The Doctor says I should re-home the Kitty.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

**changed the title to make it clear that it is my doctor who says to rehome the kitty, it is not because I want to.

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I just had a consultation with an allergy and asthma specialist. Even though I don't have an allergic reaction to cats, the doctor says that research shows that people who suffer from asthma shouldn't have cats because the dander is so fine and gets deep inside our lungs. He thinks my asthma symptoms, which have worsened over the past couple of years, would decrease significantly if I re-home Penelope the Kitty and has noted that this has often been the case with his asthma patients. He may have a point, but I love my kitty so much and don't want to see her go. He said there are things I can do like bath her twice a week (which she would never tolerate) and keep her out of my room while I sleep, but these solutions wouldn't fix the issue 100%.

 

I told him that Winston has allergies and I suspect he is allergice to the cat. If that is the case, and I will know on Monday when we go for the testing, and if so, then I will consider finding her a new home. He commented on the fact that I would consider rehoming her for my dog's sake but not for myself. *sigh*.

 

This is quite a conundrum. Do cats have as difficult a time being up-rooted and rehomed as dogs do? I feel like Kitty would survive such a transition with much more ease than the doodles would. I do have a friend who I know would be interested but I'm not completely convinced she would provide Penelope with the best home. She is out most of the time, and would probably not let her sleep in her room at night, and Penelope is a very social and affectionate kitty. I don't think she'd be happy being alone so much. But I don't know, people say cats are fine on their own and at least if I give her to a friend I can see her.

 

She's such a happy-go-lucky cat and has an "any human will do" sort of attitude. Whenever there are people over rather than hiding under the bed, she is out and about leaping into people's laps and demanding cuddles. She even loves kids, and the doodles of course.

 

Also, Sophie and Winston love their kitty and would be so sad to see her go. :o( I'll never forget how much comfort she provided me when Winston was having his seizures. She knew I was upset and she tried to help me feel better. She crawled right on top of me and layed down right where the knots in my stomach were and I swear to you she sucked the stress right out of me. She cuddled up to my shoulder at night and when I stirred she licked my face. She is such a lovely lovely little kitty and I'm so lucky to have her.  

 

I had planned on getting a cat and a dog, but had intended to wait until Sophie was older before getting a cat. But then, only a few weeks after getting Sophie, there she was calling to me from her cage in Petsmart. It was love at first sight for both Sophie and I. She let sophie lick her face and wasn't bothered one bit by her crazy puppiness. After spending the night tossing and turning thinking of her, I decided to go back and adopt her (from the SPCA). Then Winston came along out of the blue and the two of them barely noticed each other at first. Nowadays it is not unusual for me to find Penelope snuggling up to him in the early hours of the morning. If ever there was a cat for me, she is it.

 

If it's just me that has the problem I think I can live with it, as I'm not even convinced the doctor is right about it. But, if it turns out she is the reason for Winston's allergies I might have to consider it. Winston needs me more than she does and it is really hard to watch him suffer.  I don't know what the answer is. I'm just feeling sad and worried about this and am needing to vent.

[Leslie and Halas]

Oh, no!  Well I hope your doctor is wrong, and I hope Winnie isn't allergic to her.  It would certainly be best for all of you if Kitty could stay.  If you and/or Winnie end up on meds for allergies and asthma, wouldn't that help?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

the doctor likened it to someone who is prone to bad sun burns but insists on staying in the sun all the time because they love the sun. It's not exactly the same, since the sun doesn't love you back teh way a cat does...

I don't know, I'm sure I can work it out, I just needed to post soemthing about it because it was weighing on my mind. I find I always feel better about stuff once I post about it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sherry, wait until after Winston's testing to make any decisions about this. The chances are good that he will test positive for multiple allergens, not just cat dander, if cat dander is in fact a problem. And the cat dander may not be a major factor. Out of the 15 allergens that JD tested positive for, cat dander produced the mildest reaction, relatively speaking. It wouldn't have helped him if I had rehomed my cat, because there were still 14 other things that caused a reaction. If you end up going with immunotherapy injections, that may put an end to the problem either way.

As far as your own allergies go, I completely understand your feeling that you can live with it, lol. I do know that cat allergies are much more common than dog allergies in people, but as you said, you may not even be allergic to cats. Maybe you need testing, too.

I do think rehoming is easier on cats than on dogs, but it probably also depends on the cat. A very independent cat would have an easier time with it than one who is very people-oriented and dependent. One thing I would do is talk to the people at the SPCA about that; they may be able to reassure you or at least offer some ideas.

I have noticed that the cats at our local no-kill shelter seem much happier and more content than the dogs. I know that doesn't mean much, and obviously it would be a very difficult thing for all concerned.

Anyway, I would wait to see what Winnie's testing reveals, for what that's worth.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I have had allergy testing, and my worst culprit is grass. I don't have a cat allergy. The doctor believes that research has shown that even people with asthma who do not have a cat allergy can have worsened asthma symptoms due to the cat dander getting into the lungs. He believes that is what has been making my asthma worse and has noted that removing the cat from the home has helped other patients of his. He's given me a stronger dose of a steroid inhaler, but allergy shots won't help.

I agree I should wait until Winstons test before making any decisions. I'm just so anxious about it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm ashamed because I totally forgot the part of your post where you said you don't have cat allergies! Duh!

I can totally understand your being anxious about this kind of decision, Sherri. It's a big deal, and I know you would never make it without a huge amount of consideration, reflection, and difficulty.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

My mother had asthma as a child and young adult.  My parents moved from costal S. C. to Miami, FL and her asthma lesened over a few years until it finally went away.  As a child she always slept with the cat.  We also had a cat when I was growing up.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

exactly. I would have so much regret if I gave her up and then a year from now the asthma's gone. It's rampant in my family but it seems to have come and gone with most people who have it. I'm hoping that's the case with me.

[BG and Gavin]

When I was in my early 20's I lived with a room mate (she owned the house).  She had never had pets growing up and I did.  I have asthma and I am allergic to cats and dogs.  She wanted to get a kitten, but I begged her not to due to my allergies.  She got one anyway,  I took my anti-histamines and became attached (go figure).  She was not a good care taker (the cat would be out of food and she would say - oh I will pick some up tomorrow not understanding that the cat needed to eat something today).  When I moved out we both agreed that the cat needed to come with me.  He was the best cat, but passed away at the age of 16 a few years ago.  Here is what I know (for me) my dog allergy is far worse than my cat allergy and causes my asthma to act up.  Living with the cat over time, my immunity to that particular cat built up.  So if you both survived this long, it should not get worse.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks. but in the case of asthma i don't think it works the same as allergies. still, i'm sure I can continue to manage it. I can't imagine not having her around.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

oh no, how difficult it must be to choose between Penelope and Winston.

I think it depends on the cat when it comes to re-homing. I have 3. Legolas the kitten loves everyone and would be happy anywhere. Pippin loves many people too, and would probably be happy anywhere as long as Merry was there too. Merry however, would be terrified and miserable.

Several years ago I became allergic to my cats - my eyes would swell up. I have had cats all my life, and rehoming them was not an issue. I stopped then from going into my bedroom, vacuumed every day and de-fluffed the cat post every day. it did help, and after a year, the allergy went away.

Wait and see what the results are for Winston. Maybe your friend could take Penelope for a little while and see if it makes any difference to him. Like Karen says, it may not make much difference to him if he has bad allergies to other things too

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

thanks Kaytlin. I have thought about doing the trial run with my friend for a few weeks. I want to wait to see the dermatologist for Winston first. I really don't want to lose her though. If there is any way to make it work with Winston and I then I will do so.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm sorry to hear about your dilemma. I am allergic to cats so I sympathize. But when you see what the results of the testing on Winston are you can make a decision. I'm sure you will find your Kitty a good home if need be, she sounds very special.