Mr. Asthma

Question:

Last week I came down with the flu that started with a cough, then normal aches, sore throat, etc. It went into the worst respiratory involvement I’ve ever had. Four days later I went to the doctor and before he even listened to my chest and the wheezing, rattling, etc…he said…"this is asthma" He explained that the flu or possibly an allergy would have brought it on. I was diagnosed once in the past with asthma during another bout of the flu or bronchitis. After brief traditional treatment, I hadn’t been bothered with it since. As I left the doctor’s office, it occurred to me that about three weeks before the onset of the flu, I had just gotten a male Persian. I was glad I had not mentioned it to the doctor so that it gives me time to see if it was just from the flu or if the cat is the problem. I am hoping against hope that he is not…he’s a wonderful little guy. Last night after being on the prednisone, proventil and azmacort for three days….the chest has tightened up again..and I am short of breath. I didn’t even introduce myself…I just found the newsgroup now and decided to get your thoughts. We have always owned cats and dogs…have been without pets for about two years now…but spent time in Oct. and then most of November in the homes of our children..One owns two cats and the other owns three golden retrievers and two long haired cats. I had no bad effects at the time…though I didn’t handle the animals as I have my new one, grooming, etc. What’s the verdict guys……do you think I’ll get to keep my new kitty or not? Thank you for your thoughts. Elizabeth Hewitt

Response:

Go to an allergist and get tested for cats and everything else while your at it. You will know in 15 minutes. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Last week I came down with the flu that started with a cough, then >normal aches, sore throat, etc. It went into the worst respiratory >involvement I’ve ever had. Four days later I went to the doctor and >before he even listened to my chest and the wheezing, rattling, etc…he >said…"this is asthma" He explained that the flu or possibly an allergy >would have brought it on. I was diagnosed once in the past with asthma >during another bout of the flu or bronchitis. After brief traditional >treatment, I hadn’t been bothered with it since. >As I left the doctor’s office, it occurred to me that about three weeks >before the onset of the flu, I had just gotten a male Persian. I was >glad I had not mentioned it to the doctor so that it gives me time to >see if it was just from the flu or if the cat is the problem. I am >hoping against hope that he is not…he’s a wonderful little guy. Last >night after being on the prednisone, proventil and azmacort for three >days….the chest has tightened up again..and I am short of breath. >I didn’t even introduce myself…I just found the newsgroup now and >decided to get your thoughts. >We have always owned cats and dogs…have been without pets for about >two years now…but spent time in Oct. and then most of November in the >homes of our children..One owns two cats and the other owns three golden >retrievers and two long haired cats. I had no bad effects at the >time…though I didn’t handle the animals as I have my new one, >grooming, etc. >What’s the verdict guys……do you think I’ll get to keep my new kitty >or not? >Thank you for your thoughts. >Elizabeth Hewitt

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Last week I came down with the flu that started with a cough, then > normal aches, sore throat, etc. It went into the worst respiratory > involvement I’ve ever had. Four days later I went to the doctor and > before he even listened to my chest and the wheezing, rattling, etc…he > said…"this is asthma" He explained that the flu or possibly an allergy > would have brought it on. I was diagnosed once in the past with asthma > during another bout of the flu or bronchitis. After brief traditional > treatment, I hadn’t been bothered with it since. > As I left the doctor’s office, it occurred to me that about three weeks > before the onset of the flu, I had just gotten a male Persian. I was > glad I had not mentioned it to the doctor so that it gives me time to > see if it was just from the flu or if the cat is the problem. I am > hoping against hope that he is not…he’s a wonderful little guy. Last > night after being on the prednisone, proventil and azmacort for three > days….the chest has tightened up again..and I am short of breath. > I didn’t even introduce myself…I just found the newsgroup now and > decided to get your thoughts. > We have always owned cats and dogs…have been without pets for about > two years now…but spent time in Oct. and then most of November in the > homes of our children..One owns two cats and the other owns three golden > retrievers and two long haired cats. I had no bad effects at the > time…though I didn’t handle the animals as I have my new one, > grooming, etc. > What’s the verdict guys……do you think I’ll get to keep my new kitty > or not? > Thank you for your thoughts. > Elizabeth Hewitt

There is no way to tell at this point.  However, I would suggest finding a temporary home for him for a week or so, and seeing if things improve once you are completely over the flu. Chris Owens

Response:

I have a friend with asthma and a number (which varies!) of cats.  She never had major problems until she got a pedigree Persian (flat-faced long hair) who has had to be rehomed. Her other cats are a pedigree Siamese (with a title!) and a variety of Heinz 47, at least one of who is semi-long-hair. So it’s hard to tell. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Last week I came down with the flu that started with a cough, then >normal aches, sore throat, etc. It went into the worst respiratory >involvement I’ve ever had. Four days later I went to the doctor and >before he even listened to my chest and the wheezing, rattling, etc…he >said…"this is asthma" He explained that the flu or possibly an allergy >would have brought it on. I was diagnosed once in the past with asthma >during another bout of the flu or bronchitis. After brief traditional >treatment, I hadn’t been bothered with it since. >As I left the doctor’s office, it occurred to me that about three weeks >before the onset of the flu, I had just gotten a male Persian. I was >glad I had not mentioned it to the doctor so that it gives me time to >see if it was just from the flu or if the cat is the problem. I am >hoping against hope that he is not…he’s a wonderful little guy. Last >night after being on the prednisone, proventil and azmacort for three >days….the chest has tightened up again..and I am short of breath. >I didn’t even introduce myself…I just found the newsgroup now and >decided to get your thoughts. >We have always owned cats and dogs…have been without pets for about >two years now…but spent time in Oct. and then most of November in the >homes of our children..One owns two cats and the other owns three golden >retrievers and two long haired cats. I had no bad effects at the >time…though I didn’t handle the animals as I have my new one, >grooming, etc. >What’s the verdict guys……do you think I’ll get to keep my new kitty >or not? >Thank you for your thoughts. >Elizabeth Hewitt

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Response:

> What’s the verdict guys……do you think I’ll get to keep my new kitty > or not?

If your asthma is generally in remission except when you get the flu, you _may_ be able to keep the cat.  You should discuss this with your doctor and ask to be tested for cat allergy.

Response:

Thank you for your thoughts here. Yes, the cat is a male, pedigree, flat faced, long haired Persian. I have owned two other Persians with no problems, but it’s been a few years since the last and I know how allergies are. My son and daughter in law both have asthma and own two cats…they say that they have built a tolerance to their cats but can’t tolerate any other cats. Even if that were possible, if the cat is my problem, I’m not sure it would be practical to risk dealing with the asthma while I wait to see if I become desensitized to him. Those are things I will need to decide once I learn if he is the problem. I have decided to call the allergist who tested me a few years ago and see what his results were with cats since I don’t remember. If they were negative it won’t tell me anything…but if they were positive…I feel sure I am still allergic! I like your ideas of allowing myself time to check it out and not being encouraged to just arbitrarily getting rid of him….NOW!!! I’m sure the way I feel about needing to deal with the asthma is probably not different than many of  you when it first became a problem where you needed to make lifestyle changes to live with it.    "I don’t want to have asthma…whine, whine! I already have Post Polio Syndrome…I think that’s plenty, thank you! " <VBG> Thank you again. I feel like I have direction to work through it. Elizabeth Hewitt

Response:

Elizabeth,       I found out I was allergic to both dogs and cats along time back.   It hasn’t prevented me from having them!  I think my life is enhanced by have my cat and two parrakeets.  Of course this is only because my asthma is not life threatening.   Should that change I guess I will have to rethink everything else.   Good luck to you I hope you give your new kitty a chance.  However, if you do have to "rehome" it,  sooner better than later.  Before you get toooooo attached.        Denise >If they were negative it >won’t tell me anything…but if they were positive…I feel sure I am still >allergic! I like your ideas of allowing myself time to check it out and not >being encouraged to just arbitrarily getting rid of him….NOW!!! I’m sure the >way I feel about needing to deal with the asthma is probably not different than >many of  you when it first became a problem where you needed to make lifestyle >changes to live with it.    "I don’t want to have asthma…whine, whine! I >already have Post Polio Syndrome…I think that’s plenty, thank you! " <VBG> >Thank you again. I feel like I have direction to work through it. >Elizabeth Hewitt

Response:

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Response: