Is it wise to keep a pet, when you have illnesses?

Question

i have a cat and have had her for a few years now. People keep advising me to get rid of her as i have asthma, exzema and hayfever. Is it worth loosing her and having heart break to feel physically better.

i do know that her cat hairs make me feel worse.
but i also adore her.
?????

Answer 1

Oh sweetheart! What a sad question!
I had cancer, and during my chemo I was advised to stay away from my cats and my pet birds, but I knew I couldn't live without them. They kept me going. And now I am fine and they are still with me.
But chemo is one thing and asthma is another.
You can protect yourself from the excema by wearing surgical gloves when you pet your cat.
As for asthma, it is your choice. If you get rid of your cat, you might get a horrible asthmatic attack in reaction.
If you keep your cat, you should be prepared for any upsets, willingly and happily. Wear a flu mask; hoover every day, whatever it takes.
Positive thinking and your overall happiness is what you need to think about ...
And hay fever has nothing to do with cats.
KEEP HER.

Answer 2

My view on this is that your illnesses are not caused by the cat and that you would probably still be affected by them anyways. My sister has had exzema her whole life and she has 2 cats now. Hayfever is a pollen which will affect you no matter if you have the cat or not....same thing for the asthma. My husband has asthma and and is very suspeptible to chronic bronchitis and pneumonias, but we still have three cats and he loves them, wouldn't give them up for anything! Just try to dust and vaccuum at least once a week. Try to not let the cathair and dander acumulate.... I think in the end, you would probably still be affected by the illnesses, just now with heartache....

Answer 3

Ohhhhh. I am very sorry to hear about this difficult situation and decision you must make. (I am allergic to cats-do not have asthma though). I certainly wouldn't want you or anyone to fall ill or suffer by keeping a pet but it is a double edged sword. I know there are some things you can do but I am not a doctor and cannot/would not give you certain advice. If you wish, and I do not mind, I will go into several sites for you and forward them to you. I would bet that you have already discussed this with your doctor but again, there are some (certain) things you can do. I do not know though if these things will help you yet. I always follow through so I will try to help. I really hope you do not suffer a bad attack while you make this decision. Sorry again. Will talk to you soon.

Answer 4

I've been where you are. About 20 years ago, I was so severely asthmatic I was rushed to hospital several times in an ambulance on point of death. I was patch tested and shown to be allergic to cats. However I love cats. So, I got a cat and made sure that she was never cuddled near my face. Every time I stoked her, I washed my hands. She was never allowed in my bedroom and I vacuumed up daily and dusted daily with a plain damp cloth. Over a couple of months, I was less and less allergic as my body built up a tolerance to her and now I have 12 cats, including one who lives in my bedroom because she hates the other cats. I am no longer allergic to them.
So you see, it can be done but you have to be prepared to put in some work, keep using your preventer inhaler (becotide) and use the blue inhaler as soon as you feel the slightest wheeze. It's easier to prevent a full blown attack then stop it once it has taken hold.

Answer 5

Sweetie, it really depends on YOU and how much (if at all) she contributes to your illness.

My daughter had bronchitis when she was young & the pediatrician recommended to get rid of all rugs, curtains and "stuff" including the dog! Everything went BUT the dog. She was fine and still is. Has owned dogs and cats over the years and doesn't even need any medication for it.

I *personally* wouldn't give up my "buddy", but then people with acute asthma might need to do differently.

Wish you the best of luck with your decision!

Answer 6

It all depends whether it is the cat that is the cause of your symptoms.
If it is, then the choice is yours if you're willing to struggle through (depending on the severity of your illnesses), or if you are going to have the symptoms anyway, then you may s well keep the pet.
It's a question of quality of life again isn't it?
Only you know how you feel about your pet and only you know your illness.
Good luck with your decision.

Answer 7

I am an animal lover, I have many cats and also like you have illnesses which have become worse because of the cats, but nothing would ever let me give them up. I have other medication that helps and keeping the house aired works well. You cat is part of you now and she will and has i am sure shown you lots of love. but the dicission is upto you in the end.

Answer 8

Keep your cat. Pets can be a comfort and as a result make you feel better. If you have had her for a few years you would feel worse if you got rid.

Answer 9

I agree with most to the responses. But in the right order! 1. Get an allergy panel done. 2. Check with your doctor about different medications to what your actually allergic too. Check with herb and mineral specialists, nutritionalists, environmental specialists, anybody you can think of for advice. 3. Keep your house clean. Check ingridients on the differents types of cleaners. 3. Do what ever you can to live with your buddy. Then make an appropiate decision on what you can live with.

Answer 10

I agree with Marv, ask a mate to look after ur kitty to see if it gets better....

Hope you dont have to get rid....

Good luck

maybe look on the net to see if there is any spray or powder you can put on the cat or something to stop the allergy if it is from the cat.... I'm sure there is something you can do in the day in age.