Conference misery::feline_v1

    Although it wasn't a severe allergy, I was once given a similar
    decision to make. Needless to say, Argus and Pip are still with
    me. It didn't take me long to decide, and I haven't once regretted
    my decision.
    
    Deb

    There are a lot of things you can do to help the allergic person
    -- vacuum like a demon and so forth.
    

    When I was 11, I began to have VIOLENT allergy attacks.  Wheezing,
    eyes swelling completely closed, almost literally coughing up my
    lungs...the source was _my_ dog, my _8_year_old dog, and _only_
    him -- not the other two.  Quite sanely, my parents decided that
    Piri would have to go -- not an easy decision as he was not only
    _ANNIE'S DOG_ [Piri and I were inseparable...but I guess you wouldn't
    have guessed, huh?], but a prolific and beautiful coal black Royal
    Standard Poodle [one of the tallest and most regal I've ever seen].
    
    I, quite naturally, became hysterical and threatened to hurl myself
    in front of a train [or something like that -- pre-adolescence is
    such a time of excessiveness]
    
    So a visit to the allergist was in order.  And I was innoculated
    against my allergy.  I know that the same procedure works for cats,
    as a very good friend went through the procedure.  She had been
    married for three years and had always been allergic to cats, when
    her husband's children came to live with them bringing their two
    cats.  The kids weren't too thrilled with the move to begin with
    and Tia felt that making them give up the cats would nearly destroy
    any chance she had with them.
    
    It is a non-recurring expense.  In my case, I took shots for three
    months on a weekly basis.  For Tia, it was twice weekly for one
    month.
    
    My advice:  Keep the cats! Send him in for shots.
    
    
    Annie

    Re: .3  Be careful that he doesn't get altered at the same time
    :-)
    

    
    Agreed.  Send him to the allergist.  I was once somewhat allergic
    to cats, and allergy shots saved my sanity (what?!? no kats?  You
    must be joking!).  I do know of some people who are still seriously
    allergic to cats even after shots.  It doesn't work for everyone.
    
    As a last resort, I'd buy a two-family house and keep one appartment
    for the cats and one for the other love-of-my-life.
    
    Rita
    

    
    Well unfortunately there are many people (like my allergist) who
    think that I am utterly crazy but.....  I am VERY allergic to cats
    and of course I have three little girls....  Even though I can't
    breathe most of the time and have to use a puffer and the allergies
    have turned into a more serious bronchial asthma type deal and I
    go through the sneezing and hacking rituals...  Get rid of them
    my allergist says your doing unreversible damage to yourself!!!!
    Ha ha.  He told me the allergy shots for cats and dogs don't work!
    I think he's quack!!!  I'm in the process of getting a new allergist
    and would love to know of one in the N.H. area if anyone can give
    me a name.....  As far as I'm concerned if you take the precautions
    and find the RIGHT allergist anything is possible.....
                              
                                  The allergic mom of Malcolm,Angus,
                                                      & 3-way

    Cat allergies, it used to be believed, were caused by cat hair,
    and every time they developed an allergy shot based on the cat hair,
    it didn't work.  So much for the reason that "cat allergy shots
    don't work".  It is now believed that it is the cat dander, and
    primarily the dried saliva that causes the allergies, and this has
    proved more successful.  It has also been shown, in a number of
    double-blind tests, that cat allergies can also be psychological
    to an extent, i.e., the person is mildly allergic, but actually
    has a subconcious fear of cats, so has a strong allergy reaction.
    
    An interesting point, the new "tidal pool" negative ion generators
    seem to do a good job at controlling the dander flying in the air.
    Might be worth looking into.
    
    Dave

    It doesn't help in a home that already has kitties, but for those
    who love cats and are allergic, I'd like to remind folk that there
    are breeds of hairless cat out there.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    There can be no life without CATS!  I got rid of the guy - kept
    the cats and never felt an once of regret!  When I was little,
    my Mom only let me have "ONE" cat - I promised myself that when
    I was bigger that I would have as many as I wanted no matter what.
    I think that it would be impossible living with someone that doesn't
    love cats as much as I do.   
    
    E.T. + 11

    
    Re .9  (Sorry, I can't remember your name...?Elaine?)
                                                 
    
    Have you ever seen the B. Kliban book "CAT" ? It is my alltime
    favorite.  Well, reading your reply reminded me of one of the cartoons
    that pictured a man entertaining a woman (or maybe it was another man-
    don't remember...) in his apartment.  While she sat facing him in a
    chair, he sat confidently on the couch, surrounded by cats crawling all
    over him: including on his lap, shoulder and head, and with his arms
    outstretched, he merely said, "cats."
    
    There was another, and I may be getting the details of the two
    confused, but with a similar situation (man and a woman facing each
    other).  There were several cats sitting quietly around the room,
    except for one that was behind the man on the couch.  This cat was
    sticking its tongue out at him behind his back but so the woman could
    see, as the man was saying, "mysterious creatures, aren't they?" 
                 
    Those two popped into my mind.  Eleven cats? More power to you!
    I wish I had the stamina to enjoy eleven at a time!!!
    
    Amy. 
                              

I, too, am allergic to cats.  I developed the allergy at adolesence, when 
my wonderful Siamese, Lucky, was three.  The answer:  Alle-rest!  After a 
time, I didn't need pills anymore because I seemed to build up a tolerance to 
her.  In situations with muptiples of cat, however (three or more) I 
needed pills before I arrived.  I felt it was a very small price to 
pay for the pleasure of the company of cats. When I married, my 
husband and I couldn't have pets (boo-hoo :-( ) in the apartment, so 
we left my then 16 year old Siamese and his 7 year old Siberian Husky 
with the respective parents.  Both pets have since died.  Now, just 
when it seems we're getting close to a place of our own and pets again 
at last - I've gone and developed bronchial asthma :-( .  Help!  I 
can't live without cats, even if they suffocate me!  Has anyone out 
there dealt succesfully with multiples of pets and asthma?  We'd like 
two cats and a dog.  The "dream house" won't be a dream at all without 
the pair of Siamese I've been wishing for.... I'm hoping I'll build up 
a tolerance again after a time.  

Tell me I will, please!!!!

Mary-Michael

    I made a decision after starting to read this notes file that I
    would like to own a house where I can keep as many cats as I want.
    I have a studio apartment and my 2 cats are a crowd.
    
    Sharon_who_wants_a_million_cats ;-)
    

    Neither, as long as I have the cats I have now. I know lots of people
    who are very allergic to cats but we have three and when people
    who are allergic come over they never have any problem with our
    cats. Don't ask me why cause I have no idea but thankfully for the
    allergic people our cats tend not to aggrevate their allergies.
    
    						Geoff
    P.S. If it came down to one or the other I'm not sure which I'd
    pick, but probably I'd keep the cats.

    I'm NOT allergic to my cats, thank goodness, but allergy
    desensitization shots have helped a lot with my other allergies.
    They're definitely worth trying.  My doctor said that they benefit
    80-85% of the patients who try them.  Unfortuneately, one of my
    friends is one of the unlucky ones.  He finally gave up on the shots
    after several years because he wasn't improving at all.  Even if
    he takes medecine right before he comes over, he can only visit
    my house for about half an hour before he can't breathe anymore
    because of my cats.

    re: .10
    
    Yes, sometimes it does take stamina - especially when they are
    "ALL" in the chasing each other up & down the stairs mood.  But,
    when they are in lovey moods (all eleven) it really is something
    else!  Watching them interact & socialize (they ALL get along)
    is better than watching TV.  They are each unique individuals
    with endearing personalities that are so special.  They each
    have their own times of the day that they ask for attention,
    so I'm not hugging all eleven at once (tricky at best, when
    two are asking at the same time!).  I sometimes can't get
    up in the morning because 14 lb Timothy is sleeping on my
    pillow with my hair under him - he won't get up until he
    has had enough loving!  They are all so special & beautiful -
    I think that I'm the luckiest person in the whole world!!
    
    Elaine & Sasha, KoKo, Nikolas, Alexander, Timothy, Yurii, Lara,
             Ivan, Mister Miyagi, QuickSilvee, Katenka Dolly !!
    

    Like the card says 
    
    "Someday I'm going to run away to the country and live in a house
    with 39 cats"
    
    I already have a start on the cats.
    
  Dave

    In my case it's because 39 equals the exact number of cats needed
    to cover my waterbed like a comforter (pun intended).
    
    Dave

    re: .0
    
    I just want to add my 2 cents' worth because I have also wondered what
    I would do if I had to make a choice.  What I have found is that if a
    guy doesn't like cats, we never make it to the second date, and often
    not even to the first date.  If you really love cats and they are an
    integral part of your life, it will come out in your first discussions
    with your new potential mate, or the first time he comes to your house
    and meets the cats.  Any mutual attraction will die as soon as he says
    "I can't stand cats" or anything similar!  I just can't imagine ever
    getting beyond that statement to a meaningful relationship!
    
    The other comments about allergies and situations that do not really
    involve choice of mate are all valid.  I have been fighting a mild
    allergy to cats all my life, but that hasn't stopped me!  CONTAC
    and other allergy medicines help, but I found I can just put up
    with it for all the love I get in return!  I did find, however,
    that many allergists don't understand a refusal to even consider
    "getting rid of the cats".  So if anyone is fighting an allergy,
    keep trying, and change allergists if necessary.

    This topic really hit home with me as two weeks ago I found
    out that my husband has developed Asthma.  The doctor told him
    in no uncertain terms to "Get rid of ALL the cats" or he'll be
    spending alot of time in emergency rooms as it will get worse
    not better.  ASTHMA can be fatal in some cases and is more than
    a simple allergy.  I have been allergic for years but can live
    with my kitties as long as I keep them out of the bedroom.  This
    is really difficult for me as my cats were a major portion of my
    life before my husband arrived on the sceen but his health must
    be considered.  He loves cats too and had his own before we met.
    I have taken some steps to see what happens.  As I had 17+ cats
    at a time varying due to kittens in the house at any one time
    this is not a simple problem.  I have found new homes for 4 of the
    adult cats and am in the process of finding homes for the last
    2 litters of kittens that I have.  Once the kittens have found homes
    I will be keeping everyone in the basement.  I have one bedroom
    upstairs that I can keep closed and can use that for a nursery.
    So we'll just have to wait and hope for the best.
    
    					Debbie
    

    I have a friend with severe asthma, and a cat.  She manages okay
    with medication.
    

    
    I've also had friends with asthma and cats.  Getting down to one
    or two cats might help.  Stay with shorthair varieties.  You might
    also try a Rex (very little fur) or one of the Oriental Hairless
    (unsure of the true breed names for these, but they have almost
    no hair).  
    

    additional info on 881.20
    
    I have raised and shown Persians for several years.  As I love the
    breed I would have a really hard time switching to another breed
    especially as I love ALL my kitties.  It was extreemly painfull
    just to place the 4 that I have already.
    
    				Debbie
    

    			<Colors of Cats>
    
    As far as allergies go, go with the short haired varieties.  I have
    noticed that Tiger striped cats I am more allergic to than the black
    and white patched cats, to which I seem not to be sensitive at all.
    Anyone else notice this???

    Interesting fact we discovered at cat shows over the years may shed
    some light on re .-1:
    
    Maine Coons are judged in part on their coats.  Our Black/white
    particolors never did well in judging.  Onquestioning the judges,
    we were told that the coats were too soft.  Our kitties from the
    same breeding who were tabby and white were just fine.  We started
    checking, got the genetist involved and actually demonstrated that
    the Black/whites had different coats than the cats exhibiting the
    striping.
    
    Interesting, no?
    
    Dave

    My wife is allergic to cats, and many other things.... Some quite
    severe some (like cats) not so. Contact with tomatos makes (within
    seconds) a large bump appear at the point of contact, A cat scratch
    causes local swelling and wheezing.
    
    Her Alergist says his job is to make her FEEL better, and therefore
    will not recommend that she gets rid of her cats! However he believes
    that the tomato must be avoided (no desentization will be attempted).
    
    What kept my wife from seeing an allergist for years is the fear
    of being directed to "get rid of the cats".
    
    Oh the allergests name is Dr Luhovey in Manchester NH, he specializes
    in food allergies and has done wonders for my wife.
    
    Doctors are hired help, and as such should do things to make the
    customers happy.
    
                                       Tom

    re:  .26
    
    >  Doctors are hired help, and as such should do things to make
    >  the customer happy.
    
    Tom, you have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that!  It is
    an attitude whose time has come.  It is time for us to get involved
    in our own health solutions.  This includes the understanding that
    a doctor is a providor of services.  If you don't like his srevices,
    go to another providor.  The day of Dr. God are over (thank goodness).
    
    Marion 

    This would be a miserably tough decision - I'm not sure what I would
    do.
    
    But, as a side note for those that are dealing with the problem....
    I don't know if it would help or not, but I have a friend who has
    a vacuum cleaner that uses water as a filter. What is sucked
    up goes through the water, not just a bag, so very little if any
    dust escapes back into the air. This might be better than the regular
    cleaner. 
    
    I don't know any other details, like name, etc. but if anyone is
    interested, I can get more info. 
    
    janet b.

    The water vacuum your talking about is called a RAINBOW.  You can
    usually find a distributor in the Yellow Pages for your area.  As
    far as I know, they are only available through a distributor.  
    
    The RAINBOW does a much better job than an ordinary vacuum cleaner,
    or at least I think so.  Although, it helps a little, it doesn't
    solve the problem for people with allergies.  I know, my hubbie
    is allergic to my 7 fuzzies!!
    
    purrs
    cin...