Allergies, Linear Granuloma, and Diet

Jeremy Lowe wrote:
Mary,

As a CIE (Certified Indoor Environmentalist) I often am called to
help
people deal with asthma in their homes.

Jeremy, this is wonderful information because I have allergies--was
tested
and am most intensely allergic to dust, mold, cats and one kind of
tree that
is indigenous to the northeast but does not grow where I currently
live. So--
I am very lucky to have been spared the plant allergies, but when one
is
allergic to dust and mold it is like being allergic to the world! And
.... of
course, I live with two cats. When I was diagnosed as allergic to cats
my baby was 16. Get rid of her? HELL no! In fact I got another and
when my 1st cat died, adopted an adult from a shelter. I love cats,
and
the level of allergic reaction I have is just annoying, not
life-threatening.
However--lately I have been wheezing. My father and sister have
asthma,
so I wonder if I do or will. Point: for me and my cat, all of your
suggestions are very helpful.

Mary, in 18 plus years of dealing with IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)
issues in homes and offices, I have found that these "triggers"
widely vary from person to person. Triggers may be bug and pest
dander, household dusts, mycotoxins released from molds, and even
chemicals may trigger severe asthmatic reactions.

What we do: I have hepa filters in all the rooms where creatures
sleep, including mine. We have professionals clean ever two
weeks. I could do a better job of dusting in between--those
static "Swiffer" things look pretty good. I was the bedding often,
but I imagine getting a mattress cover that "seals in" dust mites
might be good, you think?

I was giving Cheeks and Buddha baths about 4 times a year, but gave up
bathing Cheeks
as she appears to be convinced I am about to murder her--every time.
What is pretty funny
is that I take her to the vet for allergy shots but I am allergic to
her and just take over-the-
counter antihistamines. I love Claritin, hate benedryl as the latter
dries me out and makes me
sleepy.



First and foremost is humidity control. We must maintain a relative
humidity of less than 55% year round in the home to prevent mold
growth and to reduce the life cycle of dust mites which are a well
documented allergen.

How does one do this, Jeremy? And what is wrong with my vet who
told me to put a humidifier under the place where my Cheeks likes to
hang out and look out the window? He had me thinking moisture was
best?

Third we need to reduce and eliminate if at all possible the use of
chemical based cleaning agents in our home since many chemical
sensitivities are documented to be involved with humans with asthma.

I had not thought of this. I will research it. I always sneeze in the
bathroom
but I thought that was mold induced.

Now as I said before, this is for humans, but since our feline
friends are at ground level often they are even more susceptible to
these allergens and chemicals and molds.


Thanks so much for taking the time to give us your good ideas.

GAUBSTER2 wrote:
My oh my, there just doesn't seem to be any disease that the BARF
diet folks can't cure with this fad diet.

You really are an ass, Steve.

Lauren, grow up and quit calling names. Why are you so defensive?

I think you are an *ss too.

GAUBSTER2 wrote:
My oh my, there just doesn't seem to be any disease that the BARF
diet folks can't cure with this fad diet.

You really are an ass, Steve.

Lauren, grow up and quit calling names. Why are you so defensive?

I think you are an *ss too.

Karen M." wrote:

Oral steroids vs. shots that may help lessen
side effects and/or different formulations? I would definitely consider
a visit to the specialist, I learned a lot more from the one I saw than
the 4 vets I took Bub to previously about his condition. HTH!

I just want to mention that since long term use of oral and injectable steroids
to control asthma and other allergic reactions can be harmful to a cat, we use
Flovent, an inhaled steroid. Inhalant medications can be a more effective way
of controlling asthma in cats than many other means. I'm not sure whether
Flovent would have any effect on allergies other than the inhaled kind,
however. But I think I've read that inhaled allergies can also cause skin
ailments in cats.

Karen M." wrote:

Oral steroids vs. shots that may help lessen
side effects and/or different formulations? I would definitely consider
a visit to the specialist, I learned a lot more from the one I saw than
the 4 vets I took Bub to previously about his condition. HTH!

I just want to mention that since long term use of oral and injectable steroids
to control asthma and other allergic reactions can be harmful to a cat, we use
Flovent, an inhaled steroid. Inhalant medications can be a more effective way
of controlling asthma in cats than many other means. I'm not sure whether
Flovent would have any effect on allergies other than the inhaled kind,
however. But I think I've read that inhaled allergies can also cause skin
ailments in cats.

From: "Mary"

Jeremy, this is wonderful information because I have allergies--was
tested
and am most intensely allergic to dust, mold, cats and one kind of
tree that
is indigenous to the northeast but does not grow where I currently
live. So--
I am very lucky to have been spared the plant allergies, but when one
is
allergic to dust and mold it is like being allergic to the world! And
... of
course, I live with two cats. When I was diagnosed as allergic to cats
my baby was 16. Get rid of her? HELL no!

Mary, I also had allergies to mold, dust. I used a homeopathic remedy and I
swear by it. Every summer I would have allergies all season long. Now I just
take it at the beginning of the season and I'm set to go. My husband is
allergic to cats and he takes their "animal dander" formula and it's helped him
a lot. It's made by BioAllers and is available at most any health food store.
Here's their website: http://www.natrabio.com/prodmanage/bioallers.htm

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

From: "Mary"

Jeremy, this is wonderful information because I have allergies--was
tested
and am most intensely allergic to dust, mold, cats and one kind of
tree that
is indigenous to the northeast but does not grow where I currently
live. So--
I am very lucky to have been spared the plant allergies, but when one
is
allergic to dust and mold it is like being allergic to the world! And
... of
course, I live with two cats. When I was diagnosed as allergic to cats
my baby was 16. Get rid of her? HELL no!

Mary, I also had allergies to mold, dust. I used a homeopathic remedy and I
swear by it. Every summer I would have allergies all season long. Now I just
take it at the beginning of the season and I'm set to go. My husband is
allergic to cats and he takes their "animal dander" formula and it's helped him
a lot. It's made by BioAllers and is available at most any health food store.
Here's their website: http://www.natrabio.com/prodmanage/bioallers.htm

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

Mary wrote:

"Karen M." wrote in message
...

Mary, there is indeed an allergy test for cats - it's expensive in

the

short run, but in the long run it could save you a lot of headaches

and

$$$ if LG is indeed exacerbated by other allergies.


Thanks for letting me know! Have you had this done to your cat?

No, just the dog, though he is officially a "big cat" in my house.



I would ask your vet

about and hopefully he/she can make a referral to a certified vet
dermatologist. On a personal note, I have a dog with a skin
condition/allergies/food sensitivities and one can make the other

worse.

It's a constant battle, but after taking him to a dermatologist I

have a

better handle on it. For cats there's not as many commercial

choices -

you either pretty much need to go prescription or have a specialist

help

you formulate a homemade cooked or raw diet, and it looks like

Lauren

has that well covered. Did your vet mention if there are any

special

shampoos that could help?


He didn't. But the bumps are very tiny and Cheeky seems unaware of
them, so there are no
open lesions. They are tiny hard bumps.


Oral steroids vs. shots that may help lessen
side effects and/or different formulations?


I will call and ask him. The reason they did shots originally was
because she and I were new to
each other. Literally the first night I brought her home from the
shelter she had an asthma attack. The vet said he thought we had
enough to do getting used to one another without me giving her a pill
every day. Do you know of any benefit oral steroids may have over
shots?

The dermatologist indicated they are less harsh on the system than the
shots, since you can give them at will when the itching flares up,
rather than shots, which just stay in the systems for weeks.



I would definitely consider
a visit to the specialist, I learned a lot more from the one I saw

than

the 4 vets I took Bub to previously about his condition. HTH!


Helps a lot, and I will see about a specialist. I don't want her to
have the itchy sores that others mention these little bumps can turn
into. Thank you for your help.

You're welcome


K

Mary wrote:

"Karen M." wrote in message
...

Mary, there is indeed an allergy test for cats - it's expensive in

the

short run, but in the long run it could save you a lot of headaches

and

$$$ if LG is indeed exacerbated by other allergies.


Thanks for letting me know! Have you had this done to your cat?

No, just the dog, though he is officially a "big cat" in my house.



I would ask your vet

about and hopefully he/she can make a referral to a certified vet
dermatologist. On a personal note, I have a dog with a skin
condition/allergies/food sensitivities and one can make the other

worse.

It's a constant battle, but after taking him to a dermatologist I

have a

better handle on it. For cats there's not as many commercial

choices -

you either pretty much need to go prescription or have a specialist

help

you formulate a homemade cooked or raw diet, and it looks like

Lauren

has that well covered. Did your vet mention if there are any

special

shampoos that could help?


He didn't. But the bumps are very tiny and Cheeky seems unaware of
them, so there are no
open lesions. They are tiny hard bumps.


Oral steroids vs. shots that may help lessen
side effects and/or different formulations?


I will call and ask him. The reason they did shots originally was
because she and I were new to
each other. Literally the first night I brought her home from the
shelter she had an asthma attack. The vet said he thought we had
enough to do getting used to one another without me giving her a pill
every day. Do you know of any benefit oral steroids may have over
shots?

The dermatologist indicated they are less harsh on the system than the
shots, since you can give them at will when the itching flares up,
rather than shots, which just stay in the systems for weeks.



I would definitely consider
a visit to the specialist, I learned a lot more from the one I saw

than

the 4 vets I took Bub to previously about his condition. HTH!


Helps a lot, and I will see about a specialist. I don't want her to
have the itchy sores that others mention these little bumps can turn
into. Thank you for your help.

You're welcome


K

"PawsForThought" wrote in message
...

. My little Meesha has it too.


Sure she does, "Me Too" Lauren.... Lemme guess: She developed asthma from
eating Science Diet....?


In my
particular case, we see a hollistic vet, and we switched her to a homemade
raw
diet, as well as using natural remedies, which has been greatly
beneficial.


Are you now saying you switched your cat to a raw diet specifically as part
of a therapeutic plan ro treat her asthma, or was her development of asthma
and subsequent switch to a raw diet coincidental to your au naturel
fanatical obsession?

Didn't you say you switched all your animals to a raw at the same time? Do
try to keep your conjured up stories and built-to-suit-experiences in some
kind chronological order....


Asthma and granulomas can indicate a weak immune system,

More of your au naturel fanatic cult nonsense.... Most cats with either or
both diseases are otherwise healthy. Both diseases have multiple causes,
the most common causes are hypersensitivity and genetic predisposition. The
prevalence of asthma in the Siamese is 5 times higher than in the general
feline population -- which *strongly* suggests a genetic predisposition.
There is no breed predilection for EGC, but the prevalence of indolent ulcer
is higher in females.