CAT ALLERGIES

Cat Allergies? Some Things Which Might Help

2008-01-09T11:49:00.000-08:00

Cat Allergies
Having a cat allergy can be enormously distressing to a cat lover. Sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, sinus pain, hives, and other symptoms can be very mild and trying or severe and life threatening. In actuality, if the symptoms are very severe and the cause is researched and it is found to be cats, locating the cat a new place to live just might turn out to be the best explanation. However if the symptoms are mild, there is cause for hope. There are methods to at least minimize the pain of cat allergies and live with a cat, and immunotherapy offers desensitization from an allergen.

Symptoms of allergies can take on various forms. There are many common nose symptoms as well as itching, sneezing and congestion. Eye symptoms can include redness, itching, swelling and watering. Throat symptoms include post-nasal drip, itching or hoarseness and the need to clear the esophagus often. Skin symptoms can involve an itchy rash or hives. Ear symptoms can include itching, plugging or popping in the ear. More serious symptoms engage the lungs. Symptoms with the lungs can include hacking, wheezing, tightness in the chest, bouts with bronchitis and shortness of breath.

Cat allergen, the allergy causing stuff from cats, is not cat hair, but somewhat a protein present in the cat dander and saliva. These allergens become airborne as microscopic particles, which when breathed into the nose or lungs can produce allergic reactions.

The main reason why folks can acquire a new pet and not develop any of these symptoms until much later is because of the time required to produce these antibodies. It can take anywhere from three weeks to three years for a person's body to build up enough of the exact antibody so that an allergen can cross-link two identical antigens. This cross-linkage is the signal to mast cells to spill their contents, resulting in the typical allergy symptoms.

Immunotherapy is the usual and very effective way to get around a cat allergy. Immunotherapy gradually makes a person more resistant to the allergens. The goal of immunotherapy is to increase a person's tolerance ten times. This is one of the most effective remedies as it treats the root cause and doesn't just hide the symptoms.

It is unsafe and heartless for any indoor cat to be turned out. As well as the diseases and illnesses that can be caught out of doors, the indoor cat has no experience fending for itself outdoors and so is often unable to protect against cars, animals, and other hazards or to effectively search for food. Hence rescue groups have been formed to take care of cats if someone suffering from allergy has to turn it out of his house.

Judith Allison writes a number of articles and blog posts for different websites including Just Cute Cats

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judith_Allison
Cat Allergies

Inhalant Allergies In Dogs And Cats

2007-10-03T23:44:00.000-07:00

Several objects in the environment can be inhaled by pets and can trigger allergic reactions in dogs and cats. These objects induce the cells of the pets to release substances such as histamine. With histamine, the irritation begins.

The objects in the environment that cause this type of allergies are called allergens. Some examples of these allergens are the following:

· Pollen from the surrounding flowering plants
· Dusts that have accumulated in several areas in the house
· Mites and similar tiny creatures that survive and live on dust
· Molds, fungi, and other similar low forms of plants. The spores from these can be inhaled by pets

Pets, upon exposure to the above allergens will show several symptoms. Among dogs, the major symptoms are:

· Unstoppable itching in the face and in the feet
· Other itching and irritation in several parts of the body
· Occurrence of sores and discharges
· Loss of hair

Among cats, the symptoms of inhalant allergies are:

· Unspecific itching
· Intolerable itching in the face, neck, and thighs
· Inflammation and sores in different parts of the body
· Loss of hair

When the above symptoms are displayed, especially on certain seasons, such as spring and summer, dogs or cats are most likely affected by pollen allergy. To accurately determine the occurrence of inhalant allergies, pets should be taken to the vet. The vet will carry out a skin test to find out if, indeed, the dog or cat is suffering from inhalant allergies. Some vets also conduct blood tests, but the results of this type of test are oftentimes uncertain.

The best treatment is prevention of further worsening of the allergy. That is, the source of the allergens should be removed. Sometimes, this is easy if the allergens are dusts and mites that live in them. A good cleaning is all that a pet owner needs to do. But sometimes, removing the allergen could be difficult. That is, taking away the flowering plant may not be feasible.

Thus, owners resort to other treatments. Two of these allergy treatments are:

· Anti-itch medicines – These medicines suppress the production of histamines. These can be taken orally or gently rubbed on the irritated area.

· Allergy shots – These can make the pets less sensitive to the presence of allergens. Vets can provide these allergy shots.

Not all cats and dogs suffer allergies when exposed to pollen and other inhaled allergens. The reason for this is their heredity. Other pets have genetic characteristics that predisposes them to have allergies.

About The Author: Peter Grant's pet med site http://www.pet-meds-101.com/ concentrates on cat http://www.pet-meds-101.com/your-cat.php and dog health and medicine http://www.pet-meds-101.com/your-dog.php.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com

I'm Allergic To My Cat!

2007-08-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

Having a cat allergy came as something of a surprise to me. Growing up, I had many pets - cats, dogs and birds. My family were animal lovers and pets abounded, so being in contact with animals was a daily occurance. No one ever seemed to suffer from a cat allergies or any kind of animal allergy for that matter.

After my teens and my last pet had died, I wasn't in a position to take on another pet for many years. Then, eleven years ago, a friend of a cousin was looking for a home for their last remaining kitten. And so it was that Kira came into my life. This was a cat with attitude (and still is!) and we bonded pretty much immediately. While she was still a kitten, I'd put her in the kitchen overnight with a little cat bed to sleep in and the litter box close by.

As she grew older, I started letting her sleep in the bedroom. It's surprising how relaxing a cat's purring can be in wee small hours.

A little over a year later, when down with the vet getting some supplies, I heard that there was a kitten that needed a home or it would have to be put to sleep. And so, Fritz came home with me that day.

Unfortuately, Kira was less than impressed with this interloper and I had to keep the two separated for several days before an uneasy truce ensued.

They're an odd pair (http://www.just-pet-cats.com.cat-photos.html) - Kira has attitude, Fritz is much more companionable; what you'd call a "gentle soul". She's still the Queen around the house and occasionally puts Fritz in his place with a right-hook to the face when she feels the need to assert her authority.

As Fritz matured, he also was allowed into the bedroom. Both he and Kira would sleep there during the day and night, as was their want.

We all know that cats are the greatest creature-comfort-seeking animals on the planet and a comfy place to catnap is one of their major concerns. But the place your cat chooses to snooze (http://www.just-pet-cats.com/sleep.html) may not be your first choice. While I didn't mind the cats sleeping on the bed, I did take exception to Fritz's tendency to charge in from the garden and sleep in a basket of warm, freshly dried laundry straight from the dryer.

The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine recently conducted a poll of pet-owners on the sleeping habits of their pets and found that 60% of them sleep in bed with one of the family. Where cats are concerned, there are two potential problems here: one is that, somehow, they manage to take up 90% of the bed and the other has to do with allergies.

I found I had a mild cat allergies when I started producing weird wheezing noises any time I was doing something strenuous. Coughing eased it for a few minutes but it would always return. I figured I’d developed a mild form of asthma, probably due to bad air quality and pollution, so I went to the doctor to have it checked out. After listening to my lungs he asked me one question: "Do you have a cat?"

Well, yes, I did. Two in fact.

"You’re allergic to your cats", he intoned.

Then he asked if the cats slept in the bedroom. Of course they did.

"There’s your real problem", he said. "What you’re allergic to is the dander produced by your cats. When a cat sleeps on your bed, the dander ends up in the sheets and the duvet and you breathe it in deeply at night when you’re asleep. Not good. That’s what causes your wheeziness. Stop the cats sleeping in your bedroom for two or three weeks and see if that eases your symptoms. If not, you’ll probably need to use an inhaler for the rest of your life."

Ok, that last sentence kinda hit me between the eyes. Much as I love my two furballs, I didn’t want to suffer a long-lasting health problem that could possibly be avoided.

So why is dander such a problem? It's the layer of dead skin that's rich in animal protein, which is continuously shed by animals. Sebaceous (oil producing) glands in the skin also produce these protein allergens. Male cats have, on average, greater amounts of sebaceous secretions and therefore are more allergenic than female or neutered male cats. This is a result of testosterone hormone effects on sebaceous glands.

So, with that information and the prospect of an enduring health problem, I banned my cats from the bedroom, threw out the duvet (on the advice of the doctor), bought a new one and changed everything on the bed (including getting new pillows). I didn’t get too much sleep the first few nights with the cats meowing and scratching on the door to get in but they got used to the idea, finally. After three weeks in a cat free bedroom, my wheeziness had all but disappeared. The cats haven’t been allowed back in since.

Should you find yourself with a similar cat allergy problem, banning the cat from your bedroom is one possible course of action. Alternatively, you can get your cat his own cat bed (http://www.just-pet-cats.com/cat-furniture.html) and put that somewhere out of harm's way (yours and the cat's).

Since finding out I was mildly allergic to my cats, I've spoken to other cat owners about it and quite a number also suffer some mild form of allergic reaction - sneezing, wheezing, watering eyes, blocked sinuses and so on. Owners appear to become at least somewhat immune to their own cats insofar as the symptoms are not as pronounced as they become when they're around other people's cats.

But, having said that, none of us would ever part with our feline companions and would exhort others to adopt a cat as a pet, as the benefits far outweigh any minor inconveniences.

Animal dander allergy can significantly contribute to respiratory problems involving the sinuses, nasal passages, and eyes, as well as causing upper respiratory tract problems that can result in asthma (as in my case). These problems can significantly diminish your quality of life despite various medical treatments. For some people, it can be even more serious, leading to recurrent acute asthmatic attacks that can be life threatening, requiring emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The good news is that most people who are allergic to their pets can keep their symptoms under control if they know the facts.

About The Author
Gary Nugent, 2005. Software engineer, website builder and cat lover Gary Nugent is the editor and owner of http://www.just-pet-cats.com

Sphynx - The Facts Every Owner Of This Cat Breed Should Know

2007-07-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

In 1966 in Canada, a Domestic Shorthair gave birth to a liter of kittens with a naturally occurring mutation of hairlessness. This liter became the ancestors of today's Sphynx, created through inbreeding and crossbreeding over time. Interestingly, the same genetic mutation that causes hairlessness in a Sphynx is the same mutation that causes the curly and sometimes nearly absent coat in a Devon Rex. Oftentimes, a Devon Rex is inbred to strengthen the gene pool of the Sphynx. A Sphynx, sometimes referred to as a Canadian Hairless, is not always totally hairless; many have a fine downy coating. However, a Sphynx is the color of his skin, not his 'fur'. Contrary to popular belief, a Sphynx is not a truly hypoallergenic cat, particularly if he has a peach fuzz coating.

All Sphynx will still produce some amount of dander, the usual culprit for causing allergic reactions. However, most people with cat allergies find they are able to tolerate a Sphynx. This breed of cat is very hearty and healthy, despite its almost sickly appearance. They are muscular and slightly larger than the average cat, but do require special care due to their lack of a coat.

A Sphynx will become colder more easily than the average cat and requires the occasional bath, as they have no hair to absorb naturally occurring oils in the skin. They are also more prone to sunburn and heatstroke since they lack a protective covering. A Sphynx is a very patient and adaptable cat, making them an excellent choice for apartment dwellers and those with children or other pets. They are loyal to their families and enjoy their attention and company, which includes playing with them.

Thanks to a careful breeding program, the Sphynx breed does not suffer from any major medical concerns beyond normal health care.

There is a website that has great information on Sphynx and most other breeds of cats. It has details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Allergic to Cats

2007-07-15T04:11:00.000-07:00

What is Cat Allergy Due To?
The major cat allergen, called Fel d 1, is found in cat saliva, dander from sebaceous glands in the skin, fur, and anal sebaceous glands. Other cat allergens, including albumin, are found in the urine, saliva and blood.

How Common is Cat Allergy?
Allergy to cats is extremely common, occurring in up to 25 percent of people with allergies. Cat allergy is more common than allergy to dog dander, which may be related to the potency of cat hair and dander as an allergen as well as the fact that cats are not generally bathed.

Why is Cat Allergy Such a Problem?
Cat allergen is produced in large amounts, particularly by male non-neutered cats as the allergen is partially under hormonal control. The dander is constantly airborne, sticky, and found in public places, even where there are no cats.

This is due to the dander being carried on the clothing of people who have cats, then shed in public places. Therefore, cat allergen is a component of house dust, even in homes where a cat has never lived.

The size of the cat dander particles is extremely small, and is inhaled deep into the lungs. Cat dander is therefore a common cause of allergic asthma, and cat owners who are allergic to cats are more

How Can Symptoms be Controlled for People with Cat Allergy?
For people with cat allergy, avoidance of cats is the mainstay of therapy. Allergy medications are likely to help control symptoms, but in many instances symptoms may persist if the person owns one or more indoor cats. Allergy shots may also be a good treatment option for people who are allergic to their pet cats.

Cat owners may not want to part with their pets, despite the symptoms they endure. Short of getting rid of the cat, here are some ways to decrease cat allergen exposure for cat owners:

* Ensure the cat is neutered
* Bathing the cat at least once or twice a week
* Wiping the cat with a wet cloth or hand towel daily
* Remove the cat from the bedroom, close the bedroom door and air vents to the bedroom
* Keep the cat outside or in the garage, or in a part of the home with an uncarpeted floor
* Vacuum frequently with a HEPA-equipped vacuum cleaner
* Purchase a HEPA room air cleaner for use in the bedroom and/or other parts of the home (it is best to keep the HEPA filter off of the floor so as to not stir up more dust)
* Follow house dust mite avoidance precautions
* If the above measures do not help to reduce allergic symptoms, getting rid of the pet cats may be needed, particularly for people with uncontrolled asthma.
* Cat dander will persist for months to years in the home even if the cat is gone – therefore it is important to clean thoroughly
o steam clean all carpets and upholstered furniture
o launder or dry clean all bedding and curtains
o vacuum all hard floors
o wipe down all hard surfaces and furniture
o replace any air conditioner and heater vent filters

From Daniel More, MD,

Allergic? You Can Keep Your Cat!

2007-07-10T01:15:00.000-07:00

Being hypersensitive doesn't inevitably intend you can't get a pet or that you must offer upward the one you already have. You can resolve this trouble by learning more about minimizing cat allergies and making some insignificant adjustments to your surroundings. Controlling cat allergies takes some job, but if you truly seek to. YOU CAN DO IT!

Allergic reactions are caused by allergens--substances normally imperceptible to the human heart, such as pollen, debris, mildew spores and nutrient additives. People who have an allergy are seldom hypersensitive to just one matter. The cat allergies carries are associated with its rind, hair follicles and saliva. Dander--a naturally-occurring combination of rind cells and saliva that the pet is continually shedding--is almost frequently the reason of cat allergies. It is the protein of this dander that causes the reactions. Dander imbeds itself in the carpet, furniture and draperies and remains in the surroundings to induce reactions.

The cat allergies, is the leading reason of hypersensitive reactions to cats. During a cat's self-cleaning procedure, Fel d I protein in the saliva is deposited on the pelt. It is too produced by sebaceous glands--the rind glands that secrete the oils that hold the rind and hair slick and glossy.

Male cats normally develop much allergen than females. Proteins in the urine of cats will too spark hypersensitive reactions. Some animals appear more bearable than others because they drop less allergens.

Unfortunately, there are no non-allergic animals. It is too genuine that the duration of hair does not change the creature's allergenicity. Within any given strain, or still litter, you may discover animals that you can permit best than others.

Cat allergies are normally cumulative. Since the hypersensitive individual is susceptible to much than one matter, it is the Total Allergen Level that causes a response. Whether or not an individual has symptoms depends on how many allergens are in the surroundings at the same moment.

A person who is hypersensitive to animals may display no evident symptoms when the overall vulnerability is below his allergy brink degree. The problem begins when there are enough allergens in the surroundings to surpass this degree. The finish is to minimise vulnerability to airborne allergens that surpass tolerance thresholds and trigger attacks.

How Do Cat Allergies Affect You

2007-06-30T02:06:00.000-07:00

Cat allergies are among the most frequent types of allergy of pet. If people realize that they have the eyes of watering and which they sneeze in the presence of a cat, then the cat allergies are most probably the cause of these reactions.

The majority of the people think that the fur of the cat is the element that that leads to the allergic reaction. The scientists showed that it is not true. The flakes of the skin of cat, which are also known like dander, are the principal cause of the aqueous eyes and the irritated skin. Moreover, the respiratory area becomes affected, too. When the flakes of skin are not the cause of the cat allergies, then the only option is still the saliva of these pets. However, this occurs in very rare cases, since people do not make usually the contact with the saliva of the cats.

The cats thus do not need to be present the allergic reaction leaves. People who have the cat allergies can develop the symptoms only while being in an environment where the cats lived. The most evasive example refers to the entry in a new house. If the precedents have house had cats, then the real owner can express the symptoms for one period which extends from a few weeks in a few months. In this particular situation, the new owner must clean the house completely, because the other allergens, such as dust, can determine the symptoms to become worse.

The allergic reaction in fact is determined by histamine. It is a chemical substance which is placed free by the immune system in the body, thus the elements which are interpreted badly as a dangerous the skin of cat is scaled, in this particular situation are neutralized. This chemical substance is discharged in the body only by making the contact with the cats or while writing with an environment where the cats lived. As soon as histamine is present in the body, people start to test the skin and the nose irritating, the aqueous eyes and the stuffed nose. Because one mentioned to him front, the respiratory area is affected, too. In conclusion, people who have the cat allergies can test the brevity of the congestion of breath, cough and lung. The asthma of allergy can be present, also, although this seldom occurs.

The research of the medical councils shortly after that the symptoms of cat allergies become obvious is imperative. The doctor carries out some tests of skin in order to make the diagnosis correctly. After this test, the doctor will be able to say, whether the allergic reaction is caused by cats or not. People can discover all alone if they are allergic to these pets, by moving some share differently, for one short period. If the symptoms tend to becoming less serious, then the pet is certainly the cause of the allergic reaction.