And the kicker is

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  • #17103
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I turned out to be allergic to George 🙁

    #218065
    gatakitty
    Participant

    Know a good allergist? I know that sounds flip, but it really is a serious question. My husband would have headaches that lasted literally for MONTHS until he hooked up with a good allergist. One six-month regimen of treatment and here we are 10 years later and he never has any problems that a Zyrtec and a Cuba Libre won’t fix. Look into allergy treatments before you give up on George.

    #218066
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    It’s just so ironic because I put off having a cat for eons because my husband is/was allergic. I didn’t think I was, but we always had outdoor cats when I was growing up.

    #218067

    Bathing George (yeah, right!) can help reduce your reaction to him. A number of folks on this site are allergic to their cats, but they have found ways to make it more bearable. An allergist might be able to help as Gatakitty said. I’m sorry this has been such a rocky start for you and George. I hope the issues can be resolved.

    #218068
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thanks, KW. I feel like such a louse; none of this is his fault. He’s a good kitty. Not a snuggle in your lap kind of kitty like I was hoping, but a good kitty.

    Another problem is that I have high blood pressure, and most allergy medicines make that worse, from what I’ve read.

    #218069

    Maybe it wasn’t meant to be, Kilroy. If you can’t figure out how to make this work, maybe you can find a good home for him so he doesn’t become a shelter kitty again. All my positive thoughts and energy are being sent your way for a solution to present itself.

    #218070
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Looking on the upside, we had a really good romp tonight before bed with his new Cat Dancer and feather-on-a-stick toys, and for now at least he’s sound asleep.

    #218071
    CheetahBoysmommy
    Participant

    I’m allergic to all my kitties. Each time I add a new one to the household, my nose runs, my throat itches, my eyes water. It takes a couple of weeks until I get use the the new one.

    Try saline rinse for your nose (over the counter stuff), something like Musix-D (I don’t think I spelled that right but however it’s spelled, get the kind that’s behind the pharmacy counter). Wash your hands a lot, don’t put George up to your face. Shower right before bed. Keep your pillows covered during the day so they don’t get cat dander on them.

    Wipe little George down with a barely damp cloth and throw the cloth right into the washing machine.

    They do make allergy pills that won’t run your blood pressure up – ask your doctor.

    Of course having a nice little kitty in the house will lower your blood pressure so maybe you can take regular allergy pills.

    Good luck – give yourself and George a chance.

    P.S. a non-snuggly kitten can turn into a real snuggle-puss when he grows up. Don’t give up on that either.

    #218072
    anncetera2
    Participant

    Kilroy, if you love George and want him to continue to be a part of your life, please don’t give up! Find an allergy specialist who understands that you want to pursue best possible treatment, not just get rid of George.

    There are desensitizing shots, allergy medications, and so forth. George can get used to being bathed every other week; I’m sure he’d prefer it to being placed in a shelter. Sara, the lady who just adopted Pumpkin, Mimi, and Zelda is planning to bathe them every other week (since she has asthma). As a bonus, not only are allergens on the cat’s fur reduced dramatically, but shedding on furniture or carpeting is virtually eliminated by going this route.

    Last, but not least, be aware that allergies are often cumulative. If you’re also allergic to dust & pollen, then chances are good you’re not just reacting to George. Reducing or eliminating sources or surfaces containing other allergens will help reduce the allergen ‘load’ for your entire body. (Upholstered surfaces, curtains, and carpeting all hold allergens like crazy.)

    There are a total of 4 different proteins found in cat saliva that have been found to produce allergic reactions in people. You may be allergic to one, two, three, or all four proteins.

    Other thoughts on reducing allergens:

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

    Good luck!

    (P.S. For what it’s worth, I’m sufficiently allergic to my own cats that I have to wash my hands after petting them. However, I have hardwood floors, miniblinds instead of curtains, and only a couple pieces of upholstered furniture. Area rugs are laundered annually, bedding washed such that dust mites are minimized, and I use hepa filters on my vacuum cleaner.)

    #218073
    Rubia in CA, 4/28
    Participant

    Definitely check with an allergist, Kilroy. I was severely allergic to cats (along with trees, grass, weeds, molds and dust mites!) for years, starting suddenly in my early 20’s. Finally I started getting desensitizing shots (for all of my allergies, including cats), and after a while I was once again able to not only be in the same room with a cat, I could hold them and pet them as well. A miracle! I was receiving the shots for about 10 years, but when I moved to the UK I could no longer get the shots. My other allergies have generally returned – but not my cat allergy! We have had Tikka now for nearly 7 years and no problems! OK – I do still take antihistamines(the non-drowsy stuff should not be such a problem for blood pressure)and a nasal spray that really helps with my other allergies (Flixonase). But I think that having the Tikka around all the time sort of acts like my own personal desensitizing treatment!

    #218074
    ailuromaniac
    Participant

    Kilroy,

    Were you tested for this allergy?

    We just had a member frightened to near catatonia by being told she was allergic to her hand-raised baby. The tests were negative.

    #218075
    GreatDane
    Participant

    Kilroy, I’m allergic, too, and have found that giving the boys baths every couple of weeks really helps. I got bad allergies when I got Bob and again when I got Milo – once I got used to them, it did get better somehow.

    I don’t take a daily allergy medicine, just take Claritin or Allegra when I need it. I do take eye drops for allergies every day.

    You know what? It’s all worth it!!! 🙂

    And Yay, you got him a CatDancer!!!Bob and I spent countless hours with his and did a lot of bonding at night with that thing. And boy, did it wear him out good!!! 🙂

    #218076
    Siobhan
    Participant

    Kilroy WAIT! The allergy meds that raise blood pressure often have decongestants added, and THAT;S what causes the blood pressure to go up. I have hypertension, I take Chlor-Trimeton OTC and a nasal steroid by prescription. I’m allergic to kitties too, but I can tolerate two shorthairs just fine, as long as a kitty hair doesn’t get in my eye.

    You can work with it, truly. Hit up WebMD for antihistamines and check them out. Not all raise your blood pressure. I went through every dang one of them, OTC and Rx, to find the right one for me. Ask for free samples of the Rx ones!

    #218077
    KYKAT 12 23
    Participant

    Kilroy, Siobhan is correct. Only some allergy meds affect BP. You are safe with Zyrtec, regular Claritin, Allegra. do not take anything with a decongestant or pseudaphedrine in it. I have had high BP and chronic allergies for years now and those are the ones I have taken for the last 15 years or so. Ayr makes a saline gel that has the micro-fine mist. It is great to use to keep the nasal passages lubricated. Do not use Afrin or any of those products. More harmful than helpful in the long run.

    Start now with regular bathing and George will get used to it. good luck.

    #218078

    Yes, Siobhan and KYKAY are correct–just avoid the decongestants. If your nose gets stuffy use a nasal spray. I got shots for 10 years for dogs & cats because that’s what I tested for. Dogs made me cough but I never had a problem with the cats. If your Dr. tells you to get rid of Geaorge, GET RID OF THE DR.!

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