How Come??

[Desley (booktigger)]

I have to say that anyone who suffers from severe asthma attacks on a regular basis is right to rehome their cat - you can't look after them if you end up dead because of them. As much as the asthma line sometimes irritates me cos I am asthamatic myself, we have to remember that it can and does kill people and for some people, it isn't as easy as just taking an inhaler. I wasn't diagnosed as being asthmatic until I was 19, and ironically the only time in my life we didn't have a pet.

[Team Svartalfheims]

I've got asthma and I have a real problem with Ellie and Tigger but not with Mollie or any of the NFCs. Persians set my asthma off something chronic and cause me to come out in itchy lumps as well as asthma attacks. Unless a pet sent me into anaphylactic shock I'd never rehome them.

I use petal cleanse and de-allergy wipes on Tigger and she gets regularly bathed and Mum starts wiping Ellie over a few weeks before I go down. When I lived at home my doctor whinged about Ellie and then when I went to uni my doctor there whinged about Tigger as she causes me to have quite bad asthma attacks at least once a week but I pointed out that it's not Tigger's fault I'm allergic to her and there was no way she was going anywhere (you wouldn't rehome a child if you were allergic to them!) so the doctor never suggested that again lol. Since she's been missing my asthma has been a lot better and I've only had 2 asthma attacks since April (caused by tree pollen). I'd rather put up with the asthma attacks and have my Tiggster back home with me though.

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I think it's important for anyone with asthma to determine whether their pets really are the culprit before they rehome them.  Certain things act as triggers in asthmatics and bring on attacks, but the triggers vary.  I have asthma but cats are not a trigger factor for me (dust mites and cold weather are).  My niece has asthma and for a long time my sister used that as an excuse not to get any pets (because she didn't want any pets - said the doctor advised against pets) but my niece is fine around my cats and my other sister's dogs.  She now has a hamster and rides horses a lot - neither affects her asthma.  So for anyone who develops asthma it's important not to immediately assume that the pets have to go.

[CheeseGertiDocs Dad]

I had asthma when i was a toddler and we had a cat called tigger  my mums baby hehe

Though the cat was in contact with me and it may of annoyed my asthma my mum never thought about getting rid! she was family!

My dad has a mild form of asthma and didnt realise this until tigger passed away and he never had it again,only as he goes into his 50's is it coming back.

I occastionally get moments where im breathless or weezing but thats usualy cold weather or im becoming ill. The cats though never bother me.

Dawn also has ashma which can at times cause her problems but weve had cats for over 2 years now and never have we found it impossible to be around them.

I know were quite lucky to have a mild form of ashma and there are stronger cases that can be life threatening which then i would understand rehoming an animal,but surely in most cases you can put up with an inhaler to make you breath easy for the love of a purring kitty cat?

[CurlyCatz]

tis true these things can just start at anytime of life, depending on how bad it is would probably depend on the actions one would have to take but remember asthma can be a killer and does so every year, not necessarily youngsters but i know of 3 adults who have all died young through asthma attacks. (funnily enough hubby and me were just talking about his last weekend)

[clarenmax]

I've also heard that things like asthma, hay fever, eczema etc can come on at any time of life, you don't necessarily have to have been born with it, but if you have one, it means you predisposed to potentially suffer from the others as well as they are all linked.

[JackSpratt]

Yep, asthma can develop at any time of life and depending on the severity of the condition, sometimes keeping a (furry!) pet is, sadly, out of the question.

I have a friend that visits me with the intention of having a cuppa - he usually lasts around 3/4 hour before his nose is running, his eyes are swelling up and his breathing is harder.

Another friend who has asthma slept over on my pull out bed, only to get himself straight to a chemist the next day for an inhaler because my cats had caused such a reaction. He still visits - and likes my cats!

[MBll]

Mmmmmmmm 

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

There are conditions that have a sudden onset. Often car accidents and viruses can cause sinus problems as well as alergies. My mother was 73 when officially diagnosed with Asthma for example.

I can sympathise to some extent with people trying to rehome their pets through classifieds. If people care, they will at least make an attempt to personally see and vet potential new homes before calling in a rescue. What bugs me is clear profiteering - trying to sell 2-3 year old cats for £100 or more without declaring a convincing reason to rehome.

[MBll]

If you have a cat for 9 years  since a kitten &  then say 'I have become severly asthmatic'  & cant keep anymore so put it up on the free ads?   Aint that along time to suddenly get asthmatic?     And I thought theres stuff you can take  for that ?