Well it's official

[MunchiesMommie]

My youngest had his allergy appt yesterday and he tested allergic for dogs, and cats. I'm so unbelievably upset. We have a cat, we've had him longer than Andrew has been born, and the allergist is saying we can't keep him. My parents really want him, he's the best cat ever, and they are really attached to him because they spend a lot of time here. They don't have a cat, just a dog, who we babysit so her and Jax already know each other.


I was so overwhelmed with all of this, he tested positive for some food allergies too, egg, soy, and peanut butter. The egg and peanut aren't that big of a deal, but hydrogenated soy bean oil is in freaking everything!

Anyhow, I was so overwhelmed that I didn't ask all the questions that I needed to. I have a call in to them today to find out if I just need to remove the cat for a couple months and then try to re-introduce, or if he's just too allergic. I don't know what all these numbers mean.

I feel like I'm losing a kid, my cat is another child to me, I don't want to give up my cat, but how do I choose between them?

 

[Charliesmommy]

Oh that's terrible! But at least your parents can take the cat so you can still see him.

 

[MunchiesMommie]

I don't think I can see him for at least 8 weeks, because we are eliminating all allergens until September and seeing if he gets better. If he does, then we will re-introduce them one at a time. I'm not sure if he means the cat too, or just the foods. I'm really confused and overwhelmed.

The boys really wanted a dog too And so did I. I have always had pets, even with my allergies. I'm just so sad.

 

[Lizmo]

I'm so sorry *hugs* I can't imagine what you are going through!

 

[squirtsmom]

That sucks. Of course you have to choose the c hild. It is good that your parents can take him. At least y ou don 't have to go through the trauma of re homing. Good vibes to you.

 

[girlbuffalo1]

It may be something he grows out of. As a child around 8yrs old I was named allergic to milk--so I could not have milk, cheese, ice cream (so no pizza, tacos, dilly bars)--pretty much everything I loved! I grew out of it though. y the time I was 12 I could have really small amounts and by the time I hit 14 or so I was no longer allergic at all...so maybe there's hope yet!

 

[FoxyWench]

and so you know, dogs and cats arnt completly out in the future, there are Lots of breeds of dog that are great for those with allergies, they may not be the kind of breeds you origionally thought youd end up with but there just as wonderfull as any dog. (im a reacent chinese crested addict lol)

And cats there are a couple breeds that are also great for allergy sufferers (ie the rex breeds.)

good luck!

 

[noludoru]

Yes.. some breeds really are better on allergies..

I'm so sorry, hon. ((((((((((hugs)))))))))) If you do end up giving up yur kitty.. your parents, I'm sure, will be second-best.

 

[PixieSticksandTricks]

Im so sorry I know it sucks. Im allergic to cats but have thankfully almost completely grown out of the allergy. When we first found out we just put our two cats outdoors. Which was fine since they were indoor outdoor cats to begin with. The had shelter on our back porch and lived out there entire lives healthy and happy.

I don't know if you want to do that with your cat now. Luckily I can live with cats indoors again as long as they airn't on my bed.

 

[vanillasugar]

Aww don't lose hope! A lot of my friends are "severely allergic" to their pets, and they live quite comfortably! One friend was told by their doctor that he'd have to re-home his cat, and he pretty much said no way... then got a dog! lol He takes allergy medication, but gets on just fine! Another friend of mine has an "overactive immune system" (I can't remember the exact condition) and can go into anaphylaxis (sp?) from any of her allergies, including dust, or her three cats. She's kept them, and just monitors herself closely for any itchyness or onset of swelling. Now THAT'S serious, and if she can live with her cats, I'm sure your son will be okay

 

[mjb]

A friend of mine has 3 dogs and a cat along with a husband with allergies. He probably is not as severely allergic as your child. They have all leather furniture to keep from collecting the dander, and they've been slowly replacing their carpet with tile and wood. She says they've always had the leather furniture because of the pets and allergy.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

I'm so sorry the results were positive for allergies--I mentioned before that I went through this with my son--we had 3 cats at that time, and turned out he was severely allergic--causing significant ashtma issues. We did relocate the cats (it's been years, and I still miss them!)---but I will tell you, it made a hughe change in my sons overall health and well being--so while you love your cat, your sons health (and this has an impact on his future health as well--so not to be taken lightly) needs to be your priority. Miss your cat. Love your son enough to miss your cat.

 

[bubbatd]

Many times these things do reverse . Don't despair !!! Eliminate the causes and slowly re enter one at a time .

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Just wanted to say I'm sorry. Some things are just hard.

 

[ben0570]

Have you tried a very good air filteration system? I don't mean the cheap-ones so to speak but the ones that actually hook up to your heating and air unit. Also might want to try a good air filter for your ac unit.

 

[Romy]

That is so tough! At least you can let your parents have the cat until "quarantine" is up, and you'll have the opportunity to try reintroducing him.

The food allergies are hard. I used to take care of a girl that could not have wheat, rye, barley, soy, dairy, tree nuts, or chocolate. We made her lots of delicious stir fry with fresh fruits and veggies though, and meat and fruit. Try looking online to see if there are any allergy support groups for folks with food allergies in your area. They are actually pretty common. If you don't see any online, try going to the local health food store and asking them if they know of any. All the places that I have lived had some kind, and they would have awesome "allergen free" potlucks and swap recipes. Plus it's good moral support to meet other parents of children with some big food allergies and swap ideas on how to cope, make hassle free meals and snacks etc.

You could always look into getting a chinchilla! We raised them for 9 years, they are very hypoallergenic. And fun too. A close friend of mine adopted some from me because she was allergic to cats, dogs, hamsters, rabbits, mice, etc. But the chinchillas she could snuggle up to her face with no problem.

Keep us updated on how things go! We will keep your son, kitty cat, and future dog plans in our prayers.

 

[Doberluv]

I'm so sorry about this. Allergies are weird. My niece was terribly allergic to cats. She would get life threatening asthma attacks. But she kept her cat anyhow. (I don't recommend that) But anyhow...she has gotten a lot better in recent years. She's in her 30s and maybe not as severe as your son's allergies, but things can change.

I use to be allergic to cats and my horses when shedding. My eyes would swell closed, I'd get hives. And I out grew it, had cats and the only time I was bothered was with one of the cats and if I didn't wash my hands after patting him and if I touched my eyes or face.

So, there is hope that he may outgrow them in time. However, for the time being, I think having your folks take the cat is the only option. I sure do feel for you. I know how hard that must be.

I think you got some great suggestions, like the filtration system. How severe is your son's allergy to the cat? What happens to him?

So very sorry....

 

[Miakoda]

The bad thing about allergies is that they can develop pretty much any time throughout one's life. The good news is they can often disappear this way as well.

I'm allergic to dogs and cats as well. I started taking a couple prescription pills when I was in middle school since we had dogs & there was no way I was allowing my parents to get rid of them. Cats used to make me break out in hives & look as if I had pink us (complete with crusty pus....ewe). But now I'm a vet tech and have few problems with animals as long as the area is well ventilated and cleaned properly on a daily basis. And God knows we have a buttload of dogs in our home.

I'm sorry that you and he are going through this. It does stink.

EDIT: I wanted to add that studies have shown that continued exposure to these animals actually makes things better over time. In fact, infants exposed to a dog in the home (or better yet, multiple dogs), have actually shown to have a greatly reduced chance of asthma, allergies, & that wheezing some infants make while breathing occasionally. My child should be in the clear.