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.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sherri, I use to show cats. A  Russian Blue and a British Blue Short hair.   Many ( humans and animals) who were allergic to their own cats solved this problem by bathing them once a week.   It alleviates a lot of the dander.   Or this was  how it was done in the 90s.  Believe me, show cat people are a strange ..... group of humans.  The breeders actually fight like cats!!  I was just there for the fun of it for awhile. No way did they ever give up a cat and Bathing them was how they did it!!

Do some more reading on this. If I get time, I will try to research more also.

Of course, kitties do not like baths, but if you start slow and gentle, Kitty may just get used to the baths   :)  Then groom/comb Kitty out after each bath.  This should work.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

My kitten loves baths - hes fallen into my bath twice now from being too over curious! (thats the siamese in him I think)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My cats liked them too but were introduced at a young age  :) 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Here is some information.  There is plenty more out there:

http://www.allergyclinic.co.nz/guides/7.html

http://allergies.about.com/od/allergies101/a/catallergy.htm

http://cats.about.com/od/allergiesandcats/a/allergictocat.htm

http://www.allergybegone.com/aboutpetdander.html

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks for the reading Joanne! I appreciate this! I was told that I can slowly introduce her to bathing by using a dry cloth, then a damp cloth, then a soaking wet cloth, and so on, until she accepts a full dunk.

do they even make cat shampoo??

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Some of the links I gave you are promoting cat dander shampoos. I do not know if they are 'good' or they are just being promoted.

Oh and HECK YA, they do make shampoo for cats.  Cat people are just as much fanatics ( worse ) than some of us Doodlers.  The shampoo I used on my Blues had blue hints to enhance the coats.  Again, that was the 90s.  I am sure things  have greatly improved on the cat product marketing.

My suggestion, invite your cat into the bathroom while you are taking a bath.  Play behind the curtain.  Put a bowl of food along the edge.  Etc.....

You are correct, go slow. 

One word of caution; always wrap the cat up in a towel.  Bundle the cat gently.   Take out ONE paw at a time.  This is how I cut the claws.  It keeps ou safe.  Use another towel to line the tub so the cat can have good footing.

Seriously Sherri, there are web sites where cat people will  help you out there full of good hints.

But in all honesty, I have faith, you will be able to have your kitty.   Give the weekly grooming, HEPA sweeper bags, etc a try.    Do a search and you will find many answers.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

thanks joanne, those links were great. Some of those things I'm already doing, but there is certainly room for improvement, and I'll have to give the bathing thing a go. I don't know if I can keep her out of the bedroom entirely. I tried it last night but she was clawing at the door early this morning and Sophie went and opened it for her (?!!!??). How she learned to do that I will never know.

[Bonnie and Kona]

OMD Sherri, Sophie is opening the doors for the kitty now? Sounds like this could be trouble! ;o)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Sherri-there's always something isn't there? I would like to share that I was tested for allergies and the only things that came back were to cats and dogs. I've always had cats and never had a problem until I was older. My cat is 14 yrs now and I could never rehome because of 'my problem" then I got 2 dogs and the Dr yelled at me! Oh well a girl's gotta live the life she wants right?? I do however have an upstairs bedroom (his own suite) Since Chloe chases him he is pretty fine with the set up. When I go up by him I can instantly tell the reaction I have. I have allergies and asthma.

I hope Winston is not allergic to his little cuddle bug! Keep us posted. At least if a friend has her then you can still visit her??

I wish you luck with the tests and hope it all works out good.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My cat died August 5, and three weeks later, JD had the worst ragweed flare-up he's had since before he started the immunotherapy. So despite his being allergic to cat dander, her not being here didn't make any difference in his allergies at all.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

When we looked into getting a pet (were still on the fence cat vs. dog as our first pet) we were concerned about my fiance's allergies.

A few things were suggested that may help even if it's an asthma concern and not allergies:

- HEPA filter for the air system (may not be possible since you live in an apartment I think?)

- Vacuuming very frequently (as in a few times a week) so dander doesn't build up

[Bonnie and Kona]

Sherri, This is such a horrible choice to make. I am so very sorry for you to have this added worry. I am hoping you will all be okay. hugs and doodle kisses.