But i am allergic which is a problem since i am going to be a vet tech is there anything other than pills i can do to get rid of it shots or something?
2006-07-14 15:18:50 · 14 answers · asked by kayla_ann_simmons 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Allergies
Well, I took allergy shots because I was allergic to cottonwood. LOL. We didn't even have any of those trees in my neighborhood! Anyway, if they made shots for cottonwood, they probably have them for cats too. I think it was our ear, nose, and throat doctor that hooked us up on those. Something interesting, I heard it is actually the cat's saliva and not their fur that most people are allergic to. Of course, they lick their fur! I have two cats. Good luck!
2006-07-14 15:23:45 · answer #1 · answered by JACQUELINE 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The University of Washington did a study on cat dander and discovered a technique that may help you tolerate cats:
You need to bathe the cat once per week using plenty of warm water. After you do this for about 8-12 times you can reduce the baths to once per month. My family followed this when a stray cat had kittens in our garage. We kept one kitten and bathed him every week. We used a gentle pet shampoo. Because we started this when he was small he has learned to tolerate the baths - no small feat for a kitty! The bathes help reduce the amount of allergen on the kitty - but the allergen is still there to a small degree. In addition to the baths - keep the kitty out of your room and add a Hepa Filter to your room or several rooms of your house. After doing all this I have been able to be around the kitty - something that years ago would have caused a severe asthma attack.
About working in a vet clinic tho - all the kitties in the clinic will be covered with cat allergen and their owners do not follow this regimen. Because of your cat allergies you might have to consider a different animal related career. Are you allergic to dogs? You could be a dog groomer!
2006-07-16 01:54:20 · answer #2 · answered by petlover 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get desensitized with allergy shots, they inject some allergen into you each time increasing it until you are no longer as sensitive and can manage on allergy pills alone. Another option is a hairless cat or bathing a cat, if you get a kitten you can get him/her used to daily baths at a young age so they will expect it and it wouldn't be a problem. It's the dander they shed that causes the trouble so if you can keep that down you would be ok.
2006-07-14 22:35:20 · answer #3 · answered by Tina of Lymphland.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm asthmatic and, like most, seriously allergic to cats and,....
I have a couple of them.
I couldn't love them more if they were my kids.
( Ya know, I guess at this point they are my kids.)
Anyway,...
I've had them for almost fifteen years and..
I've tried everything and have suffered every side effect imaginable and so far nothings helped.
While you still have a choice,..
Don't do it,..the price you'll pay, at a minimum, is your quality of life. Do serious investigating before you make any decisions.Talk to others with animal allergies, ask what their experiences have been.
Good luck in whatever you do.
2006-07-15 05:02:58 · answer #4 · answered by thomnjo2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can get allergy desensitation shots. It may take as long as 5 years of shots before you are no longer allergic to cats, but it does work.
2006-07-18 13:46:08 · answer #5 · answered by pennypincher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am highly allergic to cats but I still have two of them and I couldn't get rid of them if I tried. they are actually my girlfriend's cats but they adpoted me. I have never seen such friendlier cats in my life. I treat my allergies with anti-histamines and nasal sprays. I also use an air treatment system to filter the air.
giving the cats a bath every week (If you can) will help keep the allergens down as well. you don't have to use soap just place them in water and rinse them off. Believe it or not my cats love it.
2006-07-14 22:37:53 · answer #6 · answered by hogle28 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shots are usually reserved for severe allergies only. You need to go see an allergist and discuss your issues with him/her. Allegra is a good pill (I know, you said no pills, but really they're the best option if possible), and I've heard Zyrtec also works well for pet allergies.
2006-07-14 22:22:43 · answer #7 · answered by Nuwanda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
um personally i wanted to be a veternarian myself but the prob was i was scared of cat's so i couldn't accomplish it so my advice to you is that maybe you should either find another career or if you would like to stick with animals talk to a doctor and maybe they can provide you with better advice because you wont find the healthy choice on here but get it if you want to just figure out which ones don't shed as much fur you kno good luck and i hope you follow your dreams
2006-07-14 22:28:03 · answer #8 · answered by nina 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can always get a pretend cat, you know, 1 that you have to feed, and play with. The robot 1's. They are alot easier to take care of. lol! well im not much of a help. But, oh well.
2006-07-14 22:25:22 · answer #9 · answered by HannyXoDarling 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, what a tough question. Wish I could help but your best treatment would be to prevent your exposure to cats.
2006-07-16 15:44:24 · answer #10 · answered by Art The Wise 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋