Disaster! I am SO allergic to Scooter!

On Mon, 4 Jan 2010 17:15:05 -0500, "Allan Smith"
wrote:

dgk,

His solicitousness seems oriented to an abdominal problem he knows he has
but can't do anything about. He's telling you his stomach hurts.

Other cats know when one of them has parasites. It sounds like you have a
good vet. Give the vet time to do his thing.


I'll keep that in mind but I don't think that's it. He is a very solid
cat and parasites should drain some of that. Nipsy also likes to lie
on his back with his tummy exposed. It's almost impossible to pass by
without a quick rub.

The smell has gone away so perhaps it was some worm that got nailed by
the dewormer.

On Mon, 4 Jan 2010 13:36:16 -0800 (PST), "Buddy's Mom"
wrote:

Where do you live? I am in Ohio and it has been very cold over the
weekend. I noticed that my husband and I AND our kitty were sneezing
- apparently from the dry air in the house. Today it warmed to 20
something and we aren't sneezing.

I think I would try giving the kitty a bath - either yourself, or the
groomer. See if that doesn't help.

I am and have always been allergic to cats, but I don't let that stop
having them!

Perhaps I can get used to this but it better get better. As it is I
can hardly get any work done.i88888888888888889 that was Scooter
walking on the keyboard - now he's rubbing my hands as I type. I'll
need to wash them before I touch my eyes.

No one suggested a HEPA filter. I've been checking around and the more
expensive ones ($300+) get high ratings. I'd prefer not to send that
of course but if it really helps then I'll do it.

At least one in the bedroom would be good. I've read that I should ban
the cats from the bedroom but that's the room with the good view of
the backyard. I can't do that. I suppose I could just ban Scooter but
that is unworkable. I could (and have) locked him in a room for the
night and perhaps that is the best solution at least for sleeping.

Oddly though, I went to work yesterday and felt worse instead of
better as the day wore on. Maybe some of the dander was on my clothes?
I have noticed that sometimes the air in those buildings does make me
feel crappier than I already feel. Or maybe I'm just allergic to work.

"dgk" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 4 Jan 2010 23:11:39 -0500, "cybercat"
wrote:


"Cheryl" wrote
Dentist today and they couldn't find anything on the xrays and my web
searches found that dehydration can cause sensitivity in teeth. Weird,
huh.

Which brings us to another way to help allergies--drink more.


I did have the humidifier on last night and today and perhaps it
helps.

I wouldn't mind having to take Claritin or something if that will make
it pretty much go away.Yesterday I took a lorawhatever (Claritin),
Actifed, and benadryl and I really did feel better but I can't do that
long term.

My understanding is that it takes a while for Claritin to work so it
may be ok by itself. I'm seeing my doctor today to see what he says.

I think your doctor might tell you that you should not take those three
things together. Choose one and take it. If it does not work well, try
another. Benedryl is out of the question for me because it just makes me
sleep. Zyrtec is the strongest of the OTC allergy pills, to me, and is
supposed to relieve symptoms of plant and dust, mold, and animal
dander/saliva allergies. It is actually too strong for me. As far as I know,
claritin/loratidine has an immediate effect. At least it does for me.

"dgk" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 4 Jan 2010 18:03:43 -0500, "cybercat"
wrote:


"Allan Smith" wrote

If Claritin doesn't work, try another anti-allergin.


Zyrtec (sp) might work. Also, rince your face and eyes often with cool
water. Taking a shower helps too. I imagine with the other impediments in
the house, Scooter is history, though.


Well, Marlo would certainly be happy and the others wouldn't hold any
protest marches. Still, I took him in because I really like him but he
is now fighting something of an uphill battle to stay inside.

He is not fighting anything. You are just dangling a carrot you cannot
deliver. Find him a home. You should not have three cats and one cat box,
anyway.

"dgk" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 4 Jan 2010 13:36:16 -0800 (PST), "Buddy's Mom"
wrote:



Perhaps I can get used to this but it better get better. As it is I
can hardly get any work done.i88888888888888889 that was Scooter
walking on the keyboard - now he's rubbing my hands as I type. I'll
need to wash them before I touch my eyes.


Please find him a home before he gets any more attached to you. He deserves
it.

"dgk" wrote in message
...
Scooter has been in the house for a week. There have been many
problems with the other three cats, but the biggest problem is that I
seem to be very allergic to him. The odd thing is that I've never had
allergies although for the past few years I've felt somewhat crappy on
very bad allergy days.

Scooter is just about the sweetest cat I've ever known. He loves being
handled and rolls over for belly rubs constantly. Just a great cat.
But this is a huge problem.

I took him to the vet on Saturday because he's been making very weird
noises and seems to be trying to cough up a hairball. Plus his farts
could kill. Probably nothing but I wanted to check. The vet says that
he's fine and gave him a deworming plus a steroid and antibiotic just
in case he has some minor problem. He says that several stool samples
could be negative for parasites but he could still have worms so it's
best to just give the deworming gunk.

But I couldn't stand being near him. My eyes tear, my nose runs, and
everything itches. I have a headache. I bought some loratadine
(Claritin) and will give that a chance to work but it did nothing over
the weekend. I ended up taking a lot of benadryl which helps but makes
me sleepy. I couldn't sleep last night, partly because I was feeling
so crappy but also because I'm agonizing about having to put Scooter
out of the house. The Significant Other has no reaction at all.

He was sleeping at the foot of the bed around 1am and I picked him up
and put him in the Cat Introduction Room. Almost immediately I felt
better and slept the rest of the night. It might have been more
benadryl kicking in but it sure seems that when he comes near I
immediately have symptoms.

I'm also worried because it seems that Espy is also allergic to him.
He has been sneezing a bit and acting like his sense of smell is a bit
impaired (failing to locate a Temptation for instance). Can a cat be
allergic to another cat?

When I left this morning he wanted to go outside so I let him go but
no one will be home until around 9 PM to let him back in. It's 20F or
so outside but Pretty Girl was in my backyard this morning so I know
they can deal with it. Scooter does still have his heated box by the
front door.

Still, I'd like to keep him in as much as possible. Well, that's the
story. Does anyone have advice on how to limit allergies? I'm
certainly considering getting a Hepa system but the house is rarely
very clean. Still, having that run all day in the bedroom and maybe
one in the living room would likely help.

My vet said to try wetting a cloth with fabric softener and rubbing
that on him (wet, not a bath). He's heard that this is pretty
effective in limiting allergic reactions. I tried it with a dryer
sheet instead but while Scooter enjoyed it, I think I'll just do the
towel with the liquid stuff tonight.

I'm also looking into getting him a home with someone else if I really
have serious problems with this. He's such a good cat that he deserves
a home.


First: I agree with those who suggested a humidifier. I noticed in one of
your messages that you have now tried that, but you would need to try it for
some time and perhaps in both the bedroom and in whatever other room you use
most often. I have been sneezing a lot lately, but it has nothing to do
with my cats--that happens in winter, when the air is dry. I sometimes even
get nosebleeds when the nasal membranes dry out too much in the winter. I
have learned to recognize the symptoms and will use ointment to prevent
nosebleeds, but that does show the effect that winter's dry air (actually,
dry air in the house from heating systems) can cause.

Second: I wholeheartedly agree that you should try to locate a good home for
Scooter *now* if this is only a half-hearted attempt to solve the problem.
If this is just a prelude to a decision to evict him, you should find a
loving home before he becomes too attached to you. He sounds like a
wonderful cat, and he deserves to find someone to love him and give him a
good home. He deserves to be brought indoors and not lose his new place.

MaryL

On Tue, 5 Jan 2010 09:49:56 -0500, "cybercat"
wrote:


"dgk" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 4 Jan 2010 23:11:39 -0500, "cybercat"
wrote:


"Cheryl" wrote
Dentist today and they couldn't find anything on the xrays and my web
searches found that dehydration can cause sensitivity in teeth. Weird,
huh.

Which brings us to another way to help allergies--drink more.


I did have the humidifier on last night and today and perhaps it
helps.

I wouldn't mind having to take Claritin or something if that will make
it pretty much go away.Yesterday I took a lorawhatever (Claritin),
Actifed, and benadryl and I really did feel better but I can't do that
long term.

My understanding is that it takes a while for Claritin to work so it
may be ok by itself. I'm seeing my doctor today to see what he says.

I think your doctor might tell you that you should not take those three
things together. Choose one and take it. If it does not work well, try
another. Benedryl is out of the question for me because it just makes me
sleep. Zyrtec is the strongest of the OTC allergy pills, to me, and is
supposed to relieve symptoms of plant and dust, mold, and animal
dander/saliva allergies. It is actually too strong for me. As far as I know,
claritin/loratidine has an immediate effect. At least it does for me.


The best possible news from the doctor - he says that he saw ten
people today with my symptoms and I probably just have a cold also.
It's hard to tell of course, without blood tests, but since I feel so
crappy he thinks it likely that it isn't allergy after all. I think
I'm even running a slight fever.

It's an odd cold then - mostly mine start with a scratchy throat and
then start moving around. This one has just centered in the sinuses
and refuses to budge. My lungs are absolutely clear - I guess this is
what is called a Head Cold.

I can't ever recall hoping to have a cold but I was home all yesterday
with Scooter lying next to me on the bed and certainly felt no worse
with him there. I even tried petting him and touching my eyes and they
didn't tear. I woke up this morning with Nipsy on one side, Scooter on
the other, and Marlo between my feet. Espy, as usual, was somewhere
around.

My doctor has giiven me Nasonex to spray in the nose and told me that
it's all right to continue the Claritin. We'll see in a few days if
the cold gets better but I think he's probably right.

I likely would have kept Scooter anyway - I was already looking into
some very expensive HEPA air cleaner/purifiers. Here's what I've found
for Cat Allergy sufferers:

1) Cat Dander is among the smallest of the allergens, and floats in
the air for long periods of time.

2) A good HEPA air cleaner will trap most of those particles and an
air purifier will kill mold, bacteria, and viruses.

3) $120 - $150 department store HEPA air cleaners (Honeywell, Bonaire,
etc) are not sufficient to really help much. They don't filter the air
more than two or three times per hour.

4) The good brands are Blueair, Alen, IOAir, and a few others. The
purifiers run $300 - $800 and cover fairly large areas and filter the
air 10 or more times per hour. They also have large charcol filters
whereas the crappy brands have tiny filters that are really just a
sales gimmick.

The good ones also are quiet so you'll actually keep them on all the
time, even while you sleep. You do get what you pay for I guess.

By the way Cyber, did you know that Benedryl is the exact same product
as Simply Sleep? I always get a laugh out of that. Pink or blue pill,
the same stuff.

Well, I'm in work today only because I have a training class I can't
miss. I'll probably go home soon after that and pet Scooter. Too bad
it's a four hour class.

dgk wrote:
On Mon, 4 Jan 2010 13:36:16 -0800 (PST), "Buddy's Mom"
wrote:

Where do you live? I am in Ohio and it has been very cold over the
weekend. I noticed that my husband and I AND our kitty were sneezing
- apparently from the dry air in the house. Today it warmed to 20
something and we aren't sneezing.

I think I would try giving the kitty a bath - either yourself, or the
groomer. See if that doesn't help.

I am and have always been allergic to cats, but I don't let that stop
having them!

Perhaps I can get used to this but it better get better. As it is I
can hardly get any work done.i88888888888888889 that was Scooter
walking on the keyboard - now he's rubbing my hands as I type. I'll
need to wash them before I touch my eyes.

No one suggested a HEPA filter. I've been checking around and the more
expensive ones ($300+) get high ratings. I'd prefer not to send that
of course but if it really helps then I'll do it.

At least one in the bedroom would be good. I've read that I should ban
the cats from the bedroom but that's the room with the good view of
the backyard. I can't do that. I suppose I could just ban Scooter but
that is unworkable. I could (and have) locked him in a room for the
night and perhaps that is the best solution at least for sleeping.

Oddly though, I went to work yesterday and felt worse instead of
better as the day wore on. Maybe some of the dander was on my clothes?
I have noticed that sometimes the air in those buildings does make me
feel crappier than I already feel. Or maybe I'm just allergic to work.



Any smokers in your area? That can really give me problems. MLB

With patience akin to a cat's, dgk, on 1/6/2010 6:53 AM typed:
[snippage]

4) The good brands are Blueair, Alen, IOAir, and a few others. The
purifiers run $300 - $800 and cover fairly large areas and filter the
air 10 or more times per hour. They also have large charcol filters
whereas the crappy brands have tiny filters that are really just a
sales gimmick.

The good ones also are quiet so you'll actually keep them on all the
time, even while you sleep. You do get what you pay for I guess.

I use and recommend the Rabbit Air MinusA2 SPA-780A. It's especially good
for bedroom areas, and the auto setting definitely works, with a particle
sensor that can be adjusted as necessary. Customer service is the cat's
meow. ;-D

http://www.rabbitair.com/Minusa2-SPA...-Purifier.aspx

The only caveat I have is the effective coverage area--the company gave their
PR dept. a bit too much free rein in promoting a 815 sq. ft. coverage. It's
more like 270 sq. ft. *actual* effective coverage, as this is definitely a
mid-power air filter. See http://shrunklink.com/dxmo for an excellent,
realistic review of the unit. In fact, this recommendation was what led me
to purchase my two Rabbit Airs, and I'm more than pleased with my purchase.

Regardless of the final outcome of your current health status, an air filter
in your bedroom (at least) can only be of benefit, especially with so many
indoor cats.

Purrs and HTH --
--
/\ /\ | "If a man could be crossed with the
^o o^ D.K. "Cat" Kraft | cat, it would improve the man but
-T- | deteriorate the cat."
~ Lynnwood, WA |
___oOO___OOo___ | -- Mark Twain

On Jan 4, 9:09*am, dgk wrote:
Scooter has been in the house for a week. There have been many
problems with the other three cats, but the biggest problem is that I
seem to be very allergic to him. The odd thing is that I've never had
allergies although for the past few years I've felt somewhat crappy on
very bad allergy days.



Well there's only one solution to your problem.... move out. Since
you're obviously not the type to disappoint "Skooter" very much.


The Nice Mean Man