't really notice them that much. They are just a part of everyday life for me.

I would NEVER, EVER get rid of my baby girl cat. She is the glue that keeps me together at times, and I love her with all of my being. I, too, am somewhat allergic to my little one, but I'm used to all sorts of allergies (Arizona sucks in terms of all the allergens in the air, the pollens, especially...) I take my Claritin, and that keeps it at a tolerable level. But even if it were worse for me, I'd deal with the shots and everything I had to do to keep her around.

I hope all goes well for you. I know how important cats are. I don't remember a time in my life without them--had one since the day I was born.
--Myf

[Mairi the Herbwench]

If your cat is not declawed - get an old screen, hook her onto it, and shampoo her. That way she doesn't try to climb you. Use warm water - remember that a cat's body temperature is roughly 101 degrees, so what feels cool to us is cold to her. Praise her, cuddle her, and use catnip...

Best of luck to both of you!

[Giselle]

I'm allergic to damn near EVERYTHING! Especially horses which KILLS me. BUT...I've learned the longer I am around animals the less effected I am. It's just building up immunity to it without shots. Kinda dealing with it. HOWEVER...if I'm away from animals for a week or longer the immunity is shot and I have to start from scratch so to speak... Keep her brushed often...cats usually dig that, get a humidifier to clear up the nasal passages. I would also suggest it if gets really rough the Vicks menthol chest patch thingy-ma-jigs for kids works GREAT. Don't have to fiddle with it at all and you can sleep great.

Also, allergy eye is a pain...look into proper eye drops. Avoid playing with the cat then rubbing your face. I know it's difficult when they like to sleep on your head...but try LOL. If you have a breathing reaction look into primatien (sp) mist inhalers...they taste HORRIBLE and burn a little at first but you get used to it. I have asthma and it's allergy related so I've become slightly in tune with the issue. Dayquil and Sudefed are good and don't knock you out during the day. Check into Vicks plug-ins if you aren't into the patch.

Finally, if all else fails...I guess you could always shave your kitty...lol.

§~Giselle~§

[rosefaeries]

I have allergy induced asthma. I use the 24 hour allergy pills. At the moment, I am buying the wal-mart brand. About $7 for a 30 day supply.

[KissMeKate]

I do suggest you invest in a very good air filter. I have one and I do think it helps. I have also found that you will eventually build up immunity to your own pets (my sister has and I'm working on my fiance) although it takes a very long time!

Another option (unfortunately expensive and not usually covered by insurance) is acupuncture. My acupuncturist has been my lifesaver (he's even working on my asthma) and I can't imagine trying to cope with allergies without him.

Good luck!

[Alleahnna]

I am also allergic to my cat, but as long as make sure I wash my hands before touching my face and take Allegra when I need it, I manage pretty well. But my best friend was extremely allergic to her cat and did the shot routine and I can happily say that three years later she still has her cat, few allergy symptoms and they worked beautifully. You just have to stick with them.

I couldn't imagine a life catless either. I wish you the best of luck.

[Lady Ciara]

I'm suprisingly not allergic to cats, I have 6 kitties and when I first went to an allergist he was so surprised to find out I wasn't allergic to them, he said I must have built up an immunity to them. :D

I did get the shots for all my other allergies and it takes a while to work, first I went every week for a while, then every other week and so on until I go only once a month. All the while I was taking an arsenal of different prescriptions. Now I only take a benedryl at night and allegra D when it's really bad out.

I also have a client who is going to an acupuncturist and she says it is really helping her and some of her other ailments too. It's worth a look.

My himilayan goes to a groomer every couple of months, maybe you can get your kitty used to going to a groomer, then at least you won't have to be the bad guy.

I hope it all works out for you.

:meow:

[Mum Tarts]

Wow! I didn't realize so many of you have the same problem. I had the first shot today, the Dr. said I still have to take my meds-Allegra, Deconex (decongestant) and nasonex-nasal spray, also my combivent inhaler. so I guess we have it covered...Ya Think?
I do brush my cat every day. I used to roll her with a lint roller but one got stuck on her...it was comical..so now she won't let me near her with it. :sigh: oh well. but anyway I thank you all for the words of advice and encouragement it really means a lot to me. :hearts: Thanks from my kitty too :meow:

[Lady Laurel]

I am allergic to. I have asthma and they mess with it terribly. My allergist has been trying for years to get me to get rid off them. I told him I will just find a new doctor that won't lecture me. I also did shots for a while but what I found helps me is zyrtec, nasonex, and advair. Taken together everyday I have very few symptoms. I also cannot pet them and then rub my eyes. So I pet the cats and immediatly wash my hands.
I have three sweet babies and I would never ever give them up.

[Wolves Lady]

Mum, have you tried switching your cats diet? I am allergic to cats, but love them - a lady from a shelter told me (and it was confirmed by my vet), that a cat produces more dander on a low-quality food then on a high one. Black cats also produce more allergens then any other color, since the skin is exposed to more heat and "sheds" more. I agreed to our first kitty to test her theory, and it seems to have worked like a charm! We now have three.

We use Nutro Natural Care Ultra for Indoor Cats and I have very few/no issues with my allergies - usually only when other allergens are out that set me off first. I have also noticed that folks coming over that claim to be deathly allergic to cats have relatively few issues with our three kitties (we had one gal come over that was fine all evening, and was amazed to discover we had cats, and no - my housekeeping skills aren't that fussy). The cats also eat less food, produce less waste, and all of my kitties get great bills of health (okay - wheres my check from the company?) :lol: It's expensive, but well, well worth it. PetSmart carries it.

Also, try changing the litter you use - I noticed some seem to aggrevate my allergies a little more then others, and since the litter box can be a holding tank for dander and molds both - yech. Hopefully you'll hit on a good combo that works for you!

[Myfanawy]

Interesting fact...

Abyssinians don't produce the protein in their saliva that causes allergies to cats, so people who are deathly allergic can have an Aby with no problems.

I know that doesn't help in your case, but I just thought it was something interesting to throw out there...
--Myf

[Mum Tarts]

Oh my so much information. I do have a tuxedo kitty. Here are a couple of pics :)
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stitchwitchmom/detail?.dir=/a258&.dnm=52f0.jpg&.src=ph

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/420683dfzbbc150ef/a258/__tn_/9ad5.jpg?phEZU7CBMvEGBb5K

My son has an aby..cost him $900.00, :shock: Sorry but I couldn't afford that.
I feed her Iams for overweight cats because she started getting fat but I could change it. I may talk to my vet and see what he says thanks!
Me and my kitty thank you all for your loving support :hearts: :hearts:

[Tapestry MacGillicuddly]

Same here Mum Tarts, allergic to my cat. I did the shots and they helped. I also take allergy pills to help me with anything that wasn't taken care of by the shots.

I don't do the shots anymore, just the allergy meds.

Mom is allergic to cats too, some cats more than others, same with dogs. She has an Oreck air purifier that is wonderful. One in the bedroom, one in the living room/dining room. It really helps. And like someone said, wash your hands after touching the kitty and before getting your hands near your eye, nose and mouth.

The shots can help and if they aren't enough get the allergy meds. Your kitty is well worth it. :meow: :grouphug:

[Mum Tarts]

Many thanks Tap!! I am taking allergy meds..been doing so for years, allergies just got worse..the Ohio valley thing :roll: and the cat allergy is something new, believe it or not, cause when they first tested me I was not allergic to cats. Funny thing is I have had cats all my life. Go figure :?

[Lady Laurel]

Oh my so much information. I do have a tuxedo kitty. Here are a couple of pics

So do I :!: She is my sweety she does however have a very bad temper at times.


http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7757/smallivyavatar2fw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[The Doxie with Moxie]

Hey Mum Tarts,

I wasn't allergic to some things that I am now very allergic to. My Doctor said allergies have an accumulative effect. If you are honest to goodness allergic to dust, mold, mildew and only very mildly, if at all, allergic to cats you can find yourself suddenly very allergic to cats if all the other allergens are present. It's like the straw that breaks the camels back, it wasn't really the straw it was the 800 pounds of bricks. At our house we are replacing all drapes with wooden blinds and slowly replacing all carpets with wood flooring. Now my children and I don't have any reactions to our 3 dogs and cat. I know most budgets don't allow complete home makeovers at the drop of the hat but you might consider making future decor choices with ridding yourself of allergies in mind.

Best of luck with the shots,
The Doxie

[Myfanawy]

My son has an aby..cost him $900.00, :shock: Sorry but I couldn't afford that.

Wow, that's a LOT--Mom's was $400. A fine cat--a prime Aby specimen, with a great personality (if you like Abys!), and perfect health. They're a handful...I don't think an Aby would be the right sort of cat for me anyhow (they're not too cuddly--don't like to be held.) I do want a Siamese someday...

I've personally always been happy with my $12 pound kitty, even if she does make me itch and sneeze.
--Myf

[Constance Innuendo]

just a little-known scientific fact. . . .its not really the dander. the allergen is actually an protien carried in the saliva labeled Fel d-1in cats (this is true of cats and dogs but obviously a different protien in dogs) gets on the fur by them "bathing themselves" btw more frequent "real" baths can further compound the problem by causing more obsessive "oral bathing"