Bad allergy news

Gempress

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#1
My husband has been plagued with allergies for awhile, and he finally got an allergy test done today.

He's allergic to 10 major things--mold, grasses, goats (very random), and a few others. But here's the bad news: he's allergic to cats. :( And we have two of them.

We'll have to rehome our kitties. I really, really don't want to do that. There are probably allergy shots and such we could try. But if he's allergic to so many things already, I'd feel badly compounding things by keeping the kitties.

I'm so sad right now. :(
 

Gempress

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#3
Max is probably about 9 years old, and Yoda is 5. Yoda is just an absolutely sweetheart, and Max is Evil Kitteh Number 1--but still loves to cuddle. Sigh.
 

gradyupmybutt

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#4
Oh maaaaan. I hate to hear you have to give up the kitties. Is there anyone in your family who could take them? I'd offer but Grady would thank me for the snacks. :(
 

Sweet72947

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#5
Good luck. Its very hard to rehome cats, especially when one is 5 and one is 9. Can your husband take allergy shots? Allegra? Claritan? Nasonex? Many people who are allergic to animals find ways to live with them successfully by taking medicines. Also, I have heard that an Ionic Breeze helps filter out the dander, since it is the dander that causes allergic reactions.

(I do know that an Ionic Breeze works well for other stuff! Its worth a try.)
 

Baxter'smybaby

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#6
Oh Gemp--I went through this, with 3 cats. My son turned out to be highly allergic and it was a major factor in his asthma issues. I was able to find homes for my babies...but I still miss them!
 

sparks19

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#7
Gemp I am so sorry to hear this.

Allergies suck... especially when you have a lot of them. It was found that I was allergic to dogs when I was a kid... but luckily I seem to have outgrown the allergy and it no longer affects me.... but since I have Asthma if I became allergic to my dogs as well as with all the environmental allergies I suffer from I would be in the same boat. Sometimes when you have multiple allergies that are really making you suffer an allergy shot is just not enough.

I know allergy shots for my brother are USELESS. They really dont' even make a dent in his symptoms.


Good luck
 

RD

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#8
Oh no, Gemp I'm sorry. :( There isn't a chance that you could try the allergy shots?

I hope you are able to find good homes for them.
 

bubbatd

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#9
That's rough !!!! We went through that with my hubby . Had 4 Goldens at that time and he said ,," what if I'm allergic to the dogs ? " I said " I'll visit you ! " He wasn't !
 

noludoru

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#12
Have you tried everything else, first? (Weekly baths, or every two weeks.. removing carpets.. getting a GOOD vacuum/ionic breeze/anything else that will reduce the dust, dander, and hair.. locking them out of the bedrooms... etc?)

Please don't give up hope immediately.. it's very hard to rehome older cats. :(
 

Buddy'sParents

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#13
I would try every other measure possible first. Air purifiers, allergy meds, allergy shots. What may not work for one may work for another. Rehoming cats, especially older cats- and ones with issues, even- are extremely hard to place in new homes.

When we had our rats we found I was allergic to them, it was easier because they were in a cage, but I washed my arms and hands and face after handling them and changed my clothes as well. Can the cats be confined to one room or section of the house?

I'm also allergic to long haired dogs but it didn't stop me from getting Banzai, I've got some stubborn in me. :D So I take allergy meds as needed and still get my cuddles from my Banzai.

So often people immediately go to worst case scenario- oh no, I have to get rid of the cats- when there are measures that can be taken in order to maintain their current way of life.
 

Barb04

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#14
My godson has been allergy tested and has many too. The doctor made up a nasal spray that he uses and it really helps. Maybe your hubby could try this before having to give up the 2 kitties.
 

Jules

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#15
Ohh :( I hope you find something that will work for you guys so you can keep the kitties.

Good, good luck! I'll keep my fingers crossed!
 

SeniorPetLover

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#16
I was mildly allergic BEFORE turning my home into a senior dog sanctuary and now I start each day with a Zyrtec followed by 2 hits of Nasonex and occasionally I have to have a Claritan-D added to the mix and if I am mowing grass, 2 hits of Astelin and at night I take 2 more snorts of Nasonex and a Singulair...I am allergic to mold, and I am very sensitive to weed pollen and usually I have to have steroid shots in the fall...Drug cocktails are my only relief. My doctor's tell me that living with the large number of dogs aggravates my allergies, but living without them would aggravate my heart, so I tell them to just try to keep me halfway comfortable and so far it is tolerable...there is no way that I can ever eliminate all of my allergens, so I may as well continue with what I love. I hope that you and your husband can find a way to manage his allergies...I know my allergist would have me living in a sterile enviornment if he could, but this is not a perfect world and what fun would that be?
 

HoundedByHounds

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#17
They have some anti dander shampoos that are also supposed to work quite well. So perhaps a combo of the shots, shampoo and medications?

At any rate, sorry to hear about the issue and best of luck!
 

Sweet72947

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#18
SeniorPetLover, you remind me of my vet. He's starting to be allergic to cats and dogs, and MUST take a Claritan before work. He is also terribly allergic to guinea pigs, but he still treats them. Afterwards you can hear him going "AchooAchooAchooAchooAchoo" in the back, and his staff laughs at him. poor guy. But animals are his passion, so I don't think he'll stop treating them until he's dead.:p
 

sparks19

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#19
If you can treat your allergies with a simple Claritan pill.... I wouldnt' classify them as "badly allergic" :D
 

ACooper

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#20
Oh no :(

Sending good thoughts and prayers for everything to work out for the best for all involved.
 

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